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Constipation
An animal is said to
be constipated when the bowel movements are
either infrequent or incomplete or when the stool is more or less
retained in the intestines. In this condition a large part of the
moisture of the stool is often absorbed into the body and the stool
comes out gray to whitish in color. In itself constipation is not a
serious condition, for it can usually be remedied quite readily by
administering a simple laxative such as milk of magnesia or mineral
oil, or by giving an enema or using a children's size suppository. But
where it is neglected it can cause serious complications which might
even result in the death of the animal. While there are many possible
causes of constipation, it is most commonly due to lack of exercise,
which results in a general sluggishness of all the body functions.
One of the complications that may result from neglected constipation is
a stomach upset with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. For it is
logical that when there is a rectal obstruction, a point is reached
where any food that is eaten is likely to be vomited. If this condition
is permitted to go untreated, it can lead to significant inflammations
of the stomach and intestine, with all the attendant consequences.
The best thing to do in the ordinary case of constipation is to clean
out the animal's bowels and then to feed a bland diet of milk, cereal,
or cooked rice mixed with meat broth, while withholding water, meat,
and dog food. This diet is continued for a few days until the animal
returns to normal, at which time there is a gradual return to the
regular diet.
A more serious complication of neglected constipation is impaction. In
this condition, the retained stool becomes so firmly lodged in the
intestines that the animal cannot pass it unless it has considerable
assistance. Sometimes the stool become so massive and hard that it
feels like a rock in the intestines. The animal loses its appetite,
vomits, and strains pitifully in its unsuccessful efforts to pass the
stool. Poisons from the stool are absorbed into the body after a few
days, and the animal starts to develop signs of self-poisoning or— as
it is technically called—autointoxication. The animal becomes dizzy,
drowsy, and depressed, and runs a high temperature. Further neglect
may result in paralysis of the hind legs and death. Since in treating
impaction the veterinarian often finds that even the most thorough
enema cannot dislodge the intestinal mass, he has to resort to digging
it out with instruments. When the mass is finally removed the animal
usually returns to normal in a few days. As in constipation, a bland
diet should be fed for several days, and the meat and water should be
eliminated temporarily from it. When the movements become normal,
there should be a gradual return to the routine diet.
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