Many people needlessly underestimate stool problems such as diarrhea or constipation. These problems can bring not only inconvenience, but also great harm to the pet’s body. Disastrous consequences include intestinal rupture, intoxication and even death. Therefore, you should not underestimate the moment when your dog became constipated. Knowledge is power, so if the owner knows what causes constipation, then he will be able to protect his pet from this problem in the future.

Constipation symptoms

It is not difficult to guess that the main symptom is partial or complete stool retention. Partial retention means your pet is defecating less frequently. Normally, an adult defecates 1-3 times a day. With constipation, this amount decreases sharply, and the duration of bowel movements increases significantly. At the same time, the feces are dry.

Constipation can also be diagnosed based on the following symptoms:

1. The pet's stomach has become hard. When pressed, the dog groans, as the accumulation of gases causes discomfort and pain.
2. The dog loses its appetite. Often, this problem leads to a complete refusal of food.
3. The pet loses activity. He spends more and more time lying down and rarely gets up.
4. In rare cases, the pet begins to become intoxicated. In this case, a white plaque with a terrible smell appears on the teeth, and gag reflexes may also appear.

Causes of the disease

To a greater extent, constipation is caused by one main reason - poor diet. The reasons for its appearance may be:

1. Frequent consumption of bones. Bones are very difficult to wet with water. That is, after entering the body and digesting, they become very dry. And in this case, dogs very often experience constipation, especially when the stomach is simply full of this delicacy.
2. Fiber. It also harms the body. No, in general it is useful and even many athletes cannot do without including it in their diet. But the little pet is vulnerable to the content of this element in the body. To prevent your dog from having an excess of fiber, you need to feed it not only dry cereals, but also soup, always make sure there is water in the bowl. This is quite easy to do at home.
3. Overfeeding also causes this problem as a consequence. It is especially difficult for a pet to tolerate an excess of food if it is difficult for the body to digest.

But it is not always caused by poor nutrition. Sometimes, things get worse. The main source of constipation may be some kind of disease (tumor in the intestines, diabetes, etc.).

Treating the problem at home

Typically, there are two types of constipation in a dog: those that require treatment and those that do not.

In the first case, it is enough to simply exclude some food from the diet, add more soups, water, etc. But if everything is more complicated, then you can’t do without a medical solution.

At home, you can use soft and heavy products. Soft ones include:

1. Vegetable oil. It helps to lubricate the fecal channels and thereby simplify the process of defecation. But such a remedy will not be effective in severe cases of constipation.
2. A mixture of linseed and vegetable oil. Considered an excellent option (better than vegetable oil alone).
3. Vaseline oil. It is also considered a mild remedy for constipation. It is best to give it to your pet through a syringe, several times a day. Naturally without a needle.

Oil dosages are:

1. Large breeds: at least 2 tablespoons.
2. For medium breeds of dogs – at least 1 spoon per day.
3. Small - no more than 0.5 tablespoons per day.

If these remedies are ineffective, use an enema. To carry it out you need a rubber bulb. For the procedure, ordinary water heated to a temperature of 30 degrees is suitable.

If possible, it is better to use Vaseline oil instead of water.

The amount of enema liquid is as follows:

1. For large breeds, one glass (breeds over 45 kg in weight).
2. For medium-sized people, half a glass of water (weight from 20 to 25 kilograms).
3. For small breeds no more than 3 tablespoons.

This is what the answer to the question “What to do at home if you have constipation” looks like.

Important. If your dog's constipation does not go away, you should immediately consult a doctor. You should not wait for results a week after the enema. Negligence to such a simple problem (as it seems) can lead to death.

Constipation medications

If traditional medicine is powerless, then medications come to the rescue. It is not recommended to buy and give medications to your pet on your own. Initially, it is advisable to visit a veterinary center, where the doctor will prescribe exactly those products that will help the body and will not harm the baby.

