How to treat megacolon in cats naturally?
Daily medications are necessary, along with food therapy (low residue, highly digestible diets, or high fiber diets), and supplements.
- NHV Maris is helpful for cats with chronic constipation or megacolon as it helps soften the stools and improve bowel movements.
- NHV Maris is a natural constipation aid.
What to feed cat with megacolon?
Because canned food contains up to 78 percent water, your cat may benefit from being fed canned food rather than dry food to fight megacolon. “If we can get canned food into them, so much the better,” says Dr. Degner. In addition, provide plenty of fresh water at all times.
How much does it cost to treat megacolon in cats?
The treatment for megacolon is an expensive process that costs $ 500-$6000 depending on the type of treatment chosen. Medication such as cisapride may cost $1.50-$ 2 per capsule, and depending on dosage this may translate to $950-$1000 per year. This is without considering the diet expenses.
How can I tell if my cat has a megacolon?
Most of the time a vet will diagnose megacolon by taking an xray. A radiograph of a cat with megacolon will show a very dilated colon filled with firm stool. The colon in this diagram to the right shows a colon that is at least twice the size of that of a normal cat.
Can a feline take erythromycin for megacolon?
Erythromycin has no effect on feline colonic smooth muscle; therefore, is it not indicated in the treatment of feline constipation, obstipation, or megacolon. Metoclopramide and domperidone enhance gastric motility, but they have no effect on colonic transit times, therefore making them useless for megacolon.
What to give a 12 year old cat with megacolon?
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel).
Is there a treatment for megacolon in cats?
Cisapride is a motility drug that was withdrawn from the human market, but can still be obtained for veterinary use. Many cats benefit from this medication. Some cases of megacolon respond poorly to medical therapy. In these patients, a surgical procedure to remove most of the defective colon may be beneficial.
How does a veterinarian check for a megacolon?
It is important that your veterinarian perform a rectal exam to check for old collapsed pelvic fractures, obstructive masses, or hernias located either inside or outside of the colon or rectum. Diagnosis of megacolon is based on history and physical exam, and is confirmed with radiographs (x-rays) of the abdomen.
What’s the difference between megacolon and constipation in cats?
The difference between the two is that when a cat has megacolon the colon will no longer function properly ever again. If there is simply constipation then once the cause of the constipation is resolved the cat should be able to defecate normally again.
Is it possible to treat megacolon with surgery?
However, in the vast majority of cases, megacolon is curable with surgery. After a thorough a physical and neurological exam, Garfield had a CBC, a biochemical profile, and a urinalysis.
