Megacolon in cats involves severe, progressive colonic dilation causing painful obstipation that may require subtotal colectomy surgery, with welfare implications for a condition that is often undertreated.
Megacolon causes chronic suffering from the discomfort and pain of colonic distension, failed attempts to defecate, and the systemic effects of fecal retention. Cats with advanced megacolon may go weeks without successful defecation, accumulating feces that press on other abdominal organs and cause progressive discomfort. Owner-perceived 'laziness' or 'picky eating' may mask significant welfare impairment. Medical management can maintain quality of life for mild-moderate cases, but progressive megacolon ultimately requires surgical management for welfare-optimal outcomes. Colectomy-treated cats almost universally show marked quality-of-life improvement - owners frequently describe their cats as 'back to normal' or 'like a new cat' post-surgery.