Constipation in Cats: Could be but a Symptom

By Marlene Wallace

Beautiful, graceful and slightly enigmatic, it is no easy task identifying what particular kinds of discomfort our beloved felines are experiencing. There are actually several different definitions and possible signs and symptoms of constipation in cats including the following:

  • Infrequent as well as often partial bowel movements.
  • Dry, hardened stools.
  • Straining when passing a bowel movement.
  • Vomiting during and/or after having gone to the bathroom.
  • Change in the frequency of a cat’s bowel movements.
  • Liquid stool, coming from above, leaks past impacted stool (i.e. dried stool stuck within the intestines) giving the appearance that the cat actually has diarrhea instead.
  • When your furry companion has bowel movements outside of its litter box, it can be a signal of constipation.
  • Seeing blood and/or mucus in your pet’s droppings.
  • Any noticeable changes in the color and/or appearance of a cat’s stool.

It is important to note that when your pet is straining to urinate, it can sometimes be confused with straining to pass a stool. If a cat is unable to urinate, it is considered to be a medical emergency. The cat should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Not only is constipation extremely uncomfortable for cats, it is also very unhealthy and dangerous for them. Constipation may be a symptom of a more serious underlying disease and/or illness. It can either be temporary (i.e. acute) or ongoing (i.e. chronic). Several causes of constipation in cats include:

  • Consuming a diet low in fiber.
  • Dehydration.
  • Presence of hairballs within the intestines.
  • Excessive grooming.
  • Abscessed and/or blocked anal sacs.
  • Enlargement of the prostate gland in male cats.
  • Tangled hair on the feline’s buttocks (a problem that is easily remedied with our cat grooming products).
  • Ingestion of various foreign objects including things like cloth, string and/or bones, etc.
  • Medication side effects.
  • Presence of a tumor and/or some other type of intestinal obstruction.
  • Presence of a neurologic disorder.
  • Feline obesity.
  • Abnormally shaped colon.
  • Abnormal motility of the colon.

How to Treat an Acutely Constipated Cat:

If your cat has an acute bout of constipation, contact your vet right away. While there are many laxatives available, be vigilant to use versions specifically designed to give to cats. They are extremely sensitive animals and can easily be poisoned by certain types of human treatments. Constipation treatments need to be effective as well as very safe for use over the long term.

Lactulose:

Lactulose for cats acts as an osmotic laxative. A thick, sweet liquid, it is a type of indigestible sugar. By-products of gut bacteria aid in the regulation of colon pH. The latter is what influences the amount of water retained within the stool. This particular laxative also influences the bowel pH. It has a slightly acidic effect which causes water retention and therefore increases the stool volume.

Requiring a prescription from your vet, the goal of Lactulose is a normal, soft stool rather than flushing out your cat. Hence, it should be used as a preventative treatment. If your cat actually has impacted stool, this type of laxative is not appropriate until the impaction is dealt with.

VetRxDirect is a PCAB Accredited Compounding Pet Pharmacy

VetRxDirect’s compounding pharmacy is proud to hold the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board’s Seal of Accreditation.

Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board's Seal of Accreditation

VetRxDirect is an Accredited Pet Pharmacy

While all compounding pharmacies are required to meet the requirements set by their respective state boards of pharmacy, PCAB Accredited™ denotes a more stringent and comprehensive standard which serves as an assurance that our compounding pharmacy has been tested against the profession’s most rigorous standards.

PCAB Accreditation requires a pharmacy:

  • Agree to the PCAB rules and terms of accreditation.
  • Abide by the PCAB Principles of Compounding.
  • Meet or exceed all PCAB quality standards.
  • Pass an extensive on-site inspection.
  • Use only high quality chemicals and equipment.
  • Ensure that compounding pharmacists and technicians receive continuing education and training in compounding.
  • Employ a system of continuous quality improvement.

PCAB criteria was established by a Standards Committee of compounding pharmacists and nationally-recognized experts in the compounding pharmacy profession.

To earn our designation as a  PCAB Accredited™ compounding pharmacy, VetRxDirect completed an extensive application and submission process, documenting our education, training, licensures, policies and procedures. Our documentation was reviewed by PCAB. Next, we had to pass an extensive on-site inspection. Only when this stringent evaluation was completed and we were judged to have met all criteria, did the PCAB officially grant us the PCAB Seal of Accreditation.

VetRxDirect is honored to receive the PCAB Seal of Accreditation. We feel it confirms our commitment to providing safe, personalized solutions that meet the medical needs of the pets we serve.

You can find more information on specific drugs by visiting VetRxDirect, or by reading our blog posts on Cisapride or Urinary Incontinence which includes information on DES.

VetRxDirect looks forward to helping you obtain needed medications for your pet, whatever the form.

Thank you,

Wes

New and Noteworthy – Fall 2012

There are many things to look for in an online pet medication supplier, but nothing is more important than making sure the pharmacy is fully licensed and properly accredited. VetRxDirect understands the concerns and frustrations you have when purchasing medications for your pets online. That’s why we always have a team of dedicated pharmacists and technicians available to assist with any questions and concerns you may have. Our staff is ready to serve any of your pet medication needs.

We stand by the quality and safety of our medication and are dedicated to making your pet’s health our top priority. Plus, with some of the best prices on the Internet and knowledgeable and helpful staff, why shop anywhere else?!?

Standard Length Adjustable DogLeggs as a Hygroma Treatment

DogLeggsWinter is upon us! Going into this cold season we understand your pet will begin to show signs of discomfort due to the changing climates. As many of you dog owners probably already know, dogs enjoy laying on cool surfaces. However, as good as this feels to your pet, constantly laying on these cold, hard surfaces can be detrimental to their joints and can possibly lead to the development of elbow Hygromas, fluid-filled sacs that build up under the skin.If not treated properly, Hygromas can quickly turn into open wounds, which come with an increased risk for serious infection. If you notice your dog developing Hygromas, talk with your veterinarian and then consider purchasing DogLeggs, a therapeutic solution that greatly helps reduce the severity and size of Hygromas. They may even eliminate the need for hygroma draining or surgery

Cisapride is back in stock!!

Cisapride is now back in stock in the VetRxDirect shop. We have found a reputable and reliable distributor of the bulk drug, so we are once again compounding Cisapride. Order Cisapride for your cat today!

Free Shipping On All Orders $39 Or More + Volume Discounts

We still offer free shipping on all orders totaling $39 or more. We also offer tiered volume discounts* on orders starting at $100. The more you buy, the more savings we pass on to you. Stock up and save today!

*online use only, one coupon code per order