My cat Yoda (almost 9 years old) first had constipation really bad over 2 years ago. Since then we have successfully treated her with Lactulose, 2ml once a day. She has also had a slight limp which the vet said was luxating putella, but she got around just fine.
About a month ago, we started having more constipation issues, where she would go 3 days with no poop, even on an increased dose of Lactulose. I started looking at changing her diet.
Last Friday, Yoda had her last bowel movement. On Saturday afternoon, she starts limping really badly. Two vet visits later, they say she has severe constipation and also arthritis, even though the arthritis doesn't show on the x-ray. They were very worried today because not only has she not had a bowel movement, but she has not even been attempting to go, not straining or anything. But her behavior shows that she has clearly been very uncomfortable (sleeping a lot, eating less, etc.) They say that could be a sign of mega colon. So they did a procedure where they manually clear her colon while under sedation. It went well but her colon is a little enlarged.
What is freaking me out is they are sending her home tomorrow with FIVE medications! Lactulose, Cisapride, Cascara (an herbal laxative), Cosequin (she has already been on forever), and a pain medication. 2 are twice a day, Cisapride is 3 times a day, and Cosequin is once a day. I am very worried about getting the cat to take this much medication. Cosequin and theoretically Cisapride can go in her food crushed up, but she often doesn't finish her food. She is used to the Lactulose liquid, but the Cascara apparently tastes bad, and the pain med is a liquid too. Does anyone else have a cat on this much medication? How do you handle it? She is horrible at taking pills, doesn't eat treats, and won't touch those pill pocket things. I feel really overwhelmed.
About a month ago, we started having more constipation issues, where she would go 3 days with no poop, even on an increased dose of Lactulose. I started looking at changing her diet.
Last Friday, Yoda had her last bowel movement. On Saturday afternoon, she starts limping really badly. Two vet visits later, they say she has severe constipation and also arthritis, even though the arthritis doesn't show on the x-ray. They were very worried today because not only has she not had a bowel movement, but she has not even been attempting to go, not straining or anything. But her behavior shows that she has clearly been very uncomfortable (sleeping a lot, eating less, etc.) They say that could be a sign of mega colon. So they did a procedure where they manually clear her colon while under sedation. It went well but her colon is a little enlarged.
What is freaking me out is they are sending her home tomorrow with FIVE medications! Lactulose, Cisapride, Cascara (an herbal laxative), Cosequin (she has already been on forever), and a pain medication. 2 are twice a day, Cisapride is 3 times a day, and Cosequin is once a day. I am very worried about getting the cat to take this much medication. Cosequin and theoretically Cisapride can go in her food crushed up, but she often doesn't finish her food. She is used to the Lactulose liquid, but the Cascara apparently tastes bad, and the pain med is a liquid too. Does anyone else have a cat on this much medication? How do you handle it? She is horrible at taking pills, doesn't eat treats, and won't touch those pill pocket things. I feel really overwhelmed.
