cat constipation and now back spasms can't sit pain in rear area vet has never seen this before

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Hi, i am hoping someone has seen this before and can offer help. cat and i are both traumatized... this is the link to videos of what is happening with him. It is painful to watch him go through that over and over.
bobo
several months ago every once in a while my Cat, Bobo, would flinch and seem to get a sharp pain in his tail/rear area . it was infrequent so i didn't think much of it. A few weeks ago, i noticed blood in his stool ( he usually goes 4 or 5 times a day). I took him in to the vet and they had to sedate him to check him out-and after the x rays, they found that he was constipated badly. I had no idea as he always went several times a day. They removed a large volume of hardened feces from him. They then put him on lactalose and some pain meds. After coming home the first day he was fine- no pain in the back which i attributed to the major constipation. and thought it was resolved. The next day , this issue occurred again and every day since. Every time he gets on the couch, he goes into the pooping position and i can see spasms in his back and he tries to sit and can't, he will try and try and plop down on either side , and whatever side he is on, his leg will still twitching and rising in the air. He is very uncomfortable and can see it is painful. Eventually he manages to sit and then is ok . he seems to be able to sit on the floor or on the bed without this happening. since being home he goes once or twice a day, have changed his food, added hydration, the vet said he should go four times a day which then leads me to think hes already constipated again. at his recheck a week later she said he was not . stool was soft. She said she has never seen this trying to sit back spasm , before and doesn't think it is related to constipation. Suggested it is arthritis , or a neurological thing. but has no idea and only could say she could refer him to a neurologist but that would be very expensive. he is now on two meds for constipation , one pain killer and one anti convulse muscle med. He sleeps a lot , does eat and drink, but this sitting down thing is torture. He is 12 and a half years old , and it seems the vet thinks he is old. she also said maybe he has mega colon but also i wonder why this wouldn't show on the x ray . And does this happen from one bout of constipation? and is the previous constipation related to this back spasm pain, poop stance ?Before this happened he has never been sick. Beside myself with worrying about this and that there is no answer. any help greatly appreciated
thank you
Roberta
 

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Hi, i am hoping someone has seen this before and can offer help. cat and i are both traumatized... this is the link to videos of what is happening with him. It is painful to watch him go through that over and over.
bobo
several months ago every once in a while my Cat, Bobo, would flinch and seem to get a sharp pain in his tail/rear area . it was infrequent so i didn't think much of it. A few weeks ago, i noticed blood in his stool ( he usually goes 4 or 5 times a day). I took him in to the vet and they had to sedate him to check him out-and after the x rays, they found that he was constipated badly. I had no idea as he always went several times a day. They removed a large volume of hardened feces from him. They then put him on lactalose and some pain meds. After coming home the first day he was fine- no pain in the back which i attributed to the major constipation. and thought it was resolved. The next day , this issue occurred again and every day since. Every time he gets on the couch, he goes into the pooping position and i can see spasms in his back and he tries to sit and can't, he will try and try and plop down on either side , and whatever side he is on, his leg will still twitching and rising in the air. He is very uncomfortable and can see it is painful. Eventually he manages to sit and then is ok . he seems to be able to sit on the floor or on the bed without this happening. since being home he goes once or twice a day, have changed his food, added hydration, the vet said he should go four times a day which then leads me to think hes already constipated again. at his recheck a week later she said he was not . stool was soft. She said she has never seen this trying to sit back spasm , before and doesn't think it is related to constipation. Suggested it is arthritis , or a neurological thing. but has no idea and only could say she could refer him to a neurologist but that would be very expensive. he is now on two meds for constipation , one pain killer and one anti convulse muscle med. He sleeps a lot , does eat and drink, but this sitting down thing is torture. He is 12 and a half years old , and it seems the vet thinks he is old. she also said maybe he has mega colon but also i wonder why this wouldn't show on the x ray . And does this happen from one bout of constipation? and is the previous constipation related to this back spasm pain, poop stance ?Before this happened he has never been sick. Beside myself with worrying about this and that there is no answer. any help greatly appreciated
thank you
Roberta
I don’t know what could be causing this, it could be many things. But it seems like he needs to go to dvm who can hopefully figure it out. I am wondering why he needs to go 4 x a day? That seems like a lot. It could be anything from constipation to cancer to neurological or some sort of gastro issue. Does he have fiber in his diet? The pain killer if it is an opiate may make him more constipated.

So sorry he is suffering😿 maybe someone else will have a better idea.
 
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Mamanyt1953

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Just a thought...but if there is a university within reach, with a good veterinary school, I'd suggest taking him there, if at all possible. Here is the thing...It may not save you any money, but the veterinary schools are teaching cutting edge veterinary medicine with the most up-to-date equipment and diagnostic tools available. They may find something that another vet could not.
 

