Outline differentials and present a logical workup for constipation in cats. In congenital megacolon, the lowermost portion of the large intestine is congenitally lacking in normal nerve fibres. Using the measurements from this paper, there is an overlap between patients with constipation and megacolon. This may occur as a primary disease, typically caused by colonic muscles that dont contract normally, or as a result of prolonged or severe constipation essentially stretching out and damaging the large intestine. Lactulose liquid is ok if you can mix it into canned food that the cat will eat. Digestive problems in cats megacolon and constipation. In some cases, megacolon can happen after large amounts of stool have left it distended long enough to permanently damage the nerves there. Dietary management of megacolon in cats constipation in. Megacolon is a descriptive term only, and its use imparts no information regarding specific etiology or pathophysiology. Occasionally chronic constipation is due to an enlarged, sluggish colon that is not working properly. Scherk, dvm, dabvp vancouver, bc, canada introduction constipation is defined as the infrequent or difficult evacuation of stool. The disease can be caused from impairment in the nerves of the bowel or disruption in the functioning of the smooth muscles in the colon.
If the nerves stimulating the colon are not working, the muscles stretch and the colon enlarges. For a more detailed analysis of megacolon as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our symptom center information for megacolon. Megacolon can have multiple causes, including narrowing of the pelvic area due to a pelvic fracture, nerve injury, or spinal cord deformities. But if she had only been 6 years old i would have had the surgery done, no question. When tobey was diagnosed, i didnt have a lot or any information. We mix it in yogurt as it is sweet and adult cats are lactose intolerant which can cause loose stools a good side effect with megacolon. As the disease progresses, cats lose the ability to defecate. Epizootiologic studies have shown, for example, that 96% of the documented cases of obstipation are accounted for by idiopathic megacolon 62%, pelvic canal stenosis 23%, nerve injury 6%, or manx sacral spinal cord deformity 5%. Megacolon is the dilation of the colon in the absence of a mechanical obstruction e. When the colon contracts, fecal material is pushed out of the body. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Cats may have constipation that later progresses to megacolon, either from true disease progression or poor owner compliance in administrating medications.
Canine megacolon is diagnosed much less frequently than feline megacolon. In cats, the colon has evolved to serve two functions. In nearly twothirds of all cases, the condition is termed idiopathic megacolon because the. This usually occurs, secondary to chronic constipation and retention of feces, but may be a congenital dysfunction. Consequently, identifying the underlying cause of the megacolon, if feasible, and treating that cause, if possible, is important. Subtotal colectomy is the surgical treatment of choice for feline idiopathic megacolon. Natural treatments for feline megacolon and constipation megacolon is a condition that can affect cats at any age, but most often affects older male cats. Megacolon, massive enlargement and dilation of the large intestine colon. Provide clinicians with an appreciation for the scope and severity of constipation in cats.
A ratio of maximal diameter of the colon to l5 length was the most repeatable and accurate measurement. Constipation can lead to megacolon if too much waste accumulates. The cat will crouch over her litter box and stare fixedly ahead her abdomen contracting and her legs and hind quarters quivering as she strains to pass an impacted stool. Megacolon american college of veterinary surgeons acvs. Megacolon itself is not a specific disease entity, but it will usually result in obstipation inability to defecate, since feces is retained in the colon in a larger diameter than is able to pass. An alternative medication is ranitidine xantac rx, which seems to have similar effects in some cats. Constipation is the infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces, which are typically dry and hard. Constipation is a common clinical problem in small animals. You may be born without the nerves in your colon that give you the urge to have a bowel movement. White foals suffering congenital colonic agangliosis, an autosomal recessive trait, may. The gastrointestinal tract consists of a tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. Indepth information on feline megacolon constipation is a clinical sign characterized by absent, infrequent, or difficult defecation associated with retention of feces within the colon and rectum.
