Laxative for dogs

Laxative for Dogs Essentials

In this article, under laxatives, the effect of drugs that facilitate the release of feces from the intestines will be analyzed. The main thing when choosing any drug is to correlate the possible harm and side effects from its use with the intended benefit. So what are laxatives used for dogs?

1. Oral (given to the animal mixed with food or drunk; these can be suspensions, solutions, oils);

2. Rectal (introduced into the rectum, it can be rectal suppositories, medicinal enemas, cleansing, microclysters).

Causes of Constipation in Dogs

• Most often, constipation in dogs is provoked by errors in the diet. With thoughtless feeding of bone products (for example, feeding boiled bones), a sharp change in diet from industrial feed to natural, feeding with one meat, chronic uncomplicated constipation may occur, the treatment of which at home is quite acceptable. And the basis of such treatment will be, first of all, a correction of the diet.

  The main signs of such conditions, in which you can try to cope with constipation on your own, will be the absence of stool for a longer time than usual, the urge to defecate (the dog takes a characteristic pose, pushing), but not effectively. If the general condition of the dog is good, appetite and activity have not changed, there are no symptoms of pain (change in gait, forced posture, discomfort when feeling the abdomen), but you can start treatment at home. In this case, you need to remove the provoking factor and use a laxative. Usually, in such a situation, drugs based on lactulose are used (“Lactulose”, “Duphalac”, “Lactusan”). If the stool is delayed for more than a day, and the indicated help is ineffective, then you need to seek veterinary help.

• Also, a common cause of constipation in a dog is eating or accidentally swallowing non-food items. It can be accidentally swallowed chips, bone fragments, toys. With an eating disorder, a dog may intentionally eat rocks, sticks, textiles, paper, polyethylene, berry pits, and more.

  In such a situation, you can also help at home if the object that caused the problem is not sharp, not poisonous, and the general condition of the animal has not changed. In no case should you use laxatives that force intestinal motility. Vaseline oil is suitable as first aid for swallowing a foreign object, but remember that the risk of intestinal obstruction or perforation cannot be ruled out, and the problem always requires at least consultation with a veterinarian. After the doctor finds out the circumstances of the incident, he will be able to draw up a plan for further action.

• Dehydration of any etiology can cause the formation of dense and dry feces and cause them to be difficult to pass. In such a situation, it is necessary to introduce a large amount of liquid, feed it with wet food, you can use local means for emptying the intestines (microclysters, suppositories).

• Conditions associated with decreased intestinal motility. In the common people they say: “the intestines stood up.” Such problems can be caused by infection, intoxication, a neurological problem, trauma and always require the attention of a specialist. Diseases of the liver and kidneys, cancer may be accompanied by a decrease in peristalsis. Often such conditions require the appointment of drugs based on lactulose. It is important to remember that diabetes, gastrointestinal bleeding are a direct contraindication to the appointment of laxatives of this series.

• Pain during bowel movements – for example, due to an injury in the anus or an abscess of the paraanal glands, can be the cause of stool retention and the accumulation of dense stools at the exit.

• Neoplasms in the intestine, anus atresia can mechanically prevent the exit of feces.

Indications for a laxative

• The interval between bowel movements doubled without changing the diet;

• The dog in front of you swallowed a small, not sharp, but inedible object;

• Gluttony.

Contraindications to the use of laxatives are undiagnosed rectal bleeding, concomitant vomiting, intussusception, intestinal obstruction, perforation of its walls.

Without a prescription from a veterinarian, it cannot be used for palliative care, liver and kidney disease, neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, pregnancy, diabetes, situations where the dog, for one reason or another, cannot take a pose for defecation.

Types of drugs:

1. Preparations containing lactulose (“Lactulose”, “Duphalac”, “Lactusan”, others);

2. Preparations containing mineral oil (vaseline oil);

3. Microclysters (combined preparations – for example, “Mikrolaks”);

4. Rectal suppositories (glycerin);

5. Enemas (medicinal, cleansing).

Preparations containing lactulose

Lactulose-based preparations are used to regulate the physiological rhythm of colon emptying and soften the stool. They have a hyperosmotic laxative effect. After ingestion, lactulose reaches the large intestine unchanged, where it is broken down by the intestinal flora.

Contraindications – unspecified intestinal bleeding, obstruction, perforation or risk of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, hypersensitivity to any component of the drug.

