megacolon in cats prognosis

Severe constipation Passing very hard stools Not defecating as often as usual Loss of weight Loss of appetite Reluctance to exercise Dehydration Vomiting Causes Of Megacolon In Cats. Megacolon can occur in cats of any age or breed but is most commonly observed in middle-aged cats with a mean age of 58 years.

Feline Megacolon Treatment Cost Surgery For Megacolon In Cats

If your cat is experiencing symptoms of megacolon it is important to take them to the veterinarian for a diagnosis.

. If the signs of symptoms of megacolon have been identified at an earlier stage there is a good prognosis that will guarantee the quality of your kittys life. Photo courtesy of Hills Pet Nutrition. If your cat is passing small firm feces there may be blood on the stool as a result of colonic irritation.

None of the medical options above provides a cure. Usually affected cats pass a large amount of dry and hard stool one to three times per week. Abdominal palpitation will reveal a hard and full colon.

Treatment of Constipation and Megacolon in Cats. The cat eats and drinks has had several enemas and anesthetized to remove the compaction. Megacolon in Cats Prognosis Its most likely that your cats megacolon will continue to get worse over time if left untreated.

In each category there are a number of specific causes. The term megacolon refers to a severe and irreversible dilatation of the colon. When this widening occurs the feces are retained and motility is reduced or annulled so that the cat isnt able to evacuate.

As the disease progresses cats lose the ability to defecate. On physical examination the cat may have a painful abdomen as well as be dehydrated and depressed. Megacolon in cats can produce a number of symptoms that usually affect the way a cat can or cant defecate poop.

Up to 15 cash back What is the long term prognosis with a cat with Megacolon. My moms cat has just been diagnosed and she does not want to get surgery because it is very expensive and the outcome is questionable. Uclogging the constipation cat.

The symptoms of megacolon in cats include. Some cats will spend long periods of time simply standing in the litter. Your cat will become constipated more often.

In almost all cases pet parents will notice the stool is reduced or absent and stools that are passed are hard and dry. The symptoms found in cats with constipation and megacolon depend upon the severity of the condition. Low appetite Tenesmus straining when defecating Lethargy Abdominal pain Vomiting Anemia When a cat has megacolon there will be a large amount of firm stool in the colon.

Some of the most common symptoms include. Painful defecation attempts usually manifested in painful meowing and presence of tenesmus sensation of need to defecate Prolonged constipation over time chronic Defecating outside of the litter box due to the pain associated with constipation when using it. Megacolon is often diagnosed by clinical signs which can include straining to defecate weight loss lethargy vomiting and anorexia lack of appetite.

The most common cause of colonic inertia is idiopathic meaning unknown cause megacolon. Megacolon DIAGNOSIS Urogenital disease h Feline idiopathic cystitis h Urogenital neoplasia h Urethral obstruction h UTI h hUrolithiasis h Prostatic disease rare. Even cisapride a prokinetic agent can stimulate only those feline colonic smooth muscles that are functional.

The following symptoms may indicate that a cat has megacolon. As the condition becomes more severe the cat may lose its appetite or experience weight loss. Cats with megacolon often experience progressive weight loss as a result of the disease.

A cat with megacolon will strain when trying to pass feces but will usually pass very little or nothing at all despite great effort. Eventually the cat may become lethargic and dehydrated. The cat may have a swollen abdomen and may be dull and unwilling to eat.

What is megacolon in cats. The feces can be felt by pressing on the cats abdomen. When the colon is overdistended ie when a megacolon is present cisapride wont help one bit.

Symptoms of Megacolon in Cats Lack of or infrequent defecation Pain when passing stool also is known as dyschezia Small bloody mucus-filled stool Appetite loss Abdominal pain and discomfort Hard and very dry feces Straining when passing stool also is known as tenesmus Interrupted or prolonged moments when passing stool. In many case theyre a temporary Band-Aid approach. Idiopathic megacolon in cats.

The total duration of the digestive process in a cat is 12-24 hours depending on the individual. What is the Treatment for Megacolon in Cats. Idiopathic megacolon is a disease in cats where the colon loses its normal motility and becomes progressively larger.

Your cat may be found straining in the litter box. A trace of blood and mucus may be seen at the anus. However most cat owners are unaware of the signs which means the condition is not treated for a long time.

Other symptoms include decreased appetite lethargy weight loss dehydration abdominal pain straining to defecate vomiting and anemia. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination including a comprehensive neurological exam. Your cat may experience vomiting even while he is straining to pass stool.

J Am Vet Med Assoc. They should be taken to your veterinarian without delay.

Vet Talk Megacolon And Chronic Constipation In Cats