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Roberta | 4 weeks 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.

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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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Jen | 6 months ago
I Have A 6 Year Old, Female Doberman Mix (we Rescued Her And Not Sure Her Exact …

I have a 6 year old, female Doberman mix (we rescued her and not sure her exact breed-she is smaller than most Doberman-she is around 44 lbs. About a month ago, she started having accidents in the house, constant urination, and dribbling stream when she actually pees. I thought she probably had a UTI and took her to the vet. They assumed as well she probably had a UTI and gave me a prescription. After ten days on prescription, no change. I went back to vet and told her there had been no change. They started her on Proin. She has been taking this for about 2.5 weeks and there has been no change. When I take her out , she pees about 4 times in a dribble.

They have done blood tests, urinalysis, and x ray. Even after using bathroom twice, her bladder still had urine in it. They are going to send it to a specialist, but we are already about $800 in and no answers. I feel so bad for my girl, because she is embarrassed when she has an accident inside. Any help would be great!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think that there are really only two good options. See if you can find another general practitioner to review your pup with an examination and a review of what you have done already or take the referral for the best chance at getting your diagnosis.
    In some cases your original vet can call for a consultation with the veterinarians who provide the diagnostics. You can ask about this. It is free and often gives them access to a specialist without the cost.

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Andrew | 1 year ago
I Am Going Through A Medical Emergency With Cat Kilo. Been Very Stressful Had To Take …

I am going through a medical emergency with my cat Kilo. Been very stressful had to take to the emergency vet. He had UTI blockage. Then a few days later I find out that he has tear in his urethra and it just got worse a few days later. I reached out to a vet in my city that could perform a surgery that would fix his blockage problem. Then I get a call back from the Emergency Clinic saying something wrong with one of his kidneys. He’s a good cat and doesn’t deserve this. I just can’t believe how expensive things can get. I am looking for any information or leads in regard to facilities that are reasonable and are willing to help folks who are low income. I live in the South Bay if anyone has any information on the matter.

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Lloyd | 2 years ago
Middle Stage Of Urinary Blockage Of 7 Year Old Neutered Male ‘tux’ Cat. I Hasn’t …

middle stage of urinary blockage of 7 year old neutered male ‘tux’ cat.
He hasn’t peed in a day and very little before that, is very needy, but still reasonably active. His abdomen
Doesn’t feel hard but he isn’t well.
My last vet here retired and he’s such a horse I lagged finding another.
The local spay/neuter service has a vet but am not confident, nice folks that they are…
I got a tiny amount of Apple Cider Vinegar down him and have ordered the UTI Drops from amazon which should be here tomorrow but am quite worried.
It’s jut me and him now, we have outlived everybody.
Ideas?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    These cases need to be addressed as a medical emergency. There is no safe advice I can give outside of seeing a vet and going from there

    1. Lloyd Post author

      that is my general plan. this will be our 2nd trip, a month ago he did this and in the hours before we went to the night vet he started peeing again and seemed OK, his bladder isn’t hard, he went a few time in the past few days but not much.
      I think I am to blame for this by giving him people food while feeding him cheap dry food.
      Hopefully we can get in tomorrow night, he’s a handful though and gets very scared/aggressive on the table.

      1. Lloyd Post author

        thank you for your quick and honest reply. I am retired and will end up staining credit for this but he is my best friend.

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kathy welsh | 2 years ago
My Daughter’s 13 Yr Old Male Cat Started Urinating All Over The House, Occasionally Crying Out. …

My daughter’s 13 yr old male cat started urinating all over the house, occasionally crying out. Is this a UTI? I read something about crystals??

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    It could be a uti, cystitis or your cat being blocked (ie urinary bladder blockage), which is a medical emergency. Please go to the vet immediately.
    Best of luck. Please keep us posted.

