Page 790 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

782 PART 9 CAT WITH SIGNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT DISEASE

MECHANICAL
● Hair matting* (p 789)
Matting of the hair around the anus with feces is associated with poor grooming, and may cause
perianal dermatitis and discomfort with defecation. It may also obstruct fecal passage through the
anus. It occurs more often in obese cats, and long-haired cats.
METABOLIC
● Dehydration and hypokalemia* (p 787)
Metabolic conditions such as dehydration or hypokalemia can predispose to constipation by reducing
fecal moisture and colonic muscle activity. Signs of dehydration, inability to jump, or ventroflexion of
the neck may be evident.
NEOPLASIA
● Neoplasia (p 791)
Intraluminal or extraluminal tumors may cause mechanical obstruction to the passage of feces.
Signs may include straining to defecate and evidence of fresh blood on the feces.
PSYCHOLOGICAL

● Litter box dissatisfaction* (p 789)
Litterbox dissatisfaction, caused by poor litterbox hygiene or inadequate litterbox access, may dis-
courage regular defecation and result in constipation.
INFLAMMATION
● Acute non-specific colitis** (p 786)
This condition presents with an abrupt onset of large bowel diarrhea which is usually self-limiting.
Signs include tenesmus, mucoid feces and hematochezia. Vomiting may occur.
● Chronic colitis** (p 787)
Chronic colitis causes hematochezia, large bowel diarrhea, and tenesmus, which are attributable to
infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic and benign infiltrative mucosal diseases.
● Perineal inflammation/infection (p 792)
Conditions such as perineal abscesses, perianal fistulae and anorectal foreign bodies may cause
pain, discouraging regular defecation and lead to constipation and/or tenesmus.
● Lower urinary tract disease* (p 790)
Hematuria, strangiuria and pollakiuria caused by lower urinary tract disorders must be differenti-
ated from constipation by history and physical examination.
IATROGENIC
● Drugs (p 791)
Drugs such as opioid agonists, cholinergic antagonists, diuretics, phenothiazines and barium sul-
fate can cause constipation.
TRAUMA
● Pelvic fractures* (p 788)
Pelvic fractures may reduce the size of the pelvic canal, causing obstruction. In the acute phase
following trauma, painful defecation may lead to constipation.