Post Enema Behavior

rotorpilot56

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Hi Everyone,
My little doll, Garfield, eleven years old and a perpetual kitten just went through his first health issue. Fortunately it was a common thing...Constipation. After every other effort under Vet care to get him going again, we opted for an enema, performed by the Vet.
It worked well. BUT!! Since we got home, he has continually been going into the stance to poop. But he's voided for now.
I'm trying to keep him drinking water but he's at his own consumption level that I can't change. My main concern is his constant effort to pee and poop and nothing yet. Is this just a reaction by his body to the stimulus of the enema? Is this normal? Thanks everyone!!!!
Rich
 

FeebysOwner

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Hi! I think the enema is making Garfield feel likes he needs to go. Poor guy! Follow whatever the vet's instructions are, but feed him and provide water. You can even add water - or perhaps canned tuna water - to his food to give him more moisture.
How long has it been, and what did the vet advise you to do/look for?
 

di and bob

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This is normal. It should go away in a couple of days. If not get hold of your vet and tell him what's going on. His nerves in his colon may be overstimulated. Encourage drinking with a fountain, or setting small bowls of water around. they always investigate bowls and more often than not will drink. add fiber to his diet, a tablespoon of pumpkin puree, or plain yougart, or have the vet recommend something. Poor little guy, he must feel awful!
 
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rotorpilot56

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Thank you Feeby's owner and Di and Bob,
Yes it is excruciating to witness his discomfort and misery. He stopped convulsing and throwing up later in the day and his efforts to poop seem to have stopped as far as I have been able to witness. And I am keeping a close eye on him. I noticed he tried to pee and nothing came out. Which terrifies me about something else going on...or was he just voided at the time. But he has no interest in drinking in eating now the following morning. And he is in a protective posture and lethargic, though improving there a bit though. I'm just hoping it is all from his first traumatic experience like this and he's just like we get after being sick. With little interest in much. My ultra-main concern is making sure he at least hydrates. With cat kidney issues, that is my greatest concern. I am watching closely for any behaviors other than these that tell me it's time to take him to the vet and leave him for observation. I adore this kid and I can't stand to see him uncomfortable at all, much less facing something more. Thanks for your you replies. It's going to be a difficult and long day it seems.
 

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I would call the vet just to ask about all of his symptoms and see what they say in terms of whether they are typical and how long they may last.

Is it possible try to entice him to drink more by adding some tuna water from canned tuna to his water? That may not be a good idea for a constant thirst-inducing treatment due to his kidney issues, but at least for the short term until he is feeling and drinking more normally?
 
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rotorpilot56

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Yes. Thanks. I had tried that first thong this morning and zero interest. BUT, out of desperation,I had just gone over and touched his upper lip with a little tuna water which got his interest. And then I slid the bowl of some watery fresh tuna under his chin and he went right for it for a minute or so. So, to me, that's a great sign. He does have interest in eating and he got at least a little bit of moisture. Of course, I don't know if he got up and went to the water bowls I set out everywhere last night. But THAT was my biggest concern. His skin at the scruff seems to indicate that he's reasonably hydrated but I think he could do better. Anyway, at least SOME progress to show he's improving!! Thanks for the reply.
 
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rotorpilot56

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Yes, very encouraging. Thanks
 

di and bob

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My vet gave me a great tip I will pass on to you about possible urinary blockage versus just not able to go because there is nothing. Palpate his lower abdomen. (Press into his lower abdomen as deeply that is comfortable for him) if it is a true blockage and he CAN'T go, there will be a BIG mass you can feel, this is his bladder and is an emergency, bring him in at once. Feel him now and see what feels normal., or if you feel a big lump call your vet. I hope this helps, it made me feel better to know the difference between a possible UTI and a blocked up bladder!
 
