CONSTIPATION

Dogs develop constipation often by eating grass, or swallowing bones.  For very furry dogs, sometimes soft stool form mats in the long fur around the rectum, and blocks the rectum.  Dogs with this problem drag their bottoms against the ground or bite at their rear ends.
The longer waste remains in the body, water is 
pulled-out, therefore becomes drier, and difficult to pass.


Enemas could be dangerous, so your Veterinarian should be contacted for appropriate enema.


Mega-colon is a condition when the rectum stretches with hard fecal mass affecting the nerves and muscles...this would for life, require medical care.


Severe constipation whereby dogs stop eating, vomit and have stomach pain will probably need to be sedated for the Veterinarian to remove the fecal impaction.


IMMEDIATE ACTION:
        1.  Clip if any, the fur for long-haired dogs.
        2.  Dampen a soft cloth with warm water


               1.  Clip if any, fur for long-haired pets.
               2.  Dampen a soft cloth with warm 
                    water, and clean the outside of anal
                    that's blocking.   Or, a spray bottle 
                    filled with warm water may soak
                    fecal  matter free and prompt your
                    dog to move his bowels.  If, after 24
                    hours, your dog does not defecate, a  
                    visit to your Veterinarian is
                    necessary for your dog to be treated.
               3.  The skin around the rectum after 
                    clipped and/or washed, may be
                    sensitive, so best to  an antibiotic
                    ointment Neosporin 3 times a day for few
                   days until inflammation subsides. 
    


PREVENTIVE MEASURES:
Adding fiber to your dog's food will help prevent constipation who have a mild condition.
                    1.  Use a high-fiber commercial food
                    2.  Mix unflavored Metamucil into
                         canned food.  CHECK LABEL,
                         to be sure it has 2.4 grams of 
                         soluble fiber per dose.
                    3.  Use 1 teaspoon per meal for each
                         10 to 25 pounds of body weight.
                         
  
THE PUMPKIN PREVENTION:
This for me is the healthiest way!  Try it.
Why?  Pumpkin has very high and water content.  Both important factors for regular bowel movements.  Most wonderfully, dogs
(my dogs) love the taste!
      1.  Mix canned pumpkin into your
                           dog's   food.
      2.  Add per meal:
           1-2 teaspoons             less than 15 lbs dogs               
           2 Tablespoons           15-35 lbs dogs
           3-5 Tablespoons        Larger dogs


Be aware...if your dog's feces aren't formed and
have soft-life consistency, just cut-back on the 
amount of pumpkin.