Everybody poops..............

Unless you can’t……… Today let’s dive into a topic that not many people like to talk about. Why? Who knows. Everybody poops!

What is constipation? How often should a “normal” dog or cat defecate? What signs should you watch for if you think that your pet is constipated? When is it time to schedule an exam with your Veterinarian, and what can they do for your pet? Lots of great questions, and I have some answers!

To start with, what is constipation? This is pain or discomfort and the inability to defecate. Normal cats should defecate at least once per day.

Normal dogs should defecate once per day also, but some will defecate two or three times per day. Some of this comes down to individual body physiology with how fast food is broken down and how quickly waste products are formed into solid stool. Some of this is also the food you are feeding your pet. While certain dog or cat foods have a good balance of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, others are mostly “filler.” This extra filler doesn’t get digested well, leading to a pet who defecates many times per day.

Most dogs or cats feel the need to defecate soon after eating. This is because when your stomach senses food, the “peristalsis” chain begins in your intestinal tract.

Peristalsis is the rhythmical movement of food through the intestinal tract, from the stomach down to the end of your colon. This movement pushes the food through the various areas of the gut where nutrients are absorbed, food is broken down, and solid waste is made. So, as you are trying to potty train your puppy, right after eating is a great time to take your puppy outside. Other pets are on a different schedule….for instance, our dog defecates first thing in the morning, and mid-afternoon. Like clockwork, every day. Our cat defecates every night, right after he eats dinner. Like clockwork, every day. Your pet will find its own schedule as well.

When a pet doesn’t defecate for a day or two, it’s time to start paying attention to things.

Are they still eating? Are they vomiting? Are they lethargic or playful like usual? Did you change their diet? Have you moved or are you on vacation with your pet that they may be nervous about defecating in a new area? So many questions we can ask ourselves. If your dog or cat is still acting normal, though he or she hasn’t defecated in a day or two, it’s okay to monitor for another day. But, if you are going on day three, and if they are not acting right, it’s time to call your Veterinarian. Signs of constipation or impaction include lethargy, vomiting, not wanting to eat, possible dehydration, pain when being picked up, biting at the abdomen, and possible hiding.

If you do schedule an examination for your pet with your Veterinarian, we typically start with a complete physical exam. I check the pet’s gums to make sure they are pink and moist.

If they are dehydrated, likely there is not enough liquid in the colon to make the stool soft. If the stool gets hard and stuck against the colon wall, it won’t move easily. I also do a full abdominal palpation. In many pets that weigh the proper amount (not overweight), we Veterinarians can feel the pet’s colon pretty easily. There should be no pain while we are palpating, and we should be able to feel stool that can be moved as we are gently feeling the colon. In cats, it should feel like a series of tootsie rolls headed down the colon. If the pet is painful, or if we feel overly large tootsie rolls, or if the quantity of stool is larger than normal, an x-ray is always my next recommendation.

X-rays give us a ton of information regarding constipation. How large is the stool? What parts of the colon have solid stool…..is it just the descending colon (last part), or is there stool in the transverse colon and ascending colon as well? This would tell me that the pet hasn’t defecated in DAYS. Is there a foreign body in the intestines? If it’s a cat, do I suspect Megacolon? Megacolon is a disease typically of older cats whose colon has essentially stopped working. It no longer responds to the peristalsis commands, and the stool builds and builds and builds, until these poor kitties are in tremendous discomfort from all of the stool packed in their colon. An x-ray also gives me a starting point prior to beginning therapy for a constipated pet. Once therapy has been started, we can take a repeat x-ray to see if all of the stool has moved through the pet, or if more work needs to be done.  In this x-ray below, look at how HUGE the stool is in this cat.  And, look how much stool is in there. Poor kitty!  This is a case of Megacolon.

Finally, what can be done for a constipated pet? Your Veterinarian may recommend an enema (or three!). Enemas are typically made up of warm soapy water, or warm water with a lubricant added.

This water combination loosens the stool, rehydrates the colon tissue, and allows your pet to pass the stool more easily. Sometimes they work immediately, sometimes it takes overnight for the stool to soften and the pet to defecate. After the episode of constipation passes, it is important to watch your pet for future episodes. Many of these guys are repeat offenders. Some pets need to eat a soft food diet for the rest of their life. Soft food obviously has more liquid content than dry food, making it easier to “slide” through the intestinal tract, and providing more overall hydration for your pet. A well hydrated pet defecates much more easily than a dehydrated pet.

Other dogs or cats may need to be maintained on a medication to help the peristalsis. One of my favorites is Cisapride.

I have prescribed this medication to MANY cats, and even some dogs. Compounding pharmacies can make this into a flavored liquid or chewable medication for your pet. However, before prescribing this medication, a Veterinarian MUST take an x-ray to make sure there is no intestinal obstruction. Making the intestines push against a foreign body that is stuck can have disastrous consequences.

Finally, exercise. We all poop a lot better if we are active. The simple act of running or walking stimulates the intestinal peristalsis into action. Well-exercised humans and pets often have less issues with constipation than those who are couch potatoes.

So, grab that leash and get out there with your dog! It will benefit both of you in more ways than one!