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Defaecation: Useful terminology

Kvet Forum

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Diarrhoea – The rapid expulsion of soft, non-formed material from the rectum.

Constipation – Impaction of hard, dry feces within the large intestine or rectum, which is difficult or may become impossible for the animal to pass.

Tenesmus – Painful, ineffectual straining to pass feces, seen in cases of constipation

Dyschezia – Difficult and painful passage of feces

Melena – Production of dark, tarry feces ± mucus: evidence of blood loss in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Haematochezia – Production of fresh, bright red blood in the feces: evidence of blood loss in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Coprophagia – When an animal eats its own feces – usually a vice in a dog.

Steatorrhoea – Passage of large volumes of pale, fatty feces, usually associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
 
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