Chronic constipation - continue treatments or risky enema?

[comithy]

Cat is a semi-stray male but hes living in the house while he’s recovering. Around 8 years old.

We suspected that he hasnt been able to poop -aside from some tiny tough stools- for nearly a month, as he usually does his business outside where we cant see him.
We brought him in to the vet and they said that its a very severe case of constipation, where his stools are hard as rock and basically stuck in the middle of his intestines. Because of where the stools are located and how old he is, doing an enema was going to be risky (bc of the anaesthesia and pain level). So we agreed on giving him medication, stool softener etc to see if it would help push the stools out.
Its been 3 days and unfortunately there hasnt been much improvement. He passes very stringy diarrhea (about a tablespoon) but most of the time hes moaning and jerking because of the pain in his stomach. Its really heartbreaking to see.
We press on his stomach periodically and while it seems like some of the stuck stool has come out, hes still not pooping at a rate that is healthy for him.
What would you guys do in this situation? Continue his medication until theres a breakthrough or proceed with a risky enema procedure?

 

[FeebysOwner]

What is he recovering from? What stool softeners are being tried? What tests were done when he was at the vets? So many questions that the answers could be helpful.

 

[comithy]

What is he recovering from? What stool softeners are being tried? What tests were done when he was at the vets? So many questions that the answers could be helpful.

Recovering from constipation. Lactul & Cisapride. They checked his stool & stomach (bulging due to the blockage)

 

[FeebysOwner]

OK, that is a good start. Now, what prompted the whole issue if he does his business outdoors where you cannot monitor it? Also, are you saying the only tests were checking his stool and stomach? If so, how did the vet determine where in the digestive tract that the stool is located? Blockage? You didn't address that in your first post, so does that mean they did an x-ray or something to determine where the blockage is?

Sorry, but more information/detail is always more helpful than too little.

 

[comithy]

OK, that is a good start. Now, what prompted the whole issue if he does his business outdoors where you cannot monitor it? Also, are you saying the only tests were checking his stool and stomach? If so, how did the vet determine where in the digestive tract that the stool is located? Blockage? You didn't address that in your first post, so does that mean they did an x-ray or something to determine where the blockage is?

Sorry, but more information/detail is always more helpful than too little.

The day we went to the vet, he was in our house and tried to poop but couldn’t so we brought him. Yes those were the only tests. The bulge in his stomach is very obvious, and we thought it was worms but it was the collected. I’m assuming they didnt need to Xray because of how my cat reacted when they pressed down on the bulging. The blockage is the hard stool inside the intestines.

 

[FeebysOwner]

It seems odd to do enema if they are considering it risky. What about an x-ray or ultrasound to see if there are other factors in play? Sadly, perhaps this is an obstruction not associated with stool, but rather some sort of mass. I am struggling to grasp why an enema is the only possible solution.

 

[Emma2]

Recovering from constipation. Lactul & Cisapride. They checked his stool & stomach (bulging due to the blockage)

Hi, did your vet try giving him a micro-enema (such as Microlax)? It is administred without anesthesia.
Also, Cisapride is usually contraindicated if an obstruction is suspected.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Like Feeby’sOwner said, you must get an X-ray and or ultrasound. You cannot diagnose just by feeling.
As far as I know, you don’t give Cisipride to a cat with hard stool.
I would get a second opinion if he were my cat.

 

[silent meowlook]

Did they give him any fluids at the vet? Most constipated cats are dehydrated.

 

[di and bob]

Definitely encourage water, and I give 1/4 teaspoon human Miralax mixed in some lickable treat. Ask your vet first but I have had good luck with it.