Constipation - Kenvalley Veterinary Clinic Vet in Kensington

Constipation - Kenvalley Veterinary Clinic Vet in Kensington

is the infrequent
Constipation
or difficultpassageof faeces.
Therecan be variouscausesfor constipation.
Dietarybehavioural,
environmental
and medically
relatedcausesmayresultin yourpetbecoming
constipated.
Belowaresomeof the morecommoncausesof constipation:
Behaviouralor environmentalcauses:
. Catsmaybecomeconstipated
if theyrefuseto usethe littertraydueto it beingsoiled.
. Animalsthatarewellhousetrainedandarelockedup allday,maybecomeconstipated
as theywillrefuseto defaecate
insidethe house.
willoftenresultin constipation;
olderanimalsthattendto sleepmostof the
' Inactivity
daymaybe inclinedto sufferfromconstipation.
Medicallyrelatedcauses:
. Painin the rectalareamaypreventyourpetfrom
defaecating,
. Inabilityto assumethe positionto defaecate
as seen in dogsand catsthat haveorthopedic
problemse.g. spinal problemsand fractures,
as well as in animalsthat have neurological
problems.
. Colonicobstructions
that may be caused by
tumours,granulomas,abscessesor enlarged
prostateglands.
. A weakness
of thecolon.
. Megacolon
is the enlargement
of the colon.The
colon becomesdilatedand flaccidand is no
longerable to contractproperly,often leading
to chronicconstipation.
Theseanimalsrequire
constantveterinary
care.
Dietarycauses:
' Abnormal
diet,whichincludestoo littlefibrein yourpet'sdiet
or notdrinkingenoughwater.
' Feedingbonesto your pet may causean obstructionor
severeconstioation.
' Bothlongand shorthairedcats may ingesta considerable
amountof fur whilegrobming,resultingin hairballswhich
couldcauseyourcatlo becomeconstipated.
' Someanimalsareinclined
to swallowforeignobjectssuchas
toysandplasticbags.Thismaycausean obstruction
in your
pet'sbowel,resultingin eitherconstipation
or vomiting.
This
is veryoftena medicalemergency.
Signsof constipationmay includethe following:
. Intermittent
strainingwith no productionof faeces.Cats may be seen scratching
aroundin theirlittertrayswithintermittent
straining;
thissignshouldbe distinguished
from urinarytractinfections
whichyourvet will be ableto determine
on examination
andfurthertests.
. Yourpetmaypasssmallamountsof hard,dryfaecalmatteror mucousafterrepeated
attemptsto defaecate.
. Defaecation
maybe painfulandtheremay be rednessand swellingaroundthe anal
atea.
. Shouldthestraining
be severeenough,it mayresultin a prolapse
of the rectum,which
is a medicalemergency.
. Analscooting,
whichmayalsobe a signof blockedanalglandsor worminfestation.
. Animalswho are constipated
will oftenshowno interestin foodand mayevenhave
intermittent
vomiting.
. Weightloss(especially
in animalsthatsufferwithchronicconstipation).
. Lethargy.
Mild constipation
can be treatedwith laxativesavailablefrom your veterinarian.
lt is however
advisable
to takeyourdog or cat to the vet for a thoroughexamination
to ensurethereare no
otherunderlying
conditions
causingtheconstipation.
Somediseasesmaybe easilyconfused
with
constipation
andwillrequirea veterinary
examination
to ruletheseout.
Severecasesof constipation
willrequirethatyourpetbeplacedon a dripandoncefullyrehydrated,
enemasmayneedto be administered
underveterinary
supervision.
Depending
yourveterinarian
on the severityof the constipation,
maysendyourdogor cat home
witha laxativeanda specialdietfor a fewdays.
Reforence: Nelson RW Couto CG. Small animal internalmedicine.4th ed. St. Louis (MO): Mosby Elsevier;2009.P 366-7.