CONSTIPATION AND YOUR CAT

Constipation in cats 

What is constipation?

Constipation can be defined as an abnormal accumulation of faeces resulting in a difficulty in passing bowel movements.  This may result in reduced frequency or absence of defecation.  The faeces are retained in the large intestine (colon).  Since one of the functions of this part of the bowel is water absorption, the retained faeces become hard and dry which makes passage of these even more difficult.  Constipated cats strain in an attempt to defecate and this is often painful.  Some constipated cats may pass small amount of liquid faeces.

Possible causes of constipation

• Hairballs (especially in long-haired cats)
• Ingestion of foreign bodies
• Obstruction caused by tumours, strictures or masses compressing the colon
• Pelvic injuries, most commonly after a road traffic accident, which can result in a narrowed pelvic canal
• Damage of the nerves which cause the colon to contract.  This may arise following traumatic damage such as a road accident may be seen as part of more generalised neurological disease
• In most cases however, there is no obvious cause identified, and the condition is termed idiopathic constipation or idiopathic megacolon

What is megacolon?

This term refers to a dilated and poorly motile colon.  Megacolon maybe seen as a primary entity or arise following longterm constipation.  When the colon becomes distended with faecal material over a prolonged period of time its ability to contract may be reduced or lost – this results in megacolon.

How are constipation and megacolon diagnosed?

In most cases, a diagnosis of constipation can be made on the basis of the clinical signs that the cat is showing.  Affected cats usually strain unsuccessfully to defecate and may cry in pain when doing this.  Any faeces passed are hard and dry.  The cat may also show signs of lethargy, reluctance to eat and vomiting.  In some cases further test may be needed to confirm diagnosis i.e, x-rays of the abdomen or pelvis, or blood tests to check for systemic disorders that can predispose to development of constipation, such as chronic kidney disease and blood electrolyte disturbances.

 How are constipation and megacolon treated?

This can vary depending on the cause of the problem.  Initial treatment may involve administration of enemas and manual extraction of faeces by a veterinary surgeon.  The latter of these may need an anaesthetic or sedative to reduce stress to patient.  Treatment of dehydration with intravenous fluids may also be needed in severely affected cats.  If the constipation becomes a long term problem then continuous care is needed.  Altering the diet to a higher fibre food may also help, and stool softeners may also be used in milder cases.

In long haired cats, regular grooming may reduce hair ingestion by the cat and therefore reduce the formation of hairballs which could result in constipation.

Clean litter trays should always be available for your cat so that frequent defecation is encouraged.

If megacolon develops or if the constipation is severe and medical treatment is unsuccessful at controlling this, then surgery may be advised by your vet.  Surgical treatment involves removal of most of the colon which initially will result in diarrhoea as the colon is responsible for water removal from faeces.  Over a period of time, this should improve.  The surgery should not result in loss of bowel control.

 If you suspect your pet may be suffering from constipation, or if you would like any further advice, please contact the surgery.