Obstruction..?

Kayeff

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Hi, everyone. On June 26th I made a post about how my kitten (four months old) seemed to have a long piece of human hair coming out of his behind (twice in the same day, once after he’d tried to use the bathroom, resulting in it being stuck to him). Since then, I’ve begun to worry about how much of my hair he might’ve consumed and whether or not it may have caused an obstruction. I’ve tried googling it a bit, some of the symptoms include vomiting, unable to use the bathroom, lethargy, and swollen/hard stomach.

He doesn’t seem lethargic, he plays pretty much as normal. He hasn’t vomited. It is hard to keep track of if/when he used the bathroom as I have three cats. I’ve felt his stomach and i don’t know what qualifies as “swollen/hard.” It doesn’t seem too hard or swollen but I’m no professional. He still eats eagerly whenever I fill the food bowls. I also haven’t noticed anymore long hairs hanging out of him.

I guess my question is, how long until I’m in the clear looking for warning signs? It’s been nine days since the hair eating incident. I’ve been anxious about it ever since but I get anxious about quite literally everything involving my pets. If anyone has any advice, please let me know!
 

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Hi!
Try and contain him in a room with a litterbox for a day or so in order that you can see what's happening in that department.

If things seem at all wonky, it's time for a vet visit.
 
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Kayeff

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Hi!
Try and contain him in a room with a litterbox for a day or so in order that you can see what's happening in that department.

If things seem at all wonky, it's time for a vet visit.
Unfortunately I can’t separate him in his own room (only have AC in one room, so if I block it off I feel like the house will get too hot for both the other cats and myself). I’m trying to keep an eye on the litter box/keep track of who’s going when and keeping it scooped (obv). I also keep putting him into the litter box encouraging him to go.

I feel like his behavior is pretty normal (he ate both food and treats just an hour ago), I’m just waiting to actually witness a bathroom trip to ease my concerns. Ugh.
 

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IF in the last 9 days he were to have developed an obstruction. You would definitely know. Nine days without pooping he would be in a lot of pain, not eating and probably vomiting.
Could he be a bit constipated? Maybe. But if he's still eating and drinking and playing, I would not worry too much.
Try giving him a glob of vaseline once a day for a few days. Or get some hairball paste. IF there is anything in there that needs a bit of help to come out comfortably, it will help.
If you're still worried, a trip to the vet will the most effective way to ensure there is nothing wrong.

Moving forward, if you're worried about him eating your hair, besides the obvious about keeping up with vacuuming and wiping up your hair in the bathroom. You can continue with the hairball paste on a regular basis for maintenance. As well as brushing him everyday to cut down on added ingested fur from grooming.

And one thing, (and this will probably confirm my crazy cat lady status;) :lol:)
But do the other two kitties let you see them poop? Are they easier to catch in the act? I ask only because all three of my cats have different looking poop. They are all normal, but our biggest cat has thicker poop than our smaller cat, our little female, has slightly soft poop and it "folds up" slightly different then the other two and all three have preferences on where in the box they poop and how they cover it up. If you can start to pay attention to the other two's pooping habits as well, you may be able to tell just by looking in the box who did what.
 
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Kayeff

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IF in the last 9 days he were to have developed an obstruction. You would definitely know. Nine days without pooping he would be in a lot of pain, not eating and probably vomiting.
Could he be a bit constipated? Maybe. But if he's still eating and drinking and playing, I would not worry too much.
Try giving him a glob of vaseline once a day for a few days. Or get some hairball paste. IF there is anything in there that needs a bit of help to come out comfortably, it will help.
If you're still worried, a trip to the vet will the most effective way to ensure there is nothing wrong.

Moving forward, if you're worried about him eating your hair, besides the obvious about keeping up with vacuuming and wiping up your hair in the bathroom. You can continue with the hairball paste on a regular basis for maintenance. As well as brushing him everyday to cut down on added ingested fur from grooming.

