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In cats and dogs, megacolon may be congenital, acquired or idiopathic. Congenital megacolon in small animals has not been well studied, but is thought to be due to an absence of colonic ganglionic cells. Chronic retention of faeces and distension of the colon irreversibly damages colonic motility to cause acquired megacolon. Idiopathic megacolon is seen primarily in cats, and it has recently been suggested this condition may involve changes to normal colonic smooth muscle function. In many cases, the aetiology of megacolon is not determined.
In cats and dogs, megacolon may be congenital, acquired or idiopathic. Congenital megacolon in small animals has not been well studied, but is thought to be due to an absence of colonic ganglionic cells. Chronic retention of faeces and distension of the colon irreversibly damages colonic motility to cause acquired megacolon. Idiopathic megacolon is seen primarily in cats, and it has recently been suggested this condition may involve changes to normal colonic smooth muscle function. In many cases, the aetiology of megacolon is not determined.
There are many potential underlying caused for chronic faecal retention and thus acquired megacolon. In addition to the abnormalities of the caudal spinal cord responsible for congenital megacolon
==Signalment==
==Signalment==