What is the best food for a cat with megacolon?
Recently, Royal Canin launched Feline Gastrointestinal Fiber Response diet, a moderate fiber, psyllium-enriched, extruded dry feline diet that has been clinically proven to help cats with constipation/ obstipation/megacolon.
What do you do if your cat has megacolon?
A medical approach involves the use of laxatives, stool softeners, colon wall stimulants, and high fiber diets. These do not correct the underlying cause, but they do allow fecal material to pass so the cat does not become constipated and ill.
How old do cats have to be to have idiopathic megacolon?
Cats affected with idiopathic megacolon are usually between 5–9 years old. Diagnosing the condition usually happens long after constipation has been present, especially in a multiple cat household, or when cats are indoor/outdoor. In these cases, owners may not be aware of their cat’s normal bowel habits.
What to give a 12 year old cat with megacolon?
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel).
Can a cat with megacolon be euthanized?
Uncommonly, constipation is chronic and is associated with a marked increase in the diameter of the colon. When megacolon is present, constipation responds poorly to medical therapy. Without surgical treatment, megacolon may become an intolerable problem, with euthanasia of the cat as the probable outcome.
How to treat megacolon and constipation in cats?
Treatment of Constipation and Megacolon in Cats A cat that is diagnosed with idiopathic Megacolon will be administered IV’s to increase hydration. Next, a veterinarian will put your cat under and perform an enema. The veterinarian may also perform a deobstipation (which is when the vet removes the feces from the cats stomach).
What causes a cat to have a megacolon?
Megacolon is a condition caused when too much fecal waste accumulates in the bowel. Megacolon can be congenital, but more commonly, it is an acquired condition which can be caused by poor diet, a foreign body in the colon, lack of exercise, or litter box and/or behavioral issues.
Is there a cure for idiopathic megacolon in cats?
It can be a curable disease with early surgical intervention. Cats should never receive an enema during the preop period. Otherwise, it dramatically increases the risk of fecal leakage during the anastomosis. Fibers may help in the early stages of idiopathic megacolon when the colon still has some ability to contract.
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel).
What kind of diet do megacolon Kitties need?
Megacolon kitties actually need to be on a no grain diet. Not high fiber like you’d think. We use Wellness Core dry and wet. 2. Miralax, Miralax, Miralax! Way better than Lactalose and much much easier to get into the kitty. Miralax has been our lifesaver!