Anti-constipation medications include:

1. Magnesium sulfate (magnesium). A very good laxative for pets. It works on the principle of “wetting” feces. It attracts liquid to the stool and makes it softer. A side effect of taking this drug is often increased salivation.
2. Laxatone is a paste whose main purpose is to eliminate hair from the animal’s body. But it has also proven itself as a good laxative. There are no side effects, but when compared with magnesia, the cost of Laxatone is 5-6 times higher.
3. Duphalac. Magnesia also softens feces, making the process of bowel movements easier. Side effects include diarrhea or bloating. The price category is located between Laxatone and magnesia.

You should not be negligent about this problem. Constipation can cause a lot of problems that, if prolonged, will be impossible to deal with.

Difficulty or prolonged absence of bowel movements is far from a harmless phenomenon. Fecal matter retained in the intestines can lead to intoxication, intestinal rupture, serious damage to internal organs and death of the pet. Therefore, owners need to know why dogs become constipated and how to help their pet in this situation.

The movement of feces in the intestine occurs due to wave-like contractions of its walls. For the process to proceed normally, the stool must be soft, sufficiently moist and voluminous. Violation of these requirements leads to difficulty in moving stool in the intestines and, as a result, the development of constipation.

Constipation in dogs is a prolonged absence of bowel movements. It may be the result of poor diet or serious illness.

The causes of constipation in a dog may be related to the quality of food and impaired intestinal motility:

A clear sign of constipation is the absence of stool. Normally, a dog should defecate twice a day. If the owner observes a decrease in the number of bowel movements or their complete absence, then the dog suffers from constipation.

Additionally, you may notice the following signs:

Diagnosis and treatment

Only a veterinarian can find out the cause of constipation with 100% certainty. The condition of the intestines is assessed using a special examination. If the specialist is unable to establish a diagnosis through palpation and external examination, the dog is prescribed an abdominal x-ray, a blood test is taken, and an ultrasound is performed. To determine the patency of the intestine, an x-ray using barium sulfate, a contrast agent, is used for examination.

If no serious diseases are detected during the examination, the doctor prescribes drugs that soften stool:

• Duphalac.
• Lisolak.
• Portalak.
• Enemas are prescribed as an aid. Pain syndrome is relieved with No-shpa or Baralgin.

If the examination reveals that the intestines are filled with bone remains, urgent surgery is required. It is performed under general anesthesia. Sometimes it is necessary to remove part of the damaged intestine.

If constipation was caused by intestinal obstruction, immediate surgery is required to remove the foreign body.

An operation may be necessary even if the process is neglected. The veterinarian will perform an enema and then use special forceps to remove the fossilized feces.

Constipation may recur after surgery. Normalizing your dog's diet will help avoid this. One of the conditions is to eat small portions 4-5 times a day. This regime should be followed for 1-1.5 months, then switch to the usual two meals a day.

If you are unable to go to a clinic, you can try to solve the problem yourself. To do this, do the following:

• Exclude broths, muscle meat, rice, cheese, eggs from the menu.
• You need to feed your dog warm food, in small doses.
• Include boiled buckwheat, vegetables, boiled fish, fresh kefir, and raw beets in your diet.
• To quickly solve the problem, the dog is given cabbage juice, an infusion of pumpkin seeds, and yogurt instead of one meal. You should not use everything at once, but one at a time.

For constipation, an enema with Vaseline oil works well.

A radical method is an enema with Vaseline oil. Slightly heated oil is injected into the rectum using a syringe. The procedure is only possible if the oil flows easily. If insertion is difficult, no effort should be made, since the cause may be intestinal obstruction.

The enema is done with a pre-boiled syringe. The tip is pre-lubricated with Vaseline. A muzzle is put on the dog or the muzzle is bandaged. The dog is placed in a bathtub or basin. The tail is lifted with one hand, and the tip of the syringe is inserted into the rectum with the other. The oil is injected and the tip is removed. Then the tail needs to be pressed for a few minutes.

Instead of an enema, Vaseline oil can be given orally. For small dogs, a teaspoon is poured into the cheek, for medium dogs - a tablespoon, for large dogs - two tablespoons twice a day. The oil will soften the stool, cover it with a slippery film, and the problem will be solved naturally.