Usually, drugs of this group are prescribed when it is necessary to soften the stool for a long time, the problem is chronic.

Preparations containing vaseline oil

Mineral oil (Vaseline) can be used for constipation either orally or as part of a cleansing enema. When taken orally, it softens fecal masses, has a weak stimulating effect on the motility of the small intestine, lubricates the walls and contents, and is not absorbed. The main indication for use is the ingestion of non-food items, gluttony, situations when it is necessary to reduce absorption in the intestine. Therefore, long-term use is contraindicated. It is very important to make sure that the dog does not inhale it when soldering the vaseline oil, because this can lead to extremely severe aspiration pneumonia.

As part of an enema, it effectively helps with the evacuation of dense feces.

Microclysters

Microclysters (Mikrolax and analogues) are combined preparations. Sodium citrate is a peptizer that displaces the bound water contained in the feces. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate thins the contents of the intestine. Sorbitol enhances the laxative effect by stimulating the flow of water into the intestines. Increasing the amount of water due to peptization and liquefaction helps soften the feces and facilitates the process of bowel movement. It acts almost immediately after administration, contraindications are at least due to local action – these are injuries, neoplasms of the rectum and anal sphincter.

Rectal Suppositories

Usually these are candles with glycerin. Laxative for local use. You should always store only in the refrigerator, injected deep into the rectum. For dogs of small breeds, it is possible to cut the candle lengthwise. It has a slight irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the rectum and reflexively stimulates peristalsis. It helps to soften the feces, their rapid evacuation, so it is logical to administer the drug and immediately take the pet for a walk. Contraindication – injuries, inflammatory diseases and tumors of the rectum; hypersensitivity to glycerol.

Enemas

An enema for a dog is a complex procedure. They are medicinal and cleansing. For constipation, as a rule, cleansing enemas are used. They may contain water, vaseline oil, various antiseptics (a very weak solution of potassium permanganate, furacilin, chamomile decoction). The procedure is unpleasant, even painful, it is not recommended to carry it out at home.

laxative for puppies

Puppies, like all cubs, are the most vulnerable group of patients. Very often, when it seems to the owner that the puppy needs a laxative, this is not so. For example, increased gas formation can cause constant ineffective urge to defecate. Congenital pathologies (anus atresia) can make defecation impossible. In bitches, a rectovaginal fistula occurs – a developmental pathology in which the vagina and rectum are connected.

When swallowing non-food items (fragments of toys, vandalism), gluttony, vaseline oil is recommended for puppies.

In case of any symptom of deterioration in the general condition (decreased activity, vomiting, cough), you should immediately consult a veterinarian. Separately, it is worth noting the practice in which a laxative is given along with a deworming drug. It is worth noting that this should never be done unless your veterinarian has given a different recommendation, because helminth drugs act systemically, and laxatives can affect their absorption.

Prevention of constipation

Constipation is a condition of the dog’s body, the prevention of which is more than possible and can be very effective.

An adequate drinking regimen is very important for the digestion process. The dog should always have access to clean drinking water, this is especially important for animals that eat industrial dry food.

It is very important to feed the dog correctly, the diet must be balanced, suitable for your pet.

Feeding meat alone can lead to chronic constipation. When the volume of the food coma is small and there is not enough fiber in the diet, the stool becomes rare, dense fecal masses can accumulate at the exit.

Feeding bones (as a source of calcium and other micronutrients) is nutritionally acceptable, but therapeutically dangerous, and risks such as intestinal obstruction by bone, fecal blockage, or perforation of the stomach or intestinal wall do not justify the meager proportion of micronutrients that from bones are digested. Of particular danger are tubular, boiled bones.

Using safe toys is very important. Sticks, cones, children’s plush toys can be chewed, and their fragments are swallowed. 

The psychological comfort of the dog, the prevention of vandalism, stereotypy, eating non-food items are the most important aspects of the prevention of diseases of the digestive system and constipation.

Training the dog and wearing a muzzle will protect the pet from picking up food and non-food items that are waiting for him on the street, especially in the city.

Following these simple rules will minimize the risk of constipation in your dog.

The article is not a call to action!

For a more detailed study of the problem, we recommend contacting a specialist.

Ask the vet

December 15 2020

Updated: February 13, 2021