Constipation and Obstipation in Dogs

 

Infrequent, incomplete, or difficult defecation, with passage of hard or dry bowel movements (feces) is medically referred to as constipation. Obstipation is pronounced constipation that is difficult to manage or does not respond to medical treatment. Obstipation is caused by chronic constipation, prolonged retention of hard, dry bowel movement; defecation becomes impossible in patients with this condition.

 

Symptoms and Types

 

• Straining to defecate with small or no fecal volume
• Hard, dry bowel movement
• Infrequent or lack of defecation
• Small amount of liquid stool with mucus in it - sometimes with blood present, produced after prolonged straining to defecate (known as tenesmus)
• Occasional vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Depression
• Large bowel (colon) filled with hard compacted fecal material
• Swelling around the anus

 

Causes

 

• Swallowed bones
• Swallowed hair
• Foreign material
• Excessive fiber in the diet
• Inadequate water intake
• Lack of exercise
• Trauma
• Intestinal blockage
• Paralysis/muscle weakness – muscles of intestines are unable to move fecal material
• Low blood calcium
• High levels of parathyroid hormone (important in calcium absorption)
• Low levels of blood potassium
• Low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood
• Change of environment – hospitalization, move
• Inability to walk to toileting area

 

Diagnosis

 

You will need to provide a thorough history of your pet's health leading up to the onset of symptoms. Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam on your dog, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis.

 

X-rays are crucial for visualizing the abdomen and intestinal tract in order to determine the severity of the impaction. Ultrasound imaging of the abdomen can return more precise images. Your veterinarian may also choose to use a colonoscopy (a diagnostic tool that is inserted into the colon to visualize the interior) to diagnose and identify a mass, stricture, or other colonic or rectal lesion.

 

 

Treatment

 

If your dog is dehydrated or obstipated (has difficult to manage constipation or does not respond to medical treatment), then it will need to be treated on an inpatient basis. Fluid therapy will be given, and if your dog is taking any medications that may be causing the constipation, they will be discontinued or replaced.

 

Dietary supplementation with a bulk-forming agent (such as bran, methylcellulose, canned pumpkin, psyllium) often is helpful, though these agents can sometimes worsen fecal distension within the colon. If this occurs, you will need to switch to a low residue-producing diet for your dog.

 

After your doctor has determined that your dog is sufficiently rehydrated, manual removal of the feces, with your dog under general anesthesia, will be conducted. If the impaction is not too severe, enemas may help to loosen or dislodge the impaction, but generally, the impaction must be removed manually. Your veterinarian may do this by hand, or with forceps. If the condition has been chronic, your veterinarian may need to perform a surgical procedure to remove part of the colon. This type of surgery is known as a subtotal colectomy, and may be required with recurring obstipation, or when circumstances suggest that the colon has been irreversibly damaged.

 

Living and Management

 

Monitor the frequency of your dog’s defecation and stool consistency at least twice a week initially, then weekly or biweekly. Contact your veterinarian if you notice very hard, dry feces, or that your dog is straining while defecating. Diarrhea is also a cause for concern, since it can quickly lead to dehydration. You will need to contact your veterinarian as well if you note it. To prevent a recurrence, feed your dog a veterinarian-approved diet and be sure to keep your dog active so that the muscles of the intestine are working properly.