Active walking will help normalize intestinal motility.

Important. If all the measures taken do not produce results, in any case you need to contact a veterinarian, since constipation can develop against the background of a serious illness and delay will lead to dire consequences. All of the above measures can be used only if there is confidence in the absence of intestinal obstruction.

Conventional remedies for humans are not suitable for dogs, since their action is based on stimulating intestinal function. If you give a dog popular drugs like: Gutallax, Bisacodyl, etc., this will cause a sharp contraction of the intestines. But the compressed feces cannot budge. Which can lead to injury and even intestinal rupture.

For constipation, a solution of Magnesia is prepared for a dog, but this drug has many contraindications.

The following remedies effectively help the animal:

• Bimin - envelops the intestinal walls containing hairballs and feces and promotes their painless and easy exit. It is an odorless, oily liquid. The dog is prescribed 1 ml per kilogram of weight.
• Magnesia is an effective remedy, but it has a number of contraindications. It should not be given if the dog has liver, kidney, or heart diseases. Magnesia thins the stool so that it can pass out of the intestines without problems. A solution is prepared for administration, the concentration of which depends on the age and weight of the dog.

Any laxative is contraindicated for intestinal tumors, adhesions and obstruction.

If you are prone to constipation, you should adhere to the following recommendations for feeding your dog:

• Food should be as liquid and warm as possible.
• You need to feed your pet in portions.
• Periodically include raw vegetables in your diet: carrots, cabbage.
• If you are not allergic, you can give it fresh plums.

Important. If you are prone to constipation, feeding dry food is not recommended; it is better to switch to natural food.

Preventing constipation

You should not give your dog tubular bird bones; instead, offer your pet a special bone made from veins.

Constipation is easier to prevent than to cure.

To ensure that your pet never suffers from this problem, the following must be observed:

• Organize a balanced diet with easily digestible foods.
• Eliminate foods from your diet.
• Don't let your dog chew bones. As a treat, you can use special vein bones, sold in pet stores.
• Provide your dog with access to clean water.
• Walk with your pet at least twice a day.
• Conduct the dogs in a timely manner.
• Once a day, add a spoonful of vegetable oil to your food.

Any disease requires clarification and elimination of its cause. Constipation in a dog does not just happen. It means that there are problems in keeping and caring for the animal or indicates the presence of internal diseases. The pet needs to be provided with qualified help so that constipation does not torment him in the future.

We invite you to watch a video of a veterinarian answering questions about constipation in dogs. We wish you pleasant viewing!

What to do if it starts in a dog? Is it possible to treat a pet with folk remedies or is it better to use medications? In what cases is self-medication strictly contraindicated? We'll figure it all out below.

Every owner should understand that treatment at home without consulting a veterinarian is always fraught with risks and complications. To effectively and correctly treat constipation in a dog, it is necessary to clearly understand the reasons why the digestive process is disrupted.

Important! If you doubt the accuracy, it is better to contact a veterinarian who can conduct a comprehensive examination.

Constipation can have different causes and develops against the background of an unbalanced or serious pathological disorder. If a dog develops constipation, against the background of which there are no other symptoms or a sharp deterioration in health, you can try to help with folk remedies.

Most often, constipation occurs due to a lack of water in the dog’s body. Try to enrich your pet's diet with water, switch it to liquid food and partially replace the water with Regidron solution. Caution must be exercised with Regidron solution, since an overdose can increase the load on the kidneys.

Dogs enjoy eating liquid food. From fermented milk products, you can offer your pet kefir, fermented baked milk, whey, yogurt, yogurt or cottage cheese diluted with milk to a liquid consistency. You can saturate the body with liquid using broth, to which chopped meat is added. Raw eggs can be introduced into your pet's diet as a source of fluid, protein and fat.

Most dogs enjoy eating vegetables. boiled beets has a mild laxative effect. If the dog is not used to eating beets, the product must be administered in small doses. Can be considered as a natural laxative raw liver(chicken or beef), fatty ocean fish or fish oil. Flaxseed or olive oil should be added to each serving of food.

