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Canine Constipation
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Straining
Roger W. Gfeller, DVM, DipACVECC,
Michael W. Thomas, DVM,
Isaac Mayo
Straining is a frequent and sometimes
exaggerated effort to have a bowel movement or to urinate.
What to Do
Transport the pet to a veterinary facility for examination and diagnosis.
What NOT to Do
Do not delay getting the pet examined.
Do not administer medications unless instructed to by a veterinarian.
It is often difficult to tell if the pet is having trouble urinating or
defecating. Most owners feel their pet is constipated when they notice him
straining. Straining produced by constipation may be identical to straining
produced by diarrhea. Therefore, treatment of an assumed cause of straining
may be the opposite of what is actually needed.
In cats, straining is often indicative of urinary tract infection. Cats
sometimes develop a condition called FUS (feline urological syndrome) or
LUTD (lower urinary tract disease) in which tiny crystals develop in their
urine. When there are too many crystals, the crystals can plug the urethra
(the tube that empties urine from the bladder) and prevent the bladder from
emptying. The bladder becomes distended and the pet strains to relieve himself.
Without help, this pet may be in critical condition within 24 hours. Dogs
may also have obstructed urinary tracts.
Many other conditions can cause straining in cats and dogs: an enlarged
prostate gland; irritated bowels; cancer of the bladder or bowel; intestinal
or bladder polyps; and more. This is why the simple act of straining should
not be assumed to have a simple solution.
Date Published: 12/31/1994
This work was originally published by Veterinary Information
Network, Inc. (VIN) and is republished with VIN's permission.
Copyright 2002, by Roger W. Gfeller and Michael
W. Thomas. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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Constipation
In Dogs
By: Dr. Jane Bicks
Hard stools and difficulty in
passing them are the usual signs of constipation.
Older dogs are more prone to it, as are young ones that are fed improperly
or have eaten something they shouldn't have.
If your dog shows any signs of illness, he must be brought to the veterinarian
immediately, since there could be a blockage of the intestinal tract.
The following will help your dog:
Add canned pumpkin to every meal. The dosage can range from 1/8 tsp for
a small dog to 1/2 tsp for a large dog, depending upon results. Start with
1/4 tsp for a medium and large dog, increasing the amount depending on stool
results.
Or you can do the following:
Add wheat bran to every meal. Follow the same dosages as for the pumpkin.
For increased taste, combine it with brewer's yeast.
Put your dog on a high fiber diet recommended by your veterinarian, changing
foods slowly.
Add water to the food.
Keep the water dish clean and full of fresh water, to encourage your dog
to drink more.
Supplement with brewer's yeast.
Supplement with acidophilus daily.
Supplement with folic acid.
Increase the dog's exercise.
Add vegetable enzyme to the food.
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The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of
any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.