Can cats recover from megacolon?

Even cisapride, a prokinetic agent, can stimulate only those feline colonic smooth muscles that are functional. When the colon is overdistended, i.e., when a megacolon is present, cisapride won’t help one bit. However, in the vast majority of cases, megacolon is curable with surgery.

What do you do if your cat gets megacolon?

A medical approach involves the use of laxatives, stool softeners, colon wall stimulants, and high fiber diets. These do not correct the underlying cause, but they do allow fecal material to pass so the cat does not become constipated and ill.

Should I euthanize my cat with megacolon?

Euthanasia. Even though this is not an option I often recommend, dealing with severe megacolon or constipation can be chronically uncomfortable for your cat and intensive for cat owners. In some situations, euthanasia is a consideration with unmanageable cases.

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.

How Long Can cats live with megacolon?

Unfortunately, if the megacolon has been present for greater than four to six months, dilation and loss of function may be irreversible. The colon is not able to return to normal function after this extended period of time.

Is megacolon common in cats?

Megacolon most commonly occurs in middle-aged, male, domestic shorthair cats. Stools may appear smaller than normal or be absent during episodes of constipation. Usually, affected cats pass a large amount of dry and hard stool one to three times per week.

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.

Is megacolon painful for cats?

Megacolon in cats happens when the large intestines become distended, leading to constipation or obstipation. Cats that develop megacolon have a large amount of hard stool in their large intestines which causes pain, discomfort, and dehydration.

Is megacolon in cats fatal?

Cats with pelvic obstruction secondary to pelvic trauma can be treated by removal of the abnormal pelvic bones (pelvic ostectomy) to allow normal passage of feces again. Unfortunately, if the megacolon has been present for greater than four to six months, dilation and loss of function may be irreversible.

How common is feline megacolon?

Megacolon is most often seen in middle-aged cats with an average age of 6 years. It is more common in males (70%) than females. Domestic shorthaired cats are most often affected (46 percent). It has been found that 12 percent of cases are Siamese.

How do I know if I have a megacolon?

How Is Megacolon Diagnosed? Megacolon can be diagnosed by observing the size of the colon on an abdominal x-ray scan. Most physicians agree that a colon diameter greater than 12 centimeters at the cecum should be classified as megacolon.

How long can you live with megacolon?

Prognosis. As long as your colon doesn’t preforate or tear, the survival rate for well-treated toxic megacolon is above 95%. Even if it does tear, the survival rate is around 80%.

How much does surgery for megacolon in cats cost?

The surgery is difficult and usually the cat requires a long hospital stay. It can cost between $1500.00 and $3000.00. It can be a risky surgery. Some cats do not survive the surgery. Most cats will have slightly soft stools after the surgery. However, there are some cats that end up with chronic diarrhea after having a subtotal colectomy.

How long do cats stay on fluid after megacolon surgery?

Most cats remain on intravenous fluids for one to three days after surgery. Fluid therapy is discontinued one the cat begins eating and drinking. Loose to watery stool should be anticipated for weeks to months after surgery. In megacolon, the normal colonic motility patterns are disrupted.

How does megacolon affect the health of cats?

The health of cats with megacolon usually improves amazingly after surgical treatment, unlike with medical treatment. Cats that get medical treatment have some improvement, but usually still have signs of pain and general ill health such as poor hair coats and being underweight.

How old do cats have to be to get megacolon?

This disease generally occurs in middle-aged to older cats, but has also been seen in cats as young as three to four years old. In cases that do not have an identifiable cause, the condition is termed idiopathic megacolon. How is megacolon treated? Usually, a medical approach is tried first, with surgery reserved for unresponsive or advanced cases.