Why is my horse having trouble passing large, impacted manure?

Hello! It sounds like Roxie may be experiencing constipation. There is a problem some cats get called "Megacolon", in which their large intestines slow down. This disease can be treated with a special diet and medications. Sometimes, underlying kidney disease can cause dehydration that leads to constipation. In Roxie's information, it states that she is 19 lbs. She is a very big kitty! Obesity can sometimes physically hinder the defecation process when it becomes difficult for the cat to appropriately bend over and posture. Weight loss may be something that could help Roxie with this issue as well. I would recommend having Roxie seen by a vet to find out what exactly is causing her to not be able to defecate fully. They will likely recommend bloodwork and x-rays to check her organ function and evaluate her intestinal tract. They will make treatment recommendations based on those findings. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Poor Ruby! The weird stool could be due to a numerous things including the tumor but also parasites, stress, eating something she shouldn't and much more. I would have your vet take a look at her and the tumor. The vet will be able to do a fecal to see if she has any parasites or bacterial imbalance. They will also be able to look at the tumor to ensure it isn't cancerous and to make sure it doesn't need to be surgically removed before it gets any worse. You could try to feel some plain boneless, skinless chicken and white rice to see if this helps with her stool. Keep a close eye on her. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better really soon!

Thanks for the question. If Ruby has been dehydrated, this will slow down the movement of food through her colon and lead to constipation. If it is constipation that is making her uncomfortable, there is usually a reason they are becoming constipation, but if you are not able to do any testing, this may be difficult to figure out. Adding a tablespoon or two of canned pumpkin to her diet can help constipation. Hopefully, that will help her be more comfortable. If she doesn't want to drink, sometimes offering ice cubes to eat can help increase their water intake, or putting a little low sodium chicken broth in the water. I hope Ruby is feeling better soon.

Yes it is probably because it's getting colder. Horses will typically drink less water which slows down their gastrointestinal tract. This may be OK but it could also indicate they are on their way to getting an impaction colic. This is the most common type of colic vets see in the winter. I suggest you make sure they have a salt lick available at all times and that you give them an electrolyte supplement that will encourage them to drink more water. Also, you should try to increase their exercise. Here is a link to an article about this issue that may help you: http://www.succeed-equine.com/succeed-blog/2013/01/22/four-factors-that-increase-the-risk-of-impaction-colic-in-winter/ Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to ask again.

Megacolon can be very difficult to treat. I've had good results with Royal Canin's FIber Response diet so you could ask your vet about this prescription diet as an option for Bobi for long term management. It sounds like Bobi may be severely constipated now, and she may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids and multiple medications, or even manual deobstipation under anesthesia. There is also a surgery (subtotal colectomy) that can be performed that might help, so you could ask your vet about referral to a specialist.

When I see animals with rectal prolapses I am always suspicious that they may have intestinal parasites. I would recommend a fecal exam. I also get concerned that they may not be eating an appropriate diet or have enough water. This is a great resource for diet and husbandry recommendations: www.anapsid.org. There are many types of tortoises listed on the website. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Pet Coach.

I am so sorry to hear that Ruby is experiencing this issue and I am sure it is upsetting for you both. I would suggest trying a bland but appetising diet such as boiled boneless chicken breast with steamed white rice. This diet is bland and easily digestible, while also hopefully enticing Ruby to eat with chicken. Provide plenty of fresh water as well. If Ruby doesn't anything in the next 24 hours, becomes lethargic, depressed, collapses, vomits or has diarrhoea profusely, or you notice any blood, then I advise taking her in to see her vet. I hope this answer was helpful and that Ruby starts to feel better soon.