Checking in on Oreo's meds and syringe feedings

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Bonnie & Oreo Joe

Bonnie & Oreo Joe

Member Since 2017
We are doing better in feeding 32 to 40 cc's 4 times a day.
Thus no insulin - He is spending hours curled up on a thin blanket on a small wooden step stool by the refrigerator. That has been his go to spot when I was in the kitchen and he would get a bit of raw chicken.
I have tried small chopped chicken to pureed but no deal. He has some zip in him as he would lay on my lap and watch my hand and when it was just resting or when I wasn't typing he would suddenly try and bite me. He did that yesterday! He now stops by his water fountain and looks in then by his little dab of food and puts his nose right down just before it touches and then leaves. That is new since yesterday. We are finished with the morphine this pm.
The Mirtazapin Alternova I will only use 3 more times tomorrow and then 2 doses after the 3 days between. Cerenia 1/4 tab daily until he eats again. I need hubby to hold his head and I hold his burritoed body and pry his mouth open and pop the pill and a water chaser. I can't picture doing that forever! If the other meds haven't helped by now, do I continue as was ordered until he eats?
Mirtazapin Alternova 15 mg tab 1/4 tab every 3 days for max of 10 days.

Cerenia 16mg and broken to 1/4 tab once a day until he starts to eat.

Buprenorphine I got 10 oral syringes that I am to give 3 a day 10 - 4- 10

Since I myself am sick every single thing I do causes pain. I will not give up on Oreo.
Oh I now feed and pill him in a spot I never sit in it is better with feeding. Pilling is never going to be better!!
 
Hi Bonnie,

I am so pleased to hear that you're managing to get Oreo Joe to eat a bit more for you and that you're managing better with giving pills. Especially considering all your own health difficulties, you are such a good mama and Oreo Joe is so lucky you're his person! (((Bonnie)))

Sorry to sound like a broken record but my best suggestion to you today is to call the vet again and ask for a prescription for ondansetron. It may work better for Oreo Joe than the Cerenia and it does reduce nausea symptoms much more than mirtazapine alone. I'm posting the link to the IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines again below:

IDEXX Treatment Guidelines

It might help you to show your vet this document because it does list ondansetron as a very good medication for treating cat nausea and it may very well help Oreo Joe more than the Cerenia. Dose for a 10lb cat is 1-2 mg every 8-12 hours to a maximum of 4mg per day. Many of us here find that starting out with 2mg ondansetron every 12 hours works better to help the kitty start eating more. Again, if your vet doesn't carry ondansetron themselves, it's a human medication and your vet should be able to give you a written prescription for you to fill at a regular pharmacy. Anti-nausea treatment may need to continue for a few weeks until the kitty is eating well again on its own.

Also, if Oreo Joe backslides a bit eating-wise without the pain relief then ask your vet for a repeat prescription for buprenorphine.

Keeping everything crossed for your dear boy. Sending more healing vibes and :bighug::bighug::bighug:.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Hi Bonnie,

I am so pleased to hear that you're managing to get Oreo Joe to eat a bit more for you and that you're managing better with giving pills. Especially considering all your own health difficulties, you are such a good mama and Oreo Joe is so lucky you're his person! (((Bonnie)))

Sorry to sound like a broken record but my best suggestion to you today is to call the vet again and ask for a prescription for ondansetron. It may work better for Oreo Joe than the Cerenia and it does reduce nausea symptoms much more than mirtazapine alone. I'm posting the link to the IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines again below:

IDEXX Treatment Guidelines

It might help you to show your vet this document because it does list ondansetron as a very good medication for treating cat nausea and it may very well help Oreo Joe more than the Cerenia. Dose for a 10lb cat is 1-2 mg every 8-12 hours to a maximum of 4mg per day. Many of us here find that starting out with 2mg ondansetron every 12 hours works better to help the kitty start eating more. Again, if your vet doesn't carry ondansetron themselves, it's a human medication and your vet should be able to give you a written prescription for you to fill at a regular pharmacy. Anti-nausea treatment may need to continue for a few weeks until the kitty is eating well again on its own.

Also, if Oreo Joe backslides a bit eating-wise without the pain relief then ask your vet for a repeat prescription for buprenorphine.

Keeping everything crossed for your dear boy. Sending more healing vibes and :bighug::bighug::bighug:.


