Can a cat with megacolon have diarrhea?
Cats may pass stool outside the box as well as in it, may posture and attempt to defecate for prolonged periods or may return to the box to try repeatedly to pass stool, unsuccessfully. There may be mucous or blood passed associated with irritative effects of impacted stool, and even, intermittently, diarrhea.
Can you poop with megacolon?
Idiopathic megacolon is a relatively uncommon condition usually associated with slow-transit constipation. Although medical therapy is frequently ineffective, rectal laxatives, gentle enemas, and manual disimpaction can be attempted.
How can you tell if your cat has megacolon?
In cats with megacolon, the colon becomes larger or more distended than it should be. Over 60 percent of cases of megacolon are idiopathic, meaning the underlying cause is unknown. Once megacolon occurs, it is lifelong—not temporary like constipation. The most common way that veterinarians diagnose megacolon in cats is through X-rays.
How to treat megacolon and constipation in cats?
Treatment of Constipation and Megacolon in Cats A cat that is diagnosed with idiopathic Megacolon will be administered IV’s to increase hydration. Next, a veterinarian will put your cat under and perform an enema. The veterinarian may also perform a deobstipation (which is when the vet removes the feces from the cats stomach).
What happens when a cat’s colon is too big?
If this happens, the muscles become stretched and the colon enlarges in diameter. This enlarged colon may have a diameter three to four times that of a normal cat. Rather than being pushed into the rectum in a normal manner, fecal material accumulates in the distended colon, resulting in severe constipation called obstipation.
What should I do if my cat has a dilation of the colon?
In general, once a cat has obvious dilation of the colon, the colon will never be normal again. Modern medical treatment is to give canned diets that have low residue (low fiber) to decrease the bulk of the stool and increase the water in the cat’s system.