Feline megacolon is most commonly seen in middle aged male cats, and any breed can be affected. The gastrointestinal tract ends with the colon, which stores the feces and then contracts to push the feces out of the body. Discuss a variety of therapies, historical, translational, and recently published, for these cases. Megacolon can also be caused by longterm constipation. Feline megacolon is most commonly seen in middle aged. Constipation is a condition in which the animal has difficulty passing a bowel movement and in which the fecal matter may be very hard and dry. The cat presented with signs of fecal incontinence and obstipation, which lasted for a long period of time. The condition should be considered a disorder characterized by recurrent constipation andor obstipation associated with dilatation and hypomotility of the colon. The colon serves as a site for the absorption of water and storage of fecal material. Natural treatments for feline megacolon and constipation.
Its sometimes referred to as rabbit megacolon syndrome rms. What cause it and what can be done to treat and prevent it. It is a common problem in cats and may be acute or chronic but does not inherently imply a loss of colonic function. My cat freya is an eight year old female who was recently diagnosed with megacolon and arthritis. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of feline idiopathic. Acute megacolon ogilvies syndrome is the acute dilation of the colon, characteristically seen in severely medicallysurgically ill patients. Bowel movements build up in your colon instead of passing through to your rectum. Sep 09, 2015 megacolon much more commonly affects cats than dogs, but any age, breed or sex of animal may develop acquired megacolon idiopathic megacolon is more common in middleaged to older cats, and there is some evidence for an increased risk in manx cats due to a sacral spinal cord deformity.
Two thirds of the time, we dont know the cause of megacolon in cats, so it can be called an idiopathic, functional obstruction. Given his history of constipation and megacolon, if there is lower kidney function, id have a discussion with the vet about the risks and benefits of starting subcutaneous fluids earlier than normal. Lodged foreign matter in the large intestine such as hairballs, bones. The vet explained it a little but he made it sound very very scary and that if he ever gets constipated that badly again he will need surgery which has a 50% survival rate so i guess im hoping theres someone out there helping a cat manage megacolon and still keeping him or her. Megacolon is a disease of the colon large intestine, which results in chronic constipation. Straining in the litter box, crying when in the litter box, or getting in and out of the litter box frequently is an emergency, especially in male cats. The rectal pullthrough technique described is a swift, simple modification of the previously reported technique, facilitating surgical access to the distal rectum for suturing an anastamosis without need for pubic osteotomy and minimizing the risk of.
The walls of the colon contain muscles that are stimulated to contract by nerves from the spinal cord. Bruce, a welcome visitor to poc, devised a treatment for his cat who he believes suffers from megacolon or at least chronic constipation. Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon also called the large intestine. Megacolon is characterized by a distended large intestine colon, in other words that is filled with abnormal amounts of feces. Older terms may refer to it as congenital agangliosis or cow pile syndrome cps. Megacolon can be congenital, but more commonly, it is an acquired condition which can be caused by poor diet, a foreign body in the colon, lack of exercise, or litter box andor behavioral issues. Coates explains, in todays nutrition nuggets for cats. Theres also my thread on this forum called cat constipation miralax which i updated in case it helped anyone in the uk. Feline infectious peritonitis fip feline leukemia virus felv fiv vaccine. Most cases are idiopathic a cause cannot be determined, and these seem to be a result of colonic inertia. Genetic megacolon is caused by the kit vkit hardyzuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog gene. Feline megacolon is a serious condition that can affect cats. It is a common problem in cats, may be acute or chronic and does not inherently imply a loss of colonic function. Its function is to digest food and absorb nutrients into.
