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Healing & Alternative Health
Dr. Carson's Holistic Animal Care:
Signs of the Aging
Dog and Cat
Part 12:
Organs of the Abdomen: Treatment of Diseases of the Large Intestine: Constpation
by Kathleen M. Carson, D.V.M
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Jokes have been made about this condition, but it is no joke for an animal that has it.
The overwhelming number of patients seen with constipation are older cats, though it can occur in younger cats and in dogs. In this article I’ll talk about the typical patient, the geriatric cat.
Most constipated cats have had their condition come on gradually over a number of weeks or months. Their human family members have either: 1.) noted their feline friend visiting his box frequently, straining to defecate, acting uncomfortable and crying (Note: this also can be signs of a urinary tract infection/inflammation), or 2.) not seen any sign of discomfort or straining, just noted that their cat hasn’t defecated in several days (in a multiple cat household, the latter can be hard to detect). In either case, as the condition progresses the cat’s appetite slows, then stops. Weight loss occurs. Sometimes she starts vomiting. Untreated, constipation can lead to serious, even life- threatening problems. At the very least, it is an uncomfortable condition and noticeably decreases quality of life of your cat. If you note any of these signs in your older cat, a trip to your veterinarian is in order, the sooner the better.
By the time a cat’s human family members are aware there’s a problem, often their kitty is badly constipated, full of a large volume of hard, dry stool. He usually needs an enema, sometimes several enemas, to get rid of all the backed-up stool.
Sometimes she has crossed the line from constipation into what’s called obstipation. An obstipated cat’s intestines are grossly overloaded with huge, very hard stools. To help him/her, a procedure called de-obstipation is necessary, in which he/she actually has to be anesthetized to be thoroughly cleaned out.
What causes constipation in the older cat? There are a variety of contributing factors. Some cats have merely one factor, others have many. The most common contributing factors are: dehydration, poor muscle tone in the large intestine (called megacolon), and lack of bulk to the stool (the latter caused by a low fiber diet).
Because constipation can have more than one cause, the treatment of constipation has to be tailored to each individual constipated cat. I can’t emphasize this enough. There’s not just one treatment or medication which works for all. You and your veterinarian need to work together closely to discover the causes of constipation in your individual cat and to work out a treatment plan which is effective for him or her. If you’re lucky, you’ll hit on the right combination of things right away. If not, it may take a while to find what works for your cat. Try not to get discouraged; if you persist, usually a solution can be found!
Another fact to remember is that, in most cats, if he/she has had one episode of constipation, there will be more in the future. Constipation rarely is a condition which has to dealt with once and never again. In fact, unfortunately, it tends to worsen with time, especially if treated inconsistently or inadequately.
You can help your veterinarian discern the causes of your cat’s constipation by observing some things about your cat. If dehydration is a factor, your cat’s stools will be dry, hard, crumbly. His coat may also look dull or dry, and his skin may be flaky. When you pick up a fold of her skin, it may take several seconds for it to flatten out again. If this is the case for your cat, add extra water to her food and stay away from dry foods/kibble as much as possible. If these changes are not enough, ask your veterinarian about putting your cat on subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of fluids at home. They can make a significant difference, not only in helping constipation, but in making your cat feel better overall.
There also are stool softeners your veterinarian can prescribe for the dry stools.
If your cat’s stools are very small, you will need to increase the fiber in his diet. There are multiple ways of increasing the fiber in the food your cat eats. For example, there are foods you can buy which have fiber incorporated into them, such as Hills' w/d, a prescription diet you can get from your veterinarian. Or, you can add extra fiber (e.g., Metamucil, bran, canned pumpkin, babyfood squash or peas) to the food your animal already is eating. Some cats respond better to one type of fiber than another, and some cats won’t eat food with certain types of fiber in it, so you and your veterinarian may need to try more than one type before one is found which is effective.
Intestinal lubricants can be useful in the early stages of constipation. Hairball products are usually the most available lubricants, though mixing 1/4 up to 1 tsp. or more of olive oil into your cat’s food can work well, too. Start with a small amount so as not to throw your cat off his food. Then slowly increase the amount over a week or two until you get the results you want. Cut back the amount if the stools get too soft.
I do not recommend giving mineral oil to constipated cats. Most cats dislike the taste. During their struggles to avoid taking it, they can inhale the mineral oil into their lungs, causing potentially fatal inhalation pneumonia.
Adding digestive enzymes and the “friendly” intestinal bacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, to your cat’s food can also help with constipation. Discuss this with your veterinarian.
If the constipation is severe/long-standing, your veterinarian will probably prescribe a drug called Propulsid (cisapride) which increases the motility in the intestinal tract. It is very effective for most constipated cats.
Acupuncture and herbs can be very effective in treating constipation. In the early stages they alone may be sufficient to resolve the constipation. As time goes by and the constipation worsens, then more conventional treatments usually need to be added. Seek out a veterinary acupuncturist to discuss these treatments for your constipated cat.
If all else fails, and your cat has a hopelessly enlarged, flabby, ineffective large intestine (advanced megacolon), surgery to remove the colon may be necessary. I wouldn’t recommend it until other treatment methods have failed to effectively treat your cat’s constipation. However, if this is the case with your cat, surgery will need to be seriously considered.
Following this surgery, most cats have diarrhea for a period of time as their bodies adjust be being without a colon. Usually this diarrhea clears up, and then you have a constipation-free cat!
Next month I’ll discuss diseases of the liver. |
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Dr. Kathleen Carson, DVM
Veterinarian & Author
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Dr. Carson received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California at Davis in 1968. She's been a small animal practitioner (dogs and cats ) for all the years since, except for a short stint at the San Diego Zoo when she first graduated.
She belongs to the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Since 1974 she's lived and practiced in the South Bay Area near Los Angeles. She started the area's first house call practice in 1976 and the first pet crisis/loss group in 1989. The human-animal bond is of special interest to her.
She started exploring complementary veterinary medicine in 1987. Her practice became 100% holistic in 1996. She utilizes acupuncture, herbs, supplements, Bach Flower Remedies, homeopathic remedies, nutrition and medications for her patients in her practice.
She's currently taking a leave of absence from her house call practice due to health reasons but continues to do phone consultations and to write.
E-mail:
Critterhlr@aol.com
website:
http://www.holistic
vetconsult.com
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