Important! With a sudden change in diet, the dog’s body may go into “saving” mode, which will cause the owner to consider the therapy ineffective. If you do not notice positive changes in the first hours, continue therapy anyway. However, the slightest signs of intoxication are a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian.

Against the background of increasing the fat content of the diet and the introduction of laxative foods it is necessary to increase physical activity during walks. It is important to choose exercises that do not force the dog to strain the abdomen. Make your pet run or walk quickly. Jumping and lifting weights are strictly prohibited.

During therapy, to eliminate constipation in a dog, it is important to control the load. Being in a state of monotonous stress, the body slows down its metabolism, which leads to a worsening of the animal’s condition. Provide your pet with maximum comfort and peace when he is in your home. If there are children in the family, try to control their interaction with animals. If the dog goes to his place and tries to sleep, it is better not to disturb him.

Advice! When treating constipation in a pet using folk remedies or medications, almost all manipulations involve stress. The treatment of the animal should be carried out by the family member whom the dog trusts most.

Read also: Bandage for dogs: purpose and manufacturing methods

When providing independent assistance to animals, it is necessary adhere to the “do no harm” principle. Carefully monitor changes in your pet's condition and contact your veterinarian if you notice the following symptoms:

• Nausea, vomiting– symptoms indicating the development

• Ammonia breath odor I - indicates acute, which can develop against the background of intoxication.

• – indicates damage to the intestinal walls or blockage of the paranal glands.

• Blood or mucus with a rotting smell coming from the anus- may indicate the development of a viral pathology or bleeding in the intestines.

• Body change– an increase in temperature indicates stimulation of the immune system and the development of pathology. A decrease in body temperature indicates a loss of strength, severe intoxication or a necrotic process.

• Change in color of mucous membranes– pallor and cyanosis may indicate a malfunction of the product. Intense pink or red gum color indicates an increase in core body temperature.

• Instead of feces, mucus comes out of the anus(sometimes mixed with feces) is a sign of acute constipation, which is often confused with.

• Feces in the form of dense, dry balls– a symptom of chronic constipation, which develops as a sign of a more serious, systemic disorder.

• Excessive defecation of moist, shapeless feces and - indicates intestinal atony, that is, loss of its contractile activity and emptying only upon overflow.

Treatment of constipation in a dog at home is strictly not recommended if the pet refused water appears apathetic or very weak. You can do without consulting a doctor if constipation is caused by past treatment (), recent constipation, stress or age.

Treatment of constipation in dogs with folk remedies

Among folk remedies for the treatment of constipation in pets, the leader is a suspension prepared from condensed milk and water. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and given to the dog every 30–40 minutes, 3–4 times a day. Such a suspension should not be given to a healthy animal, as it will lead to the development of diarrhea. For constipation, condensed milk with water helps to saturate the feces with moisture and their natural exit from the animal’s body.

Most owners know that constipation in their pet can be treated. The drug is considered safe because it passes through the dog’s body in transit and is not absorbed. After entering the intestines, Vaseline oil envelops its walls, preventing the absorption of water. The water that is retained in the intestines is absorbed into the stool, softening it.

Vaseline can be used in two forms: oil and candles. For an average dog, the maximum dosage of oil should not exceed 50 ml at a time. The oil is evaporated every 1–2 hours, no more than 5 times. Usually, defecation occurs after 2-3 doses.

Vaseline suppositories are inserted into the anus. For small dogs, the candle is first divided into two parts. Suppositories are administered at intervals of 1–2 hours, but, like oil, they are not recommended to be used more than 5 times. Defecation may occur 2–3 hours after the first insertion of the suppository.

Many experienced pet owners know that it has a laxative effect. pumpkin. Dogs are usually happy to take sweet medicine in its raw form. If the dog is not accustomed to eating vegetables, the pumpkin can be steamed and mixed with cottage cheese. In addition, boiled beets, raw liver and vegetable oils have a laxative effect.

