Some Constipation Questions

[missmindy]

sending prayers and good thoughts your way! Hope for good news with the new vet!

Thank you, I'm so worried. I've been crying hysterically since I got home because I really think I'm going to lose her.

 

[duckpond]

Thank you, I'm so worried. I've been crying hysterically since I got home because I really think I'm going to lose her.

I hope and pray not. I know it is so scary when they are this sick. I understand the fear, and my heart goes out to you, and your girl. Know we are all pulling for you guys! Try to rest tonight, deal with tomorrow... tomorrow.

 

[missmindy]

I hope and pray not. I know it is so scary when they are this sick. I understand the fear, and my heart goes out to you, and your girl. Know we are all pulling for you guys! Try to rest tonight, deal with tomorrow... tomorrow.

That's the best advice-thank you thank you. I signed back on to say she ended up pooping on her own a little while ago. Not sure if that's from dialing up her meds it if she's just more relaxed now.

 

[maggiedemi]

That's good news! Are you speaking to the cat nutritionist today? I really feel like diet is the key here. Did she have a stool test? I can't remember if I already asked that.

 

[missmindy]

I am just seeing a "regular" vet today, but will be asking about getting into the nutritionist. I'm also going to ask that her internal med specialist visit be made more urgent. I'm not leaving my old vet, but we all agree another look is a good thing in this situation and they plan to coordinate care. The calories that you have all mentioned are now being questioned too-which makes me feel horrible that I could have "done" this to her. I'm letting her eat whatever she wants and offering wet food multiple times a day. The new food is scheduled for delivery today. She did vomit again in the overnight. My last discussion with the vet indicated that we are approaching megacolon-aren't there yet-but getting too close. She has never been put under for a "removal" so I'm wondering if that's next. Even the ER vets didn't mention that yet.

 

[maggiedemi]

It's not your fault at all. Cats are sensitive, plus they are picky, so it's not easy to figure them out. I've had to experiment with my own cats to get things right. They are 3 years old, and I'm still experimenting to get their food exactly right. It's a process. You'll figure it out.

 

[missmindy]

It's not your fault at all. Cats are sensitive, plus they are picky, so it's not easy to figure them out. I've had to experiment with my own cats to get things right. They are 3 years old, and I'm still experimenting to get their food exactly right. It's a process. You'll figure it out.

Thank you-I was just following the vet's directions too ugh!
One variety of wet that she likes is Natures Variety Instinct chicken pate. It contains some kind of clay though, and I think I read here that can aggravate constipation? She's only had one can since this all started, but I don't want to mess her up more! I'll definitely ask the vet today, but was curious if anyone else had experience with it or the "Montmorillonite Clay" ingredient.

 

[artiemom]

Thank you-I was just following the vet's directions too ugh!
One variety of wet that she likes is Natures Variety Instinct chicken pate. It contains some kind of clay though, and I think I read here that can aggravate constipation? She's only had one can since this all started, but I don't want to mess her up more! I'll definitely ask the vet today, but was curious if anyone else had experience with it or the "Montmorillonite Clay" ingredient.

It was over a year ago, when I was taking Artie for constant enemas, that his regular Vet noticed a kind of 'strange calcifications' on his x-ray, in his bowel.. Also, the stuff coming out had a kind of claylike appearance to it.. I had been feeding him Natures Variety and Pride canned food...

I also found a couple of hard claylike shreds, in his poop... which was kind of all over the place..

I decided right then and there that, the clay was a contributing factor to his constipation issues. I discontinued feeding this food; however, his constipation continued~~ at least, he did not have the claylike pieces in there.

Also, in my reading; I have found that some Constipated/MegaColon kitties do worse on Natures Variety.. It seems it is a good food for IBD, where there are diarrhea issues...

((hugs))

 

[missmindy]

It was over a year ago, when I was taking Artie for constant enemas, that his regular Vet noticed a kind of 'strange calcifications' on his x-ray, in his bowel.. Also, the stuff coming out had a kind of claylike appearance to it.. I had been feeding him Natures Variety and Pride canned food...

