Constipation in dogs – Causes | Treatments

Constipation in dogs is a condition as frequent as it is uncomfortable and the large number of factors that can cause it causes a very diverse associated symptomatology.

Constipation in dogs is characterized by the difficulty that dogs have to defecate normally, given the hardening and dry stools.

These, by being retained in the intestinal tract, have greater difficulty to be expelled, which implies an overexertion of the animal. The duration of the discomfort, the degree of dehydration and other aspects related to the health and age of the dog will condition the recommended treatment.

Causes and symptomatology

When determining the responsible cause should make a retrospection of the possible food ingested. Normally, this pathology is related to the improper processing of irritating or non-digestible substances. This fact makes long-haired dogs or those with a tendency to lick themselves tend to be more likely to suffer from it.

Other potential factors are lack of exercise, poor hydration or a sudden diet change. Most of them can be corrected in the domestic environment, so the condition will be transient and of little severity.

However, there are other health reasons that can lead to constipation in dogs:

• Diseases or abnormalities in the anatomy of the colon.
• Endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism or hyperparathyroidism.
• Pelvic lesions.
• Neurological problems.
• Osteoarthritis or other pathologies that increase postural pain In defecation.

• Chronic kidney diseases.
• Enlarged prostate.
• Advanced age.

To determine if a dog is constipated, the number of daily bowel movements must be observed, in addition to a series of associated symptoms. When a dog has difficulty expelling its feces, it may make several attempts without results, while spinning and even dragging its butt on the ground. Further, the animal may emit small groans due to overexertion.

Other typical signs are the loss of appetite, vomiting and the presence of mucus or blood with stool

Treatment of constipation in dogs

After the veterinary diagnosis, with the relevant radiographs, ultrasound and blood tests, a series of treatments will be assessed.

The first step is to eliminate the obstruction of the intestinal tract. For this, enemas, suppositories, medications or manual extraction will be used.

Some cases may require hospitalization due to the number of enemas or fluid therapy to combat dehydration. If constipation is chronic, the specialist will prescribe a medical or dietary treatment for life.

As for the prevention of the disease, it is convenient pay special attention to the amount of water and the type of food ingested. In addition, exercise should be performed routinely and avoid contact with unknown objects or substances that may be swallowed by the animal.

When constipation in dogs is due to old age or an underlying disease, it will be necessary to opt for feed with specialized formulas. The use of supplements or home remedies with oily substances can also favor intestinal transit, but should be consulted with the veterinarian.

As with humans, constipation is one of the most common diseases despite the health of the affected. However, most cases are usually addressed effectively through a permanent healthy lifestyle.

Given the need to know how you can stop diarrhea in dogs, we recommend 2 simple steps, but only apply them if your dog is a healthy adult.