Advice: If your dog refuses diet foods, you can discreetly add crushed sunflower seeds to the food. Hulled, unroasted seeds contain enough oil and fat to relieve recent constipation.

Read also: Poisoning in a dog

Often used in the treatment of constipation glycerol. As an independent drug, glycerin is almost powerless, but against the backdrop of diet and increased physical activity, it is quite effective. In addition, after using glycerin, for a more comfortable and quick elimination of constipation, it is recommended to perform a cleansing enema.

Enema as a way to treat constipation in dogs

As a treatment for constipation in a dog, an enema with clean water or with the addition of oil is quite effective. If you cannot guess why constipation began, it is better not to use any enema supplements.

All preparations must be made in advance. To perform an enema, you will need moisture-absorbing diapers, napkins, disposable gloves and the solution itself. It is advisable to carry out all manipulations indoors. Because during the enema the dog will feel discomfort, most likely she will try to get up and run away. To prevent escape, secure your pet in advance with a collar and leash.

To perform an enema, the dog is placed on its side, although some animals can withstand the procedure even in a standing position. The enema spout is generously lubricated with Vaseline and inserted into the anus, no deeper than 2.5 cm. After introducing the liquid, the enema spout is carefully removed. The dog's tail must be pressed to the anus and held for at least 1-3 minutes.

After the manipulations have been carried out, there are three options for the development of events:

• Take the animal outside quickly, as most dogs will restrain defecation knowing that such actions are prohibited in the home.

• Place an absorbent diaper under your pet.

• Put a diaper on your dog.

Pay attention! After an enema, most animals cannot hold their bowel movements, so defecation may occur before going outside. Be prepared for such consequences and do not scold your dog under any circumstances!

After the enema, if defecation does not occur, the dog can be given abdominal massage. To stimulate peristalsis, it is necessary to stroke the abdominal cavity clockwise with light palpation. If in response to pressure you feel gurgling in the intestines, then the massage is helping.

After your dog has had a bowel movement, carefully inspect the stool. There should be no inclusions of scarlet blood in the feces! Small clots or threads of coagulated blood are the consequences of damage to the intestinal walls during the movement of feces.

After a cleansing enema, the time of defecation may extend for 2–3 hours. If during the specified period nothing except water comes out of the animal’s intestines, you should urgently contact a veterinarian. Most often, the absence of bowel movements after a cleansing enema indicates or intestines.

Treatment of constipation in dogs with medications

What to do if folk remedies do not help eliminate constipation in your dog? Gentle remedies may indeed not have the expected effect if constipation lasts more than 2 days because the stool has become too dry. Such constipation can be acute or chronic and must be relieved with a safe medication.

A pet owner needs to know how to treat constipation in a dog. Dogs, like all other animals, are susceptible to various diseases. Therefore, caring owners should closely monitor the condition of their pets, their diet and activity. If your dog is not acting normally, it may be a sign of illness.

Possible signs of constipation in a dog

Many owners are faced with the problem of difficulty in defecating their animals. The reasons vary. Let's figure out why such a nuisance can occur and how to help a dog with constipation.

Common causes of bowel problems in dogs:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• obesity;
• dehydration;
• insufficient amount of fiber in food;
• low physical activity;
• age of the animal.

Symptoms of the disease are easy to notice. If the animal strains and makes efforts to empty its intestines to no avail, it means that the dog has a problem with intestinal obstruction. Because of this problem, feces will accumulate and harden, which can injure the intestinal walls. The owner should take measures to improve the condition of his dog.

Causes and effects of problems with bowel movements

In order for feces to move through the intestines, sufficient peristalsis is needed, that is, wave-like movements of the walls. If the intestines cannot cope, the reasons may be: infections, obesity or exhaustion of the body. The intestines can also “stand up” due to some disease of the internal organs.

By the way, decreased peristalsis can also occur due to anesthesia. After anesthesia, the dog’s diet should include soups and liquid cereals. It is necessary to follow all the doctor’s recommendations, because constipation after surgery can lead to negative consequences. Adhesions in the abdominal cavity may also be the cause.

