Megacolon in Cats
The colon is the section of large intestine that begins at the cecum, the sac that joins the colon to the end of the small intestine (ileum). From there it proceeds to the rectum in the digestive tract. The main purpose of the colon is to serve as a temporary storage conduit for waste products, extracting water and salt from the waste as it passes through and out of the body. When a condition causes the diameter of the colon to become abnormally enlarged, it is medically referred to as megacolon. This condition is associated with chronic constipation, and with obstipation – severe, obstinate constipation that blocks the passage of gas as well as feces. Minimal colonic activity, where the colon is not releasing its contents, is another condition that can lead to abnormal enlargement of the colon.
Megacolon can be a congenital or acquired condition. Cats with congenital megacolon lack normal smooth muscle function of the colon. Megacolon can also be acquired, such as when feces is chronically retained and the fecal water is completely absorbed. The water and matter bond, and the feces becomes solidified within the colon. If concreted feces remains lodged in the colon for a prolonged period of time, distention of the colon will occur, resulting in irreversible colonic inertia (inactivity). Colonic inertia is characterized by the smooth muscle of the colon no longer contracting or expanding to void feces.
Symptoms and Types
- Constipation: feces is trapped in the colon
- Obstipation: severe blockage that impedes both feces and gas, keeping them trapped in the colon
- Infrequent defecation
- Straining to defecate with small or no fecal volume
- Small amount of diarrhea may occur after prolonged straining
- Hard, dry feces
- Hard colon felt with abdominal examination (palpation)
- Fecal impaction can be felt when a gloved finger is inserted into the rectum
- Occasional vomiting, anorexia and/or depression
- Weight loss
- Scruffy, unkempt hair coat
- Unknown (idiopathic) in most cats
- Congenital (present at birth); the Manx breed appears ot be at higher risk
- Mechanical obstruction of feces
- Trauma to the body
- Limb and/or pelvic fractures
- Metabolic disorders
- Low serum potassium
- Severe dehydration
- Vincristine: used for lymphoma and leukemia
- Barium: used for enhancing x-ray images
- Sucralfate: used for treating ulcers
- Neurologic/neuromuscular disease
- Spinal cord disease
- Intervertebral disk disease
- Disease of the anus and/or rectum
Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel, and a urinalysis. The doctor will also perform an abdominal palpation (examination by touch) of the colon, and a manual examination of the rectum, by digital (finger) rectal penetration. You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, including a background history, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition.
Abdominal radiograph imaging is useful for a visual examination of the colon. Recorded images will show whether the colon is full of feces, if there is a mass blockage in the colon, or if there are any other underlying causes of megacolon. An internal examination of the colon, using a lighted tubular instrument called a colonoscope may be performed if obstructive lesions inside the colon, or in the wall of the colon, cannot be ruled out.
Most patients affected with megacolon should be hospitalized for initial fluid therapy, both to rehydrate the body and to correct electrolyte imbalances. The colon can then be gently evacuated. Your veterinarian will administer anesthesia to your cat, and then manually inject warm water enemas and water-soluble jelly, allowing for the easy extraction of feces with a gloved finger or sponged forceps. If the problem is recurrent or especially severe, and is not responding to medical management, as in the case of irreversible colonic inertia, surgery may be necessary to repair the colon. Most cats are cured of recurrent megacolon after undergoing subtotal colectomy surgery.
Living and Management
For cats suffering from megacolon, exercise and activity are strongly encouraged for the health and strength of the digestive and abdominal muscles. A low-residue diet may also help to prevent recurrences of megacolon. Sometimes a high-fiber diet helps as well. Another alternative is to supplement your cat’s regular maintenance diet with veterinarian approved fiber supplements or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). Avoid feeding bones to your cat (e.g., chicken, fish) to protect against potential injuries to the colon when pieces of bone are swallowed.
The area found between the muscles and the endings of the nerves
The term for a colon that is enlarged abnormally
A term for a type of neoplasm that is made up of lymphoid tissue; these masses are usually malignant in nature
Examination through feeling
A record of body structures using an x-ray
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
The very end of the large intestine
An increase in the number of bad white blood cells
To mechanically introduce a substance into a living thing
A medical condition in which the body has lost fluid or water in excessive amounts
The exiting of excrement from the body; bowel movements.
The whole system involved in digestion from mouth to anus
The process of making something larger by dilating or stretching it
The term for the last part of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the large intestine.
Relating to a disease of unknown origin, which may or may not have arisen spontaneously
The end of the gastrointestinal tract; the opening at the end of the tract.