Kitty has pretty much the same issue, except she does not have the rock hard stool in her colon. What I did was give her canned pumpkin mixed with water. Since your cat isn't eating or drinking I would try syringing the canned pumpkin mixed with water to her, give about 40mL, that is what it took for Kitty to poop. I hope your cat gets better soon.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

I thought pumpkin was given to help with diarrhea?

 

But it can also be given to help with constipation in cats.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

I use slippery elm for my pets. It works for both diarrhea and constipation.

 

I would NOT give pumpkin OR Miralax. Both could make things MUCH worse for the cat until the current stool obstruction is passed or removed.

Fluids are ESSENTIAL, so definitely give subQ fluids per vet's instructions. Rather than cod liver oil, ask the vet about giving a hairball remedy like Cat Lax, Laxatone, or similar. Those will help lubricate the GI tract so that the stool can be passed more easily. Slippery Elm can have the same lubricating effect, so I recommend it, as well. Stool softeners can take several days to soften constipated stool, so keep giving the RX stool softener per vet's instructions.

The cat is in a lot of pain, I can assure you, so a non-constipating pain med (NOT Metacam) would also be advisable. You should discuss this with the vet ASAP.

If the cat can not pass this stool within the next 48 hrs (at the MAX), surgical removal may be the only option to relieve her pain and save her life. If I were you, I would not allow this to drag out any longer than that. At this point, every hour she goes without eating puts her liver at high risk of developing hepatic lipidosis, if she hasn't developed it already. If it comes down to it, save her surgically, or put her out of her misery.

Laurie

 

The canned pumpkin mixed with water has worked for Kitty when she was constipated. So yes pumpkin is good as it has a lot of fiber and will push the poop through. Yes hydration is necessary to keep things lubricated. That is why I mentioned canned pumpkin mixed with water. When I gave Kitty 40mL of it, she pooped.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

THREE WEEKS??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
POOOR CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG.
I have nothing to add except the horror I feel. Some cats never cry when they are in pain and do not act differently so unless you are super watchful, there is no way to know (we have 3 cats and they are indoor/outdoor so unless someone is crying or complaining, I have NO idea who poo-ed, if or when).
I'm so glad the cat is at the vet and hopefully they can relieve the pain ASAP.
Poor little thing!!!!!

 

I know she's in a lot of pain. I almost cried when I saw the x-rays. I know how bad my stomach hurts when I'm even just a little backed up - I can't imagine how painful she is right now. And she's still so sweet. Leave it to cats, the pros of hiding their pain....

It just kinda sucks being in the 'foster' position. We can't give the vet total freedom to do what they need to just because the rescue is paying for it. We love her, but at the same time, she's not 'our' cat.... Just sort of a crappy position....

 

Vet just called us.... We're gonna go pick her up. She's yet to defecate.....

Looking at our options.

 

I asked the vet if (realistically) she thought that Buddha would have a bowel movement on her own since she's been constipated for so long. She said that she highly doubted it at this point.

We opted for a sedated enema. They're going to sedate her and flush her out. They'll put her on meds that will stimulate her colon muscles (if they can be stimulated), which she'll likely have to be on for the rest of her life (if it works).

My main worry is that we don't know what initially caused the constipation, so it could very well happen again, especially now that her colon muscles are likely compromised.

But we'll see what happens. If she gets constipated again, then we'll likely make a decision then....

 

sweetcuddles, this is an entirely different situation. This cat's ENTIRE colon is impacted with dry, constipated stool that has been there for up to three weeks without movement. Even non-surgical veterinary procedures have been unsuccessful at moving the stool. PUMPKIN WILL MAKE THIS SITUATION WORSE FOR THE CAT! Please, PLEASE, DO NOT GIVE THIS CAT PUMPKIN UNTIL AND UNLESS ALL CONSTIPATED STOOL IS REMOVED FROM HER SYSTEM!

 

The only thing she's going to get is what the vet prescribed, sub-q fluids, and some cod liver oil. (Vet okay'd it).

But honestly, I have only ever heard of pumpkin being used to harden stools - not help with constipation....

 

It does help with constipation. Read my threads about my mom's cat Kitty. She is still constipated and dehydrated. I an trying to keep her hydrated with sub-q fluids.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

Well, my Girlie developed megacolon and was placed on propulsid for the rest of her life. I believe the diet they put her on was a Hills prescription high fiber diet at the time (15 years ago). Today, were she still with us, I would give her a different food but the propulsid still would have been part of her regimen.

