There are a number of cases each year of farm working dogs being presented to the clinic with constipation. Good management (and prevention) of this condition could make the difference between living a productive life, a visit to the vet or euthanasia.
The two major causes of constipation tend to be:
1. Prostate disease - this normally occurs in entire males where the prostate becomes enlarged and obstructs the bowel.
2. Nutritional causes - especially bones causing obstruction within the intestine.
Prostatic disease can be prevented by castrating entire dogs. Working dogs that are unlikely to be bred from should be castrated to prevent this problem. It also makes it easier when one of your bitches is on heat!
Feeding bones to working dogs can be risky. Large bones such as the leg bones that have been frozen for a week (to prevent the spread of sheep measles) are fine but smaller bones can cause obstruction. Cooked bones and small bones are more easily broken into sharp pieces which can cause obstruction and sometimes perforate, causing peritonitis which can be very serious indeed.
Often constipation occurs in dogs that scavenge - the rotting sheep carcass or possum down in the gully - and dogs that get into the rubbish. Dags and lamb tails can cause problems as the wool can felt up and block the intestine. If possible, muzzle these dogs or tie them up when they are not needed.
Constipation is often preventable
- Castrate entire dogs that are unlikely to be bred
- Avoid feeding bones when possible, especially small, cooked or chop bones
- Minimise scavenging opportunities - bury carcasses or put them in the offal pit
If you notice your dog straining and not producing faeces, please call us as soon as you can. The longer they remain untreated, the sicker they get.
