Impacted Colons in Cats

If your cat suffers from chronic constipation, it will have trouble going to the bathroom and eventually can develop an impacted colon. Due to a buildup of hard stool in the colon, this reversible condition requires veterinary treatment to prevent it from leading to further complications, such as megacolon, a permanent health condition, or even death.

  1. Identification

    • A cat that becomes constipated can build up a large amount of feces in its colon. If the cat cannot excrete this feces, it builds up in the colon, causing a blockage. This blockage stretches the size of the colon, causing it to become larger than the size of the rectum, which prevents the feces from passing out of the body. This obstruction results in an impacted colon, which can lead to other health problems, such as obstruction of the bowel or hemorrhoids, according to Vetinfo. As the feces remains in the colon, it can become harder and dryer if the cat is dehydrated, making its removal more difficult.

    Symptoms

    • Observe your cat for signs of an impacted colon, or chronic constipation, which can lead to this condition. A cat that strains while trying to defecate in the litter box or cries out in pain may have an impacted colon. The cat may revisit the litter box multiple times without producing a bowel movement or produce a small amount of stool containing blood. Sometimes the cat will produce a small amount of loose stool, vomit, refuse to eat, or express pain when touched in its abdomen. Male, older, obese, and Siamese or Manx cats tend to develop chronic constipation and an impacted colon more than others, according to Vetinfo.

    Treatment

    • To treat a cat with an impacted colon, you need to bring it to a veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform a series of tests, including a complete blood count, chemistry panel or urinalysis to rule out other possible health problems, according to PetEducation.com. To reduce dehydration, the veterinarian will administer intravenous fluids and then give the cat an enema to help remove the obstructed feces in the colon. In addition, the doctor may also give cisapride or lactulose to your cat to stimulate the movement of food along the digestive tract and soften its stool. Extremely impacted cats may require surgery to remove the stool from the colon.

    Prevention and Care

    • Mild, chronic constipation may require the addition of fiber to your cat's diet by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin, wheat bran or psyillium fiber powder to its food. For cats with frequent bouts of constipation and impaction of the colon, a condition called megacolon can develop, which permanently stretches the size of the colon, affecting its ability to function. Prevent this condition by monitoring your cat's diet, switching it to a higher-fiber one or a highly digested, veterinary diet designed to produce less stool, according to the Manhattan Cat Specialists. Provide fresh, clean water daily for your cat to stay hydrated and make sure to scoop its litter box daily to prevent it from avoiding the box.