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rotorpilot56

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Hi Di and Bob,
Thank you for that. Yes I have been checking that and the vet did say that it appeared that his bladder was small at the time and he didn't feel it looked like a UTI or blockage scenario, just constipation for some unknown reason. But I did learn how to check for such things better than I had been doing as a result of this. The good news for me especially is that he greeted me at the door this afternoon when I got back from a 4-hour errands run and he was beginning to be his old self with his insistent purry meow. WHEW! So relieved. AND he happened to wait to pee when he got outside and it was as normal as it has been any other time I've witnessed it. Just gotta get his solid food appetite back to normal and I think he's recovering well. Just SO difficult to watch when he's so out of it and in obvious discomfort or pain. But that looks like the critical period has passed. Thanks again for your tips and thoughts.
 

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Hi Di and Bob,
Thank you for that. Yes I have been checking that and the vet did say that it appeared that his bladder was small at the time and he didn't feel it looked like a UTI or blockage scenario, just constipation for some unknown reason. But I did learn how to check for such things better than I had been doing as a result of this. The good news for me especially is that he greeted me at the door this afternoon when I got back from a 4-hour errands run and he was beginning to be his old self with his insistent purry meow. WHEW! So relieved. AND he happened to wait to pee when he got outside and it was as normal as it has been any other time I've witnessed it. Just gotta get his solid food appetite back to normal and I think he's recovering well. Just SO difficult to watch when he's so out of it and in obvious discomfort or pain. But that looks like the critical period has passed. Thanks again for your tips and thoughts.
I hope he continues to improve :wave3:
It usually took our guy about 48 hours to get back to his normal appetite, and we did use some miralax after an enema (the smallest dose) for a few days to make things a little easier to "pass" while that area healed after being dug out. We didn't want to trigger diarrhea, but we wanted his stools to be softer than normal so he didn't have to strain. If you're worried about that, you might ask your vet if this is something they're recommend.
 
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rotorpilot56

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Thanks again. I will look into the Miralax to help. Thanks again.
 
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rotorpilot56

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Thanks. Well I sure hope so. He's still way out of normal. Still has a very weak appetite yet. If I let him outside with me, I see him still make many futile attempts to poop. Very frustrating to watch and I know it must be for him, of course. I'm doing everything I can to encourage him to eat. I've tried tuna, bonita flakes with a little water mixed in, just anything to encourage more than a lick here and there. Just hate to see him not comfortable, but I worry about residual impacts on him from this. Watching him VERY closely. Thanks for all the input everyone!
 

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Hi rotorpilot56 rotorpilot56 - I'm sorry you're going through this with your beloved little man, Garfield.

I wanted to pop in and share my recent experience with my cat, Amber. After she had an enema for her constipation in February, I'd say it definitely took her a couple of days to behave more normally again. The first couple of days she was keeping to herself (not normal) and not eating much and going to the litter box quite often without producing. I think it was a combination of the pain meds they gave and the enema itself making her just feel off.

Even after a week, I'd say her stools and appetite were still not quite back to normal. My partner's advice to me were to be patient and let her heal on her own time, which turned out to be good advice. She did eventually get her appetite back and get better. I also brought her back just for a quick re-check just over a week later because I was worried, but all was fine at the recheck. Most of the time with vet visits, Amber has bounced back quite quickly, but maybe as she's gotten older, its harder for her to rebound as fast.

Its good you're monitoring him closely, but he probably needs a bit more time to settle back and recover. Be patient and be gentle and try to offer his favourite foods? Maybe even if they're not the best food for his kidney disease, offering something to get his appetite back might help return him to the food you do want him to be eating.

He's in good care with you. But if you're worried, call your vet. I will also add that Miralax has been helpful for her, though she was on it even before her enema-needing day came. Best wishes to you! :)
 
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rotorpilot56

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Thanks for that. I appreciate it. Yes, he is picking at food a little here and there. I did speak with the vet and they said it may still be a day or two more. BTW, thankfully he has no kidney issues but I worry just because cats do have fragile kidneys, that's all. I appreciate your story and I'm feeling a bit better as I watch him gradually recover.
 

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Glad to hear it! Oh I see, I thought you'd said he had kidney issues. Well that's good and I understand - I'm always concerned about my older kitty's kidneys, too. Keep giving him gentle loving and favourite foods. :)
 
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rotorpilot56

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Yes! Well, he's returning to normal. His appetite is returning. So good to see.
Thanks!
 
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