Mini Pig Constipation
HOW TO HELP A CONSTIPATED PIG
How to help a constipated pig (3 months old or older)
***if your pig is younger than 3 months old and seems constipated, see your vet
***if your pig is not eating or is vomiting, see your vet
***if your pig is straining with no results at all, see your vet
***if your pig recently had surgery and no bowel movement in more than 2-3 days, see your vet
Signs of constipation in the pig: hunched over appearance with our without a humped over back, bloated/distended belly, behavioral change, overall whininess of your pig, like he/she doesn't feel well, straining to defecate with little or no results (straining with NO results for any amount of time can be a serious problem, little results for more than one day can indicate a bigger problem too, not defecating at all for more than one day could potentially be a more severe problem like an obstruction), little hard fecal balls that are individual, groaning or moaning while trying to defecate.
Things you can do at home
1. Increase water consumption to help bowel move and to make moister stool. Dehydration affects many body systems and can easily be the cause for a constipated pig.
2. Increase dietary fiber to make softer bulkier stool, but be sure your pig is also hydrated because fiber works in conjunction with water to achieve the goal.
3. Lubricate the digestive tract for easier passage of stool.
4. Soften the stool so it is easier to pass.
Stool softeners such as – colace or docusate sodium – give 1 capsule with food twice a day. This medication can be purchased at most drug stores or grocery stores. It doesn't typically produce an "immediate" result, but can help over a period of days to soften the stool.
5. Laxatives – limit the use of laxatives as they can cause diarrhea, which is another serious problem.
Miralax 2 teaspoonfuls twice a day can be given safely. You can add this to the drinking water.
6. Enemas and suppositories
7. Increase mobility if possible, in order to keep the digestive tract moving, a pig needs to be mobile. In order to do that, you can spread their feed on the ground so they have to search for it or take your pig for regular walks.
In minor cases of constipation, a warm bath or car ride will usually stimulate defecation.
If the pig does not defecate in 72 hours, see a vet.
Please see the subpage regarding a potential complication of a constipated pig by clicking here.
Written by Cathy Zolicani, DVM 2014 (edited by Brittany Sawyer 2016, ~added additional info to original content)
Proper magnesium sulfate usage in pig constipation treatment
Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, not only can be used as a nutrient feed additive, also can be used to prevent pig constipation.
The common laxatives for pig constipation are magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate, among them magnesium sulfate works with the best effect. However, because of different pig specie, different age and weight, laxatives dose and the result would be different. Too much laxative would make it overly reactive, even cause sows severe dehydration; on the contrary, too less laxative cannot cause obvious catharsis effect.
Therefore, in practical pig farming production, farmers need to be careful to the magnesium sulfate dosage and rationally use magnesium sulfate to avoid destroying the pig body acid-base balance and cause the function disorder between kinds of mineral trace element.
Via Rech Chemical Company
***if your pig is younger than 3 months old and seems constipated, see your vet
***if your pig is not eating or is vomiting, see your vet
***if your pig is straining with no results at all, see your vet
***if your pig recently had surgery and no bowel movement in more than 2-3 days, see your vet
Signs of constipation in the pig: hunched over appearance with our without a humped over back, bloated/distended belly, behavioral change, overall whininess of your pig, like he/she doesn't feel well, straining to defecate with little or no results (straining with NO results for any amount of time can be a serious problem, little results for more than one day can indicate a bigger problem too, not defecating at all for more than one day could potentially be a more severe problem like an obstruction), little hard fecal balls that are individual, groaning or moaning while trying to defecate.
Things you can do at home
1. Increase water consumption to help bowel move and to make moister stool. Dehydration affects many body systems and can easily be the cause for a constipated pig.
- Mix ¼ apple, prune or cranberry juice with ¾ water.
- Offer Gatorade mixed ½ and ½ with water.
- Mix water into any dry food including pelleted feed.
2. Increase dietary fiber to make softer bulkier stool, but be sure your pig is also hydrated because fiber works in conjunction with water to achieve the goal.
- Pumpkin – most people do not feed enough pumpkin to be effective. For small pigs, feed ¼ can three times per day. For larger pigs (bigger than 40 pounds), feed ½ can three times per day. Feed pumpkin for a full 2 weeks after constipation resolves AND gradually decrease the amount fed over 2 weeks until none is being fed.
