What should you do if your Plott Hound is constipated? When you find that your dog has reduced defecation frequency, the feces it excretes is quite hard, or it is difficult to defecate, it means that your dog is constipated. So let’s share with you how to prevent and treat constipation in Plott Hounds.

Methods to prevent and treat constipation in Plott Hounds:

1. Causes of constipation in dogs:

1. Malnutrition and chronic wasting diseases cause the dog's intestinal flaccidity, inability to transport intestinal contents, and retention in the intestines.

2. The feed is mixed with bones, hair, or heterophilic tinea, and they usually eat sand, soil and other debris.

3. Changes in the living environment have disrupted the dog’s original defecation habits.

4. Suffering from anal abscess, anal fistula, rectal tumor and other diseases.

5. Intussusception, intestinal hernia, pelvic fracture, prostatic hypertrophy, etc.

6. Drug factors, taking atropine, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate and other drugs.

2. Clinical symptoms of constipation in dogs:

Based on the medical history, clinical manifestations and rectal or abdominal palpation, the diagnosis can be made if dry and hard feces can be felt and the dog often shows pain when pressed.

1. The main symptom is difficulty in defecation. Sick dogs often try to defecate, but cannot do so, and often bark due to pain.

2. At the beginning of the disease, there are great changes in mental state and appetite, followed by mental restlessness and inability to eat.

3. Bowel sounds weaken or stop, persistent vomiting, anal finger pressure allergy, bowel sounds weaken or stop, accompanied by symptoms of dehydration and rapid breathing. Dry, hard feces may be palpable in the rectum.

3. Prevention and treatment measures for canine constipation:

Depending on the dog’s constipation condition, it can be treated with oral laxatives, enemas or surgery.

1. For primary constipation, it mainly clears the intestines and promotes defecation. You can use warm soapy water, glycerin or liquid paraffin (5~30ml) for enema. However, when enema, the pressure should not be too high, otherwise it may easily cause perforation of the rectal wall. Take laxatives, such as 5 to 30 grams of sodium sulfate (or magnesium sulfate), 200 ml of normal water, once. For mild constipation, taking some honey orally can often achieve better results.

2. For dogs that do not respond to enema and drug treatment, a laparotomy should be performed to remove the feces.

3. For secondary constipation, the primary disease must be mainly treated.

4. After the feces is clear, it is advisable to exercise appropriately, prepare feed reasonably, and provide sufficient drinking water.