Changes

'''Mechanical obstruction'''<br>  

'''Mechanical obstruction'''<br>  

An obstruction 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 diseases such as prostatic cyst, mass and [[Prostatic Enlargement|prostamegaly]]. A diverticulum to the colon or rectum, or a perineal hernia interupts the normal passage of faeces and may result in an impaction.  

An obstruction 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 diseases such as prostatic cyst, mass and prostamegaly. A diverticulum to the colon or rectum, or a perineal hernia interupts the normal passage of faeces and may result in an impaction.  

'''Colonic weakness'''<br>

'''Colonic weakness'''<br>

A systemic disease causing abnormalities in electrolytes, such as [[Hypercalcaemia - Small Animal|hypercalcaemia]], hypokalemia can affect peristaltic contractions; the endocrine disorder [[Hypothyroidism|hypothyroidism]] also results in colonic weakness. Idiopathic [[Megacolon|megacolon]] is a significant cause of impaction especially in cats.   

A systemic disease causing abnormalities in electrolytes, such as hypercalcaemia, hypokalemia can affect peristaltic contractions; the endocrine disorder [[Hypothyroidism|hypothyroidism]] also results in colonic weakness. Idiopathic [[Megacolon|megacolon]] is a significant cause of impaction especially in cats.   

   

   

'''Problems with defecation'''<br>

'''Problems with defecation'''<br>

Environmental and behavioural factors are also important; a change in routine or household, or excessive stress can prevent animals from defecating normally. Animals also avoid defecation if it is painful due to anal sac disease, trauma to the perineal area, or they are unable to assume a normal position to defecate because of a fractured pelvis or another orthopaedic, condition.  

Environmental and behavioural factors are also important; a change in routine or household, or excessive stress can prevent animals from defecating normally. Animals also avoid defecation if it is painful due to anal sac disease, trauma to the perineal area, or they are unable to assume a normal position to defecate because of a fractured pelvis or another orthopaedic, condition.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==