Mission
Animal Hospital and Constipation
Affordable Animal CLinic Granada HIlls INC
Located in the San Fernando Valley, 16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills Ca, 818-363-8143
Our Veterinarians are waiting to help you
A CONSTIPATED PET EXHIBITS INFREQUENT OR DIFFICULT EVACUATION OF THE STOOL. The feces are usually hard and dry.
There are many causes of
constipation in pets.
Some are not serious while others can be life threatening.
Correct treatment depends on identifying the cause of your pet’s
constipation. Constipation is most often caused by dietary or environmental factors.
DIETARY. Fibre in
the diet is important for normal defecation. Just as with people.
A pet food with high fat and gravy levels may also be deficient in fibre.
Substances such as hair, bones, or other indigestible foreign matter will
mix with the stool and cause constipation.
Hairballs in cats are very common.
ENVIRONMENTAL.
Changes which affect an animal’s daily routine, such as removal of a cat’s
litter box (or changing the type of litter), a hospital/boarding kennel stay, or
lack of exercise can also cause problems.
OTHER CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION:
Aging
Pelvic bone fractures
Rectal lesions, infections, or tumors
Prostate gland disease
Spinal cord problems
Color disorders
Hormone imbalances
HOME CARE MANAGEMENT.
Diets rich in fiber can be used to aid in the control of constipation just as
with people. The fiber increases
water retention in the stool and softens it.
The increased bulk also increases propulsive movements of the intestines to help
with eliminations.
1.
Twice daily,
feed your pet a diet containing at least 10% fiber.
Recommended foods for both dogs and cats include Prescription Diet r/dÒ
or w/dÒ.
These diets can significantly reduce mild constipation.
2.
Keep your pet
well groomed. This reduces excess
hair that is consumed due to the pet’s normal licking.
3.
Regular
exercise, especially about 1 hour after a meal will help stimulate the bowels to
empty.
4.
Keep the cat’s
litter box clean.
5.
Use mild
laxatives or stool softeners as recommended by the DVM.
VetasylÒ
is a product available at the clinic that works well for both dogs and cats that
tend to have problems with mild constipation.
16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 818-363-8143
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