CONSTIPATION— OBSTIPATION 183 



toxins which are absorbed and intoxicate the patient. The 

 animal will show depression, loss of appetite, increased tem- 

 perature (103°-104° F.), and thirst. Frequent efforts at 

 defecation are made, the attempts inducing cries of pain. 

 There is a characteristic carriage of the tail which is arched 

 as when defecating, and a fulness of the abdomen. Vomiting 

 is not uncommon especially in the more acute cases, the 

 vomitus containing some bile and feces. Rabbits often show 

 paralysis of the posterior parts. Birds make frequent 

 attempts to pass feces and usually sit or stand in an upright 

 position. By palpation large hard masses in the posterior 

 bowel can be determined. 



Digital examination per rectum or over the abdomen will 

 often reveal sensitiveness and the impacted fecal masses. 



Diagnosis.— The frequent attempts to defecate, the condi- 

 tion of the evacuated material, and the presence of fecal 

 masses on digital examination will readily identify the con- 

 dition. 



Prognosis.— Favorable in mild cases when due to errors in 

 feeding; otherwise depends entirely upon the causes. 



Treatment.— Mild cases of constipation may be relieved 

 by the use of a purgative given in full doses (castor oil D. 

 15.0-40.0, C. 5.0-10.0; calomel 0.05-0.15), while in chronic 

 cases after these purgatives clear the bowel small doses of 

 laxatives (extract of cascara sagrada, 2.0-10.0; tincture rhei, 

 5.0-10.0) must be given for some time to prevent a recur- 

 rence of the condition. Tincture of nux vomica (0.3-0.6) or 

 strychnin sulphate (0.001) is useful to stimulate peristalsis, 

 especially when there is enervation from diseases of the cord, 

 and to increase the tone of the muscular wall in dilatations. 

 In obstinate cases large quantities of warm soapy water, or 

 oil and water, introduced with a soft rubber tube and irri- 

 gator well up into the rectum, will stimulate peristalsis, 

 lubricate and soften the fecal masses and facilitate removal. 

 A blunt irrigating curette can be used to break down the 

 hard masses. Manipulation of the abdomen while irrigating 

 is often beneficial. 



Rabbits may be relieved by the use of purgatives (castor oil, 

 2.0-4.0; tincture rhei, 0.3-0.6) and a diet of green foods, vege- 