Feline infectious peritonitis what you need to know. Obstipation and megacolon in cats and dogs embrace. Subtotal colectomy by rectal pullthrough for treatment of. Constipation and obstipation in small animals digestive. I do suggest that you join that yahoo group about feline megacolon who will have plenty of knowledge and advice to give. While cats with this condition can not usually be cured without surgery, there are several things that can be done. The condition is characterized by distended colon walls as a result of excess waste accumulation in the bowel, enlarging the colon. Feline megacolon is a relatively common disease characterized by generalized colonic dysfunction. Feline idiopathic megacolon accounts for 60 to 70 per cent of cases seen bertoy, 2002. Mar 14, 20 well, i have never had a cat with megacolon, but did have a cat with chronic constipation, so am very familiar with the use of miralax, just not in conjunction with those other items you mentioned propulsid and enulose however, i think reducing the fiber, thereby reducing the bulk of the stool is a great idea. The american college of veterinary surgeons is the agency by which veterinarians are certified as specialists in surgery. Megacolon in cats, causes, diagnosis,treatment, prevention. Megacolon is a relatively common gastroenteric disorder in cats, and certain breeds such as siamese appear to be predisposed.
White, in feline soft tissue and general surgery, 2014. The history, age, histopathological and radiographic findings suggested idiopathic megacolon in this patient. In most instances, the problem is easily rectified. It fills up with hard fecal material, and results in extreme constipation. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what medications, foods, etc. Feline megacolon treatment, cost, surgery for megacolon in. Megacolon knowledge for medical students and physicians. This change in intestinal structure leads to abnormal function, including reduced colonic motility and chronic constipation the condition most commonly occurs in cats and dogs, but pigs can also be affected. Scientific advances in the past decade have brought new understandings to the pathogenesis and therapy of feline colonic motility disorders.
Feline megacolon the veterinary referral center of. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called fecalomas literally, fecal tumor, which can require surgery to be removed. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease. In each category, there are a number of specific causes. Dilated megacolon is preceded by repeated episodes of recurrent constipation and obstipation. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. Feline idiopathic megacolon is the most common cause of obstipation in the cat.
The content on this site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Megacolon is the stretching and widening of your colon. In most cases, the owner of a cat with megacolon will notice that the cat is straining in the litter box, but no stool is coming out. Radiographs of 50 cats with no history of gastrointestinal disease were evaluated to establish a normal reference range for radiographic diameter of the feline colon.
Thats what we did with our gwyn, who has had constipating ibd for 16 years now, as well as some degree of megacolon. As feces remain in the colon longer, they become drier. Feline megacolon or severechronic constipation so have pasted it below to save time as i know how stressed you must be. One suggests that you soften the stool with the likes of lactulose, other meds or natural remedies such as psyllium husks, pumpkin etc. A megacolon is a condition that is a shared disease between cats and humans. Busters doctor discussed the potential need for surgery in the future, but at this stage, it was reasonable to treat him with medications and diet. In the rabbit world this is sometimes referred to as the english spotting gene. Feline megacolon is a disorder of the bowels that leads to chronic and progressive constipation. Constipation, obstipation, and megacolon may be observed in cats of any age, sex, or breed, however, most cases are observed in middle aged mean 5. Megacolon is contacted either through acquired or congenital causes. Constipation occurs when feces are retained in the colon. Feline megacolon is a syndrome rather than a specific disease. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel. Constipation and megacolon in dogs and cats veterinary.
Feces builds up and dries out within the colon, resulting in constipation. I know that there are two schools of thought regarding a cats diet with megacolon. The cause of idiopathic megacolon is unknown, but cats with mild or moderate forms often benefit from increased dietary fiber, administration of laxatives or stool softeners of various kinds, and drugs called prokinetic agents like cisapride that stimulate the muscles of the colon. The management of megacolon news center at cummings. Jun 14, 20 megacolon can be a frustrating disease for veterinarians, owners, and, most importantly, for the affected cats. Impaction and enlargement of the colon is the underlying finding in all cases of megacolon.
Idiopathic megacolon is a disease in cats where the colon loses its normal motility. Small animal topics american college of veterinary surgeons. A cat with megacolon is at extreme risk of death from shock and related issues of not being able to. As the name sounds, the disease causes a very large colon. Ive been fostering a cat with awful constipation and the vet visit today ended in a diagnosis of megacolon. Once again the surgery is not a guarantee that the cat will not have complications from the surgery or the megacolon. Cryptorchidism retained testicles in dogs and cats. The two main types of the syndrome are congenital megacolon, or hirschsprung disease, and acquired megacolon. She has been on science diet wd formula and 14 ml of enulose a day with no success. Megacolon in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. Idiopathic megacolon a major unknown cause that accounts for sixtytwo percent according to research. He will urinate in the litter box, but will not defecate there. Megacolon is a state of permanently increased diameter of the large bowel.