Mogs
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In a search on line for buying it in Sweden it doesn't show up. I can call our vet on Monday morning. He acts better. He moves faster, he isn't shaking his paw when he smells the food. I can't decide if he is nauseated and I don't think he would be in pain now with the morphine. He is no longer curled up in teeny ball, although as is normal for him he loves laying on my lap when it is cold out like now, when I have the electric lap blanket. If it wasn't for him not eating we would think he was fairly well. Of course without his hypothyroid med his dandruff is really bad. His fur had been unkempt a few days ago, greasy looking and when combed I got hands full of fur. Well I just talked myself into believing my husband that Oreo was much better. hmmmm After I talk to our vet and not one of the others like I have for a week. I will check back here before I do anything. Thanks and hope you are well today!
 
Maybe he has less interest in the fountain because he's been getting more water/liquids from syringe feeding. Sorry, I'm not there to see exactly what's in his syringe. Is all his nutrition coming from syringe feeding?
This is a quote from Google concerning the use of feline buprenorphine.
"Cats generally have a poor tolerance for opioids. One major reason is the drugs' power and effects on our small feline friends. Aside from masking pain, opioids also affect and slow down respiration." The rest of the article explains why BUPE is a better choice for this kind of pain.
This is a little personal. I have some long term pain which can only be managed with opioids. Taking them away suddenly no matter how small the dose is unhealthy both physically and mentally. Cats and dogs are quite stoic about pain and can sometimes suffer in silence. You don't want to turn Oreo Joe into a drug addict but it's important one drug is replaced by another and then reduce the dosage slowly over time. (sorry for stating the obvious) Noah is a long term transdermal BUPE user due to dental issues; no effect on appetite, water, numbers, vision or any concern with stairs. If you experience any problems with the oral BUPE tag me for specifics. Noah gets his transdermal paste (ears) made by a compounding pharmacy. That's all I can contribute, hope the little man is feeling better soon.:bighug:
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
Maybe he has less interest in the fountain because he's been getting more water/liquids from syringe feeding. Sorry, I'm not there to see exactly what's in his syringe. Is all his nutrition coming from syringe feeding?
This is a quote from Google concerning the use of feline buprenorphine.
"Cats generally have a poor tolerance for opioids. One major reason is the drugs' power and effects on our small feline friends. Aside from masking pain, opioids also affect and slow down respiration." The rest of the article explains why BUPE is a better choice for this kind of pain.
This is a little personal. I have some long term pain which can only be managed with opioids. Taking them away suddenly no matter how small the dose is unhealthy both physically and mentally. Cats and dogs are quite stoic about pain and can sometimes suffer in silence. You don't want to turn Oreo Joe into a drug addict but it's important one drug is replaced by another and then reduce the dosage slowly over time. (sorry for stating the obvious) Noah is a long term transdermal BUPE user due to dental issues; no effect on appetite, water, numbers, vision or any concern with stairs. If you experience any problems with the oral BUPE tag me for specifics. Noah gets his transdermal paste (ears) made by a compounding pharmacy. That's all I can contribute, hope the little man is feeling better soon.:bighug:
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I read it was like morphine but for cats. I couldn't come up with a name so wrote morphine.
Buprenorphine I got 10 oral syringes that I am to give 3 a day 10 - 4.
Up until yesterday he was getting some water in his pate' food to make it a bit more soupy. Then I started with just his food hoping it would have a stronger taste of what he normally loves. I have given him a bit of water by syringe but not enough. He can't get more in his tummy after the feeding. He has always been a grazer wanting food when he wants a few bites at a time. I don't know if I can add water feedings in between his other feedings. I can barely pick him up and carry him to the other room and wrap him etc for water. I can barely do the 4 trips. Was so hoping he would at least think the water was a good idea, The Bupe has been used up the vet gave 4 days worth. Now I feed him and go to bed. Thank you!!
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
I don't know if I can add water feedings in between his other feedings.
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It's OK to syringe water between feedings if a kitty is not getting enough fluids. Remember to syringe the water a little at a time, and from side to side across the tongue.

You can check hydration in the following ways:

1. Pull the scruff of the neck up into a tent. It should return to normal straight away. If the scruff stays tented or is very slow to return to normal position it indicates dehydration.

2. Check the kitty's gums. If they are tacky (slightly sticky) to the touch then this is also a sign of dehydration.

:bighug:


Mogs
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how to check a cat for hydration
hur man kontrollerar en katt för hydrering

hope you are feeling better
hoppas du mår batter

Good luck in the World Junior Men's hockey game but we know Canada will win! :)
Lycka till i World Junior Men's hockey spel men vi vet att Kanada kommer att vinna! :(

 
Whooo hoooo! At 5 AM Oreo was drinking at the fountain! He showed interest in his food dish but finally turned away. He got 2 syringe feedings at 8 and 12:30 of 36 cc each time. At 2 PM he jumped up on my lap for a scratch and cuddle and I automatically held out a Temptation size treat and he ate it. He munched his way through about 30 of them. I am heading for kitchen duty and will try his chicken treat lucky have some thawed for us. I will give him his appetite pill but do I keep syringe feeding until he is eating normally?? Glucose was 3.5 APS - I would guess dry treats have raised it some but will test a bit later. Will be back to see what you say. Thanks
 
Yay! So happy to hear things are looking up!!!! :woot:

Yes, until he's eating normally, you'll want to keep supplementing with the syringing. It sounds like he's still feeling some nausea (turning away from the bowl), so definitely call the vet about the ondansetron on Monday-- he may need that for a while.

