Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Colonic impaction is intractable constipation which can occur in all species, including the dog and cat. There are hardened faeces in the colon and a delayed or failure of faecal passage. The slower transit time allows more salt and water to be reabsorbed, leaving drier faeces in the colon which are more difficult to pass. Peristalsis may increase initially but is then significantly reduced or even absent due to chronic distension and smooth muscle degeneration.

Colonic impaction is intractable constipation which can occur in all species, including the dog and cat. There are hardened faeces in the colon and a delayed or failure of faecal passage. The slower transit time allows more salt and water to be reabsorbed, leaving drier faeces in the colon which are more difficult to pass. Peristalsis may increase initially but is then significantly reduced or even absent due to chronic distension. Chronic cases may progress to Obstipation, the faeces become so hard and dry that defecation is no longer possible and ultimately there is secondary degeneration of the colonic musculature.

There are numerous causes which can be categorised as follows:

There are numerous causes which can be categorised as follows:

* Dietary

'''Dietary'''

An abnormal diet with insufficient water content, scavenging or ingestion indigestable material such as plastics, certain plants, hair and bones can all cause problems.  

An abnormal diet with insufficient water content, scavenging or ingestion indigestable material such as plastics, certain plants, hair and bones can all cause problems.  

* Mecanical obstruction  

'''Mecanical obstruction'''

An obstrucion of the colon or rectum will cause faecal material to become impacted and dry. The obstruction may be intraluminal such as a foreign body, polyp, mass or stricture. Extraluminal obstruction can be due to a mass, abscess, and prostatic disease such as prostatic cyst, mass and prostamegaly.  

An obstrucion of the colon or rectum will cause faecal material to become impacted and dry. The obstruction may be intraluminal such as a foreign body, polyp, mass or stricture. Extraluminal obstruction can be due to a mass, abscess, and prostatic disease such as prostatic cyst, mass and prostamegaly.  

 

 

 

==Signalment==

==Signalment==