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Andrea | 3 years ago
My 3yr Old Is Leaking Urine In His Sleep And Will Pee On Floor When His …

my 3yr old is leaking urine in his sleep and will pee on floor when his bladder is over full.
vet says I need to talk to urologist. she also said he has an abnormally large bladder for a cat. she said I can express him before sleep, to help him not leak. that worked for about a week now he is getting mad and biting. he has so much urine he will pee on floor 2x’s, I will express him, then in a couple minutes he will pee on the floor again. he is part Manx. he is considered a stubby tail. because he has 5 out of 7 vertebrates. this mystery is stumping my vet, so now I have to take him to the most expensive place around here. any suggestions for me or my vet would be greatly appreciated.
why would his bladder be so big all of a sudden?
why is he leaking?
why is he producing so much urine? we have not increased his intake. this has been happening since December. we have tried different thing; he doesn’t have a Uti. we have tried antibiotics and another pill.

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Jennifer Taylor | 3 years ago
Last Summer My Beloved Cat, Summer Escaped My Home And Was Missing For Two Months. When …

Last summer my beloved cat, Summer escaped my home and was missing for two months. When she was found she had lost about 1/3 of her body weight and her personality had changed. While she was previously very much the “alpha” cat and could be a bit of a diva she is now timid and very loving. During the time when she was missing I was under an incredible amount of stress; having a pet pass away is heartbreaking but having a pet go missing is agonizing, I would not wish the experience on my worst enemy. I couldn’t sleep for much of the two months. Our cat Gracie was by my side the entire time. She did take over as the leader of our little cat pack (pride??). When Summer returned Gracie and her initially got along okay, however within about two weeks Gracie started going after Summer causing a significant amount of stress on Summer. She would chase her off the litter box and food bowls. We created a safe space for Summer and over the past year she has very much chosen to stay isolated away from Gracie, our other cats come “visit” without an issue. Several months ago Gracie started urinating outside of her box. We first had to go through the process of elimination to determine which cat was urinating outside the box. All cats have had urine and bloodwork done to rule out any medical issues. Gracie is now isolated and Summer has free reign of the house. Inappropriate urination has stopped. Our other cats can come “visit” Gracie without incident, however as soon as Summer enters the room Gracie attacks her. We have tried medication and we have tried putting a drop of vanilla on each cat so they smell the same. I would prefer to not spend the rest of my cats lives isolating one or the other to create peace in our home. I will note that Gracie has limited or no sight in one of her eyes, she has always been a bit of a “scrapper” with the other pets when they approach her on that side, that being said this isn’t a case of Summer startling her, she is seeking out Summer to attack her.
I would love advice from anyone who has had a similar experience; what worked, what didn’t?

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  1. Laura

    Hi there. I’m sorry it took us a while to respond…I’ve been pondering over this since you initially posted. I think you may have to consider permanent separation. This is doable in a cat household, as you’ve seen, though it can be annoying, but it might be safest for the clowder.

    I assume you’ve tried Feliway?

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Jennifer Taylor | 4 years ago
In June My Labrador Developed A Lesion On Her Side. She Was Treated With Antibiotics And …

In June my Labrador developed a lesion on her side. She was treated with antibiotics and a medicated shampoo with no success. Her hair started thinning and she developed a lesion on the opposite side. Bloodwork was run to test for Cushings which was negative. As she started to take a Cushings type appearance her docs followed up with an ultrasound. In October she had a punch biopsy. She was treated with Apoquel with no improvement. She has lesions on her chest, both sides near her hips and one near her hind end. I have never seen her itching or chewing. The lesions are crusty and pretty dense. Hair loss is only on her trunk.
A little history: my dog is 10 1/2, has spay induced incontinence, history of frequent UTI’s, frequent urination, and megaesophagus. She is on Dasuquin, Cranmate and Welactin. Despite her plethora of health issues she has never had skin issues. Typically her coat is blue-black, thick and shiny.
She doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable but she seems to have a pretty high pain threshold.
Thank you for your time.

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  1. Laura

    Did they test her thyroid? A FULL thyroid panel, not just T4?

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George | 4 years ago
My 15 Year Old Lemon Hound Pees Four To Five Times More Than Normal And Has Been …

My 15 year old lemon hound pees four to five times more than normal and has been for over a year. Been tested many times for bladder infections, kidney issues, and other normal things. The pee is as clear as water and can have strong ammonia smell at times. She drinks a lot but vets have told us to make sure she has water available at all times. Other that aches and pains from arthritis, she seems not to have any other issues. Any ideas of rare conditions that may be causing to peeing trouble?

