Megacolon Disease in Cats

Megacolon occurs when a cat's colon becomes dilated, resulting in constipation. A cat suffering from this condition may be unable to pass stools, or its stools may become hard and infrequent. Treatment options for megacolon include dietary changes and surgery, though surgery should only be considered as a last resort.

  1. What is Megacolon

    • Megacolon develops when the nerves within your cat's bowels become disabled, causing the colon muscles to lose function. This makes it difficult for stool to pass through the colon. The stool becomes impacted and hard, resulting in the colon becoming enlarged. A cat suffering from megacolon may display a distended stomach.

    Factors

    • Megacolon can affect any cat, regardless of breed. In some instances, your cat may develop the disease because of congenital defects or due to trauma. According to Pet Education, megacolon is frequently seen in middle-age and domestic shorthair cats. Male cats tend to develop the disease more often than female cats. If your kitty is lazy, this may also be a contributing factor to the development of the disease.

    Symptoms

    • Your cat may be suffering from megacolon if his stools are becoming less frequent, or he may not have a bowel movement at all. He may have to strain when using his litter box, or make constant trips to the litter box without success. You may notice blood in his stool. Your cat may have an accident and leave stool outside of his litter box. Once the disease progresses, your cat may refuse to eat, become lethargic and lose weight.

    Initial Treatments

    • Your veterinarian may make dietary changes, such as adding fiber to your cat's diet to help him become regular. It's important to give your cat additional water during a dietary change to help loosen and soften his stools. Medications and suppositories may also be administered by your veterinarian to help your cat restore his bowel function.

    Surgery

    • Surgery may be considered if your cat is suffering from severe dehydration or recurring bouts of constipation that cannot be alleviated. It may be necessary to remove your cat's colon.