Constipation in Dogs

Like in people, dogs can sometimes have trouble passing stool. And, it can get awfully uncomfortable. Even worse? Dog constipation intensifies the longer it goes on. That's because as the stool sits in the colon (large intestine), it continues to dry out and becomes harder, which makes it increasingly difficult to pass.

However, surprisingly, constipation in dogs doesn't happen nearly as often as one may think. A lot of pet parents see their dogs straining to go with nothing coming out and think it's constipation. But actually, it's often diarrhea, which causes irritation and a sensation of needing to go even when there's nothing to push out. Read on to determine if your dog truly has constipation and, if so, what to do to help your pup feel better.

What Causes Dog Constipation?

Several things can make it difficult for dogs to poop.

Inedible Items

News to no one: Dogs eat weird things. Many of our canine friends have a habit of swallowing inedible, everyday objects that can land them in the emergency room (think: socks, toys, rubber bands, and rocks). As these items move along the digestive tract, they can get stuck in the colon and stop up your pup.

Consuming kitty litter or sand can also make it hard to push stool out. Believe it or not, a dog can get constipated because of ingesting sand from playing on the beach—just from grabbing a ball or frisbee from the sand multiple times.

Dietary Problems

Eating pure protein with no fiber can lead to constipation in some pets too. And according to the American Kennel Club, too much dietary calcium—from chewed-up bones or bone meal—can be a source of constipation.

Partial Pooping

Constipation is more common in senior dogs, especially if they have severe arthritis that makes it painful for them to crouch while pooping. They might cut their bowel movement short and not fully evacuate everything. The stool that remains inside the colon becomes drier and harder and blocks the colon.

Tumors

When something blocks the movement of poop through the colon, it's not usually from within the colon itself. It's typically caused by something pressing in on the colon in the surrounding area. For example, in male dogs the colon could become blocked by an enlarged or cancerous prostate. Tumors of the anal glands and lymph nodes can also press in on the colon.

Dog Constipation Symptoms

Most dogs poop at least once a day. So if your dog hasn't gone in one or two days, they may be constipated. Other signs your dog is having trouble pooping include:

• Straining to go several times a day

• Producing hard clumps of stool

• Scooting butt along the ground

• Whining or yelping while trying to go

If you're concerned about dog constipation, contact your veterinarian for the next steps. A discussion with your vet—who knows your pet's age and health condition—will help determine if it's something you can treat at-home (like constipation caused by dietary issues) or if your pet needs an exam to rule out other, more serious causes of constipation.

What to Give Your Dog for Constipation

There are a lot of home remedies for constipation in people, so it's natural to seek these out for your pup too. However, most of these popular health hacks don't work.

Pumpkin

One of the most commonly used home remedies for dog constipation is canned pumpkin. Most pet parents feed their dogs a few tablespoons of it. But in order for it to be effective, you dog will have to have several cans. This is fine for the long term, but at once? Since dogs should stick to a nutritionally balanced diet, multiple cans of pumpkin would not contribute to that goal.

As a general rule, treats should be kept to a maximum of 10 percent or less of a dog's diet. A 10-pound dog needs about 200 to 275 calories per day according to Pet Obesity Prevention, meaning only 20 to 27 calories can come from a treat like pumpkin. At about 49 calories per cup, a small 10-pound dog could only eat about 1/4 of a can of pumpkin before reaching the treat limit for the whole day.

Milk

Milk can cause diarrhea in dogs. Perhaps that's the reasoning behind why some people think it'll counteract constipation. But usually, it doesn't end up doing the trick and be the opposite effect.

Coconut Oil

The concept behind using coconut oil is that it'll make stool oiler, which will help it slide out. The problem? It won't affect the poop that's already stuck, although it may help stool that comes along later. However, more than a tablespoon or two of coconut oil (depending on your dog's size) can be a risk for pancreatitis and diarrhea, so consult your vet before trying this or any other home remedy.

