|
MEGACOLON CAT (In plain English)
Cat constipation, obstipation and megacolon are actually three different conditions. Cat constipation is a condition where a cat defecates with difficulty. The cat strains in the litter box and eventually passes the feces. This can be very painful for the cat. Constipation seems to be very common to cats. Cat constipation can be acute or chronic. Cat constipation doesn’t mean that the colon function in the cat is necessarily lost. Most of the time cat constipation is caused by dehydration, and can be corrected with proper treatment. Cat constipation can lead to serious problems, so immediate action should be taken to remedy the situation. Obstipation is a condition where the cat cannot defecate at all, there is a blockage. The colon is impacted very badly and so no feces can pass through the colon. Obstipation is constipation that is intractable and not responsive to therapy. Obstipation leads to megacolon, or the dilation of the colon. There are many causes for cat constipation and obstipation. Some are, diet, dirty litter box, environment. There is some concern that a strictly dry food diet will cause cat constipation. Megacolon is the condition where the propelling of the fecal matter stops, or diminishes for some unknown reason. This causes the fecal matter to remain in the colon, and the fecal matter becomes very dry and very hard, and becomes impacted. This causes the colon to lose most, if not all, of its ability to propel matter through the colon. As time goes by, a section of the colon enlarges and the enlarged colon is impacted with hard and dry material. The nerves in the colon do not function normally, and the colon wall does not properly contract. Cats of any age, breed or gender can develop cat constipation, obstipation and megacolon. Domestic short-haired cats seem to be more at risk. It is very important in the treatment of megacolon to 1. Maintain hydration. 2. Alleviation of impacted matter. 3. Add dietary fiber to the diet. 4. Treatment with laxatives. 5. To maintain colon motility with the use of motility enhancing medications to avoid cat constipation.
|
|
