If you have a dog that is usually quite regular in terms of when they need to go outside to relieve themselves and have a bowel movement, it can be quite disheartening to take them out repeatedly and have them not even try to go or even worse, to crouch down and try to have a bowel movement and be unable to do so. Constipation in dogs can be a sign of many different issues, some of which may require a trip to the veterinary hospital. Get to know some of the possible causes for your beloved dog's constipation so that you can be sure you are getting your dog the care and treatments that they need in order to feel better as soon as possible.
A Change In Medications
When your dog is on medications, these medications may have an effect upon their digestive system. Many medications can cause stomach upset or even constipation. For example, anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications prescribed for issues like separation anxiety can cause the digestive system to slow down and lead to constipation.
Certain other medications can also cause stomach issues with your dog including antibiotics and even some extreme reactions to vaccines. Oftentimes, these reactions to medications will only be temporary and can clear up after a day or so. Contact your vet or an animal hospital if your dog has not had a bowel movement in more than a day as you may need to stop giving them their medications or have your dog go to the vet for x-rays and an examination.
An Intestinal Blockage
One of the most serious causes of constipation in dogs is an intestinal blockage. A blockage in the intestinal tract is essentially a solid or hard mass that forms in the digestive tract and gets lodged in the intestine, unable to move. A blockage can be partial or may be a full blockage.
This can be caused by your dog getting into and eating something it should not (like clothing, cotton balls, plastic food bags, or other random household items) or can develop from eating too much food or human food that is too large for them to process. Rawhide bones can also lead to a block in the intestines, especially if they swallow large pieces of the bone or eat several in a day.
Intestinal blockages are serious and can lead to part of the bowel becoming necrotic due to a lack of blood flow. They can also lead to a rupture in the intestine which can cause fecal matter to leak out causing serious sepsis and infection. Because of these possible complications, an intestinal blockage will almost always require surgery at a veterinary hospital to remove the blockage and repair the intestines.
With these possible causes of canine constipation in mind, you can be sure that you are taking the best possible care of your dog when they are having digestive problems. For more information, contact local professionals like Metzger Animal Hospital.
Share15 December 2016
Hello, my name is Katrina, and I love my dog. We live out in the country, so he is able to run a lot. He even has neighboring dogs who come to see him and play. However, fresh air and exercise are not the only things he needs. He also needs a healthy diet, the right shots, and care for his mental health. If you are a pet owner, you will love the tips that I plan to include in this blog. I'm going to focus these posts on everything you need to know to keep your dog happy and healthy. I hope these ideas help you, and I wish you and your pet many years of happiness and good health together.