Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Colonic impaction in dogs - signs, treatment, and outcomes
By Tzimtzimis, E et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2019·Companion Animal Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Colonic impaction in dogs: a retrospective study of 58 cases (1996 to 2014).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with colonic impaction, which means its colon was blocked with stool. The dog received medical treatment that included enemas and laxatives, sometimes combined with manual removal of the stool under anesthesia. Most dogs treated this way had a good outcome, with many living for at least two years after treatment. This suggests that medical management is often effective for dogs with this condition.
People also search for: dog colonic impaction treatment · dog constipation remedies · signs of colonic blockage in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical findings, management and outcome of colonic impaction in dogs and report the effectiveness of medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case records of 58 dogs with colonic impaction were reviewed. Telephone contact with the owners was used to obtain long-term outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-nine dogs (50%) were mixed-breed, and 45 (78%) were entire males. Median age at presentation was 7 years, and median bodyweight was 22 kg. The degree of radiographic colonic distension did not appear to be related to long-term outcome. Fifty-five dogs (95%) received medical treatment including enemas alone, hyperosmotic and/or bulk-forming and/or lubricant laxatives, enemas combined with laxatives or enemas and/or laxatives combined with manual evacuation of faecal material under anaesthesia. Median survival time of the 58 dogs was 2 years. Overall, 36 of 41 dogs with available long-term follow-up had a favourable outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Medical treatment of colonic impaction in dogs with a single agent or a combination of agents has a high success rate. Marked colonic dilation is not necessarily indicative of megacolon in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31025712/