Get Exercise

The colon can be stimulated by physical activity. Going for regular walks, playing games like fetch, or taking your pup to their favorite dog park could help encourage a bowel movement.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Reach out to your veterinarian to determine if using over-the-counter medications for dog constipation is an option for your pet. It'll depend on how long the problem has been going on, how painful it is for your pet, and the age of your canine.

Veterinary Treatment for Dog Constipation

Pets that are constipated often need the assistance of a veterinarian to get things going again. Vets treat constipation in dogs in a few different ways, depending on the severity. Medications, like laxatives, may be enough to do the job. But in more serious cases, your pet may need anesthesia so that the vet can massage the colon through the abdomen to break apart the stool or to administer an enema (an injection of fluid into the colon that stimulates the release of stool).

With constipation, the longer it continues, the more difficult it is to treat. So if you think your pet is constipated, it's always best to deal with it sooner than later. Don't delay in getting your four-legged friend back on track. You and your pup will feel so much better once their load is lightened.

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Can dogs get breast cancer? Learn about Mammary Tumors in Dogs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October, we are reminded to spread the word about breast cancer prevention and early detection. That awareness extends to our dogs as well.

What is a mammary tumor (breast cancer)?

A mammary tumor develops as a result of abnormal replication of the cells that make up the breast tissue. Mammary tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). These two forms of the disease have different diagnostics, treatments, management, and prognosis.

There are several different types of malignant mammary tumors, with carcinomas being the most common. Carcinomas arise from epithelial (skin) cells, tubules of the mammary glands, or other cells found in the mammary chain. There are other cancers that can affect mammary glands, including osteosarcomas.

What causes this cancer?

The exact causes for the development of mammary tumors in dogs are not fully understood. It is well known that exposure to specific hormones, namely progesterone, increases the risk for developing mammary cancers in dogs. This is because progesterone stimulates growth factors (molecules that stimulate specific processes in the body) that cause mammary cells to multiply (i.e., replicate).

The incidence of these tumors is related to whether a dog is intact or has had an ovariohysterectomy (i.e., has been spayed). Dogs spayed prior to their first heat (also called estrus) have only a 0.5% risk of developing mammary tumor(s). However, after a first or second heat, this dramatically increases to a risk of 8% and 26%, respectively. Age also appears to play a role; the risk of tumor development significantly increases once a dog reaches 7 years of age and continues increasing until 11-13 years of age. This increased risk is breed dependent indicating that there is a genetic component.

Certain breeds appear to be more commonly affected, including Chihuahuas, Poodles, Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Brittany Spaniels, English Setters, Boxer Dogs, and Doberman Pinchers. Research in veterinary medicine continues, but to-date we still know little about which genes and mutations can lead to the development of mammary tumors in dogs. In human medicine, research has established a definite relationship between the BRCA gene (or breast cancer gene) and the development of breast cancer

What are the signs that my dog has this type of tumor?

The most common clinical sign of a malignant mammary tumor is one (or more) palpable masses underneath the skin of the abdomen. They may be next to or within the nipple and follow along the mammary chain. The size of the mass(es) and their appearance may vary, but they are usually firm and nodular. Occasionally the skin over the mass may ulcerate (open) and bleed, and the affected area may feel warm to the touch and become painful. The mammary gland may even develop a discharge.

If the tumor has metastasized (spread to other areas of the body), other signs may become evident. Your dog may generally feel unwell, eat less, become lethargic, and lose weight. If the lungs are involved, your dog may have problems with breathing or develop a cough.

How is this type of tumor diagnosed?

These tumors are typically found as either singular or multiple nodules along your dog’s abdomen during a physical exam. Other procedures are then performed to determine the type of tumor and whether it is benign or malignant.

A common procedure to diagnose this tumor is a fine needle aspiration (FNA). FNA involves taking a small needle with a syringe and suctioning a sample of cells directly from the tumor and placing them on a microscope slide. A veterinary pathologist then examines the slide under a microscope.

In some cases, results from FNA may not be entirely clear and a biopsy or removal of the entire tumor may be necessary. Pieces of the tumor are then examined by a veterinary pathologist under the microscope. This is called histopathology. Histopathology is not only helpful to make a diagnosis but can indicate whether it is benign or malignant, and therefore how the tumor is likely to behave.

