Treating constipation in dogs

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Most dogs will be constipated at some time or another in their lives, and it's usually nothing to worry about. Simply put, constipation is an inability to empty the bowels by normal means. If your dog seems to be straining yet cannot pass a stool, or if the stool is exceptionally hard, he's probably constipated. Usually the body can work the problem out by itself, but if the constipation lasts more than a few days, you should consult your veterinarian.

Observe your dog closely to be certain that he is straining to defecate rather than urinate. Difficulty in urinating can be life threatening and you will need to seek medical help immediately.

Causes of constipation

• Excessive licking of the fur can cause hairballs to form, which can block the colon. You should find and treat the cause of the excess licking to totally eradicate the problem.
• Consumption of foreign objects, such as rocks, gravel, fabric, bones, dirt, toys, or plant material. If the objects are abnormally large or could injure the dog while trying to pass them, it may require surgery to remove them.
• One of the side effects of surgery is constipation, so don't be worried if your dog does not have a bowel movement for a few days after coming home.
• Certain medications can cause a dog to be temporarily constipated. Your veterinarian will probably suggest a stool softener to counteract this.
• An older dog with no obvious reasons for constipation should be checked for an electrolyte imbalance. This could be an important clinical sign of a metabolic disease such as kidney disease.
• An enlarged prostate gland may be the problem in older male dogs. The prostate gland sits just below the colon. As it enlarges, it presses against the colon, narrowing the pathway. Alternatively, there could be a tumor on the prostate gland, which also narrows the colon. Neutering the dog and/or removing the tumor will usually correct these problems.

Treating simple constipation

These treatment options are for simple constipation only. If the problem lasts for more than five days, or if the stool contains large amounts or mucous or blood, consult with your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.

Use a stool softener. A simple, isolated episode can be treated with a stool softener such as Laxatone, which you can buy at one of the giant pet warehouses, or DSS capsules, which come  [Continued]

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