The gastrointestinal tract ends with the colon, which stores the feces and then contracts to push the feces out of the body. If the nerves stimulating the colon are not working, the muscles stretch and the colon enlarges. It fills up with hard fecal material, and results in extreme constipation.
CAUSES:
More than half of cases are idiopathic (the cause cannot be found).
Some possible causes include:
SIGNS:
Common signs that may show megacolon in cats are:
DIAGNOSIS:
To properly diagnose your cat with megacolon, your veterinarian may perform the following:
TREATMENT:
Most veterinarians will recommend the following treatments for cats with megacolon:
For cats that do not respond to treatment, your veterinarian may recommend surgery to remove the colon or widen the pelvic area.
PREVENTION:
Megacolon is difficult to prevent. Cats prone to constipation may benefit from a fiber-supplemented diet, laxatives and/or enemas. You should make sure there is freshdrinking water available at all times.
PROGNOSIS:
Surgery is generally successful, and most cats will recover with treatment.
Recurrences may occur, and some cats will have diarrhea for a few months after recovering.
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Phone: 540-812-2120
FAX: 540-812-2296
Email: paradocsanimalhospital@gmail.com