And one thing, (and this will probably confirm my crazy cat lady status;) :lol:)
But do the other two kitties let you see them poop? Are they easier to catch in the act? I ask only because all three of my cats have different looking poop. They are all normal, but our biggest cat has thicker poop than our smaller cat, our little female, has slightly soft poop and it "folds up" slightly different then the other two and all three have preferences on where in the box they poop and how they cover it up. If you can start to pay attention to the other two's pooping habits as well, you may be able to tell just by looking in the box who did what.
He’s eating, for sure. He eagerly runs to the kitchen whenever I fill the bowls. Wrestled with his big brother as normal, hasn’t vomited, and doesn’t seem to be in any pain, constantly purring and his usual self. I was figuring if he did have an obstruction he’d have some kind of symptoms by now but I get so nervous and since I haven’t actively seen him use the litter box, I get worked up. Our other two cats don’t mind if we see them go to the bathroom. I haven’t looked too closely at their poop, but I’m assuming there’s is a bit larger than his (we have siblings who are a year and a half old and this one is 4 months). However I did just clean the litter yesterday so I can’t look through it to determine who’s is who’s yet.

Hoping since he seems normal that he’s alright. He’ll be going to the vet later this month for his last shots before getting fixed, which is why I don’t want to make another vet appointment if I don’t notice any changes. Of course if anything seems to change I’ll absolutely take him. Just wanted some other opinions on whether to worry or not!
 

nunnc84

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Hi, everyone. On June 26th I made a post about how my kitten (four months old) seemed to have a long piece of human hair coming out of his behind (twice in the same day, once after he’d tried to use the bathroom, resulting in it being stuck to him). Since then, I’ve begun to worry about how much of my hair he might’ve consumed and whether or not it may have caused an obstruction. I’ve tried googling it a bit, some of the symptoms include vomiting, unable to use the bathroom, lethargy, and swollen/hard stomach.

He doesn’t seem lethargic, he plays pretty much as normal. He hasn’t vomited. It is hard to keep track of if/when he used the bathroom as I have three cats. I’ve felt his stomach and i don’t know what qualifies as “swollen/hard.” It doesn’t seem too hard or swollen but I’m no professional. He still eats eagerly whenever I fill the food bowls. I also haven’t noticed anymore long hairs hanging out of him.

I guess my question is, how long until I’m in the clear looking for warning signs? It’s been nine days since the hair eating incident. I’ve been anxious about it ever since but I get anxious about quite literally everything involving my pets. If anyone has any advice, please let me know!
someone on this site told me a dollop of canned pumpkin will relieve diarrhea or constipation.
Mineral oil, tiny amount for sever impaction; I mean dragging butt on the carpet serious. regular probiotics, will help.
I'm concerned he may be bullied in the letterbox and he doesn't want to go to avoid being attacked in the litter box.
Maybe a window air conditioner for the other room??? Then you can tell what is going on :: Furballsmom Furballsmom
 
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Kayeff

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someone on this site told me a dollop of canned pumpkin will relieve diarrhea or constipation.
Mineral oil, tiny amount for sever impaction; I mean dragging butt on the carpet serious. regular probiotics, will help.
I'm concerned he may be bullied in the letterbox and he doesn't want to go to avoid being attacked in the litter box.
Maybe a window air conditioner for the other room??? Then you can tell what is going on :: Furballsmom Furballsmom
He gets along really well with our male cat, and even our female cat doesn’t mind him, she just keeps her distance. I’ve never noticed any hostility from either of them around the litter box. I was thinking about getting some pumpkin but don’t want to unless it’s really necessary, which I’m not sure it is or not considering he isn’t showing any symptoms. I’ll definitely keep it in mind if I don’t notice any bathroom trips soon!
 
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Kayeff

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In case anybody was interested in an update: he used the litter box and had zero trouble. My worries are officially gone lol. All three kitties were rewarded with treats. Thanks everyone for you help!
 

white shadow

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Treats for poop?

That's a real deal :flail:

.........and, what a relief for you!
.
 

Lavan.Psha

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I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR TIPS!

I have a 3.5 year old female, sterilized cat. She was diagnosed with UTI and was treated with very painful antibiotic shots 9 days ago. She finished her last shot 5 days ago and UTI went away. However, she is very very very weak and constantly in pain at the injection site. That is not the main problem for now....