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I think some investigation into his spine is in order. Tumor, pinched nerve, bone spur, prior spinal injury causing severe arthritis...so many things could be causing this. I have a feeling that his constipation issues are not caused by a gastrointestinal problem, but a neurological/pain problem. The constipation could be a result of the bowels simply not working properly due to nerve impingement or damage or he could be actively avoiding pooping due to the pain the "poop position" causes his spine.
My first step would be imaging of his whole spine and hips.
 

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I am not sure I can offer much of anything that hasn't already been said, but you could look for specialty vets in your area and ask for a second opinion consult. Most specialty vets do want a referral from the primary vet, but it seems that your vet would have no issue with that.

The specialty vets are not cheap, but they will accept tests/records from your primary vet which would at least reduce redundant testing/costs. The other benefit is that most of these groups have staff that cover a broad spectrum of specialties (internal medicine, neurology, cancer, etc.), so they can share records and consult with one another to determine a plan of action. This is similar to a vet university as mentioned above, but there may be a specialty group closer to you, as it is likely they will want to exam your cat themselves.

At a minimum you could seek out a cat-only vet and ask for a second opinion consult - also reducing initial costs by sharing tests results/records from your primary vet. However, even a second opinion of this nature seems likely to end up with a specialty vet recommendation.

For what it is worth, I do think that the x-ray should have indicated mega-colon. But that could simply mean that this condition isn't as extensive as other cases, making it harder to definitively assess. If it truly exists, I think a specialty vet could confirm it.
 
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rbanci

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I don’t know what could be causing this, it could be many things. But it seems like he needs to go to dvm who can hopefully figure it out. I am wondering why he needs to go 4 x a day? That seems like a lot. It could be anything from constipation to cancer to neurological or some sort of gastro issue. Does he have fiber in his diet? The pain killer if it is an opiate may make him more constipated.

So sorry he is suffering😿 maybe someone else will have a better idea.
Thankyou .yes it's been a painful few weeks for us. Poor kitty always wants to sit on me and I can't let him if he has an episode as he gets the pain and then could easily hurt me..hes on a fibre diet now and on hydracare for extra water and also canned fibre food. Yeah that's what I yeah the vet would know what caused what . I don't want to give him the drugs anymore .just tires him and just helping. I've emailed the vet to make a referral to the neurology clinic. Have to know what's happening .thankyou for the reply!. Feel very isolated and let down by the vet and no answers...
 
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rbanci

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Just a thought...but if there is a university within reach, with a good veterinary school, I'd suggest taking him there, if at all possible. Here is the thing...It may not save you any money, but the veterinary schools are teaching cutting edge veterinary medicine with the most up-to-date equipment and diagnostic tools available. They may find something that another vet could not.
Thankyou ! Theres not vet hospitals near here but there are special clinics and neurology. I've emailed the vet to refer him. Troubling not knowing ...other than this hes bright eyed and pretty happy then this happens...hopefully we,can get an answer
 
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rbanci

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I think some investigation into his spine is in order. Tumor, pinched nerve, bone spur, prior spinal injury causing severe arthritis...so many things could be causing this. I have a feeling that his constipation issues are not caused by a gastrointestinal problem, but a neurological/pain problem. The constipation could be a result of the bowels simply not working properly due to nerve impingement or damage or he could be actively avoiding pooping due to the pain the "poop position" causes his spine.
My first step would be imaging of his whole spine and hips.
I agree with you I think the constipation was caused by whatever this is.they did x ray his spine and saw nothing. Not even arthritis signs. Not sure about his hips or tail I'm going to ask. I've emailed the vet to refer us to the neurology vet. We need an answer. It's odd when he was constipated he was going three four times a,day .all normal.not hard and yet was constipated. Hes never avoided the litter box and even now no problem in that position. It only comes when he tries to sit on something. Just crazy . Thankyou first the input! We need to see someone else who can diagnose
 
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rbanci

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I am not sure I can offer much of anything that hasn't already been said, but you could look for specialty vets in your area and ask for a second opinion consult. Most specialty vets do want a referral from the primary vet, but it seems that your vet would have no issue with that.

The specialty vets are not cheap, but they will accept tests/records from your primary vet which would at least reduce redundant testing/costs. The other benefit is that most of these groups have staff that cover a broad spectrum of specialties (internal medicine, neurology, cancer, etc.), so they can share records and consult with one another to determine a plan of action. This is similar to a vet university as mentioned above, but there may be a specialty group closer to you, as it is likely they will want to exam your cat themselves.

At a minimum you could seek out a cat-only vet and ask for a second opinion consult - also reducing initial costs by sharing tests results/records from your primary vet. However, even a second opinion of this nature seems likely to end up with a specialty vet recommendation.

