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Katherine | 2 months ago
My Senior, Male, Neutered, Diabetic Nebelung Cat Is Experiencing Constipation, I Had Recently Slowly Changed His …

My senior, male, neutered, diabetic nebelung cat is experiencing constipation, I had recently slowly changed his diet to a raw based diet from royal Canon diabetic pouches,, as i was put off from the vet scientific diabetic diets in the end due to one day reading the ingredients and seeing that my cat was needing something more or potentially he was lacking something, I say this as he was starting to mirander outside like a Billy goat eating all the graass that he could in our backyard. Coincidently, Boof started flickng his head and scratching at his ears, the next day after noticing his discomfort and that he still hadn’t defecate (day 3) i took him to a neighboring vet as our usual vet was fully booked out, I could see crusty brown specs in his ear and a discharge, the vet I took him to gave, me pmp drops to administer 3 drops per ear twice daily for 7 days. She didn’t want to try to much else due to him being a diabetic and also a new patient,
One day later when I was cleaning boofs bedding a spider
Like bug had come out onto our carpet,
I took a photo of it,
It’s definitely some type of tick not sure if it cpmr from out of his ear or if it has anything to do with his constipation.
Boofs appetite has been great this whole time aswel.
Although after eating I have noticed him somewhat whining ND groverling like his pain 🙁
He also vomited twice after having dinner. (biley foaming substance liquid)
On day 5 I took vet into out normal vet who assessed him, she gave him a 24hour anti nausea injection, and assessed him, she said to resume giving lactolose maybe a little bit more and aswel with the subcut fluids,

And still nothing,….

The vet called today to see how Boof was I explained to her that he wants to go to the toilet but just can’t, and his looking pretty squeamish again,
She explained to me that because of it being 6days now with no bowel movements that it can get Boof pretty sick potentially, she explained that instead of taking a stab in the dark and guess that they would breed to take xrays ect bloods and mannualyl remove all feces that’s stuck in him and it would cost $800. Due to Christmas coming up and the overall rise in the cost of living and the renting crisis here, I am just stuck for money at the moment that kills me to say, I have tried vet pay with. No luck…

Is there anything I can try at home please, it’s not at all a situation where I don’t want to pay anyone, it’s by far the opposite and I’m hoping that a friend of family member will reply to me after asking for a lend, which I never do, and I never would expect or be suprised if anyone can help,
My boy means so much to me,
I just gave Boof a 5ml enema of lactulose and more subcut fluids
Is there anything more that I can do please 🙁 🙁

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry to hear about your cat.
    In my experience constipation in cats is always secondary to something else. And in fact very few are actually constipated. It is absolutely imperative that someone competent palpate your cats abdomen or take an Xray to confirm the constipation before you treat for it. People always think it’s constipation and it’s usually poor dietary intake, cachexia or poor muscle mass and usually a few other things.
    Constipation in cats feels like a colon full of hard distended feces. This should be confirmed by a rectal exam. The problem with getting this diagnosis incorrect is that all of the things you try to treat it will make everything else inherently worse. Do not give your cat anything until you confirm this and figure out why it happened.

    My guess might be you don’t have the diabetes adequately controlled and therefore you are losing muscle mass. This includes the gi tract which can no longer push feces out of the body.

    Please find a vet you trust for your cats care.

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Justin | 2 months ago
My Cat Got A Large Lump Under His Jaw That Formed Over Night. The Vets Are …

My cat got a large lump under his jaw that formed over night. The vets are closed and the emergency vet is too far and expensive. My parents say they will take him monday but is it safe to leave it untreated for two days? *edit, i should mention the lump is large and does not seem to be causing pain, he is acting normal anyway. I cant tell if its warm or not thou

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    If it truly happened overnight then it is most likely infection. If he is acting normally it may not need to be addressed today. But I do recommend it be seen asap. The longer infection sits the more difficult and dangerous it is.

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Roberta | 2 months ago
Have A 7 Month Old Orange Tabby. Adopted At 4 Months. Has A Bout Of Diarrhea After A …

Have a 7 month old orange tabby. Adopted at 4 months. Has a bout of diarrhea after a long progress of switching him to kitten food instead of adult that was at the shelter (dry, Hills normal kitten). Then harder bowel movements occurred. Small incomplete prolapse occurred. Vet thought could be parasites (none on fecal) and did proactive dewormer. Also started on revolution plus. No improvement, started wet food (hill sensitive stomach kitten). Added water and a probiotic. Perforation continued. Saw vet two weeks later and did another round of dewormed. Said it should resolve on own.

Second opinion at new place. The did manual exam, nothing structurally abnormal. Planned on purse string but then vet consulted and decided conservative measured first. Animax cream and hills I/d. Started to become super constipated. A lot of tummy massages and forced “bicycle” kicks. You could feel the back up. Two week later, switched to hills biome. Did another fecal (negative). Less straining but still harder than average BMs. Continued with adding water and probiotics.