You see, she has not pooped since the first day of her antibiotics, 9 days ago! She is also refusing to eat since the last 9 days! She is not grooming at all, her belly is hard, and she is vomiting once a day.
So, today the vet prescribed Metronidazole to stop her from vomiting and advised me to force feed her rice and chicken soup. I did all of this. After couple of hours, she threw up again :(. I am almost losing hope because she has turned unbelievably weak from a super active cat.
Any tips would help.

IF in the last 9 days he were to have developed an obstruction. You would definitely know. Nine days without pooping he would be in a lot of pain, not eating and probably vomiting.
Could he be a bit constipated? Maybe. But if he's still eating and drinking and playing, I would not worry too much.
Try giving him a glob of vaseline once a day for a few days. Or get some hairball paste. IF there is anything in there that needs a bit of help to come out comfortably, it will help.
If you're still worried, a trip to the vet will the most effective way to ensure there is nothing wrong.

Moving forward, if you're worried about him eating your hair, besides the obvious about keeping up with vacuuming and wiping up your hair in the bathroom. You can continue with the hairball paste on a regular basis for maintenance. As well as brushing him everyday to cut down on added ingested fur from grooming.

And one thing, (and this will probably confirm my crazy cat lady status;) :lol:)
But do the other two kitties let you see them poop? Are they easier to catch in the act? I ask only because all three of my cats have different looking poop. They are all normal, but our biggest cat has thicker poop than our smaller cat, our little female, has slightly soft poop and it "folds up" slightly different then the other two and all three have preferences on where in the box they poop and how they cover it up. If you can start to pay attention to the other two's pooping habits as well, you may be able to tell just by looking in the box who did what.
 

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Hi Lavan.Psha Lavan.Psha . You are posting to an older thread, so you may receive less attention than if you started your own thread. But, regardless of that, if she has not eaten or pooped in that many days, she is in dire shape. If all your vet can do is suggest Metronidazole, then you need to find another vet. Can you do that? She is in desperate need of help.
 

Lavan.Psha

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Hi Lavan.Psha Lavan.Psha . You are posting to an older thread, so you may receive less attention than if you started your own thread. But, regardless of that, if she has not eaten or pooped in that many days, she is in dire shape. If all your vet can do is suggest Metronidazole, then you need to find another vet. Can you do that? She is in desperate need of help.
Yesss, we are both desparate because I am terrified of losing her this time :(
 

IndyJones

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She probably needs an enema or possibly even surgery to evacuate her bowels. Please take her to get a second opinion. After 9 days time is of the essence. Lavan.Psha Lavan.Psha
 

IndyJones

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I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR TIPS!

I have a 3.5 year old female, sterilized cat. She was diagnosed with UTI and was treated with very painful antibiotic shots 9 days ago. She finished her last shot 5 days ago and UTI went away. However, she is very very very weak and constantly in pain at the injection site. That is not the main problem for now....

You see, she has not pooped since the first day of her antibiotics, 9 days ago! She is also refusing to eat since the last 9 days! She is not grooming at all, her belly is hard, and she is vomiting once a day.
So, today the vet prescribed Metronidazole to stop her from vomiting and advised me to force feed her rice and chicken soup. I did all of this. After couple of hours, she threw up again :(. I am almost losing hope because she has turned unbelievably weak from a super active cat.
Any tips would help.
(Sorry it cut me off mid paragraph continued from above)

If the problem is an obstruction then anti nausea medicine could just make the problem worse. I'm not saying you should stop using it though.

An obstruction is very serious and she probably has liver damage if she hasn't been able to keep anything down for 9 days. She might need fluids and ICU to stableize her. Please get a second opinion from a different vet clinic that is equipped to deal with ICU.
 

Lavan.Psha

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(Sorry it cut me off mid paragraph continued from above)

If the problem is an obstruction then anti nausea medicine could just make the problem worse. I'm not saying you should stop using it though.

An obstruction is very serious and she probably has liver damage if she hasn't been able to keep anything down for 9 days. She might need fluids and ICU to stableize her. Please get a second opinion from a different vet clinic that is equipped to deal with ICU.
You are absolutely right. I will do that next thing when the vets open, which in more than 12 hrs time from now (AST timezone). I am having my fingers crossed that nothing worse will happen in this time.
 
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