Constipated cat and enemas - please help

[elle87]

My cat is 8 years old and has not had any issues so far aside from impacted anal glands which seemed to have corrected itself overtime (as verified by her vet). However, last week she stopped pooping for three days and also stopped eating so we took her to the vet. They took an X-ray which showed that there was a lot of poop inside her they gave her an enema and held her overnight. When she came back home, she acted like her usual self and even pooped on her own. The vet prescribed restoralax and Summit Cisapride to take for a few days. We also changed her diet to mostly wet food because the vet said the issue was that she wasn’t drinking enough water.

However it seems that she has constipation again (about a week after her first enema). The vet said to bring her in for another enema and we have an appointment tomorrow, but shouldn’t there be another cure for this or something else we can try? I am really worried because the enemas are not only expensive but uncomfortable for kitty. I am also worried that it could be something called megacolon that I’m reading about online??? Also how does this happen all of a sudden because she never had these problems before. Just looking for some reassurance and advice. My whole family is stressed out about this.

[marko]

Sorry to hear of this problem,
Actual Canned Pumpkin - (NOT pumpkin pie filling) is supposed to be very good for constipated cats. maybe give it a try
Here's an article - hope it may help
http://www.pets.ca/dogs/tips/tip-75-...-constipation/

[cosmoloco]

Originally Posted by elle87

My cat is 8 years old and has not had any issues so far aside from impacted anal glands which seemed to have corrected itself overtime (as verified by her vet). However, last week she stopped pooping for three days and also stopped eating so we took her to the vet. They took an X-ray which showed that there was a lot of poop inside her they gave her an enema and held her overnight. When she came back home, she acted like her usual self and even pooped on her own. The vet prescribed restoralax and Summit Cisapride to take for a few days. We also changed her diet to mostly wet food because the vet said the issue was that she wasn’t drinking enough water.

However it seems that she has constipation again (about a week after her first enema). The vet said to bring her in for another enema and we have an appointment tomorrow, but shouldn’t there be another cure for this or something else we can try? I am really worried because the enemas are not only expensive but uncomfortable for kitty. I am also worried that it could be something called megacolon that I’m reading about online??? Also how does this happen all of a sudden because she never had these problems before. Just looking for some reassurance and advice. My whole family is stressed out about this.

I am sorry to hear about that, I think more fluid intake for him. Or better yet bring him to the vet.

[growler~GateKeeper]

Hopefully your vet had more answers for you.

I would add a couple of teaspoons of warm water to each wet food meal to help add more moisture to your cat's diet.

[Loki Love]

Our Yagi has dealt with constipation since 2 years old. I feel your pain and frustration. I recommend working with your vet on a long-term plan but can share what has worked for us:

1) Canned/wet food only - kibble makes it worse
2) Cisipride - he was on this for years. This actually works as an agent to stimulate the bowels and get things moving. We no longer give this as it isn't easy to find in SK for some odd reason?
3) Restoralax - we give 1/4 tsp twice daily. If we don't see a poop for a day or two.. we up the amount. He's had a few accidents and diarrhea because of it, but I'd rather it out in some fashion vs back to the vet because he's plugged up again.

It's really getting to know and understand your cat's routine. We had no issues for about 3 years and suddenly last year - constipated again, badly. The vet said that as our kitty is getting older, his body is continuing to change and may require more Restoralax over time, or even back on Cisipride if needed. We do the litter daily to watch for poops, and the minute he seems to go off his food we know he's getting plugged back up.

It's certainly manageable. Good luck!