Difficulty emptying bowels

Medical name: Constipation

DON'T DELAY

• Loss of appetite
• Bloody, red stool
• Constipation
• Painful defecation
• Difficult defecation
• Smaller stool than usual
• Unsteady walking

If your pet is experiencing constipation, do not delay in seeking help from your vet, who can help find the cause and treat accordingly. With your veterinarian’s say-so, you may give your mildly constipated dog the appropriate home remedy. Severe constipation — failure to defecate for days, pain as material build up and becomes impacted — might require an enema or manual dis-impaction. The blockage could involve hair, bones, or other material your dog can’t process. Enemas for human use might not be appropriate for dogs, and there is risk of infection. Your veterinarian can suggest a feeding routine — something as simple as adding a little canned pumpkin to the dog food — to reduce the likelihood of constipation.

Zootoo does not provide veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s medical condition.
If you think your pet may be experiencing a medical emergency, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal care facility immediately.