We're sorry, but your current browser configuration is not compatible with this site. Please enable JavaScript or switch to a JavaScript-capable browser. Learn how to enable JavaScript

Content continues after advertisement

Diagnosing Constipation, Obstipation, & Megacolon in Cats

Glenn A. Olah, DVM, PhD, DABVP (Feline), Winn Feline Foundation, Albuquerque Cat Clinic, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Internal Medicine

|September 2018|Peer Reviewed

This is a filled error message

Account sign in.

To access full articles on www.cliniciansbrief.com, please sign in below.

Forgot password?

Create Account

Trusted content.

Tailored to you.

For free.

Create an account for free

Want free access to the #1 publication for diagnostic and treatment information? Create a free account to read full articles and access web-exclusive content on www.cliniciansbrief.com.

Account details

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Email addresses do not match

Email may be invalid.

Account password

Change password

New Password

Confirm New Password

Passwords do not match.

Street Address

City

Address 2

Country

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Place Name

Practice or University Name

*You must fill out all information to continue.

What year were you born?

Choose the category that describes your business/professional activity

What best describes your position? (question 1 of )

Veterinarian role: (question 2 of )

Non-veterinarian role: (question 2 of )

Number of years in practice: (question 3 of )

Number of vets in practice: (question 4 of )

Which best indicates your practice type? (question 5 of )

Are you a private or corporate practice? (question 6 of )

Subscribe now to our journal!

I wish to receive (continue to receive) a FREE subscription to Clinician's Brief.

Clinician's Brief, the leading journal for small animal veterinarians, provides essential tips for diagnosis and treatment in a brief and concise format.

Digital

Both

Business address

Subscribe now to our electronic newsletters!

Clinician's Brief Newsletter:

Clinician's Brief Newsletter delivers cutting-edge resources, expert practices, & clinical tips to the small-animal practitioner every weekday. Ready to fast-track your way to optimized patient care? Sign-up now.

Yes

Global Brief:

The global Clinician's Brief newsletter – offers valuable insight for international readers with featured articles, quiz questions, videos, and other practical expertise. Global Brief is published in collaboration with WSAVA.

Yes

I agree to the Brief Media Privacy Policy and Terms of Use*

We found some problems with the form.

Already have an account? Sign in here.

*You must agree to Brief Media's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use to create an account.
Publisher reserves the right to determine qualification for free subscriptions.

*Megacolon is suggestive of neuromuscular dysfunction.

CKD = chronic kidney disease, DM = diabetes mellitus, DSS = dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, FeLV = feline leukemia virus, FIP = feline infectious peritonitis, FIV = feline immunodeficiency virus, IBD = inflammatory bowel disease, NE = nasoesophageal

References

Atkins CE, Tyler R, Greenlee P. Clinical, biochemical, acid-base, and electrolyte abnormalities in cats after hypertonic sodium phosphate enema administration. Am J Vet Res. 1985;46(4):980-988.
Baral RM. Constipation and megacolon. In: Little SE, ed. The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:484-490.
Bertoy RW. Megacolon in the cat. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2002;32(4):901-915.
Byers CG, Leasure C, Sanders N. Feline idiopathic megacolon. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2006;28(9):658-665.
Carr AP, Gaunt MC. Constipation resolution with administration of polyethylene glycol solution in cats (abstract). J Vet Intern Med. 2010;24:753-754.
Chandler M. Focus on nutrition: dietary management of gastrointestinal disease. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2013;35(6):E1-E3.
Elliott JW, Blackwood L. Treatment and outcome of four cats with apocrine gland carcinoma of the anal sac and review of the literature. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(10):712-717.
Foley P. Constipation, tenesmus, dyschezia, and fecal incontinence. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, Côté E, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:171-174.
Freiche V, Houston D, Weese H, et al. Uncontrolled study assessing the impact of a psyllium-enriched extruded dry diet on fecal consistency in cats with constipation. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(12):903-911.
Gaschen F. Disorders of esophageal, gastric, and intestinal motility in cats. In: Little SE, ed. August’s Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine, vol. 7. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2016:117-128.
German AC, Cunliffe NA, Morgan KL. Faecal consistency and risk factors for diarrhoea and constipation in cats in UK rehoming shelters. J Feline Med Surg. 2017;19(1):57-65.
Gregory CR, Guilford WG, Berry CR, Olsen J, Pederson NC. Enteric function in cats after subtotal colectomy for treatment of megacolon. Vet Surg. 1990;19(3):216-220.
Hall EJ. Disease of the large intestine. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, Côté E, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 8th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:1565-1592.
Hall JA, Washabau RJ. Diagnosis and treatment of gastric motility disorders. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):377-395.
Hasler AH, Washabau RJ. Cisapride stimulates contraction of idiopathic megacolonic smooth muscle in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 1997;11(6):313-318.
Little S. How I treat … constipation in cats. Paper presented at: Southern European Veterinary 2016 Conference; October 20-22, 2016; Grenada, Spain.
Meeson RL, Geddes AT. Management and long-term outcome of pelvic fractures: a retrospective study of 43 cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2017;19(1):36-41.
Rondeau MP, Meltzer K, Michel KE, McManus CM, Washabau RJ. Short chain fatty acids stimulate feline colonic smooth muscle contraction. J Feline Med Surg. 2003;5(3):167-173.
Rosin E, Walshaw R, Mehlhaff C, Matthiesen D, Orsher R, Kusba J. Subtotal colectomy for treatment of chronic constipation associated with idiopathic megacolon in cats: 38 cases (1979-1985). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988;193(7):850-853.
Scherk M. All bunged up: uclogging the constipation cat. DVM360. DVM360 website. http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/all-bunged-unclogging-constipated-cat. Published March 11, 2015. Accessed July 30, 2018.
Tam FM, Carr AP, Myers SL. Safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol 3350 as an oral laxative in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2011;13(10):694-697.
Tomsa K, Steffen F, Glaus T. Life-threatening metabolic disorders after application of a sodium phosphate containing enema in the dog and cat. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2001;143(5):257-261.
Trevail T, Gunn-Moore D, Carrera I, Courcier E, Sullivan M. Radiographic diameter of the colon in normal and constipated cats and in cats with megacolon. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2011;52(5):516-520.
Washabau RJ. Constipation. In: Washabau RJ, Day MJ, eds. Canine and Feline Gastroenterology. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2013:93-98.
Washabau RJ. Gastrointestinal motility disorders and gastrointestinal prokinetic therapy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003;33(5):1007-1028.
Washabau RJ, Holt D. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of feline idiopathic megacolon. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1999;29(2):589-603.
Washabau RJ, Hall JA. Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal motility disorders in dogs and cats. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 1997;19(6);721-737.
Washabau RJ, Stalis IH. Alterations in colonic smooth muscle function in cats with idiopathic megacolon. Am J Vet Res. 1996;57(4):580-587.
White RN. Surgical management of constipation. J Feline Med Surg. 2002;4(3):129-138.

Welcome to your new CE platform

Get started here.

With RACE-approved courses for the brief, relevant Clinician’s Brief articles you love, we’re your home for online CE.

Earn Hours

39.5

Earn up to 39.5 hours of RACE-approved CE with Clinician’s Brief content.

Clinician's Brief provides relevant diagnostic and treatment information for small animal practitioners. It has been ranked the #1 most essential publication by small animal veterinarians for 9 years.*

*2007-2017 PERQ and Essential Media Studies

It's Free & Simple

Delivered to Your Inbox

Join the Conversation

Facebook

Twitter

Home

Global Edition

About Us

Employment

Capsules

Brief Media