Mega colon
Megacolon
in Cats
Constipation is common in cats. It refers to
prolonged time for food to travel through the digestive system. When food
passage is delayed, the feces becomes hard and dry, making it more difficult to
pass.
Obstipation refers to prolonged constipation. The
colon is normal in size and function, but the stool is too hard to pass.The vet
will need to perform “deobstipation”, under anesthesia the stool is manually
pushed through the colon by external abdominal manipulation. Enemas may be
given by the vet.
Megacolon is severe constipation in which the
large intestine (colon) becomes physically enlarged and impacted with hard
stool.
Idiopathic
megacolon occurs in almost two-thirds of the cases and no cause can be
identified, however, it is thought to be related to abnormal smooth muscle
function of the colon.
Other
causes:
Narrowing
of pelvis, often related to pelvic fractures
Nerve
injury
Spinal
cord deformities (especially in Manx cats)
Rarely,
inflammation and cancer
Constipation
and megacolon occurs in cats of any age, breed and gender, but are more common
in middle-age cats and domestic shorthairs. Male cats are twice as likely to
develop these conditions. Sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of
constipation and obesity can affect the course of the disease.
Symptoms of constipation and megacolon:
Amount of
stool is absent or reduced and consistency is hard and dry
Straining
in the litter box
Long
periods of time standing in the litter box without stooling
Continual
return to the litter box to try to defecate without success
May
defecate outside of the litter box
With
severe straining, mucous or blood may be passed
Vomiting,
even while straining to pass stool
With
increased severity, decreased appetite and weight loss may be seen
If due to
pelvic or nerve injury, urinary incontinence may occur
Diagnosis of constipation and megacolon:
Complete
history and physical exam, may include neurological exam
Labs –
complete blood count, chemistry panel and urinalysis to eliminate other health
problems
Thyroid
test may be done
Abdominal
x-rays, which may identify pelvic narrowing or foreign bodies in the intestine
The
abdominal x-rays may show large amounts of stool in the intestines
Treatment of constipation and megacolon:
Mild
constipation responds well to increasing fiber in the diet, food change to one
with more fiber or adding pumpkin, wheat bran or psyllium (Metamucil) to each
meal. Ask the vet for recommendations on amounts of these additives to feed
your cat.
It is very
important to increase the amount of water your cat drinks when on these diets.
If the
constipation becomes more severe or recurrent, the cat will need to be
hospitalized to correct dehydration.
Medications can be given to prevent constipation:
Colonic
prokinetic meds. Cisapride stimulates the movement of food through the GI
tract. It is prescription only available through compounding pharmacies.
Lactulose
is a laxative and stool softener. Other laxatives may also by tried.
Personal note: Carrot
became very constipated due to fur-impacted hard stool. We have success with
Miralax 1/2 teaspoon daily (no flavor, easy mix powder) and petroleum jelly
(given mixed in wet food, which becomes ‘mineral oil’ in the GI tract per my
vet). Adjust amounts of Miralax based on stool looseness. Also he needs regular
brushing!
Dietary changes to prevent
constipation:
Highly
digestible foods will produce less fecal material and may be recommended
instead of a fiber-supplemented diet.
High fiber diets should
not be used with chronic
constipation or megacolon! All meat diets are recommended.
If
conservative treatment does not resolve the megacolon, surgery may be needed.
Colectomy, partial or full removal of the colon, is done. Post-op prognosis is
good but some cats may have diarrhea for weeks or months after surgery.
Thank you so much to everyone for your generous gifts from our Amazon wish list!!
Carrot likes the new comfy bed!
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