Constipation in kittens: how to cope with it?

This term in medicine denotes all sorts of difficulties with feces. The problem can rightfully be considered the most common factor affecting the health of a pet. Constipation in kittens, for example, occurs in every third quadruped. Veterinarians say that a healthy cat should perform an act of defecation at least once a day. If you notice that your pet's chair has become dry and lean, you should contact the veterinary clinic.

Constipation in a kitten: symptoms

So, what signs indicate that the animal has problems with digestion? Firstly, sitting down on the tray, he will loudly and plaintively meow. Secondly, excrement will be dry and firm, among the filler you can detect traces of blood and mucus. Constipation in kittens, as a rule, is accompanied by loss of appetite, a sharp decrease in weight, lethargy. Sometimes a pet tears, it stops licking itself. If you notice at least two manifestations from this list, immediately show your four-legged friend to a specialist.

Possible reasons

Constipation in kittens can be due to a mass of reasons. As the most common veterinarians call a diet low in protein and dehydration. Think: Does your cat abuse your dry food? Also, you should make sure that he drank enough fluids. The factor that provoked constipation may be the so-called "hairball" (a ball of wool accumulated in the stomach).

Diseases

In some cases, constipation in kittens is one of the signs of the disease. Depending on the situation, the doctor can diagnose the presence of cysts in the intestines of the animal, neurological disorder, swelling in the esophagus, obesity, enlargement of the prostate or problems with peristalsis. In addition, the blame for everything can be a foreign object that has got into the stomach (bone, small toy, piece of cloth, etc.).

Treatment

The process of treatment depends largely on the cause that provoked constipation. The veterinarian may prescribe a drug that softens the stool, laxative or enema. The last procedure you can do yourself, but it's better to entrust her to the doctor. Do not forget that the cat will most likely react to your attempts extremely negatively, besides some enemas can be toxic to animals. Constipation in a newborn kitten can be eliminated with drugs that enhance peristalsis. In some cases, cleansing of the bowels by hand or even surgery is indicated (it is necessary in order to remove the obstruction that interferes with the passage of stool). A sick cat is recommended a diet with a high content of fiber and fiber.

Folk remedies

If you picked up a kitten on the street, and he refuses to go to the toilet for several days, do not worry: constipation may well be caused by stress from an unusual environment. Try to give the animal a little condensed milk - most cats are very fond of it, besides it is an excellent laxative.

Risk group

In what case will your pet be subject to constipation? First, if he is over ten years old, and secondly, if he is lazy and does not get enough physical exertion.