Normal defecation is indicated by a certain volume and moisture content of the animal's stool. Large amounts of feces can accumulate inside the intestines. The same phenomenon occurs if the stool is too dry. Eating a dog boiled bones can cause the intestines to become clogged. Dogs that drink little should be given more liquid food. Dry dog ​​food, however, does not cause constipation in the animal.

If your dog exhibits the following symptoms: weakness, pain in the abdomen, decreased interest in food, constant thirst, as well as vomiting and pale mucous membranes, this may indicate intoxication. In this situation, the pet needs urgent help from a veterinarian.

If your dog has an intestinal obstruction, laxatives can worsen its condition, so it is recommended to take your dog to the veterinarian at the first signs of illness and find out the reasons for the difficulty in defecation.

Preventing constipation

First, the dog needs to be fed properly. If a dog is constipated, this indicates, first of all, an incorrect diet. The dog is an excellent walking companion, but he should not share his owner's food. The dog should not be fed sweets or bones. Overfeeding the animal is also strictly prohibited. Strong broth or large amounts of dry food also cause constipation.

Constipation in a dog can be a consequence of the following health problems:

1. prostate diseases (in males);
2. diseases of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract;
3. neurological or orthopedic problems.

Correcting the diet and constantly monitoring the dog's nutrition can prevent problems with bowel movements. It is better to feed the dog special food. Never feed your dog table food. This can cause not only constipation in dogs, but also obesity. Boiled tubular bones are also not beneficial.

Bone fragments can accumulate in the intestines and injure its walls. There should also be a sufficient amount of liquid in the diet. You can add a little vegetable oil to your dog's food no more than twice a week. Walks and active games will help your pet stay healthy and cheerful longer and promote better digestion of food.

Treatment of constipation in animals

Every owner needs to know how to treat constipation in a dog. First, exclude sweets and other handouts from the table from your diet. Do not give your dog small boiled bones because they may splinter. Feed your pet vegetables, such as pumpkin and unprocessed bran. This diet has a beneficial effect on peristalsis.

Vegetable oil is also considered a good laxative. Another laxative: white magnesia. Give your pet no more than one teaspoon approximately twice a week, although white magnesia can be given a little more often.

Vaseline oil is often prescribed for dogs with constipation. This drug helps empty the intestines. To treat constipation, give one tablespoon twice a day on an empty stomach. The amount also depends on the weight of the animal. The product is given at the rate of one tablespoon of Vaseline per 20 kg of weight. Therefore, a small puppy should not be given more than 1-2 teaspoons of Vaseline oil. The laxative will not take effect immediately, but after five or six hours.

Vaseline oil is used no longer than five days, otherwise side effects are possible, for example, hypovitaminosis. You should also not give Vaseline to dogs with certain diseases: inflammation in the abdominal cavity, acute fever. In addition, Vaseline is contraindicated in pregnant dogs.

An enema is also good for constipation. But this requires certain knowledge in order to correctly calculate the volume of water depending on weight. Any medications and tablets should be given to the dog only after a visit to the veterinarian. The veterinarian must prescribe a course of treatment, which must be strictly followed. Moreover, sometimes treatment with improvised means can be dangerous.

Postoperative constipation in a dog

Postoperative constipation can occur quite often. This is a side effect of the operation. If your veterinarian diagnoses an intestinal obstruction, further surgery may be necessary, or an enema may be necessary if the obstruction has been avoided.

It happens that medications in the postoperative period do not help your pet. It is necessary to use drugs such as antispasmodics, no-spa, baralgin. They also use suppositories and additional drugs that restore normal intestinal microflora. Of course, the diet should be prescribed in the postoperative period by a veterinarian. During the period established by the veterinarian, the dog cannot be fed or watered. After this, it is necessary to give food often, but in small portions.

Do not give your dog heavy, hard or dry food. Soften food with water or replace with wet canned food. You should feed your dog this way for about a month. After this, you can return to your normal diet. However, this should not be done immediately, but gradually.

