Colonic impaction in dogs: a retrospective study of 58 cases (1996 to 2014)

To describe the clinical findings, management and outcome of colonic impaction in dogs and report the effectiveness of medical treatment.

Case records of 58 dogs with colonic impaction were reviewed. Telephone contact with the owners was used to obtain long-term outcome.

Twenty-nine dogs (50%) were mixed-breed, and 45 (78%) were entire males. Median age at presentation was 7 years, and median bodyweight was 22 kg. The degree of radiographic colonic distension did not appear to be related to long-term outcome. Fifty-five dogs (95%) received medical treatment including enemas alone, hyperosmotic and/or bulk-forming and/or lubricant laxatives, enemas combined with laxatives or enemas and/or laxatives combined with manual evacuation of faecal material under anaesthesia. Median survival time of the 58 dogs was 2 years. Overall, 36 of 41 dogs with available long-term follow-up had a favourable outcome.

Medical treatment of colonic impaction in dogs with a single agent or a combination of agents has a high success rate. Marked colonic dilation is not necessarily indicative of megacolon in dogs.