Management of obstipation in a four year old neutered domestic short hair cat

A four year old neutered male domestic short hair cat presented to Hope Veterinary Clinic in Brooklyn, New York on 9-26-2011 for evaluation of recurrent obstipation. The visit followed a 14 month history of intermittent obstipation, which was medically managed with changes in diet, subcutaneous fluids, frequent enemas, lactulose, cisapride, flaxseed oil and multiple deobstipation procedures. Radiographs the day of presentation showed a distended colon with impacted feces, and the cat was painful on abdominal palpation. The patient was treated with enemas, subcutaneous fluids, and a deobstipation procedure under general anesthesia. After the deobstipation, radiographs showed a marked decrease in colonic diameter and the amount of feces in the colon. Surgical management with a subtotal colectomy was recommended, but the owner declined due to fears over potential perioperative complications. The patient’s owner elected instead to continue with medical management and pursue acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy. The pathophysiology, clinical signs, and treatment options for obstipation in cats will be discussed in relation to this case