Partial obstruction and constipation

[Emma2]

OK. So, continue to use Lactulose.....but, in a larger/greater amount
.
Increasing the amount of Lactulose will cause a wetter, softer stool.

How much more Lactulose should you give? You will only know by trial, because every cat and every circumstance is different/unique.

If too much is given, the stool will become very watery.

You might make a judgement by considering how much of a difference in stool softness occurred with the current dosage. If the stool was no different, you might try doubling that dosage and then observing for a change in the next following stool she produces. If the difference was only minor, you could try with an extra 1/2 of the amount....i.e. 1 1/2 times the original dose. Small increments are the way to go, and then increasing or decreasing if necessary.

What is the dosage you've been using?

In the long term there is an another related issue that you'll have to monitor for, but we can address that once you have her producing a sufficiently soft stool.

While your Vet may not have heard of Macrogol use, because the question is more related to the added electrolytes.....ask him if your cat could/would be harmed by the amount of those electrolytes in there. My understanding is that an otherwise healthy cat would not....but, he is the Vet!

Thank you for all the informations! I've been giving her 1.2ml (she weights 4kg) every 12 hours. But i'm wondering, isn't it dangerous to increase the dosage?
Can you please explain what is the issue in the long-term? is it the laxatives not working anymore?
About Magrocol, i started giving her the one that i had (Movicol) yesterday, and i'll switch to the electrolytes-free version as soon as i receive it (probably today or tomorrow).

 

[fionasmom]

The article mentions side effects at higher dosages. Let you vet know that you would like information about increasing the dose and that you will be adding/using the new product.

Lactulose | VCA Animal Hospitals.

 

[white shadow]

....i'm wondering, isn't it dangerous to increase the dosage?

Well, to answer that, we need to know what a "safe" dosage would be. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook states this:

"Doses - Cats​

For maintaining soft stools in cats with chronic constipation: 0.5ml/kg by mouth two to three times daily. Dosage is adjusted to obtain the stool quality desired."​

And, for an online reference, Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline) indicates the same: How I Treat Constipation in Cats

So, your cat weighs 4kg and based those references, a safe dose is 2ml up to three times daily, a total of 6ml daily. You're currently using 2.4ml/day.........you have safe latitude for an increase.

...Can you please explain what is the issue in the long-term? is it the laxatives not working anymore?

Those laxatives will work for long-term treatment, sometimes requiring dosage adjustment for the desired effect. No worries there.

The longer term issue that you need to be aware of pertains to the cat's anal glands. If you're not familiar with those, here's a good summary about them with good visuals: Cat Anal Glands Information

Now, because the stool will be softer than a normal stool, it may not exert enough pressure on the anal glands to cause them to excrete. Those glands are constantly producing a fluid substance and if some of it is not excreted periodically (with and by a bowel movement), they can become "impacted" and/or infected. You wouldn't realize this until the cat begins to show symptoms (they are listed in that article). BUT, you should speak to your Vet about this - he can even show you how to remove fluid from the glands to prevent a buildup. Knowing that this can happen and how it's remedied will help you better manage her condition.


Also - you said that your Vet never heard of Magrocol's use in cats. The first link above in this post speaks to using it - its chemical name is PEG 3350 - show him that webpage. It's from an international veterinary association and the author is a renowned Feline Specialist.


Here's a suggestion for you: if you're not already keeping a written record of what you're giving her and when, the details of when she defecates and a description of the stool.....then I'd urge you to begin recording all this now. Time blurs memory but, with a diary of this sort, you'll have an accurate record of exactly what has happened and when, see patterns and possibly even be able to foresee a potential problem ahead of time.


How is she doing today ?
.

 

[Emma2]

Well, to answer that, we need to know what a "safe" dosage would be. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook states this:

"Doses - Cats​

For maintaining soft stools in cats with chronic constipation: 0.5ml/kg by mouth two to three times daily. Dosage is adjusted to obtain the stool quality desired."​

And, for an online reference, Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline) indicates the same: How I Treat Constipation in Cats

So, your cat weighs 4kg and based those references, a safe dose is 2ml up to three times daily, a total of 6ml daily. You're currently using 2.4ml/day.........you have safe latitude for an increase.





Those laxatives will work for long-term treatment, sometimes requiring dosage adjustment for the desired effect. No worries there.

The longer term issue that you need to be aware of pertains to the cat's anal glands. If you're not familiar with those, here's a good summary about them with good visuals: Cat Anal Glands Information

Now, because the stool will be softer than a normal stool, it may not exert enough pressure on the anal glands to cause them to excrete. Those glands are constantly producing a fluid substance and if some of it is not excreted periodically (with and by a bowel movement), they can become "impacted" and/or infected. You wouldn't realize this until the cat begins to show symptoms (they are listed in that article). BUT, you should speak to your Vet about this - he can even show you how to remove fluid from the glands to prevent a buildup. Knowing that this can happen and how it's remedied will help you better manage her condition.


Also - you said that your Vet never heard of Magrocol's use in cats. The first link above in this post speaks to using it - its chemical name is PEG 3350 - show him that webpage. It's from an international veterinary association and the author is a renowned Feline Specialist.


Here's a suggestion for you: if you're not already keeping a written record of what you're giving her and when, the details of when she defecates and a description of the stool.....then I'd urge you to begin recording all this now. Time blurs memory but, with a diary of this sort, you'll have an accurate record of exactly what has happened and when, see patterns and possibly even be able to foresee a potential problem ahead of time.


How is she doing today ?
.

