Help needed for a cat that can't 'go'!!

sassypie

Hi all, can anyone offer any advice? My 10 yr old moggy keeps getting constipated, she's been ok for ages, but the problem's back again! She's an indoor cat, always has been, too nervous to go out.

She's been given lactulose before which helps, but the only way she'll take it is in food - she's really nervy, if I try to syringe it into her she goes off and hides for days. And of course, I don't know how much she has that way! She had to have an enema, twice, last week, which helped a bit but it stressed her and didn't really make much difference.

I was given some Canin senior dry food to try cos its got more fibre in, which she likes, but I've been using tuna and other 'sticky' food to try to hide the lactulose, so don't know whether I should keep to the Canin, and if so what to do about the lactulose? Or won't she need it?

One other thing, she loves milk, but I seem to remember its not so good for cats - could this be causing it, or making it worse?

If any one has any tips or thoughts that might help I'd be so grateful, I love her to bits but she's driving me nuts - she spent the night before the first enema hopping in and out of the litter tray trying to go! Poor little thing, she's recovered from that now, she's never been all that regular since I've had her (4 or 5 years), but not like this.

Thank you so much,
sassy xxx

sassypie

Sorry, just read the comment re medical advice and such. I'm still taking her to the vet's, I'm just looking for alternatives, so I dont have to use the syringe to force feed her the lactulose. I'm sure this is a very sound plan, I just hate having to traumatise her, poor baby.

Anyway, sorry if this post crosses the boundaries of acceptable advice giving, I understand if so.

Sas

ailuro2

Normal cow's milk os not good for cats, but you can buy cat milk, it's on the shelf next to the cat food in most supermarkets, some put it next to the cat treats.

It might help her get some more fluid into her.

Make sure she always has water available, one cat I had wouldn't drink from a plastic bowl, so worth a try.

Also I'm sure your vet has told you cat crunchies are only occasional treats unless they are the only food fed to your cat and shouldn't be left out all day for the cat to snack on..

My cats have always been given any medicine orally, by me grabbing them and throwing it to the back of their throat.They don't like it, but lots of fussing afterwards and some cat milk usually means I'm forgiven.

Raw fish might be strong enough tasting to disguise taste?

MrsTinks

I'd syringe the meds down her too... sorry but needs must and THEN bribe her with some prawns (my two will bite my fingers off for them!) and some cat milk - as ailuro has said you shouldn't give her cows milk - it's not good for her!
Did the vet check her for any problems other than giving her an enema (eeeeeewwwww) I mean is she just constipated or is it early renal failure?

sandy2_2

My old cat is a bit like this as well. When he strains to go, he then comes out of his litter tray and throws up...nice :-(
I give him his meds while he´s asleep, creep up on him slide the syringe in the side of his mouth and a quick squirt before he knows what´s happening. would a higher dose of meds help, my vet said give it every day and increase dose if necessary. He also gave me that yeasty/marmite looking paste you put on their pawsa for them to lick off as he thought he migt be ingesting too mush hair.

lowis

i would ask your vet to scan your cat to make sure there is nothing there causing a blockage. also, ask about a condition called Mega Colon - it affects some breeds more than others (Siamese most notably) http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/mega_colon.html

i had a cat recently who got constipated fairly regularly, she too would throw up every time she had been straining - apparently there is some sort of nerve in a cat which triggers them to vomit if they have been straining. in this case the cause of the constipation was a tumour - but cat's can get constipated for a whole heap of reasons, so please don't worry too much - just make sure your vet carries out a thorough examination.

one thing that did work with my cat was tinned pumpkin puree - i would mix this with some really fishy tuna wet food and she would wolf it down, i think it helped her a little.

good luck!

rita-rabbit

Are you brushing her regularly - fur can get impacted in the tummy?

Cat grass?

Also I find De-fur-um is good (I buy mine @ Pets @ Home).

SnowyOwl_2

I think you need to have another chat with your vet again, and discuss with him/her the merits of what have been suggested here and also state the problems you are encountering.

My suggestion would be to try her on that hairball goo as per Sandy2's post - it's intended to be ingested and is very oily to help the hairballs along and out the other end. It's available in any pet shop and comes in a tube and you just rub it onto the cat's front paws.

sassypie

Thank you so much for all your help and comments. I can now happily report that the immediate crisis is over, she's gone again and keeps looking at me wondering what all the fuss was over!

She's v tiny, I suspect the 'runt of the litter' and the vet says there may be some physical abnormalities. But she's happy as anything, eats and drinks really well, and is generally fine.

I've cut out the cow's milk completely, and will try the cat milk. Thankfully she drinks plenty of water, she's v happy with that. I'll definitely try sneaking up on her when she's asleep, she'll send me on a guilt trip, but I'll survive. Also v interested in the stuff to put on her paw to help with fur balls, the vet hasn't mentioned it, will see what she says.

I lost my other cat to bowel cancer 4 years ago, so I'm really, really paranoid about the same thing happening, but the vet thinks not, certainly no obvious signs of bleeding or anything.

Anyway, a truly BIG thank you to everyone, its so reassuring to have this community to discuss things with!!:beer:

Sas xxx