Vet suggested treatment answered by a verified cat veterinarian we use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Idiopathic megacolon is a disease in cats where the colon loses its normal motility and becomes progressively larger. The disease develops when the muscles within the wall of the colon large intestine no longer contract as they should. Frequent constipation in cats can be caused by a defect when the muscles of the colon try and contract. The clinical history and physical examination findings are highly suggestive of a diagnosis of megacolon. The most common cause for outlet obstruction is obstruction due to poorly healed pelvic fractures, which impinge on the outflow tract of the pelvis and prevent the normal passage of feces. Feline megacolon is a progressive condition that invariably leads to irreversible distension of the colon. Surgical management of acquired megacolon in the cat. In the cat with hypertrophic megacolon, there may be a known history of trauma resulting in pelvic fracture. Megacolon is defined as the end result of extreme dilatation of the colon typically after many bouts of obstipation but also as the result of one long struggle with this process. The colon enlarges as it becomes distended with more hard, dry stool hence the name megacolon. Megacolon is secondary to colonic inertia functional obstruction or outlet obstruction mechanical obstruction. Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction in infants and children caused by diverse abnormalities of the myenteric plexus.
Some other causes of obstipation include pelvic deformity from trauma, neoplasia, strictures, foreign bodies, and cauda equina syndrome. Megacolon is a condition caused when too much fecal waste accumulates in the bowel. However, subtotal colectomy should be considered for patients that are refractory to medical therapy. My ootay had megacolon, but by the time it was properly diagnosed she was too ill in other ways to manage such an invasive surgery. Just go on the feline megacolon group on yahoo and you will see first hand that the surgery is no guarantee. Apr 06, 2011 feline megacolon how often should you give enemas. In this paper a case of idiopathic megacolon in a twoyear old male cat is described. The management of megacolon obviously, its very distressing to a cat owner if she witnesses the plight of an otherwise healthy animal having difficulty moving her bowels. Feces builds up and dries out within the colon, resulting in. Pythiosis oomycosis, lagenidiosis, swamp cancer, bursatti, leeches in dogs, cats and horses rabies in animals renal anemia, or inadequate red blood cells, in dogs and cats. Feline megacolon world small animal veterinary association world congress proceedings, 2003 margie scherk, dvm, dabvp feline vancouver, bc, canada constipation is defined as the infrequent or difficult evacuation of stool.
Diabetes, megacolon and an update on leonardo feline. It is a common problem in cats, may be acute or chronic and does not inherently imply a. The most common cause of colonic inertia is idiopathic meaning unknown cause megacolon. Megacolon can be curable when handled the right way. Feline megacolon, which is a generalized dysfunction of colonic smooth muscle, is characterised by a chronic history of constipation and a dilated and hypertrophied colon. Sep 06, 2019 how to diagnose and treat megacolon in cats. Megacolon is usually diagnosed with an animal generally a feline presenting for constipation, and in extreme cases, obstipation. Medical management with dietary modification and administration of laxatives, enemas, andor promotility agents may often successful. Megacolon treatment cisapride propulsid rx and ranitidine xantac rx it is still possible to get cisapride propulsid rx from compounding pharmacies and many vets feel that it is helpful for megacolon problems. The condition affects, as the name suggests, the colon or the large intestine. Toxic megacolon is a rare, lifethreatening widening of the large intestine and is usually a complication of inflammatory bowel disease ibd. The mission of acvs is to advance the art and science of surgery and promote excellence in animal health care through research, education and service to the public. Megacolon is a fairly common issue in cats that occurs when the large intestine or colon is distended and filled with feces in a severe form of constipation.