Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

280 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Treatment: Immediate veterinary treatment is essential for survival.
Intravenous fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics are given to treat dehydration
and shock. Surgical exploration is needed as soon as the dog is able to
tolerate general anesthesia.
After the source of the peritonitis is repaired, the peritoneal cavity is
repeatedly flushed to remove all foreign material. The surgeon may decide to
pack the abdominal wound open with gauze pads to facilitate drainage of
infected peritoneal fluid. An incision left open can be closed at a later date.
Localized peritonitis may respond to fluid replacement and antibiotics
alone.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation means absent, infrequent, or difficult defecation. Most healthy
dogs have one or two stools a day. This varies with the individual and the diet.
A day or even two without stools is not a cause for concern, if the stools
remain normal in size and pass without difficulty. But when feces are retained
in the colon for two or three days, they become dry and hard, and require
forceful straining to pass.
Note that straining also occurs in dogs with colitis, obstructed bladder, and
anorectal obstructions. It is important to be sure the dog is not suffering from
one of these other problems before treating him for constipation. Colitis, in
particular, is often confused with constipation. Remember that a dog with
colitis will pass many small stools that contain mucus and/or blood.
Causes of Constipation
Many middle-aged and older dogs are prone to constipation. A common predisposing
cause is failure to drink enough water. With mild dehydration, water
is withdrawn from the colon, which dehydrates the feces.
Ingesting foreign materials such as bone chips, hair, grass, cellulose, cloth,
paper, and other substances is a well-recognized cause of acute and chronic
constipation. The indigestible material mixes with feces to form rocklike
masses in the colon.
Many drugs commonly used in dogs cause constipation as a secondary side
effect. Discuss this possible correlation with your veterinarian. Hypothyroidism
is an occasional cause of chronic constipation.
The urge to defecate can also be voluntarily overridden. Dogs develop such
inhibitions during housetraining. When left alone in the house for long periods,
they often override the urge to defecate. Dogs may also be reluctant to
empty their bowels when hospitalized, boarded, or taken on a trip.
Dogs with constipation of recent onset should be examined by a veterinarian.
Other reasons to seek veterinary consultation are painful defecation,
straining during defecation, and passing blood or mucus.