Given the risk of metastasis (spread to other areas of the body) with malignant mammary tumors, your veterinarian may also recommend staging (searching for potential spread to other locations in the body). This may include bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays of the lungs, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound. The lymph nodes associated with the mammary glands may be sampled by FNA even if they seem normal.

How do malignant mammary tumors typically progress?

The way malignant mammary tumors typically progress is entirely dependent on the type and size of the tumor(s), and whether metastasis has occurred. Larger tumors (those greater than 3 cm) and those with evidence of spread have a poor prognosis. Tumors smaller than 1 cm have a better prognosis. Detecting and treating these tumors when they are small and before spread has occurred will provide your dog with the best chance for long-term control.

What are the treatments for this type of tumor?

For dogs with solitary mammary tumors, surgery is by far the best treatment. If there is only one small mass and staging shows no evidence of spread, surgery may be the only treatment your dog receives.

For dogs with multiple tumors of one or both mammary chains, the associated – or all – of the mammary glands may need to be removed. If your dog is intact, an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is recommended and may be done at the same time as the mammary gland removal.

For dogs with larger tumors or evidence of spread to other areas of the body, chemotherapy is typically recommended. There is increasing evidence that radiation therapy may provide some benefit for dogs with inflammatory carcinomas in addition to chemotherapy. Your veterinarian will discuss the options that are best suited for your dog’s particular situation.

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My dog has a growth. What do I do?

Lipoma in Dogs

Lipomas are subcutaneous (underneath the skin) masses or tumors that develop commonly in dogs. They are usually soft, with limited mobility under the skin. The overlying skin is usually not affected. Over time they can grow larger and can impede movement if they are located between the legs or low on the chest. Most dogs that develop a lipoma will develop multiple tumors. But, it is important to recognize that additional masses do not necessarily indicate malignancy or metastasis. Since other cutaneous masses may appear similar to lipomas, it is recommended that every mass be checked individually.

Another subclassification of benign lipomas is infiltrative lipomas. These typically invade locally into muscle tissue and fascia and may need to be removed.

Liposarcomas, on the other hand, are malignant and can spread (metastasize) to the lungs, bone, and other organs. These tumors are rare but are indicative of the importance of examining all subcutaneous masses respectively.

Symptoms

Most lipomas feel soft and movable under the skin. They usually do not make pets uncomfortable unless they are in a location where normal movement is disrupted, like in the axillary region under the front leg (armpit). Often they are located on the belly or trunk but can be anywhere on the dog’s body. Most dogs with one lipoma will eventually develop several.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will do a complete physical exam, checking for all palpable masses. A fine needle aspirate will indicate whether the mass is a benign lipoma, or whether it is a more worrisome masses that is mimicking a lipoma. If the aspirate is inconclusive, surgical removal and histopathology may be necessary to arrive at a clear diagnosis.

Infiltrative lipomas may require computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to adequately understand the mass and tissue location. This can be important information for the surgeon to decide how much of the mass can be removed and what approach needs to be employed for surgery.

Treatment

Most dogs will not need to have their lipomas removed. However, if the lipoma is restricting movement in any way it will be necessary for your dog's comfort to remove the lipoma. In addition, if any diagnostics indicate the mass may be a more aggressive tumor, it may be advised to have the mass removed while your dog is still under anesthesia. Removal tends to be a simple process if the mass is small because lipomas are benign, meaning that they have not invaded the body, and a large margin is not needed.

However, one type of lipoma, the infiltrative lipoma, can require a more complex procedure. As the name implies, infiltrative lipomas invade into muscle tissue and fascia and can make complete surgical excision difficult. Radiation therapy has been used for infiltrative lipomas and may be used alone, or in conjunction with surgical excision.

Living and Management

Other subcutaneous masses, such as mast cell tumors, can mimic the appearance of a lipoma. It is vital to make sure that every mass is evaluated individually in the event that one of the masses is malignant. You will need to continue to monitor your dog's lipomas, noting any changes in size, number, or location.

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