Almost a week ago, did purse string. This poor guy had a bad night the following night after surgery. Only way I can describe it is that it’s almost like a mega colon. He’s able to get highly compacted BMs partly through. I help assist with wiping, warm compresses, warm bath, it’s miserable for the both of us and I thought he’d would burst the stitches or just create a new opening. Finally got most of it to pass. Took back to vet in the am. They could only see a little bit of stool on x-ray but said everything is fine. Upped lactulose to 2mL tid and .75 gabapentin tid. Things were okay until he has to push again. Not as bad but I’m afraid this will be an issue once the stitches are removed in 2 days. Still watering down food, even more since surgery and blended up the biome.

I’m just not sure how to express the compacted BMs are continuing. I had to beg for a CBCw/diff just to ensure there wasn’t a concern for high eos. He drinks great and no concerns with urination. He struggles to eat because of all of this. He’s a little underweight. Super active happy kitty besides all of this.

Any advice on diet, tests, ect that I can bring up to vet? Enema before stitch removal? They do consult a specialist since he’s a kitten and I’m about to ask for a referral. Switch to Royal GI kitten? I just feel horrible that the dude is back and forth in a cone and not fully enjoying his kitten phase. Plus this is putting a strain on our relationship.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Yikes. What a roller coaster.
    Ok. So probably no one is going to like my advice, but here it is.
    I do not get upset by a little prolapse. Kittens push really hard after diarrhea bouts. They just do. Resolve the diarrhea with the fecal check and a gradual transition to a good diet. If still having diarrhea I try panacur or metronidazole for just a few days.
    The kitten tells you what to do from there. If playful and happy I manage the prolapse with belly massage and exercise. I am very very reluctant to add a purse string. Too pain and they start to push even harder.
    If I have to purse string it is only for old cats. Or for puppies. But you often have to place it and then remove it 3 days later. And then replace it again. Often it takes two or three times. And no one ever wants to do it that often. So. I just try to avoid it in the first place.

    Kittens heal soo fast. Just give them a chance .

    1. Roberta Post author

      Have the diarrhea in check. Probably two weeks after it occurred. Now constant hard to compacted BMs for the last 2.5 months. The only time the prolapse resected was for like two days after the manual exam. That was two months ago. It started to look irritated so went ahead with the purse string. Total of 3 months of prolapse, maybe half of the external sphincter involved,

      He hated the massages, the steroid cream, wearing the cone, and the straining.

      I’m concerned it’s going to be a failure. He’s pushing too hard and I’m having to help remove the impaction. His bowels just laugh at lactulose, 2mL tid. I asked if it may have been too tight and/or enema may be a good idea since it’s just getting stuck/backing up. They think everything is fine. It looks like when a human takes round the clock opioids with no stool softer and didn’t drink and water.

      I’m just at a loss of what to do/ask for. I’m going to ask to try royal canin GI kitten. The hills biome and I/d are not helping. Tried pumpkin, probiotic, and adding coconut oil (not all together) to food, no help.

      Great drinker, I add water to wet food, and urinates great. It’s just these darn compacted BMs.

      It’s been a strenuous 3 months and this poor guy is such a forgiving trooper. I’m afraid of this does continue, it’s going to be a full on prolapse.

      Purse string stitches come out tomorrow, total of seven days.

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Deborah | 2 months ago
My 5 Yr Old Cat Has Been Home One Day Following An Overnight Stay At The Vet …

My 5 yr old cat has been home one day following an overnight stay at the vet for blockage of urethra for crystals. He was given what seemed to be the appropriate treatment of catheter, steroids, antibiotics and a X-ray. He has come home on a five day supply of steroids and diet food. I was expecting my cat would just be “fixed” and back to normal. But he is not back to normal by any means. He is very weak and subdued. This is a normally very active , mischievous cat. My question is this normal response after having been thru this ordeal ? He is eating and drinking well. He is peeing but very little. Often but small amounts. He does not seem to be in pain like prior to treatment. He will go and just lay in the litter pan. It almost seems he is too weak to get out. But he does get out. I’m assuming he might be just like a human with a uti , in that he feels he has to go pee all the time . They did send him home having had a long acting antibiotic. I don’t know if that can make him feel bad. He does seem to be in the side of improving , but very slowly. Is this normal? It’s the weekend here so I can’t call the vet with my questions. I have a great vet group , although I have never seen the vet who took care of my cat before and am disappointed I was not given more post care instructions on what to expect.
Thank you
DWS

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It’s hard for me to answer this because the answer lies in an examination. If he has a small, soft, non painful bladder and is urinating comfortably then I would say that it is ok to give him some time at home to recuperate. But. The best answer always has to be the safest answer and I always have to say that the best advice I can give is to see a vet.
    Can you call the er and ask to speak to someone who just took care of him? Or see your regular vet first thing Monday morning?
    I hope he’s ok

  2. Deborah Post author

    I might not have phased my question right. I just wanted to know once blockage has been opened and cat sent home does the cat usually go back to normal behavior or does it take a couple of days for the cat to recoup from having had the trauma.? He is peeing, eating and drinking.

