Symptoms of Megacolon in a Cat

Megacolon in cats is a painful, potentially debilitating disease caused by severe constipation or inability to defecate. This disease is usually caused by improper diet, ingestion of foreign objects, or an unusually small pelvic opening. While megacolon was once considered a death sentence, veterinarians have developed a variety of treatments for it. It is important to recognize the symptoms, however, so that your cat can receive treatment promptly.

  1. Early Signs

    • The first sign of megacolon that you are likely to notice is a change in your cat's litter box habits. Healthy cats eliminate one or more times each day. If you notice that your cat is going less often than this, you should begin keeping an eye on her health. Watch her while she is using the litter box, as many cats with megacolon strain excessively or take an unusually long time when eliminating. If your cat has megacolon, she will likely have hard, dry stools when she does eliminate. Other cats may produce blood or mucous while defecating. Occasionally, cats with megacolon may have diarrhea caused by irritation in the lining of the colon.

    Pain and Abdominal Swelling

    • You may also want to examine your cat’s abdomen for signs of megacolon. Place your hand on your cat’s spine and use your thumb and fingers to gently feel the colon. Your cat’s lower abdomen should be free from any hard lumps. If you can detect fecal matter, it should be soft and no more than ¾ of an inch in diameter. Your cat may also experience abdominal swelling, pain, and tenderness. Pay attention to see if she flinches when you press lightly on her stomach area. She may also adopt a hunched posture that helps relieve some of the pain from the crowding in her colon.

    Advanced Symptoms

    • Cats with advanced megacolon often become depressed and lethargic. Decreased appetite is often followed by weight loss, although abdominal swelling may make it difficult to notice. Some cats may begin vomiting or drooling. Lack of water intake may cause your cat to become dehydrated. You may wish to test this by gently pinching her skin and noticing if it bounces back quickly to its original position. If it does not, your cat is dehydrated.

    Diagnostic Testing

    • Your veterinarian will be able to perform several tests that will further identify symptoms of megacolon in your cat. A few of these include X-rays, blood tests, thyroid testing, rectal examination and abdominal ultrasound.