 

Konotashi I'll be keeping Buddha in my thoughts and prayers and hoping that the vet can help her. Please keep us updated.

 

OMG this is so sad, for both Buddha and you...just wanted to add my sympathies and prayers...
Big HUG ♡♡♡

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

Pumpkin can be very useful in preventing constipation, because it does help to bulk up and soften newly forming stool. It can NOT, however, affect constipated stool already in the cat's system, esp. if the stool is severely impacted. And if too much pumpkin or any other fiber source is given, it can make constipation worse instead of better.

There is much that can be done to prevent future constipation in your foster cat. I've dealt with several cats who have been (or are currently) subject to chronic constipation. Miralax is a lifesaver for these cats, but it is a preventive, not a remedy for currently constipated stool in the cat's system. Maintaining proper hydration is also a key factor in preventing constipation, which means a canned food only diet (NO kibble), and possibly regular subQ fluid administrations if she is not maintaining proper hydration on her own.

It also goes without saying that ongoing vigilant observation will be required to make sure that any future constipation is addressed immediately before it becomes unmanageable at home. Constipation caught quickly can generally be alleviated with Laxatone, Slippery Elm, and subQ fluids. In worse cases, a stool softener and/or enema may be required.

If this girl can be successfully cleaned out, and if her liver hasn't been compromised by the lack of nutrition for the last few weeks, her condition should be successfully manageable. Even if she does have megacolon, many of the same strategies can successfully manage that condition, as well. And even if she has developed hepatic lipidosis, that, too, can be treated with assisted feeding until her liver repairs and her appetite returns.

I'm glad that the rescue hasn't given up on this cat, and I'm so glad that you are there to advocate and take care of her. She's going to need a compassionate and committed caretaker, and it sounds like she's got one in you.

Laurie

 

I hope that your cat gets well soon. I am sorry you have to go through this. You are a good cat owner.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

 

Oh, I meant to give you these two links, both to comprehensive information about feline constipation, its treatments and preventatives:

Feline Constipation Home Page
Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Constipation

 

I was only saying I've ever heard it being used for diarrhea, not constipation. I'm not discrediting you.
I think giving Buddha anything aside from what the vet says is okay at this point may very well be dangerous, though, even regular dry food.
She won't eat anything, though. (Can't say I blame her).

She did have some diarrhea, though. Hopefully that's the stool softener kicking in. This is the second night she's been on them.
It wasn't just leakage - she actually went in her litter box and a little plopped out. It was just a tiny bit, so I have a little bit more optimism about her muscles not being totally done and gone. Hopefully that's a good sign....

My mom and I are going to let each other know when we clean her litter box or give her food now so we can efficiently monitor bowel movements and food intake after the sedated enema procedure.

Before, we would both clean litter boxes and fill food when it was necessary, so we didn't realize she wasn't eating or pooping until she started losing weight and talked to one another and told each other that neither one of us had filled her (dry) food in about a week nor cleaned poop from her box in so long....

I just hope she's able to get through this okay.

 

I will add that she will only be getting wet food after this with fish oil from now on, per vet's recommendation.

 

I'm glad that your vet made that dietary recommendation. It is a VERY important one! I will add that mixing hot water into her canned food to make "canned food soup" that she can lap up will increase her hydration, which will further reduce chance of constipation. Most cats LOVE to lick up "gravy", so canned food soup is quite popular with them.

Laurie

 

She's been there since the vet opened this morning. It's just a little after 3:00 now. I'm not sure when exactly her appointment was or when they started the procedure, but I haven't heard anything. I'm getting worried.

I'm trying to stay optimistic, but at the same time, I'm trying not to let my hopes get too high....

 

Prayers for her and for you and Big HUG...
I really hope it will be good news for you.

 

I just want to send a great big dollop of good ol' Irish luck your way. As well as some hugs and sympathy, I really hope all works out for your baby and you can put this ordeal behind you

 

So the vet called yesterday....
They were hardly able to get anything out, and what they WERE able to get out was like cement (as the vet described it).

They kept her overnight to see if she would pass any softer stool on her own, and they're going to repeat the procedure today....

If it doesn't work today, we may opt to let her go instead of subjecting her to more procedures and prolonging her pain....

 

I'm so sorry to hear...poor Buddha. I hope they some out today...