Treatment

TREATMENT
  • Manual evacuation of the colon using warm water enemas, water-soluble jelly, and gentle extraction of feces with a gloved finger or sponge forceps;
  • Most patients require parenteral fluid support to correct dehydration.
  • Encourage activity and exercise.
  • Many patients require a low-residue-producing diet; bulk-forming fiber diets can worsen or lead to recurrence of colonic fecal distension.
  • A high-fiber diet is occassionally helpful.
  • Cisapride, a prokinetic GI drug (dogs, 0.1–0.5 mg/kg PO q8–12h; cats, 2.5–10.0 mg/cat q8–12h)
  • Stool softeners (e.g., lactulose, 1 mL/4.5 kg PO q8–12h to effect)
  • Broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics
Last modified: Tuesday, 8 March 2011, 2:27 AM