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Boy tabby and constipation. Any way to help until we see a vet tomorrow?

114 replies

Hecksonaplane · 14/01/2018 21:51

Just that really, noticed today he's not right and is now feeling very sorry for himself.
He's got plenty water Andover increased his wet food to get his water up. He's been sick so changing to little and often food.
Is there anything I can do in the meantime?
He is currently under the bed. Poor soul.

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Want2beme · 14/01/2018 22:19

Do you have any liquid paraffin or similar - lactulose? If you have, give him a lid full, neat. I had a cat with mega colon condition and he used to have terrible episodes of not being able to go, vomiting and pain.
Vet eventually recommended liquid paraffin, which i gave to him everyday for about 5 years until he was PTS last year at 20 years of age. Not saying your lad has mega colon, but the liquid paraffin should loosen things up for him until you get to the vet. It's very stressful seeing them suffering.

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Weedsnseeds1 · 14/01/2018 22:25

I second liquid paraffin, used to use it on old girl who suffered from fur balls to an extraordinary extent. Recommended by vet.

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Hecksonaplane · 14/01/2018 22:33

Thanks for replying.
I haven't any paraffin/lactose . I will check if anywhere is open late, I may struggle.
Bless him he's gone outside but is walking so slowly.
20 is a fabulous age, our boy is approx 3

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Want2beme · 14/01/2018 22:46

My cat used to drink it from the lid - obviously loved the taste Confused Good luck

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Veterinari · 14/01/2018 22:48

Is it definitely just constipation? If he’s not urinating then it’s an emergency and he needs to be seen by a Vet now. Blocked bladders can result in kidney failure. If he is urinating then keep him as hydrated as possible and take him tomorrow as planned

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Hecksonaplane · 14/01/2018 22:53

Now you have me wondering, I'm sure he had pebbles this morning and I thought birthday had been wet. Now I'm not so sure. He's been in tray earlier and nothing before going out.

Think Ill ring the vet and speak to out of hours

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Isadora2007 · 14/01/2018 22:56

Pebbles and birthday?
Confused

I hope he is okay and gets some relief soon.

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Hecksonaplane · 14/01/2018 23:05

We're off to the vets. Thanks guys.

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 00:21

Sorry haha I meant pebble poops! And birthday I have no idea where that came from!
He's at the vet his bladder is enlarged so they are going to put a catheter in and do some xrays. They plan to keep him in 3 days!!
Past bad experience says no but will just wait and see what the results come back as. They will call us within 2 hours.
Soon as you say you have insurance!! I hope it pays out I've never had to claim before.
Thanks Vet don't know why I did not think that myself, could kick myself.

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Els1e · 15/01/2018 07:04

A dessert spoon of olive oil works great for my cat. Has quality poos. Not sure about shifting Pebbles though. Hope all goes well at vets.

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Want2beme · 15/01/2018 09:40

How'd it go at vets? Hope he's in a better place today.

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 10:58

Thanks for asking, he's on a drip as there is debris in his bladder but no stones. They are to take more bloods to check his readings have come down.
He's on painkillers and antibiotics at the moment. We can visit at lunch time as I think they want to keep him another day as he came in so late.
We need to get his weight down, so need their advice as he's always been large since we got him from the rescue and I don't think he gets a lot but I could and probably am wrong!
Can't wait to see him.

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Veterinari · 15/01/2018 15:06

Well done OP - I’m Really glad I clicked your thread now!
Hope puss is feeling better and his bloods improve.

Prepare yourself for a strict diet - you’ll feel mean but it’s really important long term

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 15:16

I am so pleased you clicked the thread!!! So grateful.
I went to visit him and he looks much brighter. He’s not eating but chatting to the nurses! Had a lovely cuddle. He’s still got a catheter as his urine is still a bit dark but he’s on the mend still needs to stay another day possibly two once more test results are back.
So relieved!!! He’s 6.7 kg and needs to be about 5.5!! But they did say he is a big cat but diet he must. I think we need to take care who’s feeding him he’s probably playing us all!!

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Want2beme · 15/01/2018 15:26

Aww, poor old sausage. Very glad he's on the mend.

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 22:17

Ah our boy has had to go back under sedation as he’s been struggling in his tray again even though got the catheter in. They want to have another look and see what’s happening and I don’t think they can look properly without him being sedated again

Hoping for a call soon it’s been a couple of hours Sad

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Vinorosso74 · 15/01/2018 22:22

Crikey poor boy! It is a good job you clicked on this thread Veterinari.
I hope he's ok OP.

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user1486241726 · 15/01/2018 22:48

Hecks this happened to my boy a few years ago. It was a rough few weeks. Sending you my thoughts, keep us updated and I will happily give any help/share any relevant experience if it turns out your cat is in a similar position. Fingers crossed he’s okay Flowers

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 22:56

Thank you, you are all very kind.
I’m sitting here keep checking my phone is on wishing they would call.
They rang at 8.30 so may not have taken him straight in so am thinking maybe another half hour I might hear.

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Hecksonaplane · 15/01/2018 23:19

He’s out and he’s okay thankfully. His catheter had become dislodged it is now stitched back in place and his crying has stopped so seems a lot more comfortable.
He is watching the nurse in recovery.
I’m so pleased I can relax now.
User how is your cat now? Hope all is ok.

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Want2beme · 15/01/2018 23:37

I had 2 cats who went through this several times and the outcome was always good. Hope you all get a good a rest tonight.

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Hecksonaplane · 16/01/2018 08:39

Thanks I am shattered!
Good to hear both your cats were fine Want.
The vets have called he has a high temp but is quite bright and vocal so that’s a good sign.
They are trying to encourage drinking, we may have to take some of his food in but they are not too worried about his eating at the moment as he’s had a lot going on.
Hopefully all his antibiotics and steroids will do their thing.

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user1486241726 · 16/01/2018 10:02

Hecks It’ll be four years ago this summer. Like you we thought he was constipated - looked like he was straining for a poo but when we googled it realised it could be straining for a wee so rushed him to vets, he had a massive bladder and was blocked. Stayed in for a few days then came home, but had to go back numerous times over about 2/3 weeks as he kept getting blocked again. It is very common to get blocked up again. Vet couldn’t tell us why he kept getting blocked up - there were no crystals present etc, said it was probably due to a combination of factors: stress (which many of these cases are), being a bit overweight, having lots of dry food.

One of the many meds that the vet gave to us was called Cystophan. He has been on one a day since and since those initial rocky few weeks we have had NO reoccurrences thank goodness. We also switched to ONLY high quality wet food. He could probably come off the tablets now as he hasn’t had any issue for so long but I’m far too scared to take them off him in case they are what keep things running smoothly.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel Flowers Very good that he is bright and vocal - my boy was honestly in a very sorry state for 2 weeks and would barely move so if yours is chirpier than that it’s a good sign.

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Hecksonaplane · 16/01/2018 19:02

Ah User that is good news that your boy is so healthy now. You don't mind meds if it keeps them well, I know what you mean. Thanks for sharing your story.

My son visited him at lunch time and he tried to escape so he is obviously feeling perky! His bloods are better but sodium is low so they are trying to boost that, hopefully in another couple days then home. It'll be driving him mad in that cage if he is feeling better !

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Hecksonaplane · 17/01/2018 19:46

Not a good update tonight, his temp is still high and his behaviour changed this afternoon and he’s been drooly and twitchy. Although I’m sure they said he was still alert.
Waiting on blood results.
He’s got me really worried now

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