How long to leave constipated cat before taking vets?

[Prehfoan49]

I've had my Male cat for 6 years and he has always been in perfect health. Never had any issues. He was neautured years ago, is short haired, very vocal and very loving

For the last 2 days he has been struggling/ straining to go to the toilet and hasnt been himself at all. Right now hes in the kitchen in his bed, hidden away where as usually he would be in here with me, all over me and chattering away

The first day I noticed somthing was wrong he was crying everytime he attempted to go to the toilet,

At first I thought maybe he had a UTI so got him some cystaid. After a bit of online reading I wondered if he maybe had worms so also bought some worming tablets and some probiotics for his tummy.

So he had the cystaid, worming tablet and probiotics yesterday, today he seems a lot more relaxed, isnt crying when attempting to go to the toilet ( but he is still attempting and nothing is coming out )

Aside from taking him to the vets tomorrow what else can I do to make him comfortable?

I ended up down a rabbit hole with cat symptons and now I'm worried he might die, I've read all sorts about is it megacolon? And cat IBD ect

He doesnt have a swollen stomach, will let me stroke, rub and pick him up without any complaints ( only picked him up to give him the medicine)

And does anyone have any helpful advice I could do to relieve the constipation at home?

I have watched him drinking water ( I put the cystaid in his water ) havnt seen him eat though, he wasnt tempted by the cat treats or the slices of beef, only thing I've seen him eat is the probiotics I put on his paw. His ears are cool to touch and he doesnt feel hot anywhere,

Hes normally so active and happy, it's horrible seeing him lay in bed not interested in anything

Also ---- my cat has only behaved like this since having a flea tablet so I have wondered if this is an adverse reaction to the flea tablets? ( johnsons )

I think I'm just hoping someone will come along and say their cat was like this and was back to their normal selves within a few days

cat food with pumpkin, food with olive oil ( such as fish) or whole milk ( even better the cream top milk) is really good for cars with constipation

Thanks, but I'm happy with following my vets advice and recommendations. I trust them to know my animals best. I have three happy, healthy boys so I have no reason to change anything.

They told you to feed them regular wet food with urinary dry ?

Yes, by two different vets at two different practises.

How strange that you can also buy a wet version of urinary food, if it’s ok to feed them regular cat food too.
Almost as if it doesn’t make any difference if the food is marked urinary or not ?

I don't recall asking for your opinions and criticisms on what my cats are fed, lol. If you don't think urinary food works then just don't buy it for your cat

Mine all see the vets regularly, they all have a clean bill of health and are an all fed a diet that they're thriving on. That's good enough for me.

Vet nurse here, if you feed standard food along side a specific urinary diet then you totally defeat the object of the urinary diet , it should be that and nothing else for it to have the best chance of helping.
Sometimes a vet will advise starting with wet form then when initial emergency controlled using dry form may maintain the situation.
Its purpose is to reduce the development of crystals in your cats urine.
Are you aware that stress in cats increases the likelihood of this life threatening problem ?
If you have brought 3 new animals into his home from what you describe they are causing him stress.
It is very common for a cat with a blocked urethra to give the impression that it it is constipated as you see it in the litter tray straining.
This is an emergency ,every vet commonly sees this , but you must always seek help there and then , not the next day.
Apart from potentially knackering your cats kidneys by waiting they are usually also in excruciating pain.
A pp mentioned squeezing its bladder yourself this is very bad advice, you could rupture the bladder if you don't know what you are doing , leave this to a vet.

@margotrose.
Maybe it was you correcting me, that prompted the dialogue ?

tsmainsqueeze

If youd of read further on youd of seen I did take him to the vets last week on the same day I started this thread where he stayed for 4 days and hes now on HillsC/D food . It's 2 other posters who are talking mixing about foods ect

Hes had a decent sized wee today so isnt blocked right now

@Prehfoan49
Sorry I didn’t mean to hijack your thread, just annoying when someone posts something that is blatantly untrue as fact.
Obviously my vet saying the foods are not necessary is just hers and my opinion and at the discretion of whoever is reading to research and decide for themselves, but if your vet has told you to feed your cat that then it would be best to follow their advice.
It’s awful when they are unwell and I hope for a speedy recovery.

@Superhair I said "can help" - not "definitely helps".

Anyway, this isn't what the thread is about. OP has been advised to feed a certain diet by a vet that's seen her cat, so that's what she should do.

Superhair

Dont worry I didnt see it as either of you hijacking the thread, it's just a difference in opinions and advice isnt it, which is what mumsnet is for 🤗

Really appreciate everyone's advice so thank you all, my boy is still asleep on my bed and I'll be taking him to the hospital tomorrow as I've been on pins since I brought him home incase it happens again

I did read your thread but you are mentioning that he is not peeing consistently which indicates he may still be partially blocked or in pain - needing pain relief.
Just because he has been 'unblocked' in the last few days doesn't mean that the problem is solved /fixed , vets will often see the cat the next day blocked again , the crystals will still be there to some degree -hence advice to seek help if a cat is having problems urinating.

@Prehfoan49 As bless him. 🤞 speedy recovery.