Please help! - Page 2

deamwilliams · 07-02-2011, 11:04 PM

I'm the roommate! Update on Gadget:

Gadget is unfortunately having the same problem again. I know I've read that megacolon is not common in kittens, but with his condition we found him in (flystrike in legs and rectum) - I can't help but think that he has it. We bought Miralax to mix with his wet food from now on, and have read all of the suggestions to prevent constipation. We are keeping him hydrated, and playing with him as much as he can stand to. However, we have to deal with his obvious blockage/lower intestine knots now... He hasn't vomited, but has obvious discomfort. Our regular vet won't be open until Tuesday, and the ER vet has a base of $500 for a kitten his age -- which we don't have, but don't think I won't take out a loan or sell something important for him to be taken care of!! Wish us luck (:

Satebs · 07-03-2011, 12:29 PM

So it seems the Miralax worked. This morning Gadget had passed very large stool (poor boy!) Now it seems like we are on the other side of the spectrum. He has diarrhea. He can't seem to contain it either. While he's lying there sleeping, it will just run out of his behind. The vet didn't give him any dewormer when he was there for a three night stay, which I thought was odd. He is under 2lbs though, so that may have been a factor. His appetite is great (wet food only), and I've been checking his skin to make sure he isn't becoming dehydrated. I know going back to the vet is really the only way to know for sure, but if any of you have been through this before, any tips/tricks/hints would be helpful. Thanks!

laurief · 07-03-2011, 01:03 PM

Miralax is a dose-to-effect drug, meaning that you can adjust the dose up or down to achieve the desired stool consistency. If Gadget now has diarrhea, lower the Miralax dose to allow his stool to firm up. I have used Miralax with several of my adult cats at a dose of 1/8 tsp. up to a heaping 1/8 tsp. once a day. For a kitten, I'd probably start at a dose half that (1/16 tsp), and adjust slightly from there to reach the desired effect.

Miralax works by retaining water in the GI tract to help moisten and soften stool, so it's essential to keep Gadget very well hydrated while taking Miralax, esp. while he has diarrhea. One way to increase fluid intake is to mix warm water into his canned food to make it "canned food soup" that he can lap up. You can also buy some Pedialyte and mix a little into his canned food soup to restore his electrolytes.

Laurie

deamwilliams · 07-07-2011, 12:20 PM

Gadget is doing well! He's going to the vet tomorrow for a final check up on his legs and to check in on everything. (:

07-02-2011, 11:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
deamwilliams Kitten Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 12	I'm the roommate! Update on Gadget: Gadget is unfortunately having the same problem again. I know I've read that megacolon is not common in kittens, but with his condition we found him in (flystrike in legs and rectum) - I can't help but think that he has it. We bought Miralax to mix with his wet food from now on, and have read all of the suggestions to prevent constipation. We are keeping him hydrated, and playing with him as much as he can stand to. However, we have to deal with his obvious blockage/lower intestine knots now... He hasn't vomited, but has obvious discomfort. Our regular vet won't be open until Tuesday, and the ER vet has a base of $500 for a kitten his age -- which we don't have, but don't think I won't take out a loan or sell something important for him to be taken care of!! Wish us luck (:

07-03-2011, 12:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Satebs Kitten Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 25	So it seems the Miralax worked. This morning Gadget had passed very large stool (poor boy!) Now it seems like we are on the other side of the spectrum. He has diarrhea. He can't seem to contain it either. While he's lying there sleeping, it will just run out of his behind. The vet didn't give him any dewormer when he was there for a three night stay, which I thought was odd. He is under 2lbs though, so that may have been a factor. His appetite is great (wet food only), and I've been checking his skin to make sure he isn't becoming dehydrated. I know going back to the vet is really the only way to know for sure, but if any of you have been through this before, any tips/tricks/hints would be helpful. Thanks!

07-03-2011, 01:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	Miralax is a dose-to-effect drug, meaning that you can adjust the dose up or down to achieve the desired stool consistency. If Gadget now has diarrhea, lower the Miralax dose to allow his stool to firm up. I have used Miralax with several of my adult cats at a dose of 1/8 tsp. up to a heaping 1/8 tsp. once a day. For a kitten, I'd probably start at a dose half that (1/16 tsp), and adjust slightly from there to reach the desired effect. Miralax works by retaining water in the GI tract to help moisten and soften stool, so it's essential to keep Gadget very well hydrated while taking Miralax, esp. while he has diarrhea. One way to increase fluid intake is to mix warm water into his canned food to make it "canned food soup" that he can lap up. You can also buy some Pedialyte and mix a little into his canned food soup to restore his electrolytes. Laurie

07-07-2011, 12:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
deamwilliams Kitten Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 12	Gadget is doing well! He's going to the vet tomorrow for a final check up on his legs and to check in on everything. (:

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