For what it is worth, I do think that the x-ray should have indicated mega-colon. But that could simply mean that this condition isn't as extensive as other cases, making it harder to definitively assess. If it truly exists, I think a specialty vet could confirm it.
Thankyou .yes I thought about a second vet opinion but I think that would just be more wasted time and money and not have an answer .I've emailed the vet to get a referral to the neurology hospital. He had a bunch or x Ray's and blood tests so they can share those and hopefully they know what other tests to do. I think whatever caused this is causing the constipation. Hes going ok now and has no issues with doing that and no pain. Its later when he tries to sit this happens. And it could be a coincidence that the pain makes him go in that position and has nothing to do with constipated .as I'm sure now he is not .so frustrating .hopefully we can get in soon and they can figure this out. Thanks again for your input .helpful to not feel crazy .
 

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Thankyou .yes it's been a painful few weeks for us. Poor kitty always wants to sit on me and I can't let him if he has an episode as he gets the pain and then could easily hurt me..hes on a fibre diet now and on hydracare for extra water and also canned fibre food. Yeah that's what I yeah the vet would know what caused what . I don't want to give him the drugs anymore .just tires him and just helping. I've emailed the vet to make a referral to the neurology clinic. Have to know what's happening .thankyou for the reply!. Feel very isolated and let down by the vet and no answers...
Hang in there, there has to be a dvm who will help him.
 

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he seems to be able to sit on the floor or on the bed without this happening.
Can you also get video of Bobo,... 1) when he is using his litterbox...2) when he is on the floor... 3) and the bed.

It's odd that he does not get these spasms when on different surfaces...so I was thinking that it was the blanket, softness,...and the way he kneads with his front and back paws, too.

Does Bobo do this AFTER using his litter box...and pooping...or before he goes to use the litterbox?

Keep a Journal...of the times of day... the spasms occur, what he has eaten, and when he has eaten,...times he goes to the litterbox, too,....so that you can show the Neurologist, the videos, and times these spasms occur.

I also wanted to ask you if your primary Vet had checked his anal glands? But she likely would have, especially if she gave him an Enema, or however else she removed the hardened stool.
Though going 4 times per day, seems excessive, but not sure, if that is the usual for your Bobo.
A few weeks ago, i noticed blood in his stool
Good that you noticed that, and took him in.
Hoping that the constipation was the cause of it...and that your Bobo does not get any more.
Good Luck with any further tests, and please update us, when you can.
 
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Can you also get video of Bobo,... 1) when he is using his litterbox...2) when he is on the floor... 3) and the bed.

It's odd that he does not get these spasms when on different surfaces...so I was thinking that it was the blanket, softness,...and the way he kneads with his front and back paws, too.

Does Bobo do this AFTER using his litter box...and pooping...or before he goes to use the litterbox?

Keep a Journal...of the times of day... the spasms occur, what he has eaten, and when he has eaten,...times he goes to the litterbox, too,....so that you can show the Neurologist, the videos, and times these spasms occur.

I also wanted to ask you if your primary Vet had checked his anal glands? But she likely would have, especially if she gave him an Enema, or however else she removed the hardened stool.
Though going 4 times per day, seems excessive, but not sure, if that is the usual for your Bobo.

Good that you noticed that, and took him in.
Hoping that the constipation was the cause of it...and that your Bobo does not get any more.
Good Luck with any further tests, and please update us, when you can.
yeah i find it odd that he doesn't do that on the floor, all i can think is that the area on his butt where it starts from doesn't contact the floor in the same way, he continues to have blood in his poop, which has yet to have an answer. its just traces but it is there. i think the kneading and the loud purring while trying to sit down are self soothing mechanisms to help with the pain that happens until it finally passes and he can sit down, he purrs very loudly and sometimes will half cry during. i thought it had to do with after being in the litterbox, but it just seems almost every time he comes onto the couch this happens. very rare when it doesn't. I asked the vet again today about his glands- if there was a way he could have an issue and it not be seen, she said she checked and no but i am not sure i totally trust her, this is a replacement vet, my wonderful vet retired and sold her practice ., and now there is this new person there. Yes she had to give him enemas and work it all out, and i agree four times a day even on drugs is not him. He goes once or twice which seems to me to be quite normal , the vet girl got back to me today about my asking for the referral to the neurologist /special vet place. She said she could see this being $4000 dollars- i said will they find out what is wrong with him? then if so i want to go there. She then said you could bring him back here and we could examine him more closely. This after him going twice and not finding anything and also not really worrying about the fact that is not better. i told him to make the referral.After i said that the vet called me and said that the owner vet wants to offer a free exam (which i already gave them over $1000 )and also do tail x rays and see if they missed anything... so if he has to be referred they know for what or where. I didn't really want to go back there and i hate it, but here we go again tomorrow.. hoping beyond hope that something is found. Today i didn't give him pain killers since they aren't helping this and he actually played and ran around for a few minutes....
 

