Constipation

Constipation occurs when your pet’s bowel becomes filled with hard dry faeces making it difficult, or even impossible, to pass those faeces.  Your pet will often show signs of pain and straining when trying to go to the toilet.  Retention of faeces as a result of constipation leads to sickness and a painful swollen rectum. 

Some causes of constipation

• Overfeeding of bones in the diet or bone fragments passing through the intestines
• Dirt/sand/gravel/stones, fur and hair balls
• Enlargement of the prostate gland in male (predominantly entire) pets
• Lack of exercise
• Perineal hernias
• Loss of bowel nerve control, spinal disease or back pain
• Cancers and tumours in the bowel or pelvic canal
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats
• Anal gland disease/infections 
• Dehydration (can be secondary to kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus)
• Pelvic or hind limb fractures
• Some medications 

Treatment

• Intravenous fluids: can increase the lubrication in the bowel to help obstructions pass through.  Often fluids are required in conjunction with other treatments.
• Enemas: This is a procedure where a liquid or paste is introduced into the rectum to soften and lubricate the dry faeces.  Often multiple enemas are required.  Some enemas can be performed in the consult room however, most enemas do require your pet to stay with us for a period of time.
• Laxatives: There are some medications we can give to animals orally to help soften their faeces.  Paraffin oil was a very popular treatment for constipation but please do not start treatment with this old favourite before speaking to your veterinarian.  It has since been found that paraffin oil is easily inhaled by pets (especially cats) and will cause a very serious pneumonia.  If laxatives are determined to be a good treatment choice your veterinarian will decide on the most appropriate medication for each specific situation.
• Surgery: Occasionally surgery is required to remove blockages.  Surgery may be used to remove tumours etc.  Entire male pets may be castrated to slow down or decrease prostate enlargement. 

Prevention

• Adequate exercise
• Good balanced diet without excessive bone consumption
• Use of fur ball preventatives in long haired cats
• Regular veterinary check-ups and regular worming.
• For those pets not responsive to conventions treatment it is recommended to assess for an underlying cause. This may include blood testing, x-rays and ultrasound.