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Decision making in the managemnent of constipation in the cat
Author(s) -
Yam Philippa
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.19.8.434
Subject(s) - constipation , medicine , megacolon , rectum , defecation , chronic constipation , medical therapy , gastroenterology , intensive care medicine
CONSTIPATION is defined as infrequent or absent defecation associated with the retention of faeces within the colon and rectum. Megacolon, a condition in which the colon becomes dilated and hypomotile due to chronic constipation, may be idiopathic or secondary to an underlying cause. The clinician may be faced with the dilemma of whether to treat such cases medically or surgically. Several factors will influence that decision, including identification of an underlying cause, the functional ability of the colon and the response to medical therapy.