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Robyn | 2 months ago
My Five Year Old Dog Is Seriously Afraid Of Storms. It Seems Like The Sound Is …

My five year old dog is seriously afraid of storms. It seems like the sound is what is triggering her fear. She is not treat motivated so I could not get her to take a calm chew but seems so elevated in her fear I don’t think that would have worked. She was shaking and heavily panting for an hour after the storm. Any suggestions??

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  1. Laura

    Is this a recent development? I would recommend a thundershirt, but be aware you need to put it on the dog BEFORE the storm hits. Medication can also help.

    Beyond that, I would work on desensitization with sounds.

    Additionally, I’d like to add my Doberman was not sound averse until after her spay, and she slowly increased in her storm aversion. She went from a dog who would stand outside and glare at the sky for daring to make noise when she was intact to a dog who’d cower on her bed post-spay. It was bizarre. We worked on desensitization training with Youtube videos and the highest value treats I had – bits of medium-rare steak. It helped.

  2. Robyn Post author

    Thanks for your response!! That is helpful. Yes it seems new and worse over the last year

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Marguerite | 2 months ago
Hi So My Senior Cat Has Been Doing These Weird Noises For Two Days And Even …

Hi so my senior cat has been doing these weird noises for two days and even if she eats and drinks I’m still worried

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I’m sorry but there isn’t enough information here for me to offer much help. Please add more detail (how old is your cat, behaviors, vet care , medical issues,, etc?) and a description of the sound for more help.

    In general this will require an examination by your vet to better understand the source and develop a treatment plan.

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Tammy | 2 months ago
My 11 Month Old Has Thrown Up A Small Amount Of Clear Foamy Liquid Twice. She Did …

My 11 month old has thrown up a small amount of clear foamy liquid twice. She did the same thin about a week ago. She’s behaving like normal with exception to food. She’s not hungry for her food first thing in the morning (but will beg for everyone else’s) she’s always been a very enthusiastic eater. She’s also been whining off and on. I thought it was a new signal to go out because it’s very intermittent, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m going for indigestion maybe? She prefers to rest in her crate now (before it was anywhere I am). She’s a bully breed and a puppy so I’m hoping it’s simple and not something she got her lips on. Maybe I should run her to the vet? I just hate to waste their time if it sounds like I’m overly worried.

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Ordinarily I don’t get overly worried about an episode of acute vomiting but I don’t know anything about your dog. Important things to help assuage my concerns are knowing that your pup had all of their vaccines, is on a good food and is current on their preventatives. I also want to know that your pup has had a fecal checked at the vets office.
    If your pups vomiting continues or their attitude changes please see a vet.

  2. Tammy Post author

    Thank you! Yes, she just had a vet visit last week for a regular checkup and to do her bloodwork for spaying and she checked out okay. She’s UTD on all shots and is in Hill’s Puppy food. I believe it was a passing stomach bug (more likely something she scavenged on a walk) because she’s back to normal now. She’s still not as enthusiastic about her food, but it has improved a lot over the past day. She’s also back to being my Velcro pup. I think I was overly worried, but I so appreciate this resource and your response.

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Desiree | 2 months ago
By Dog Has Bloody Diarrhea. He Was Bit By A Tick A Little Over A Week …

By dog has bloody diarrhea. He was bit by a tick a little over a week ago and I’m concerned. He also will not eat or drink anything.

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  1. Laura

    Hi Desiree – this is now emergent. Not eating or drinking means something is very wrong. Please get him to the vet TODAY.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,

    I think that you should seek help from a veterinarian to help understand what’s going on with your pup.

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Gwen | 2 months ago
Got This 3-4 Week Kitten Who Needed A Home And Appears To Have A Twisted/angular …

Got this 3-4 week kitten who needed a home and appears to have a twisted/angular wrist. He was most likely born with this deformity since I don’t believe his legs cause him any pain. He is starting to walk and it is becoming a bit of a struggle.
Can someone recommend me any options? I don’t want to go to the Vet just now because i know it will end being costly with X-rays and such. Right now i’m considering splinting, but I also want to know other options like maybe messages, etc. He is doing pretty well, but since he does sometimes walk, supporting his leg on the leg twisted (the bone, rather than his paw), i’m afraid it’ll become a future problem when he’s older.

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello.

    If you follow my blog at kmdvm.blogspot.com I have a few articles on this. I would use a soft splint and rest. These kittens grow and the legs strengthen and they can have normal lives. If you are anywhere near me in northern Maryland I will help.

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Jaime | 2 months ago
Hi. I Have An Almost 6 Year Old Lab Who Keeps Vomiting When She Eats Or Drinks. …

Hi. I have an almost 6 year old lab who keeps vomiting when she eats or drinks. She is otherwise happy and doesn’t appear to be in any pain but does appear to be losing weight (she’s a heavier build). She wants to keep eating and drinking though and not having any other problems. Is there something I can give her to resolve the stomach issue or could it be something more serious?

2 Responses

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  1. Laura

    This sounds like it could be a partial obstruction in her gut. That’s something I’d consider emergent. Please get her to the vet.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I agree with Laura. I also worry about pancreatitis and Addisons. Although there are other possibilities. Please see a vet.