- Fiber laxatives (Metamucil) – 1 tablespoonful twice a day. This can only be fed if the pigs are drinking plenty of water. Do not just stop giving Metamucil – gradually decrease the amount in diet over 2 weeks after constipation is resolved.
- Increase dietary greens and high fiber cereals. (like shredded wheat – no frosting or bran and green leafy veggies)
- Increase fiber containing fruits and berries– prunes, blueberries, and raspberries.
3. Lubricate the digestive tract for easier passage of stool.
- Dietary fat – animal fat (lard, Crisco) works best. 1 tablespoonful once to twice a day.
- Mineral oil – this oil is tasteless and slippery. If you give it in liquid form, like via syringe, your pig may aspirate and develop pneumonia potentially causing death. Mix it in pumpkin, yogurt, pudding or a meal to avoid aspiration. If the meal that your pig is eaten that is enhanced with mineral oil is aspirated, there is obviously a risk of aspiration pneumonia, but the mineral oil, in particular, can cause even more complications. Use this with extreme precaution!
4. Soften the stool so it is easier to pass.
Stool softeners such as – colace or docusate sodium – give 1 capsule with food twice a day. This medication can be purchased at most drug stores or grocery stores. It doesn't typically produce an "immediate" result, but can help over a period of days to soften the stool.
5. Laxatives – limit the use of laxatives as they can cause diarrhea, which is another serious problem.
Miralax 2 teaspoonfuls twice a day can be given safely. You can add this to the drinking water.
6. Enemas and suppositories
- Pediatric suppositories (available at pharmacy) 1 once a day, per rectum.
- Mineral oil enema – up to 15 cc (or 15 ml) once a day, per rectum.
7. Increase mobility if possible, in order to keep the digestive tract moving, a pig needs to be mobile. In order to do that, you can spread their feed on the ground so they have to search for it or take your pig for regular walks.
In minor cases of constipation, a warm bath or car ride will usually stimulate defecation.
If the pig does not defecate in 72 hours, see a vet.
Please see the subpage regarding a potential complication of a constipated pig by clicking here.
Written by Cathy Zolicani, DVM 2014 (edited by Brittany Sawyer 2016, ~added additional info to original content)
Proper magnesium sulfate usage in pig constipation treatment
Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, not only can be used as a nutrient feed additive, also can be used to prevent pig constipation.
The common laxatives for pig constipation are magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate, among them magnesium sulfate works with the best effect. However, because of different pig specie, different age and weight, laxatives dose and the result would be different. Too much laxative would make it overly reactive, even cause sows severe dehydration; on the contrary, too less laxative cannot cause obvious catharsis effect.
Therefore, in practical pig farming production, farmers need to be careful to the magnesium sulfate dosage and rationally use magnesium sulfate to avoid destroying the pig body acid-base balance and cause the function disorder between kinds of mineral trace element.
Via Rech Chemical Company
Differences in laxative and stool softner
Laxatives are commonly used to treat constipation by loosen the stools or increasing bowel movement. It can be categorized into four major types including bulking agents, stool softeners, osmotic laxatives and stimulant laxatives. Stool softener is a type of laxatives that does not cause bowel movement but allow you to have one purely through increase the stool mass itself.
Why would a pig need a laxative or stool softener?
In normal circumstances, our body system will break down food taken into small particles that are absorbed through intestines. The food material that being stripped off nutrients and water at large intestines are stool that waiting to be eliminated off during bowel movement. Constipation happen when any of the process does not happen correctly due to various reasons, causing additional symptoms or side effects. Sometimes there is a medical procedure that has slowed the bowel function or a medical reason why there is constipation issues. Purgatives or a stool softener is commonly used to relieve these symptoms.
What is a laxative and what does it do?
Purgatives/laxatives are used during constipation to create bowel movement by stimulating the intestines. Bulk forming purgatives create a bulky mass that stimulates the bowel to move while the osmotic laxatives create a soft bulky stool by drawing water from surrounding tissues. They works on different mechanism but on the same concept. On the other hand, stimulant laxatives act directly on the intestinal wall and move stool along by stimulating the muscle contraction.
