Constipation. It isn't a pretty subject, but the affliction can impact companion animals.
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Constipation describes the difficult or infrequent passing of stool.
As with many conditions, it can manifest on a spectrum of severity from mild to life-threatening, depending on the underlying cause and health status of the affected animal.
Signs of constipation in companion animals include repeated, unproductive attempts to pass stool; panting, vocalising or howling when trying to pass stool; bloating of the abdomen; abdominal pain; reduced appetite or vomiting.
Sometimes, owners simply report a "very bad smell" coming from the animal.
Causes of constipation in companion animals vary.
In otherwise healthy animals, the most common cause is dietary.
I often see constipation in dogs after they have eaten bones.
In cats, the ingestion of excess fur can lead to constipation.
Other potential causes of constipation include dietary change, not getting enough exercise (dogs), obesity, ingestion of foreign bodies, prostate disease (male animals), hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism, arthritis, pelvic or spinal injuries, neurological conditions, medications (for example, diuretics which can lead to dehydration, or opioids which can slow down movement of the gut), and diseases of the intestines and colon.
Older cats may suffer from "megacolon", a condition that causes the colon to accumulate a large amount of stool.
Constipation is usually diagnosed on physical examination, but your veterinarian may perform blood tests and imaging to assess the overall health of the patient or look for underlying causes.
Treatment of constipation depends on its severity and underlying cause. For example, animals with mild constipation that are well hydrated may be treated with stool softeners and laxatives under veterinary supervision.
Dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended.
Animals that are dehydrated may need to be hospitalised and put on a drip.
In severe cases, an enema must be performed under general anaesthetic to unblock the gastrointestinal tract.
Some conditions may be managed with medication, including pain relief.
Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia, which causes prostate enlargement in male animals, may be treated medically, surgically (usually via desexing) or both.
In some cases, megacolon can be managed medically, while in advanced cases, surgery may be the best option.
Another potential cause of constipation is a condition known as pseudocoprostasis. This is a very fancy term for a most-definitely unfancy situation that arises when faecal matter accumulates in the fur surrounding the anus, blocking the exit of further material. The condition is more common in animals with longer fur.
This condition can be extremely painful, both due to infection of skin in the area, as well as matting of the coat. I've had to anaesthetise some patients to facilitate removal of the offending furry-faecal matts.
Fortunately, it can be prevented with regular grooming.
Some conditions may be mistaken for constipation. For example, owners may mistake repeated attempts to urinate (particularly by male cats) as attempts to defecate. Other animals may strain when they have diarrhoea.
If your companion animal is having difficulty defecating or urinating, it is important that they are seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If your pet has reduced frequency of passing stool, but is bright, happy, eating the normal amount of food, drinking and making no attempt to strain, monitor them closely. Most companion animals will pass stool once every 24 hours. If you are concerned, contact your veterinarian.
Dr Anne Quain is a lecturer at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science and a practising veterinarian.
