How Do You Know if Dog Is Constipated
What is constipation? 
Constipation is infrequent or hard passage of stool or feces and is typically a temporary condition. Many constipated dogs will experience straining or pain when attempting to defecate. Obstipation , a severe form of constipation, is often associated with a serious, permanent, or irreversible medical condition.
Since one of the major functions of the colon is water absorption, sometimes the retained stool becomes hard and dry, which makes passing it even more difficult. In some cases, dogs may go dehydrated. Some constipated dogs may pass small amounts of liquid carrion or blood due to their excessive straining. Sometimes, the liquid feces are mistaken for diarrhea, just really, when the domestic dog strains, a small corporeality of liquid fecal textile is able to clasp effectually the hard fecal mass.
What causes constipation?
There are many potential causes of constipation in dogs. The almost common cause is ingestion of irritating or indigestible substances. Dogs with long hair or those that lick or groom themselves excessively are also at risk for condign constipated.
Other common causes of constipation in dogs include:
- diseases of the colon
- drugs that cause constipation (such as antihistamines, diuretics, narcotic hurting relievers, and sucralfate)
- fright, anxiety, and other behavioral weather condition that modify passage of normal bowel movements
- foreign bodies or abdominal obstruction
- hormonal diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism)
- inadequate practice and physical activity
- megacolon (enlarged colon)
- neurologic diseases
- painful conditions, such as osteoarthritis that make it uncomfortable to laissez passer stool
- pelvic injuries or abnormalities
- sudden change in diet or ingestion of new foods
- tumors or masses in the colon or rectum
How tin I tell if my domestic dog is constipated?
Nearly dogs produce feces at least once a day; many of them accept bowel movements that correspond to the number of daily feedings. If your dog is constipated, he or she will probably endeavour to laissez passer feces unsuccessfully several times. You may observe your dog circling excessively, scooting (dragging bottom along the ground) or squatting often, or even crying out in severe cases. Other clinical signs include decreased appetite, vomiting, pocket-size amounts of watery carrion or feces that contains mucus (without a normal stool), and weight loss. Some constipated dogs will have a tense, painful abdomen and cry or growl if you printing on their tummy or lower back.
Call your veterinarian if your canis familiaris fails to produce a bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours of a previous bowel movement.
How is constipation diagnosed?
Most cases will exist diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. When evaluating your dog's abdomen, your veterinarian will likely experience a business firm, distended colon. He or she may conduct a rectal examination to rule out rectal strictures (a narrowing of the exit passage, resulting from a previous problem), tumors, foreign bodies, or other abnormalities. In many cases, abdominal radiographs (X-rays) will be performed to determine the extent of constipation and whether or non an obstruction exists. Blood tests and urinalysis are valuable to search for dehydration or infection. In avant-garde cases, an intestinal ultrasound may help identify the crusade of your dog's constipation. Biopsies may also exist recommended if a rectal mass or stricture is suspected.
How is constipation treated?
Virtually cases of constipation are relatively easy to treat. The first step is to loosen or remove the impacted, hardened fecal thing. Removal may be accomplished through the use of i or a combination of therapies, including enemas, manual removal, and medications. Medications such equally dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) (brand name Ducosate®) or lactulose (make names: Cephulac®, Kristalose®, Generlac®, Constulose®, Enulose®) are commonly prescribed. In cases where stimulant laxatives are required, drugs such equally cisapride (brand names: Prepulsid®, Propulsid®) or tegaserod, may be recommended.
Some dogs may require hospitalization while undergoing multiple enemas or to supersede fluids to correct dehydration. More than serious atmospheric condition may require additional treatments, including surgery or lifelong medical or dietary direction. Either a low- or high-fiber diet may exist needed based on your pet's specific cause of constipation. Dogs that take behavioral or psychogenic causes of constipation may need behavioral modification through training and/or medications. Supplements such every bit probiotics may also be used afterward the constipation has been corrected.
What is the expected issue for constipation?
The prognosis for constipation is determined by the exact cause. Most dogs will enjoy a speedy recovery after medical handling has been completed. For dogs with more than serious underlying diseases that crusade constipation, the prognosis is proficient once the causative condition has been addressed. Almost dogs can be successfully managed through a combination of medical, dietary, and surgical treatments.
"The prognosis for constipation is determined by the verbal cause."
A serious, though mostly uncommon, outcome or crusade of constipation in dogs is megacolon. Megacolon refers to a dilated and weak colon that causes severe constipation. In this condition, the weakened muscles of the colon neglect to propel fecal matter out of the colon. This may be due to neurological impairment, problems with the muscles lining the colon, or both. Megacolon may exist seen as a primary condition or secondary post-obit long-term constipation. When the colon becomes enlarged with fecal material over an extended menses, its ability to contract may be reduced or lost, resulting in megacolon. Carrion accrue in this abnormally distended and enlarged colon.
How can I prevent my domestic dog from condign constipated once again?
Based on the exact crusade of your dog's constipation, your veterinarian may advise you to feed a therapeutic nutrition, add together supplements or medications to the food, or render for additional tests or treatments. For the majority of dogs, constipation is directly related to eating an unfamiliar food or object and farther medical intervention is unnecessary. Other dogs may require lifelong treatment to help maintain normal bowel movements.
Source: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/constipation-in-dogs
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