I also found a couple of hard claylike shreds, in his poop... which was kind of all over the place..

I decided right then and there that, the clay was a contributing factor to his constipation issues. I discontinued feeding this food; however, his constipation continued~~ at least, he did not have the claylike pieces in there.

Also, in my reading; I have found that some Constipated/MegaColon kitties do worse on Natures Variety.. It seems it is a good food for IBD, where there are diarrhea issues...

((hugs))

Thank you artiemom ! I've been reading through your thread too about your boy and what you have all been through! I think I'll play it safe and not feed her anymore NV for now. At least she's only had a can or so over the past month. Go figure it's one she likes! I haven't seen anything claylike nor has the vet, but we don't need to give the poor girl another issue!

 

[missmindy]

Update-

Visit with 2nd vet went well. He was in agreement with the current course of treatment, but added in a probiotic and antibiotic to try and balance her gut out. The films they did today looked better than yesterday. He agreed her colon is large, but didn't feel it was "in danger" yet. He seemed to think taking a step back from doing so much to her might help. We will start gastro food if it ever gets here-fedex says tomorrow. He wasn't too sure about the calories, but thought eating more won't hurt for the moment. We will get in with nutritionist next.
Kitty had a shot of cerenia, some fluids and some b vitamins.
If she doesn't poop by tomorrow morning, I'm to call them and see what to do next. I'm apprehensive given the past few weeks. But he did day it's going to take some trial and error to sort her out. I have a feeling she'll be going back before the week's end. What a roller coaster! She came home, had a snack and is passed out now. Poor kitty!

 

[maggiedemi]

That sounds really good. The new vet sounds more positive.

 

[missmindy]

That sounds really good. The new vet sounds more positive.

Unfortunately, she hasn't pooped in over 36 hours now and seems to be hiding. She's going back to the vet within the hour.

 

[maggiedemi]

Awww man. Can you see the nutritionist today? What did she eat yesterday?

 

[missmindy]

Awww man. Can you see the nutritionist today? What did she eat yesterday?

She's been eating wet and dry-as much as she wants. They are admitting her as she is blocked up with stool again. Doing a full battery of blood and urine testing. They thought there might be a spot on her spleen, so they are trying to get her in for an ultrasound next week. She will also get an enema again. They are concerned that she has been through so many already and we are right back at square one again.

 

[maggiedemi]

How did it go at the vet today? Did her special food come in the mail yet?

 

[missmindy]

They did an enema and cleaned her out again. She started the new food. Added lactulose into the mix again. She likes the gastro diet so far-at least what we are mixing in to transition her. Have to take her back if we don't get poop in a couple of days. I'm kind of discouraged and worried especially since they saw a "spot" on her spleen. Her ultrasound is all set for next week.

 

[missmindy]

I just wanted to thank M maggiedemi duckpond @CatloverinFL @foxxycat artiemom and anyone who I may have forgotten for all your advice and support. It's really helped me. I hope I have better news for you at some point.

 

[maggiedemi]

You're welcome. I'm glad she likes the new food. I hope it helps. Is it high in fiber? I don't know much about the spleen. In fact I had to Google it, you don't hear much about that organ.

 

[missmindy]

You're welcome. I'm glad she likes the new food. I hope it helps. Is it high in fiber? I don't know much about the spleen. In fact I had to Google it, you don't hear much about that organ.

I'm not sure if it's considered high fiber, but it has psyllium husk in it. It's the gastro fiber response. I think they make a couple different gastro foods. I'm still pushing wet food, but transitioning to this gastro food as quickly as possible without upsetting her belly. She's leaving little "presents" all over this morning. I think it's falling out of her as opposed to her intentionally eliminating outside of the box.

 

[maggiedemi]

What is the percentage of fiber on the bag? Well at least the poop is coming out, right, even if it's on the floor. I guess that's a good sign?