What is the treatment for megacolon in cats?

What is the treatment for megacolon in cats?

Treatment for Megacolon in Cats A medical approach involves the use of laxatives, colon-wall stimulants, enemas, and high-fiber diets or low-residue diets. While these don’t correct the underlying cause, they will hopefully allow fecal material to pass so the cat does not become further constipated.

What is the surgery for megacolon?

Subtotal colectomy, the removal of the majority of the colon, is considered the treatment of choice for the surgical management of megacolon that is not responsive to dietary and medical management. This is major surgery, but the overwhelming majority of cats respond quite favorably.

What is mega colon cats?

Idiopathic megacolon is a disease in cats where the colon loses its normal motility and becomes progressively larger. As the disease progresses, cats lose the ability to defecate.

Does megacolon require surgery?

Patients with idiopathic megacolon or megarectum may require surgery if they have refractory symptoms. Depending on age, pelvic floor, and anal sphincter function, patients who have isolated megacolon can be treated with either subtotal colectomy with ileorectostomy or diverting loop ileostomy.

Should a cat with megacolon be put down?

When megacolon is present, constipation responds poorly to medical therapy. Without surgical treatment, megacolon may become an intolerable problem, with euthanasia of the cat as the probable outcome. Subtotal colectomy is now established as a satisfactory treatment for idiopathic megacolon in cats.

What is colectomy surgery?

(Hemicolectomy, partial colectomy, or segmental resection) A colectomy is a type of surgery used to treat colon diseases. These include cancer, inflammatory disease, or diverticulitis. The surgery is done by removing a portion of the colon. The colon is part of the large intestine.

What is a sub colectomy?

What is a total or subtotal colectomy. This is the name of the operation to remove all (total) or part of (subtotal) the large bowel. The operation is performed to remove disease which affects all or part of the large bowel. A cut will be made in your abdomen (tummy) to remove the large bowel.

Can you reverse megacolon?

Is megacolon reversible? In most cases, megacolon is reversible. This depends on whether it is possible to treat the underlying cause. In acute and toxic megacolon, the underlying cause can usually be treated or otherwise resolves itself naturally, so dilation of the colon is reversed.

How often do cats with megacolon poop?

In addition, it may pass several bowel movements each day. However, after one to two months, the stools will become formed and the cat will have an average of three bowel movements every two days.

What do you feed a cat with megacolon?

Because canned food contains up to 78 percent water, your cat may benefit from being fed canned food rather than dry food to fight megacolon. “If we can get canned food into them, so much the better,” says Dr. Degner. In addition, provide plenty of fresh water at all times.

Why is a colectomy done?

Colectomy is used to treat and prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon, such as: Bleeding that can’t be controlled. Severe bleeding from the colon may require surgery to remove the affected portion of the colon. Bowel obstruction.

How do you poop after colectomy?

A colostomy or ileostomy lets waste come out through a hole in your abdominal wall, called a stoma. A pouch called an ostomy bag attaches to the outside of the stoma to collect the poop. Not all colectomies require an ostomy, and not all colostomies are permanent.