Thanks,
Bubba

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    There is a reason for the behavior. You have to exhaust every possibility until you find the cause. This might include repeating bloodwork, urine, taking xrays and doing ultrasounds. It is time to find the answer. If your vet can’t help you with all of these ask to be referred to a specialist.

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Sophia | 5 years ago
Hi Dr. Mag, I Came Across Some Of Your Videos On YouTube And That Brought Me …

Hi Dr. Mag, Gatsby and I need your help.
I came across some of your videos on YouTube and that brought me to your blogs and finally here to Pawbly.com I feel so fortunate to have found your videos you seem so knowledgeable and more importantly empathetic. The care you have for animals truly shines through. I feel so helpless When it comes to my little guy Gatsby. He is 8 years old and has been very healthy all his life, But within the last six weeks we have been experiencing some urinary issues. I did think he had a blockage because he was unable to urinate for close to 24 hours, he seemed lethargic and did not want to eat. I took him to the vet first thing in the morning and he was given an x-ray which did not show any signs of kidney stones. He was given fluids under the skin, an antibiotic shot and sent home with 5 days dosage of Prozasin. The vet diagnosed him with feline lower urinary tract disease, yet he did not take any urine samples because he said that Gatsby’s bladder was very small and he was unable to collect a sample. He did not take any blood either. Within a couple days Gatsby was again exhibiting the same symptoms so I asked around for personal referrals and took him to a different vet. This vet said the same thing, Gatsby’s bladder was very small, but he kept him for a few hours to collect urine and did perform blood analysis and lab work. This was a Saturday and the vet suggested I switched him to a prescription urinary diet and informed me I would receive lab results that Monday. When the vet called all of his lab work came back clear, no infection, no signs of crystals, no signs of cystitis, kidneys functioning properly and he does not have diabetes. The vet suggested I keep him on a prescription diet and suggested that he lose weight because he is a big boy at 15 pounds. This was about a month ago and Gatsby has had two more episodes since. He is licking himself a lot. He travels to his box many times and is only producing small dots of urine, he has on a handful of occasions exhibited inappropriate urination, but only during these flareups which tend to last 2 to 3 days. I’ve called the vet to discuss Gatsby’s condition and his solution is to have the surgery performed. I have read a lot of literature, watched a lot of videos and have taken him to two different vets to try and find answers and help for him. It hurts me to see him struggling. He is on a wet food only diet, I do not feed him any dry food or dry treats. I have tried a urinary health chew which he receives once a day. I have noticed that he has not been drinking water as he used to prior to these episodes. I have a water fountain for him I’ve tried fresh water in different types of bowls, I’ve tried water with ice, he’s just very resistant to drinking water now. Any advice or guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I think part of the problem is that no one is really sure of his diagnosis. Straining can look like a lot of other things too. I always check the gi system and the urinary system for a cat displaying litter box issues. What that means is that I do a rectal exam. I check the colon the feces (send to the lab) and anal sacs. I also check a urine sample. I even do a urine culture and sensitivity of I can’t find the source of the problem. I think your diet plan is good but I would also encourage play and exercise. It helps the gi system and the weight loss which always helps the urinary system. Think of it like a “whole cat” approach to finding out what is wrong. The other piece of advice I have is to find a feline only practice. I just think they do a better job with cat issues when people feel they haven’t gotten the answers they need at a general vets office. Don’t give up! Your cat is trying to tell you there is a problem. Keep digging! Good luck. Let me know what happens.

    1. Sophia Post author

      Thank you Dr. Mag for your response! I forgot to mention that the first vet did do a rectal exam and he said that he cleaned out the buildup from his anal sac. I know there is a better term for it but I don’t have his paperwork in front of me. But he did show me What was cleaned out and he said the color and look of it was fine. I really like that suggestion of an all feline facility. Yes you’re right I have to do better with play and exercise he does have a harness and leash but will just plop on the floor lol, We did live in a different home and for the six years of his life he was able to go outside and play. He is now strictly an indoor cat. I am always so fearful of a blockage because I know how fatal it can be. Can you give me some peace of mind and let me know what signs I should look for to signal that it is a true emergency because like you said the symptoms tend to overlap and I don’t want to overexaggerate yet miss critical signs because there is a thin line.