My dog has distemper and isn't pooping. Is this normal? What helps?

Hi, and thanks for your question. Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

I would definitely not add salt as this can cause him to have salt poisoning and subsequent neurological problems. I would suggest adding 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) to his food daily which will add fiber and hopefully allow him to go #2 a bit easier. If he is still having issues then I would have his prostate examined to check if it is enlarged and possible the underlying problem as to why he can't go easily. An enlarged prostate will push up on the colon, making the hole narrower so that poop can't easily pass through. The cure for this is to have him on a laxative through your vet and ultimately getting him neutered can resolve this issue for good. I hope everything works out for your pet Kitty. Take care.

It's not normal that Tinkerbell hasn't pooped in two days, and she could be constipated. Constipation can be caused by anal sac impaction, intestinal parasites, a foreign body, too little fiber in the diet, lack of exercise, or even tumors in the GI tract. I recommend giving her a tablespoon of canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed in with her food to see if that helps. If she is still constipated in 24-48 hours, she will need to see a vet as she will likely need a laxative or an enema. Your vet can diagnose the cause of the constipation as well.

I am sorry to hear about Lucky! If he is otherwise acting normally (no vomiting, normal appetite, energy normal, no pain) you can try adding a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to his food twice a day, or giving him some cat hairball remedy (such as laxatone). If this doesn't resolve the isssue within 24 hours or he develops any of the symptoms I mentioned before, he will need to see his veterinarian. You can read more about constipation at https://www.petcoach.co/article/constipation-in-dogs-101-what-you-need-to-know/

Poor Abbee! It sounds like she could be constipated. Dogs can become constipated from ingesting a foreign body, intestinal parasites, anal sac impaction, neurological problems, too little fiber in the diet, too much fiber in the diet, lack of exercise, or gastrointestinal tumors. Dehydration can also be a cause of constipation. As feces pass through the colon, water is normally reabsorbed via the colon. When a dog is dehydrated, the colon absorbs more water, leading to dry feces and causing constipation. Neurological problems can include injury to the spinal cord or the nerves leading from the spinal cord to the intestines. Exercise helps stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, and not having enough exercise daily can prevent a dog from passing feces normally. I would try adding a tablespoon of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed in with her food to see if that helps her poop. Canned dog food will add moisture to a dog’s diet, and it may help with constipation. Taking her for a walk may stimulate her to pass feces as well. If it does not help after 24-48 hours, or she stops eating, drinking, becomes lethargic, or starts vomiting, then I would have her seen by a vet right away. Do not give her a human enema to try to help her poop. This can cause electrolyte imbalances in your dog, which can be fatal. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hello. If Nero was severely infested with intestinal parasites/worms, it is possible that the dead worms are causing a blockage. You can try feeding him a teaspoon of canned pumpkin with each meal as this can act as a mild laxative. Make sure there is no accumulation of feces at the rectum that can literally plug him up. Sometimes sitting in a warm bath of Epsom salts can help relieve a blockage, too. If he is still having problems passing feces tomorrow, please have him seen by your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor guy. I am glad that he was able to have a normal bowel movement. Thanks for the update. From here moving forward it is best to add fiber to his diet daily. You can either purchase a Food that has added fiber in it already, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal high fiber or the Hill’s Science diet W/D, both prescription brands. Or you can try adding in 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) into his food daily. I hope this helps and best wishes with your pet Maui. Take care.