You can start with broth, kefir, liquid porridge with wet minced meat. Regardless of what diet you choose for your dog, he should always have clean water in his bowl. This is the only way to stabilize intestinal function. If your pet's behavior changes, increased thirst, refusal to eat, weakness, or lack of activity, contact your veterinarian. The doctor will tell you what to do if your dog is constipated.

Severe cases

Treatment of constipation in dogs is an issue that needs to be approached responsibly. In particularly severe cases, such as intestinal obstruction, tumor, volvulus, or a foreign object entering the digestive tract, surgical intervention is necessary.

If neither diet changes nor other remedies help your dog, the problem may be much more serious than you previously thought. Do not leave the problem unattended, as the pet’s life may be in danger due to intoxication.

The accumulation of a large number of hardened masses, especially with bone fragments, will distend the intestines and may even lead to its rupture. In the most difficult cases, part of the intestine with undigested masses is even removed from the animal.

The main thing and condition for treating constipation, regardless of the age and size, as well as the breed of your dog, is timely consultation with a doctor. Do not skimp on your dog’s health and do not neglect medical recommendations.

Self-treatment can even harm your pet. A mild case of constipation will not cause your dog much discomfort, and this problem is quite easy to solve, but first, in any case, get a doctor's opinion. It can be difficult for a non-specialist to determine how severe the problem you are facing is. In addition, if you don't know how to give an enema, you can injure your dog's intestinal walls. An overdose of laxatives will also not benefit your dog.

Constipation in a puppy

A special case is constipation in a puppy. This is a rather serious problem, because the baby’s body is much more sensitive. Constipation in a puppy can occur due to the accumulation of hairballs in the intestines. These lumps are called trichobezoars. They are formed from fur that the dog licks. Usually the hairs pass through the intestines unhindered, but they may accumulate in a certain area.

Sometimes puppies can swallow completely inedible objects due to their inexperience or curiosity. Stagnation can be affected by insufficient physical activity. Every puppy needs to go for a walk several times a day, engage in active games, and frolic with a ball.

It is also possible that you are overfeeding your pet or that he is not drinking enough clean water.
For a small puppy, you can massage their belly or place them on a warm heating pad, and include pumpkin and celery in their diet.

In difficult cases, the use of laxatives will help. However, drug treatment cannot be used without a doctor's prescription. After all, the baby’s body is very susceptible. A side effect of using laxatives is disruption of colon function.

An enema is an effective remedy, but if you do not have experience in colon lavage, it is better not to try it yourself. You need to rinse several times before the effect occurs. Use a heated decoction of chamomile flowers. You must wear gloves to perform the procedure, and lubricate the tip of the bulb with Vaseline.

Be careful as the dog will most likely be uncomfortable with the procedure and will try to wriggle out and bite. You may need help holding your pet during the colon lavage procedure. Surgery may only be necessary in the most severe cases of constipation.

Dogs, just like people, can have delicate problems such as constipation. Your pet's intestinal obstruction can become a pain for him and a big problem for you if it is not treated and prevented in time.

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Why does constipation occur?

There may be several causes of obstruction of the large intestine in four-legged animals.

Conventionally, they can be divided into two categories:

1. Poor lifestyle of the dog (large portions of food, erratic eating, little fiber in the diet, drinking small amounts of liquid, insufficient duration of walks).
2. The presence of diseases, such as pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract or prostate gland (in males), obesity, dehydration, the presence of a foreign body, neurological problems, neoplasms, intestinal atony.

Sometimes constipation in a dog can be caused by individual characteristics of the body, such as decreased appetite, old age, consequences after treatment and surgery.

What is coprostasis

This disease can result in a big problem for maintaining the normal condition of the pet. It means a complete stop or slow passage of feces through the intestines. It is almost impossible to diagnose this disease at home, but it is quite possible to suspect it. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of obstruction in your pet, then immediately go to the hospital.

Coprostasis is stagnation of feces in the lower intestine.

