? 3.10 Rufus AMPS 97, +2.5 93, +5 91, PMPS 153, +2 174

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Sean & Rufus

Sean & Rufus

Member Since 2018
Rufus is still my enigma. Ate half of his overnight pate. Doesn't like "biting" his wet food, but he'll eat dry food (but still clearly has some sort of issue). He's acting ok, but only ate half of his food today (Gerber ham). I think the constipation is still a big part of this not eating. Gave him miralax Thurs and Fri. About 1.5 of poop Thurs pm, and overnight Fri/Sat 2 marble size hard pieces. Please for the love of God do not need to bring him in for this!
 
Nice start for Rufus. The constipation is very frustrating for sure. Since I switch Bubba to raw he typically only goes poop every other day. :rolleyes:

Some kitties do better with chunks of food rather than a pate style. It's probably going to be harder to find a chunky low carb wet food but you could always cook up some chicken breast and cut it into pieces for him to see if he likes that texture. If that is successful and you would continue it you'd need to get some EZ Complete supplements from www.Foodfurlife to add to his home cooked meals to make them a complete food source for him. Check out their website for all kinds of information.
 
Tracey&Jones said:
Doing dance for the Happy Poop God...hopefully Rufus get regular soon!

Is he drinking enough water?
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No, I don't think so. He was always a big water drinker, and even more so when unregulated. Now, not as much. Not sure if it's becuse he feels "full"?
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Nice start for Rufus. The constipation is very frustrating for sure. Since I switch Bubba to raw he typically only goes poop every other day. :rolleyes:

Some kitties do better with chunks of food rather than a pate style. It's probably going to be harder to find a chunky low carb wet food but you could always cook up some chicken breast and cut it into pieces for him to see if he likes that texture. If that is successful and you would continue it you'd need to get some EZ Complete supplements from www.Foodfurlife to add to his home cooked meals to make them a complete food source for him. Check out their website for all kinds of information.
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Thanks for the info! Unfortunelty he will NOT eat anything but pate as far as wet food. I do have a jar of taurine and a jar of Wysong call of the wild nutrition supplement that I intended to add to his wysong epigen, but he wont eat that either :rolleyes::banghead:
 
Tracey&Jones said:
I wonder if you mix a tsp of water into this pate that he likes would help with some additional water intake
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I wanted to second this suggestion. The type/ appearance of the poo you described is very typical for for lack of moisture. Plus Miralax soaks up a lot of water and some extra is in order, I think.
 
Tracey&Jones said:
I wonder if you mix a tsp of water into this pate that he likes would help with some additional water intake and help with the "biting" of the pate. Cut down the chunks?
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Oh, the pate was a super soft one. I only put it out overnight to see if he'd eat it. His "normal" bigger meals are 1 can of fancy feast pureed with a half can of of water. Overall, he probably is getting enough water, but it's definelty less then before. I had read @Wendy&Neko I think talking about where Neko had inflammation in her GI that it caused the constipation. I'm wondering if that might be part of the issue here.

On thursay I made a miralax/water solution and syringed it into his mouth. I might try that again today if he doesn't finish his lunch.
 
Just called the vet. She's out of town, and the techs need permission to do subq, so that's out. The tech said to just syringe it so I know exactly how much he's getting. I think I might go get a can of tuna and put the juice in some water? That might be appealing to him.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
I think I might go get a can of tuna and put the juice in some water?
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I think it is good idea - just make sure tune is in water, no oils or veggie broth - it can contain toxic onions.
I mixed Miralax poweder into Ducia stew-y pate - she didn't notice it and ate well. But I guess you'v e already tried this route?
 
Well, I just did something bad :( Rufus LOVES milk, but hasn't had any for a long time, but I remember today why. LAst time he had some he had runny poo. So....I gave him some. Now I'm thinking that was pretty dumb, with all that sugar in it! Ugh. I guess we might zoom again today :banghead::arghh:
 
Tanya and Ducia said:
But I guess you'v e already tried this route?
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Yup, problem is he's not finishing his food and they won't eat that food later, so it's hard to tell how much of the miralax he's acually getting. Vet tech said to syringe it to him to know exactly how much he's getting. They sais 1/8 to 1/4 tsp 3x a day, but he might get diareahha. But maybe that will clean him out.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
Well, I just did something bad :( Rufus LOVES milk, but hasn't had any for a long time, but I remember today why. LAst time he had some he had runny poo. So....I gave him some. Now I'm thinking that was pretty dumb, with all that sugar in it! Ugh. I guess we might zoom again today :banghead::arghh:
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IMHO, if it helps so be it. You'll get the numbers down later.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
Just called the vet. She's out of town, and the techs need permission to do subq, so that's out. The tech said to just syringe it so I know exactly how much he's getting. I think I might go get a can of tuna and put the juice in some water? That might be appealing to him.
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Use low sodium tuna and make sure you read the label that it is in just water. A lot of the companies say " in water" on the front of the can , but then when reading the label, it will say "vegetable broth" which could have onions and onions are not good for cats.
 