Another possibility might be a food aversion. Sometimes cats will associate whatever food they were offered (or syringe-fed) when they were feeling yucky with the feeling yucky, and avoid that food. If he gets to the point where he really seems like he wants to eat a full meal (scarfing down the treats enthusiastically, etc.) but still turning away from the regular food, you can try a different variety/flavor and see if he goes for that. But be cautious while he's still showing signs of feeling ill-- they can develop multiple aversions just as easily as one :banghead: , so don't offer the full repertoire all at once!

It does sound like he's feeling lots better though-- yay!!!!!
 
Such an encouraging update, Bonnie! :cat:

You will need to provide continued support for Oreo Joe until he is eating well and regularly under his own steam. I know I keep harping on about ondansetron but, with Oreo Joe showing more interest in eating by himself, treatment with ondansetron could really help get him over the hump. I'm also mindful of your own health difficulties, Bonnie, and if the ondansetron could get your boy eating without the need to syringe his food it would be a lot less psychologically stressful for both of you, and would give you more of the rest you yourself so badly need. I sincerely hope you'll give serious consideration to asking your vet to try the ondansetron treatment for Oreo Joe - and that your vet will be amenable to your request. Ondansetron saved my cat's life - and the lives of many other kitties here when they've had difficulty eating.

Be sure to keep monitoring urine for ketones as a precaution.

Fingers and paws crossed for steady progress.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Such an encouraging update, Bonnie! :cat:

You will need to provide continued support for Oreo Joe until he is eating well and regularly under his own steam. I know I keep harping on about ondansetron but, with Oreo Joe showing more interest in eating by himself, treatment with ondansetron could really help get him over the hump. I'm also mindful of your own health difficulties, Bonnie, and if the ondansetron could get your boy eating without the need to syringe his food it would be a lot less psychologically stressful for both of you, and would give you more of the rest you yourself so badly need. I sincerely hope you'll give serious consideration to asking your vet to try the ondansetron treatment for Oreo Joe - and that your vet will be amenable to your request. Ondansetron saved my cat's life - and the lives of many other kitties here when they've had difficulty eating.

Be sure to keep monitoring urine for ketones as a precaution.

Fingers and paws crossed for steady progress.

:bighug:


Mogs
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I will call the vet on Monday. This is a holiday weekend again but things are open Monday. Oreo is now going to his food dish with pieces of beef in sauce. Something bought by mistake. Not a lot but 2 times he ate when I stood him by it and just now he hopped off my lap and went for a couple small bites and a drink at the fountain and then to the litter box. When I google the Ondansetron I don't see it on any Swedish site. But I will see. It was a huge blessing when I saw him drink and once I was told he could blame his regular food for being sick I went to my emergency, whoops bought the wrong food. Roger will buy some of the stuff with sauce. Also hope he will go back to his old food. The same food comes in a tetra box, like little juice boxes for kids. I lasts a day if he is eating light and is $1.83 each. The cans are 600 gm and cost the same and last 2 days and usually a bit for the 3rd morning breakfast. But I have 12 dollars left for January so might as well use that, will make my purse lighter lol I am so happy that you all are helping me.
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
When I google the Ondansetron I don't see it on any Swedish site.
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Ondansetron is a human medication (often used for nausea management when people are receiving chemotherapy). I suggest perhaps ringing round your local pharmacies to ask if they stock generic ondansetron, or if they could order it in for you. Then all you'd have to do is get a written prescription from the vet and the local pharmacy would be able to fill it for you. (Note: The branded version, Zofran, is about ten times more expensive than the generic in the UK so I assume it would be similarly pricey in Sweden.)

Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
Oreo is now going to his food dish with pieces of beef in sauce.
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Way to go, Oreo Joe! :cat:


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Ondansetron is a human medication (often used for nausea management when people are receiving chemotherapy). I suggest perhaps ringing round your local pharmacies to ask if they stock generic ondansetron, or if they could order it in for you. Then all you'd have to do is get a written prescription from the vet and the local pharmacy would be able to fill it for you. (Note: The branded version, Zofran, is about ten times more expensive than the generic in the UK so I assume it would be similarly pricey in Sweden.)


