Case of the Month: Constipation Secondary to Dietary Indiscretion

Odin’s Story*

Odin is the kind of dog you have to keep an eye on.  He has more than a healthy appetite, so in addition to his regular bone and raw food diet, Odin will eat sticks, toys, ropes, mulch, and anything else he can get his paws on. 

Last winter, Odin’s family became concerned when his appetite took a dip.  They noticed that the pup hadn’t pooped in more than three days, and he started vomiting after eating. They also noticed that he appeared to be straining to have a bowel movement, but making no progress. Presuming Odin was constipated, they offered him fibre, such as canned pumpkin, and some over-the-counter laxatives.  None of these measures offered any relief, and Odin continued vomiting. 

A visit to the vet revealed mild dehydration, and x-rays showed a colon full of firm stool with sharp bone or wood fragments.

About the Condition: Constipation Secondary to Dietary Indiscretion

Constipation is a condition in which dogs have difficulty passing stool.  For constipated pets, stool may become hard, firm, or even dry. Constipated dogs can be seen posturing to poop for long periods of time, and straining.  Counterintuitively, straining due to constipation can even lead to the passage of small amounts of diarrhea and/or blood.

Constipation can develop for a variety of reasons including dehydration, gastrointestinal upset, a low-fibre or unbalanced diet, ingestion of non-digestible materials, neurological conditions, and gastrointestinal pain.

When a dog eats an unfamiliar or poorly-digestible food or item, it doesn’t move through the stomach and intestines as readily as it should.  It can cause inflammation and pain along the way, further complicating the situation.  When sharp objects like wood or bone fragments make their way into the colon and rectum, the pain they cause may trigger stool retention and hardening.

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Infrequent or small stools
• Straining to defecate
• Lethargy
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Abdominal and/or rectal pain

Treatment

Hydration and comfort are top priorities for constipated patients.  When fluid deficits and pain are addressed, veterinary teams can then move on to the task of softening the stools and evacuating the bowels. Treatment typically involves:

• IV fluid therapy
• Pain control
• Anti-nausea medication
• Nutritional support
• Oral laxatives
• Enemas

Long-term management of constipation involves careful selection of diet and fibre balance, environmental management (reduce access to indigestible materials), control of chronic gastrointestinal illnesses like IBD, and oral laxatives as needed.

Odin required 24 hours of hospitalization for IV fluid therapy.  During that time, he received pain management, nausea control, and multiple enemas.  Many sharp fragments of bone or wood were found in his stools.  Odin’s care team speculated that the discomfort of passing these materials lead to stool retention and constipation.

Claim Outcome

Odin’s treatment for dietary indiscretion and constipation cost his family more than $2900.00**.  His family’s Pets Plus Us Accident and Illness more plan reimbursed them $2139.00 of those fees.  We are so glad you’re back to your spirited self, Odin!