Fluids can be very helpful under the right circumstances, and they can be dangerous under the wrong circumstances. They aren't as innocuous as you'd think, so you really don't want to go down that road unless you have an appropriately dehydrated kitty who needs them. Mirilax does take a little time to start working, so - just like with BGs - you do need a little patience. If things get or seem really bad, you could take Rufus in to be checked out, and if the vet thinks it's necessary, they can give an enema. Again, though, that needs to be decided by a vet.

I would be careful with the milk. It gives him the runs because he's probably lactose intolerant, and that can open up yet another can of worms for his already-sensitive digestive system. Aside from getting the runs, it can cause very painful gas and bloating.

As others have said, you do want to get more water in when using mirilax, so the pureed food with water you've been doing fits the bill!
 
Amy&TrixieCat said:
Fluids can be very helpful under the right circumstances, and they can be dangerous under the wrong circumstances. They aren't as innocuous as you'd think, so you really don't want to go down that road unless you have an appropriately dehydrated kitty who needs them.
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I've wondered about this. With Rufus' possible CKD I wondered if it is a good idea to do it every once in a while. Actually, I'm not even sure he "has" CKD as nobody told me he in fact does. I'll have to put this on my list to ask specialsit. I did see poor Yum possibly got too much fluids.

Amy&TrixieCat said:
I would be careful with the milk. It gives him the runs because he's probably lactose intolerant, and that can open up yet another can of worms for his already-sensitive digestive system. Aside from getting the runs, it can cause very painful gas and bloating.
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Very true, and I actually thought about this, too. It's probably best not to use milk as an aid!

I will say that today he's sleeping a bit more then last couple days, but he was out socializing a couple times. And no meds today. No gaba, no onda, I'm contemplating cerenia later. He's done no lip smacking, but hasn't totally been eating. It's just hard to know when to give meds. Everyday? Just when needed? What med is needed? I think the meds are possibly causing the constipation so I think we'll try no meds for a while and see if things improve.
 
A vet will definitely let you know when subQs are needed. It's best to follow their guidance on that one - except, of course, when your gut tells you fluids are causing harm. If Rufus is borderline with CKD, he's probably not needing them just yet.

As for meds, it does take some experimenting to figure out the right combination and when to use it. I think Onda can cause constipation if I remember correctly (I could be wrong), so it's worth trying different things and you will eventually hit the thing that works for Rufus.
 
Thanks @Amy&TrixieCat. I think I'll keep the onda and pepcid out of the rotation for awhile. Cerenia is super expensive, but I found a good price online. Should be here next week.

I don't understand how they can tell if a cat is dehydrated. Supposedly pulling the skin up on the neck. I don't think that works. Also, Rufus was drinking tons of water last August when he first started having issues (3 months before Fd), and a test came back that he was deyhdrated, but his urinalysis said urine dilute and skin test was normal. They gave him subq fluids and he was like a brand new cat (for a couple weeks)!
 
Rufus won't eat. Tried 4 diff foods. Gave him the shot after the first food, thinking he'd eat the 2nd kind. No go. I gave him 5 temptation treats and he ate those. He's lip smacking a little again. Stomach is gurgling. No pain meds today, but leaning towards him being backed up and feeling bloated (gave milk in am).
 
Tracey&Jones said:
That milk may have upset his tummy. That poop damn just might let go...
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I'm hoping to get it out! I'm just wondering if I should keep giving the miralax? What if it's making it worse! We have an appointment with a new vet on Monday. Was only going to use them for getting Adequan, but might switch to them. I have such a weird relationship with my current vet. I was going to switch to my previous vet, but they don't do adequan. Anywho, maybe Rufus can get an enima on Monday if needed. Poor dude has been through so much in the last 6 months :(
 