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply!
She's okay, eating and acting normal. This morning her stools were small, so i increased the Magrocol dose from 1/8 to 1/4 tsp, and i added a little bit of Laxatone (paraffin) to her food. In the evening, she pooped again and it was closer to her usual stools.
I received the meds i ordered, so i switched to the electrolytes-free Magrocol. I also received a laxative made for cats/dogs which contains Docusate Sodium (30mg) + Sodium lauryl sulfate (30mg). The vet told me about this laxative a few weeks ago, and it took a long time to arrive. Now I'm hesitant between giving her this laxative or continue giving her Magrocol.

 

[fionasmom]

I would not give them to her at the same time. I have used Miralax and Laxatone within the same day, but would hold off on the other laxative until you see where this is going.

You might ask your vet if you decide to administer the ducosate laxative if it should be the only one used. Personally, I would do the Magrocol for a day or two longer, but you know what is best for your cat.

 

[silent meowlook]

Have you talked to your vet about Prednisolone and Chlorambucil? Once she is fully healed? That is assuming it is intestinal lymphoma. I understand they couldn’t get a sample but at this point it might not hurt to try. The Prednisolone shrinks the tumor and the Chlorambucil keeps it from getting larger.

 

[white shadow]

...She's okay, eating and acting normal. This morning her stools were small, so i increased the Magrocol dose from 1/8 to 1/4 tsp, and i added a little bit of Laxatone (paraffin) to her food. In the evening, she pooped again and it was closer to her usual stools.

Increasing the amount of Magrocol will make the stool softer, because more water will be in the intestine (and consequently in the stool). But, the increased dosing may not necessarily cause a larger stool. The amount of stool is primarily dependent on the volume of food intake, after which individual differences (in every cat) and particular issues (like her partial obstruction) may/may not influence stool size/volume. So, your focus, I believe, should be mostly on the consistency of the stool, again keeping it as soft as possible without being diarrheal. (Right there is another reason for keeping a written record - to include time and amount of food intake.)

A word about Laxatone.......despite its name, it is not a laxative. Period. It is a lubricant that can be useful in small, infrequent amounts, but it shouldn't be used regularly ('all the time') because it can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and vitamins as the stool (actually a 'pre-stool' fluid called "chyle") passes through the intestines and is digested and absorbed. It's really best reserved for dealing with hairballs. (More here)

...I also received a laxative made for cats/dogs which contains Docusate Sodium (30mg) + Sodium lauryl sulfate (30mg). The vet told me about this laxative a few weeks ago, and it took a long time to arrive. Now I'm hesitant between giving her this laxative or continue giving her Magrocol.

Docusate Sodium works very differently from Magrocol. Docusate Sodium only softens the stool (It's known as an "emollient" laxative.) Magrocol will keep water in the stool and the entire intestinal tract. That water can keep her stool sufficiently liquidy that it can pass by the obstructed area. It would appear to be working for her.


Obviously you'll have discussions with your Vet. Now, you've been brutally honest with your impressions of the quality/competence/differences of/in veterinary medicine there. Over 5+ years you've come here with questions about how folks deal with medical issues and you've taken away information to make your own best informed decisions. On this forum we always recommend that people 'ask their Vet' or discuss an issue with their Vet.....but, individually we also realize that we ourselves ultimately decide what treatments we wish to proceed with.
.

 

[Emma2]

I would not give them to her at the same time. I have used Miralax and Laxatone within the same day, but would hold off on the other laxative until you see where this is going.

You might ask your vet if you decide to administer the ducosate laxative if it should be the only one used. Personally, I would do the Magrocol for a day or two longer, but you know what is best for your cat.

Thank you. I'll ask him although since he doesn't know Magrocol, he'll probably advise me to give her the docusate/lauryl sulfate laxative.

 

[Emma2]

Have you talked to your vet about Prednisolone and Chlorambucil? Once she is fully healed? That is assuming it is intestinal lymphoma. I understand they couldn’t get a sample but at this point it might not hurt to try. The Prednisolone shrinks the tumor and the Chlorambucil keeps it from getting larger.

Thank you for your reply. I didn't know about these, i'll ask him if they are available here and if it would be good for her. I asked a friend about chemotherapy, and they said that it might make them live longer but usually it doesn't cure them. And i also worry about the side effects.

 

[Emma2]

Increasing the amount of Magrocol will make the stool softer, because more water will be in the intestine (and consequently in the stool). But, the increased dosing may not necessarily cause a larger stool. The amount of stool is primarily dependent on the volume of food intake, after which individual differences (in every cat) and particular issues (like her partial obstruction) may/may not influence stool size/volume. So, your focus, I believe, should be mostly on the consistency of the stool, again keeping it as soft as possible without being diarrheal. (Right there is another reason for keeping a written record - to include time and amount of food intake.)

Thank you for your reply. About the laxatives (Magrocol, Lactulose, Docusate) is there one that works better than the others in general, or does it depend on the cat?

A word about Laxatone.......despite its name, it is not a laxative. Period. It is a lubricant that can be useful in small, infrequent amounts, but it shouldn't be used regularly ('all the time') because it can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and vitamins as the stool (actually a 'pre-stool' fluid called "chyle") passes through the intestines and is digested and absorbed. It's really best reserved for dealing with hairballs. (More here)

I see. The vet told me to give her paraffin oil, but i read that liquid paraffin could cause aspiration pneumonia (and she didn't want to eat it mixed with food) so I tried the Laxatone (since it's also made of paraffin).

 

[Bloss]

How is your cat going?

 

[Emma2]

How is your cat going?

She's okay, the Macrogol 4000 seems to be working way better than the Lactulose.

 

[Bloss]

My cat had bad side effects from Milbemax worming tablet. I am going natural now for her worming and also for her constipation. She has such things as mashed pumpkin, flaxseed oil, coconut oil, more water, more wet food, slippery elm, ground pumpkin seeds, a little apple cider vinegar (diluted). More walks and less stress.