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yeah i find it odd that he doesn't do that on the floor, all i can think is that the area on his butt where it starts from doesn't contact the floor in the same way, he continues to have blood in his poop, which has yet to have an answer. its just traces but it is there. i think the kneading and the loud purring while trying to sit down are self soothing mechanisms to help with the pain that happens until it finally passes and he can sit down, he purrs very loudly and sometimes will half cry during. i thought it had to do with after being in the litterbox, but it just seems almost every time he comes onto the couch this happens. very rare when it doesn't. I asked the vet again today about his glands- if there was a way he could have an issue and it not be seen, she said she checked and no but i am not sure i totally trust her, this is a replacement vet, my wonderful vet retired and sold her practice ., and now there is this new person there. Yes she had to give him enemas and work it all out, and i agree four times a day even on drugs is not him. He goes once or twice which seems to me to be quite normal , the vet girl got back to me today about my asking for the referral to the neurologist /special vet place. She said she could see this being $4000 dollars- i said will they find out what is wrong with him? then if so i want to go there. She then said you could bring him back here and we could examine him more closely. This after him going twice and not finding anything and also not really worrying about the fact that is not better. i told him to make the referral.After i said that the vet called me and said that the owner vet wants to offer a free exam (which i already gave them over $1000 )and also do tail x rays and see if they missed anything... so if he has to be referred they know for what or where. I didn't really want to go back there and i hate it, but here we go again tomorrow.. hoping beyond hope that something is found. Today i didn't give him pain killers since they aren't helping this and he actually played and ran around for a few minutes....
$4000 seems unbelievable to me, what are they going to do to charge $4000?
 
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$4000 seems unbelievable to me, what are they going to do to charge $4000?
I know right! The initial consult fee is $265. Which I get its expensive .hes already had x Ray's and blood work ... even if he had an MRI or cat scan or whatever...I still think this sounds out to lunch. I'm hoping if they xray the rest of him tomorrow like they should have originally that some answer comes. Feel awful hauling him again.. hes not over the last trip.ugh
 

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I know right! The initial consult fee is $265. Which I get its expensive .hes already had x Ray's and blood work ... even if he had an MRI or cat scan or whatever...I still think this sounds out to lunch. I'm hoping if they xray the rest of him tomorrow like they should have originally that some answer comes. Feel awful hauling him again.. hes not over the last trip.ugh
Maybe call around and see if there is a cheaper specialist. I would not just agree to highway robbery which is what that sounds like. Ugh. So sorry, I hope they at least figure out what is wrong and help him.
 
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Maybe call around and see if there is a cheaper specialist. I would not just agree to highway robbery which is what that sounds like. Ugh. So sorry, I hope they at least figure out what is wrong and help him.
Yes .thankyou we will survive tomorrow 's visit (hopefully) and then go from there . Hurts my head !
 
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rbanci

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Thankyou . Hopefully this,week can get some help before I lose my mind
..
I want to thank everyone who kindly replied. After what seemed to be constipation. The vet who fyi is not great and doesn't know cats ..said what her co vet said was my cat was um masturbating. .. long story short I asked for a consult to the neurologist ....the vet then called me and said they would make a,special deal to re examine him and x ray top to bottom. He was xrayed and found a kidney stone and some fluff on his lungs .they sent the x Ray's to radiologist. Meantime he stops eating and is very listless... very worried... radiologist says he has a kidney stone and no idea what his lung issue is .no other tumors found. Next step is cat scan and biopsy. Today cat worse .ate but puked. Very unsettled just no good .my heart is heavy and broken. I have decided to put him down tomorrow. Crying and crying.. I've drugged him tonight and hes happy purring and asleep. This is very painful .I'm not willing to let this great animal waste away ...thankyou for the replies .its been comforting . Hard to believe this photo was a few weeks ago..
 

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I want to thank everyone who kindly replied. After what seemed to be constipation. The vet who fyi is not great and doesn't know cats ..said what her co vet said was my cat was um masturbating. .. long story short I asked for a consult to the neurologist ....the vet then called me and said they would make a,special deal to re examine him and x ray top to bottom. He was xrayed and found a kidney stone and some fluff on his lungs .they sent the x Ray's to radiologist. Meantime he stops eating and is very listless... very worried... radiologist says he has a kidney stone and no idea what his lung issue is .no other tumors found. Next step is cat scan and biopsy. Today cat worse .ate but puked. Very unsettled just no good .my heart is heavy and broken. I have decided to put him down tomorrow. Crying and crying.. I've drugged him tonight and hes happy purring and asleep. This is very painful .I'm not willing to let this great animal waste away ...thankyou for the replies .its been comforting . Hard to believe this photo was a few weeks ago..
So sorry 😿 He is beautiful. I think you are making the best decision for him, you don’t want him to suffer more. Big hugs to you and your baby ❤
 
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