Cats are prone to develop constipation when they’re older and when they have irregular nerve and bone development as some Manx cats do. We’ve been looking at a dozen factors that predispose cats, especially the Manx, to develop constipation, and now, we’ll cover the last three:
1. Poor teeth
2. Poor appetite
3. Diet low in fiber
4. Dehydration
5. Arthritis so cannot assume a squatting position
6. Lack of exercise
7. Dislike area used for defecation
8. Kidney disease
9. Hairballs
10. Obstruction
11. Rectal pain
12. Medications
10. Obstruction
An obstruction presses on the colon and prevents food from passing through to the rectum so that it dries into fecal bricks. Common causes of obstruction are cancerous tumors, enlarged prostates, and pelvic fractures that heal with a narrowed pelvic canal.
When cats become constipated, blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasound studies help us determine what—if anything—is compressing the colon. Some tumors can be surgically removed or treated with chemotherapy or radiation. Other tumors can shrink or be prevented from enlarging with Chinese herbs and homeopathy. Of course the goal is to prevent cats from ever developing tumors, and good diets with Omega 3 fatty acids; natural antioxidants in fresh, darkly pigmented food; healthy fiber; and exercise are some of the best methods of maintaining cancer-free cats.
11. Rectal pain
Rectal pain can lead to constipation because cats avoid defecating when it hurts. A common cause of rectal pain is abscessed or impacted anal glands. Cats have anal sacs just as dogs do, but are much less likely than dogs are to develop impaction or abscess. Because of this, we can get in the habit of ignoring these sacs. Normally, glands inside the anal sac produce a thin grey-brown paste material that is squeezed out when a cat defecates and a normal stool distends the anus and pushes against the sacs, which are buried beneath the skin at 4 and 8 o’clock. When cats develop diarrhea and have thin, runny or pasty stool, there is insufficient mass to push against the glands during defecation so that the sacs aren’t emptied. To make matters worse, diarrhea-carried bacteria can dribble down the skin, moisten it, and create abscess in, or around, the anal sacs. So, if cats have red anal areas, or vocalize when defecating, use a baby wipe and clean the bottom. Gently spritz the bottom with cool herbal washes containing calendula and Hypericum or tea, then visit the veterinarian.
Cats that are exceptionally painful will be anesthetized so the area can be cleaned, anal glands emptied, and the anus inspected. Some cats may need antibiotics, homeopathics or herbs, as well as a change in diet to keep the stools of the right consistency until the bottom has healed.
In addition to anal sac problems, pain-causing tumors can develop in the skin, glands, prostate or fibrous tissue around the bottom; and diarrhea can cause pain because the stool scorches the skin. Symptoms of swelling, weight loss, and anal pain are serious, so these cats need veterinary attention.
12. Medications that cause constipation
Medications cause constipation in cats, especially anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications called SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs prescribed for cats include some of the same drugs used for humans, such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Paxil (paroxetine). MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors such as Amitriptyline, given for depression and behavior problems, also cause constipation.
In an effort to prevent constipation, sometimes these meds are prescribed to be given every other or every third day. If this dosage schedule doesn’t keep the cat happy and prevent constipation, ask your vet for an alternative medication, such as Buspirone, or for an entirely different approach to anxiety and depression.
If your cat is taking any SSRI, MAO inhibitor or anti-depressant, don’t stop the medication suddenly; get your veterinarian’s help to wean your cat off slowly.
Hundreds of other medications have the potential to cause constipation in cats, including antihistamines, muscle relaxants, antacids, anti-seizure medications, calcium supplements, iron supplements, pain medications, blood pressure medications, heart medications, diuretics, and drugs given during surgery to dry up secretions and maintain the heart rate.
If your cat has a problem with constipation and is prescribed any of these medications, discuss the possibility of constipation with your vet. It’s always better to prevent constipation by increasing oil in the diet, or by using some of the other therapies we’ll be covering over the next few days than it is to treat it once it’s a problem. There is no creature on earth that dislikes enemas as much as the cat.
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