What are stool softeners and what do they do?
Poop softeners is one type of laxatives but they did not cause bowel movement by irritating the colons or surrounding muscle. Instead, they achieve that by softening the waste itself. Normally, a stool softener is used on a short term basis to relieve constipation for people who need to avoid straining. The ingredients will not stimulate a bowel movement or irritate the bowel wall. Hence, they are helpful for people with intestinal deceases and often trusted by vets for pigs with chronic constipation issues or pigs who have a difficult time with bowel movements after surgeries.
Dolculax stool softener (docusate sodium) is one of best stool softeners on the market. It is trusted for guaranteed relief that will work gently by drawing water into the stool in order to prevent dry hard stools and make passage more comfortable. Many people find this medication works perfectly for their pig.
Which one should be used?
Stool softeners are often the safer and milder option to be used to relief constipation, and it is preferred option for people with certain health condition, elderly, pregnant women or breastfeeding mother. Only when it doesn’t work out, then you may consult your veterinarian on recommended laxatives. If your pigs constipation condition is not serious, always start with the less intrusive products like increasing roughage foods or adding 100% pure canned pumpkin to meals before adding bulk forming agents (eg. Metamucil) or hydrating agents (eg. Milk of Magnesia, Miralax). Stimulant agents like aloe, senna, castor oil should be considered only for pig having a serious constipation problem and it should be used for short term relief only AFTER consulting your vet.
NONE of these should be used on a long term basis. Please consult with your veterinarian before giving ANY medication for ANY reason. Chronic constipation may be an indicator of something more serious going on or even a symptom of a bigger disease process. Be sure to let your vet know if your pig has continuous issues with elimination.
Why would a pig need a laxative or stool softener?
In normal circumstances, our body system will break down food taken into small particles that are absorbed through intestines. The food material that being stripped off nutrients and water at large intestines are stool that waiting to be eliminated off during bowel movement. Constipation happen when any of the process does not happen correctly due to various reasons, causing additional symptoms or side effects. Sometimes there is a medical procedure that has slowed the bowel function or a medical reason why there is constipation issues. Purgatives or a stool softener is commonly used to relieve these symptoms.
What is a laxative and what does it do?
Purgatives/laxatives are used during constipation to create bowel movement by stimulating the intestines. Bulk forming purgatives create a bulky mass that stimulates the bowel to move while the osmotic laxatives create a soft bulky stool by drawing water from surrounding tissues. They works on different mechanism but on the same concept. On the other hand, stimulant laxatives act directly on the intestinal wall and move stool along by stimulating the muscle contraction.
What are stool softeners and what do they do?
Poop softeners is one type of laxatives but they did not cause bowel movement by irritating the colons or surrounding muscle. Instead, they achieve that by softening the waste itself. Normally, a stool softener is used on a short term basis to relieve constipation for people who need to avoid straining. The ingredients will not stimulate a bowel movement or irritate the bowel wall. Hence, they are helpful for people with intestinal deceases and often trusted by vets for pigs with chronic constipation issues or pigs who have a difficult time with bowel movements after surgeries.
Dolculax stool softener (docusate sodium) is one of best stool softeners on the market. It is trusted for guaranteed relief that will work gently by drawing water into the stool in order to prevent dry hard stools and make passage more comfortable. Many people find this medication works perfectly for their pig.
Which one should be used?
Stool softeners are often the safer and milder option to be used to relief constipation, and it is preferred option for people with certain health condition, elderly, pregnant women or breastfeeding mother. Only when it doesn’t work out, then you may consult your veterinarian on recommended laxatives. If your pigs constipation condition is not serious, always start with the less intrusive products like increasing roughage foods or adding 100% pure canned pumpkin to meals before adding bulk forming agents (eg. Metamucil) or hydrating agents (eg. Milk of Magnesia, Miralax). Stimulant agents like aloe, senna, castor oil should be considered only for pig having a serious constipation problem and it should be used for short term relief only AFTER consulting your vet.
NONE of these should be used on a long term basis. Please consult with your veterinarian before giving ANY medication for ANY reason. Chronic constipation may be an indicator of something more serious going on or even a symptom of a bigger disease process. Be sure to let your vet know if your pig has continuous issues with elimination.