Why has the lively and adorable poodle been so lethargic recently? Today the editor found out it was constipation. This worried me a lot, what should I do? What measures should we take? Today the editor will take everyone to have a look!

Poodle Constipation

Poodle

Poodles are very small, lively, and intelligent dogs. Therefore, more and more people like to raise poodles now. However, during the raising process, poodles are also prone to various common illnesses, among which constipation is a relatively common dog disease. Dog constipation, also called canine fecal impaction, is a digestive system disease caused by intestinal motility disorders and secretion imbalance, resulting in stagnation and drying of intestinal contents, causing partial or complete obstruction of the intestines. This disease mostly occurs in the colon and rectum of dogs, especially common in puppies, elderly dogs, and long-haired dogs.

Usually, the longer a poodle suffers from constipation, the harder it is to treat. Severe constipation may cause poisoning or secondary diseases that worsen the condition. Generally, there are three main causes of poodle constipation:

1. Unscientific feeding management: For example, feeding the poodle dry food for a long time, insufficient drinking water, the dog eating human hair and foreign objects, insufficient exercise, or sudden changes in feed, environment, and management, all of which may cause poodle constipation.

2. Poodles suffering from other related diseases: Painful defecation diseases (such as rectal polyps, proctitis, rectal stenosis, tumors, anal abscesses, etc.) which lead to constipation due to the loss of normal defecation urge.

3. Dog physical discomfort: Diseases causing defecation movement disorders (such as spinal joint dislocation, pelvic fractures, and hind limb fractures, etc.) can all cause constipation.

Corresponding to the above-listed causes of poodle constipation, prevention can start with the following aspects:

1. Dietary adjustment, try to feed easily digestible food and reduce dry food.

2. Add a spoonful of honey or vegetable oil to each meal in the dog's food.

3. Ensure the dog’s daily drinking water is available and changed regularly.

4. Regularly check the dog's body to ensure the dog does not suffer from pathological constipation.

5. Ensure daily exercise for the dog, which not only promotes physical health but also reduces the chance of constipation.

If your poodle already has constipation, showing signs such as straining during defecation, passing small amounts of dry stools with mucus, or small amounts of foul-smelling loose stools, or trying to defecate but unable to, appearing nervous, barking, frequently looking back at the abdomen, followed by decreased or lost appetite, depression, some vomiting, obvious urgency to defecate with little stool passed, abdominal enlargement, and intestinal bloating, treatment measures must be taken promptly, otherwise the dog may be in danger.

Common treatments for poodle constipation:

1. Enema therapy: Suitable for mild and simple constipation. Use 40 to 80 ml of warm soapy water, administer into the intestine with an enema syringe, and apply moderate external abdominal pressure to assist in loosening impacted feces. Usually effective.

2. Medication therapy: Oral intake of appropriate doses of laxatives. Such as magnesium sulfate 5–30 grams or liquid paraffin 5–50 ml, taken orally.

3. Surgical therapy: For severe intestinal constipation, when the above methods fail, surgical removal of impacted feces can be performed. (Must be done in a qualified hospital)

4. Practical method: You can give the dog a spoonful of salad oil to lubricate the intestines. About 10 ml once, feed 2–3 times, which should help. Additionally, you can give the dog a little milk, but not too much.

We also hope that owners can prepare some medicines at home to help dogs relieve symptoms and remember to take them to the vet promptly when the condition is severe!