Constipation, which is difficulty passing stool (defecating), is a painfully common problem for cats, especially older cats and those with abnormal nerve or bone structures, typical of some Manx cats.
We’ve looked at a dozen factors that predispose cats to developing constipation. These factors can be temporary so that we only need address them once or twice in a cat’s life, or they may be chronic and require ongoing attention. It’s much safer to use nutritional therapies, including, fiber, prebiotics and probiotics for all our chronic cases, as these approaches are the most natural, least harmful, and least expensive.
Herbs that treat constipation should be considered a form of medicine, but they are less likely to cause harm than are drugs , enemas, laxatives, or suppositories.
Treatment for constipation can include
1. Fluids
2. Fiber
3. Prebiotics & Probiotics
4. Chinese herbs
5. Enemas
6. Laxatives
7. Suppositories
8. Drugs that enhance gut motility
1. Fluids
Giving fluids IV or SC are the most important first therapy for all cats with constipation for three reasons:
• Constipated cats are often dehydrated.
• Fluids may help moisten the dry, hard stool.
• Toxic materials are being reabsorbed from the bowel when stool remains longer than normal, and fluids help flush these toxins from the system.
Maintenance fluid is about 50-60ml/kg or 25-30 ml/lb. For an 8 lb cat, that’s about 8ounces (30 ml to an ounce). Because cats evolved as desert creatures and got their water from prey more than from drinking, cats being fed dry food are often chronically dehydrated. To prevent chronic dehydration, feed cats moist or canned food rather than kibble.
We’ll cover fiber sources, prebiotics, probiotics, herbs, and other treatments over the next few days.
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