Dog Constipation
Just like humans, dogs can suffer from numerous fevers and illnesses, some which can leave a dog in pain. Due to this, dog owners should be aware of the different symptoms for different illnesses. Many of the illnesses which impact upon dogs will pass without any kind of medical treatment, although rest may be needed.
Constipation is suffered within humans and dogs, owners should look out for the symptoms within dogs. It is a common problem within dogs; a dog suffers from this if it does not defecate once in two days.
There are numerous causes of constipation including irregular bowel movement in dogs, low water intake, dehydration, poor diet, low fibre food and physical inactivity. In some cases there is a problem present due a dog being fed foods which are highly processed; this can lead to sever constipation. High processed foods do not offer the relevant nutrients required by dogs to function properly.
Sometimes the cause of constipation can be due to ingestion of bones or other indigestible particles and side effects of medications. There are some foods which can leas to constipation getting worse, rather than better, these include bread, cookies, chocolate, rice, pastries and ice creams. The foods just mentioned should not be given to dogs in any circumstances as they severely impact upon a dogs digestion. Dog owners should also limit feeding dog’s foods which contain flour, refined sugar, dairy products and protein rich foods.
A dog suffering from constipation is likely to feel uncomfortable, showing signs should as difficulty walking, abnormal gait, increased whining, lethargy, reluctant to physical activities, loss of appetite and mental stress. In the majority of cases, do constipation is a result of inflammation of the large intestine or colon. If the case of constipation is severe, the dog may pass blood usually in small amounts; this can cause damage to the blood vessels in the colon. If stools are bloody or watery this may be an indication of an infection rather than dog constipation.
If dog constipation is not treated in the early stages it can lead to the development of other illnesses, such as indigestion, skin problems, bad breath, body odour, flatulence, bloating, obesity and bowel cancer. The usual steps a veterinarian will take is to prescribe food supplements, these contain certain enzymes or chemicals which will treat the dog for constipation. In serious cases the vet may prescribe an enema. Dog owners are often advised to change their dogs diet if they are suffering from constipation, this often prevents it occurring again.
Some natural remedies which are also suggested are feeding dogs raw meat, bran, wheat, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Drinking plenty of water is also key in order to keep the dogs body well hydrated. If there are no improvements after the diet has been changed then medical advice should be obtained as it may be an underlying problem.
