Cat Owner’s Guide To Constipation In Felines
Constipation in cats is relatively common occurrence. It is very difficult for constipated cats to have a bowel movement. As your cat gets older it more likely that he have problems with constipation. However you should know that this condition can affect felines of any age. You may be wondering what causes constipation in felines.
Causes
Constipation in cats can occur for numerous reasons. Sometimes your cat develops this condition for no apparent reason. Many cats that experience constipation do so because they’re dehydrated. Your cat’s stool will become hardened form lack of water. This will make it more difficult for your cat to pass it.
Poor diet is another reason cats get constipated. There are many things that can cause problems. Some of the most common include bones hair salty foods & fatty foods. Anal infections lack of exercise & various diseases may also lead to constipation.
Symptoms
If your cat is constipated you will notice him spend more time in his litter box than usual. He will be having a hard time getting stool to pass. Sometimes the stool may have a little blood in it. An upset stomach is usually a problem when cats are suffering from this condition. Therefore they will stop eating as much as they usually do. Some cats show decreased activity level.
Diagnosis
Before determining cat constipation to be the cause of problems your veterinarian will likely perform urine & blood tests. This will tell if other diseases or infections are to blame. Sometimes cats will have a foreign object blocking their colon that prevents them from having a bowel movement. An x-ray will help the vet see if this is the issue with your cat. The colon should be checked anyway as a bout of constipation can cause damage to it.
Treatment
The first line of defense against constipation in cats is administration of intravenous fluids. The condition should get better as fluids & electrolytes are returned to balance. Sometimes the vet will also give your feline enemas or laxatives to relieve the condition. If hardened stool can’t be passed naturally it will have to be physically removed form colon.
Prevention
Did you know that there are things you can do to prevent constipation in felines? Ingesting dead hair can lead to a blocked colon. It’s best that you limit the amount of hair that he swallows by grooming him yourself regularly. You should also ensure that your cat’s litter box is tidy at all times. Cats are very clean animals & may not use their litter boxes if it’s too dirty for them.
Besides constipation there are many more conditions that can affect your cat. All owners should learn as much as possible about common feline illnesses in case their pet gets sick one day. Make sure you stop by cat-illnesses.com today to learn about a wide range of these diseases.
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