Painful Bowel Movements After Swallowing Hair: What Can I Do at Home?
by Kristen
(Utah)
He still has a decent appetite & happily drinks water, his behavior is still pretty normal, and nothing in our house or his diet had changed prior to this problem.
He continues to have painful bm's, though (he cries and really strainsto poop). And now I'm concerned that he may still have hair in his bowels (teenage son thought they looked to still haver fur in them on their walks, but in the past week I've seen just slightly harder, larger stools).
I will try giving him the canned pumpkin and extra water bowls around the house, and i'll pick up some what beahm or psyllium husks, but am wondering if there's anything else we can do to help "ease" the presumed fur clot out.
We have tried adding olive oil to his food (doesn't like it), fish oil caplets (sometimes eats them) and milk (loves it, but doesn't seem to clear him out).
Your input would be appreciated as our very tends to over-treat and overcharge on even the
Swallowed hair can contribute to hard, uncomfortable stools, and clipping his coat was a good step. Encouraging water is the most important home measure, and some canned food or water added to his meals will help too. A little fiber, such as plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) or plain psyllium, may help in mild cases, but ask your vet how much to give for his size, and check that any fiber product is free of sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
A few things we'd avoid: milk often causes diarrhea in adult dogs rather than helping, oils aren't a recommended treatment (mineral oil in particular can be inhaled and cause pneumonia), and you shouldn't give human laxatives or enemas, which can be dangerous for dogs.
Because he's been crying and straining for a couple of weeks, he really should be examined. Ongoing pain when pooping in a middle-aged male dog can also come from anal gland problems, an enlarged prostate (if he isn't neutered), or a perineal hernia, and a quick rectal exam can check for all of these. Go sooner if he stops passing stool, vomits, or stops eating.
See home remedies for dog constipation for what's safe to try and what to avoid.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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