Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
The technical name for a protruding rectum in pigs is rectal prolapse. The condition occurs in other farm animals, but it is more prevalent in pigs. Prolapse originates from abdominal pressure, which forces a breakdown of the naturally weak pelvic muscles. Since the pelvis normally holds the rectum in place, a decrease in pelvic muscle strength allows it to fall.
Megacolon in cats is a painful, potentially debilitating disease caused by severe constipation or inability to defecate. This disease is usually caused by improper diet, ingestion of foreign objects, or an unusually small pelvic opening. While megacolon was once considered a death sentence, veterinarians have developed a variety of treatments for it. It is important to recognize the symptoms, however, so that your cat can receive treatment promptly.
Pet owners enjoy watching their pets' antics. These behaviors are often a primary source of some of the web's funniest videos. It is important for pet owners to realize, however, that some of the behaviors that they find to be so hilarious are actually the pet's way of communicating a problem. Such is the case with "scooting," when a cat propels itself forward on its bottom. Anal or rectal problems should immediately be suspected.
A cat straining at the litter box is usually not serious if it happens once. However, if it continues to happen over the course of the day, and the stool is very dry, the cat may be constipated. There are many things that can cause this, but sometimes the cause is a mystery, even to the veterinarian.
After diarrhea, constipation is probably the second most common reason cat guardians take their feline companions to see a veterinarian. Causes of cat constipation vary as widely as do prognosis and treatments for the condition. Many times the cause is lumped into a single category called megacolon, which basically means the cause of the constipation cannot be determined. Regardless of the reason your cat is not going to the litter box, constipation can be a serious medical issue for a feline and you should seek veterinary attention for your pet as soon as possible.
Constipation is a buildup of stool in the colon, and cats that are constipated are usually dehydrated or obese. Learn about the problems that can be caused by extensive constipation in cats with help from a veterinarian in this free video on cat health.
