What is megacolon in a cat and how is it treated?
Category: Feline My nine-year old cat has been diagnosed with a condition called megacolon. My veterinarian has given me two options: surgery or euthanasia. Could you give me information about this condition? I need to know what the quality of life would be like for the cat if we were to elect to have the surgical procedure done. Are there any other alternatives? It is a bowel disorder that is treated surgically if medical treatment fails or is inappropriate. ________________________________________________________ Feline megacolon is a bowel disorder in which the colon is chronically enlarged or dilated. There are many possible causes, which may be congenital, acquired, or idiopathic (cause not known). Congenital megacolon is believed to result from a congenital lack of certain colonic nerve cells, leading to motility problems and bowel obstruction. Congenital megacolon occurs relatively infrequently in cats. Acquired megacolon may result from numerous possible pathologic processes, w