There are two types of this disease:

1. Congenital. Degenerative development of the colon plexus. As a result, the removal of feces from the pet’s body is disrupted.
2. Acquired. This includes the dog’s poor diet, low activity levels, and diseases of an oncological or neurological nature. This can also include a dog's hormonal imbalance.

If a puppy is constipated due to ingestion of a small amount of liquid, the walls of the large intestine absorb it from the feces, making it hard and dry.

In male dogs, coprostasis can also occur due to pathological phenomena associated with the functioning of the prostate gland. It is quite logical that when it increases, the passage of feces will be difficult. The same can be stated if the dog had injuries to the pelvic bones.

Symptoms of the disease

With coprostasis, the dog always seems restless, its abdomen looks swollen, and when palpated it seems hard. The dog tries to perform the act of defecation, but it doesn’t work out for him. An experienced dog breeder knows for sure that a healthy dog ​​ideally defecates a couple of times a day. If this does not happen, then the owner should already have cause for concern.

If a dog has eaten bones and they are stuck in its intestines, then this pathology can cause severe pain. When trying to go to the toilet, your pet may whine. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction almost always lie on the surface, and they are very difficult not to notice by an attentive and loving owner.

Treating constipation at home

The thought “constipation in a dog: what to do?” flashed through your head. and you clearly intend to help your pet. For starters, you can try doing this at home. Naturally, traditional medicine is most often used for these purposes, which often turns out to be effective. If nothing helps the dog, then you need to urgently consult a doctor, otherwise the consequences may be irreversible!

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Traditional medicine

Treating constipation in a newborn puppy is very different from caring for an adult dog. Some methods may be dangerous for a small, fragile organism. This means that treating constipation at home can only be tried if your pet has reached puberty.

Among the methods of traditional medicine, the following can be distinguished:

1. You can give your dog castor oil, vegetable oil or magnesium. The quantity will depend on the size of the pet.
2. Give an enema. For small breeds, a simple rubber bulb is suitable; for larger breeds, the so-called Esmarch mug is suitable. This method is not always effective and safe, especially if there are small bones in the intestines. If you do decide to do an enema, then take care of hygiene and secure your pet by putting a muzzle on it.
3. To improve intestinal permeability, you can also give your dog crushed prunes or its infusion. To do this, boil water and pour it over the fruits, then let it brew. Then add this water to your dog's food.

Postoperative constipation

The occurrence of intestinal obstruction after surgery is, in principle, considered a normal phenomenon, which spreads among people and animals quite often. If your dog shows symptoms of this condition, it is best to take immediate action to correct the situation. Inaction in this case may lead to another operation.

As a rule, in case of postoperative constipation, the dog is given No-shpa, Novocain or Baralgin. An enema is allowed in a hospital setting, as well as the use of folk remedies. Next, the veterinarian may prescribe the introduction of suppositories into the pet’s anus to maintain healthy intestinal microflora.

Preparing the right diet

The first step to a healthy, constipation-free diet is to create the right diet for your dog. Some animals are prone to constipation, which can be seen after the dog has been in your home for some time. These four-legged animals are prescribed a special diet. There is nothing supernatural in this matter: fatty meat is excluded from the diet, the amount of boiled vegetables is increased, pumpkin and celery are added. It is also important for the owner to monitor the amount of fluid consumed per day and the quality of the pet’s physical activity.

The animal’s nutrition during the postoperative period also plays an important role. In this case, it is recommended to start feeding with weak broths and liquefied cereals, fermented milk products. If you give dry food, you will have to soak it in water. Under no circumstances should you give small bones and make sure that your dog does not swallow foreign bodies that may get stuck.

Most often, constipation problems in dogs can be resolved without the intervention of a veterinarian. If you notice intestinal obstruction as early as possible, then you will have fewer problems with your pet. Don't forget that the animal needs your support. Never scold your pet and just try to help him in every possible way. It is also prohibited to independently remove foreign objects and feces through the anus.

You should not feed a dog with intestinal obstruction. First, get the dog to defecate and only then offer the dog something to eat.

Video “Constipation in a Cane Corso dog”