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Overview:
Megacolon is a condition
in which the colon becomes
abnormally dilated & enlarged
& loses it's ability to contract.
It is associated with
constipation or obstipation.
There are two forms of megacolon;
congenital (present from birth) or acquired. The most common
form of acquired megacolon is idiopathic (cause unknown)
although it is believed to be improper activation of smooth
muscle within the colon & rectum. [1] Other causes , dietary
(ingesting non digestible objects which become impacted), injury
(ie; pelvic fracture), refusal to defecate because of a dirty
litter tray which results in fecal matter building up &
distending the colon, anal sack impactation which also leads to
refusal to defecate, tumors & neurological disorders.
Megacolon can occur in cats of any
age or breed, however more cases are seen in middle aged, male cats.
What are the
symptoms of megacolon?
-
Crouching &
straining for prolonged periods in the litter tray, with
either no feces being passed or small, hard, dry stools
-
Defecating
outside the litter tray
-
Lethargy
-
Vomiting
-
Depression
-
Hunching over,
due to discomfort
-
Loss of appetite
-
Weight loss
-
Abdominal
pain
How is megacolon
diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will perform a
complete physical examination, including a complete neurological
exam.
Abdominal
palpitation will reveal a hard & full colon.
Other tests he may perform
include;
-
Complete blood count,
biochemical profile &
urinalysis to check for metabolic reasons for
dehydration such as kidney disease or diabetes mellitus.
-
Abdominal/pelvic radiographs -
To
asses the size of the colon & to evaluate for abnormalities of
the lumbar spine & pelvis.
-
Rectal examination - This is
performed under anesthesia. It helps evaluate for rectal
strictures, masses & perineal hernias.
-
Abdominal ultrasound, Contrast
studies & colonoscopy may also be performed to help determine
the cause.
-
T4 test to check for
hypothyroidism.
How is megacolon
treated?
Treatment depends on the severity
of the condition & includes;
-
If possible, find & treat the
cause of megacolon.
-
Enema & manual removal of the
feces: This is performed with the cat under anesthesia.
-
Diet: Your veterinarian may
choose to put your cat on a high fibre diet which helps create
a soft stool.
-
Cisapride is an oral medication
which stimulates gastrointestinal motility (muscular
contractions which push the feces through the intestine).
-
Lactulose: This is a synthetic
sugar which is used as a stool softener.
-
Colectomy: Your veterinarian may
recommend a colectomy if medical management treatments have
failed. This is an operation to remove part or all of the
colon.
References:
[1] The Cornell
Book of Cats - P. 256
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should
not be used for
the diagnosis or treatment of any
medical condition.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
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