Dog owners may not realize that their dog can suffer from constipation. Surprisingly dogs suffer from many of the same ailments humans do like an upset stomach, headaches, and serious illnesses like cancer. Dogs can be treated for ailments just like a human would, but pet owners need to understand the best course of action. While many have experienced doggy diarrhea, you should be aware of symptoms of constipation. How can you tell if your dog is suffering from constipation and what should you do about it? Understanding the cause of constipation is the best place to start.
Causes of Constipation in Dogs
Many times the root cause of constipation in dogs is a lack of fiber in their diet. The other root cause is inadequate water consumption. These are less serious reasons and are easy to fix.
There are three categories that will case constipation including:
· Intrinsic causes due to diseases such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, pelvic injury, or lumbar nerve injury
· Extraluminal causes including tumors in the pelvic cavity or a narrowed pelvis from a fracture
· Intermluminal causes by consuming an item that can't be digested or obstruction inside the colon
Along with being dehydrated and lacking fiber, dogs can get constipation from a lack of exercise and swallowing a toy, rock, or piece of cloth. Sometimes it's simply caused by a tumor, a neuromuscular disorder, the effects of a surgery, or by medicine like iron supplements. Sometimes it can be environmentally caused by stress when changing routine or surroundings.
How to Know if your Dog is Constipated?
Your dog can be constipated whether he is having a hard time pooping or he isn't going at all. Sometimes, the feces can stay in the colon too long, and the moisture is absorbed making the stool dry. This makes it more difficult to pass due to its hard, dryness.
Although it may seem gross, it's important to watch your dog's elimination habits. You should be aware of:
· Smell
· Color
· Quantity
· Texture
· Presence of blood or mucus
· Quantity of urine
This is the first sign of a health problem in your dog so it's important to be aware of their bathroom breaks. For those that let their dog out into their backyard should at least keep an eye on the area regularly to see if anything unusual took place.
Red flags that your dog may be suffering constipation include:
· Lack of passage of stool
· Insufficient stool movement
· Bloating
· Pain while trying to go
· The stool is a darker color
· Vomiting
· Loss of appetite
· Weight loss
· Lethargy
If your dog is trying to pass stool and is struggling after several minutes of straining, this is a sign of constipation. If the only thing they produce is a small, hard amount of stool, that is another sign. If this all takes place over a couple of days, then there could definitely be a problem.
Another sign is if your dog appears bloated or acts like they are in pain while trying to poop. If your dog is able to get anything out and it's a darker color than normal, that is another sign. Finally, as time passes, you may notice that your dog begins vomiting, losing its appetite, losing weight, or becoming lethargic. This means the situation is getting more serious.
What can Happen to my Dog if not Treated?
The dog's large intestine may stretch out so much that it can no longer properly do its job. This is called "megacolon" and it's typically seen in cats more than in dogs. This will happen if left untreated. Bowel issues like these can be prevented. If left untreated, constipation could require surgery or could be fatal.
What Should Owners Do?
To prevent constipation, it's important to monitor water intake. If you feed your dog a dry food, be sure to increase their water bowl amount to keep them well-hydrated. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and plenty of water from being active.
If your dog has trouble passing stool, it's possible the dog swallowed a toy or rock. Contact your vet right away for advice. If you know for sure your dog swallowed something large and obstructive, take your dog to the vet right away to avoid a bigger issue.
Along with monitoring your dog's bowel movements, be sure to provide your dog plenty of water and exercise, and if you notice anything unusual contact your vet right away to take the proper steps in treatment.
Causes of Constipation in Dogs
Many times the root cause of constipation in dogs is a lack of fiber in their diet. The other root cause is inadequate water consumption. These are less serious reasons and are easy to fix.
There are three categories that will case constipation including:
· Intrinsic causes due to diseases such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, pelvic injury, or lumbar nerve injury
· Extraluminal causes including tumors in the pelvic cavity or a narrowed pelvis from a fracture
· Intermluminal causes by consuming an item that can't be digested or obstruction inside the colon
Along with being dehydrated and lacking fiber, dogs can get constipation from a lack of exercise and swallowing a toy, rock, or piece of cloth. Sometimes it's simply caused by a tumor, a neuromuscular disorder, the effects of a surgery, or by medicine like iron supplements. Sometimes it can be environmentally caused by stress when changing routine or surroundings.
How to Know if your Dog is Constipated?
Your dog can be constipated whether he is having a hard time pooping or he isn't going at all. Sometimes, the feces can stay in the colon too long, and the moisture is absorbed making the stool dry. This makes it more difficult to pass due to its hard, dryness.
Although it may seem gross, it's important to watch your dog's elimination habits. You should be aware of:
· Smell
· Color
· Quantity
· Texture
· Presence of blood or mucus
· Quantity of urine
This is the first sign of a health problem in your dog so it's important to be aware of their bathroom breaks. For those that let their dog out into their backyard should at least keep an eye on the area regularly to see if anything unusual took place.
Red flags that your dog may be suffering constipation include:
· Lack of passage of stool
· Insufficient stool movement
· Bloating
· Pain while trying to go
· The stool is a darker color
· Vomiting
· Loss of appetite
· Weight loss
· Lethargy
If your dog is trying to pass stool and is struggling after several minutes of straining, this is a sign of constipation. If the only thing they produce is a small, hard amount of stool, that is another sign. If this all takes place over a couple of days, then there could definitely be a problem.
Another sign is if your dog appears bloated or acts like they are in pain while trying to poop. If your dog is able to get anything out and it's a darker color than normal, that is another sign. Finally, as time passes, you may notice that your dog begins vomiting, losing its appetite, losing weight, or becoming lethargic. This means the situation is getting more serious.
What can Happen to my Dog if not Treated?
The dog's large intestine may stretch out so much that it can no longer properly do its job. This is called "megacolon" and it's typically seen in cats more than in dogs. This will happen if left untreated. Bowel issues like these can be prevented. If left untreated, constipation could require surgery or could be fatal.
What Should Owners Do?
To prevent constipation, it's important to monitor water intake. If you feed your dog a dry food, be sure to increase their water bowl amount to keep them well-hydrated. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and plenty of water from being active.
If your dog has trouble passing stool, it's possible the dog swallowed a toy or rock. Contact your vet right away for advice. If you know for sure your dog swallowed something large and obstructive, take your dog to the vet right away to avoid a bigger issue.
Along with monitoring your dog's bowel movements, be sure to provide your dog plenty of water and exercise, and if you notice anything unusual contact your vet right away to take the proper steps in treatment.
If your dog is suffering from constipation it may be a symptom of something more serious. Click Here Now to find out more about the Dia-Ionx Pet Medicine.
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