So Rufus hasn't had a meal in 5 or 5.5 hours. He's had 13 temptation treats since. He had 5 at PMPS because he didn't eat. I gave him 4 more @ +.5 and 4 more at +1. Now he's up to 174. Here I was worried he was going to be super low, that's why I gave him those treats. Do you think maybe his body freaked a bit and dumped glucose? I know 13 treats is a lot, but usually it take a couple hours for the carbs to really kick in.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
Yeah, not sure which is worse at this point! Does the probiotic you're using work to form things up?
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It does. It keeps things on a pretty even keel with all his other meds. I think of it as recipe. And what he is on now keeps things in the right place, him eating and feeling good. I did find once I started with this particular one things were better. Then one I was using before was good but this one is meant for if you have IBS in people. So more active units.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
I think the constipation is still a big part of this not eating.
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Sean, I learned long ago, that a 1/8th FREE EDGE of a fingernail size (extended nail from nail bed) of good quality solid coconut oil takes care of constipation for little ones, a previous vet suggested the same size of cold butter for hairballs. I give Dante coconut oil every am, and he loves it...since the amount is so small, one lick and it is off my fingernail; perhaps this might be worth a try...? It works for humans too; 1-2 tablespoons on toast with peanut butter does the trick!!!
 
Oh, and coconut oil acts like a Roto Rooter for your arteries!! As told to me by a former client with a PHD is psycho therapy (she had her own practice for Agoraphobics) as well as being a former ER nurse. She was a walking encyclopedia! That was at least 25 years ago, and to this day, I am never without my 'Gold Label' coconut oil! My previous vet heartily agreed with her.
 
Carol & Dante said:
Sean, I learned long ago, that a 1/8th FREE EDGE of a fingernail size (extended nail from nail bed) of good quality solid coconut oil takes care of constipation for little ones, a previous vet suggested the same size of cold butter for hairballs. I give Dante coconut oil every am, and he loves it...since the amount is so small, one lick and it is off my fingernail; perhaps this might be worth a try...? It works for humans too; 1-2 tablespoons on toast with peanut butter does the trick!!!
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Thanks! I do have a jar of unrefined coconut oil that I use for popping popcorn! I'll give it a try. I gave him a syringe with 1/4 t miralax about an hour ago. I'll try the coconut oil later this afterrnon. Unfortunely, I think we might have to do someting at the vet. He's just not needing to go and I haven't even seen him trying to go. So weird.
 
Hi Sean,
Along the ideas mentioned re tuna water: Another possibility to have in your pantry for Rufus are canned plain sardines in Spring Water only, not oil not spices. In plain spring water only.

I also do the chicken broth and the cooked chicken the way Wendy mentioned doing. It is a wonderful way to add water, nutrition and sensory change of pace appeal. And with the leftovers you get to make some chicken salad or chicken sandwiches for you, too!

Sending good poopy vines for your sweet boy:bighug::bighug::bighug:

ETA: and coconut oil as Carol described (though not a regularly, lol, as Carol does). Also, idk why but a bit of George’s Aloe Vera Juice (this brand has filtered out the latex, latex being toxic to cats) added to SEB and either syringed orally or mixed in food, seems to enhance civie Azalea’s motility without adversity.
 
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Well he didn't eat dinner last night, and only ate a tiny bit of breakfast. He'll eat treats and this super high carb royal canin fiber food the vet gave me a sample of. I really hope it is that he is constipated and that is why he's not eating. I'm going to have the vet xray him tomorrow and see how backed up he is.

When I went to my current vet for the first time last year, we did an xray. She pointed out that he was full of poop. I said that is strange, he goes everyday. I might just need to do daily maintenace dosage of the coconut oil to keep him regular.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
Well he didn't eat dinner last night, and only ate a tiny bit of breakfast. He'll eat treats and this super high carb royal canin fiber food the vet gave me a sample of. I really hope it is that he is constipated and that is why he's not eating. I'm going to have the vet xray him tomorrow and see how backed up he is.

When I went to my current vet for the first time last year, we did an xray. She pointed out that he was full of poop. I said that is strange, he goes everyday. I might just need to do daily maintenace dosage of the coconut oil to keep him regular.
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Asia's most recent X-ray showed the same thing, and she goes every day as well, without straining. Isn't that odd? How can you be backed up and yet regular simultaneously? o_O
 
I started Dante on a daily dose of coconut oil before his being diagnosed with diabetes, as he was on a hard food Science Diet. After his heart failure, the ER vet also agreed that coconut oil was perfect for both his arteries and keeping him regular so she told me to continue. I hope it helps, just be careful, giving more than what was recommended to me, will give the little dude cramps from diarrhea, so don't be overzealous, let it takes its time! I know, because I regrettably gave a tiny bit more, and Dante would have smacked me if he could have, due to the cramps! He loves the taste-I keep mine at room temp and it hardens on its own, so perfect in its own tiny container and I scrape out a minuscule amount every am before his breakfast.
 
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