Way to go, Oreo Joe! :cat:


Mogs
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I will have to see the cost. We have been hit with so many things in the last month we will soon need to take out another mortgage. Is it possible that the Cerenia 16mg and broken to 1/4 tab once a day until he starts to eat. Would keep on working? Just keep him on it longer than Dr ordered?
He is laying here so smug looking!! I will of course do what I have to for him, he is as close as I will ever get as a therapy cat! I just don't have any place to get money when we run out.
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
I will have to see the cost. We have been hit with so many things in the last month we will soon need to take out another mortgage.
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I understand the money worries only too well, Bonnie. :bighug:

I've no idea how expensive medications are in Sweden but, to give you a guide, in the UK it costs about £90-100 for 30 Zofran tablets BUT I can get 30 ondansetron tablets for less than £10 (HUGE difference!). Our vet charges about £7 or £8 for the written prescription.

Is it possible that the Cerenia 16mg and broken to 1/4 tab once a day until he starts to eat. Would keep on working? Just keep him on it longer than Dr ordered?
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Now, that I can't help you with since my kitties have only ever received one-off Cerenia injections. All I can suggest is that you give the vet a phone call and ask how long you can continue the Cerenia treatment. It may just do the job needed. However, other members might be able to give you more info. (@Carol & Murphy - have you given Cerenia long term?).

The only general advice I can give here is that even when a kitty starts to eat on its own again it's important not to be complacent when it comes to monitoring the cat's clinical signs for any return of nausea symptoms or fall-off in appetite. If clinical signs reappear/worsen then it's important to reinstate anti-nausea support straight away to help prevent the cat from becoming inappetent again. Needless to say, one needs to keep the vet abreast of developments and, if necessary, bring the kitty to the vet for a check-up.


Mogs
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Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
He is laying here so smug looking!!
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Hee! Sounds like he's feeling a bit better!

I hope he continues to improve on the eating and drinking, and that the vet can provide some affordable meds to keep on-hand. I agree that prevention/vigilance is best when dealing with a cat who is recovering from a bout of extreme inappetance-- they can backslide so easily. I'm also not sure on cutting down the Cerenia dose, hope someone who knows can chime in.
 
That's how I do the cerenia - cut the 16 mg pills into 4, and give one each day. Murphy is on cerenia each and every day. 4 mg maintenance, and 8 mg if he is having a flare. Once in a while, if he is having a good streak, I will skip a day. Of all his meds, cerenia is the most important to keep his pancreatitis/IBD at bay. The dose lasts for 24 hours, then is gone. Old school thinking is that you had to skip a day after giving cerenia for several days in a row, but many vets say that is no longer necessary.
 
JanetNJ said:
Maybe try tempting Oreo with water from a tuna can.
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He has always refused any people food, all fish cat food or human and really for the last 3½ years has refused anything but chicken or turkey pate'. He has been having a bm every other day but this AM was day 3 and he is not happy eating although I see he took a nibble of his pieces of beef in sauce. He has been in and out of the litter box with only some good sized urine clumps. At the water fountain again. I gave him ½ tsp of Miralax, split into 3 parts for his syringe feedings. He has had 2 so hope it will work good this pm or during the night.
 
Hi Bonnie,

Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
He has been having a bm every other day but this AM was day 3 and he is not happy eating although I see he took a nibble of his pieces of beef in sauce. He has been in and out of the litter box with only some good sized urine clumps.
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[Emphasis mine]

That's getting to be too long without a bowel movement.


Posture of a cat urinating:

iu


Note how the cat's rear end is lowered and hind legs are slightly behind the rest of the body.


Compare the above to the posture of a cat trying to pass a bowel motion:

iu


Note how the cat's rear end is more elevated and hind legs are positioned under the cat's body.

If Oreo Joe is adopting the second posture when he's in the litter box but is not passing any stools he may be quite constipated. Also, if he passes any watery diarrhoea but no solid bowel motion this may also be a sign that he's badly constipated (and he may vomit - especially if he strains and can't pass anything).

If Oreo can't pass any stools please, please take him to the vet's tomorrow for a physical examination to make sure his bowel is not obstructed and that he doesn't have impacted faeces in his bowel. If yes, then the vet may need to give him an enema or do something else to clear the bowel.

SAFETY NOTE: Until you sort out the constipation giving a laxative like Miralax could make things worse (like building pressure behind a dam). From felineconstipation.org:

If the cat has impacted stool, osmotic laxatives are not suitable until that situation is relieved. We do not want to create pressure behind a dam! In any event, osmotic laxatives do not 'catch up with' the stool already formed to act as stool softeners. They are better used to prevent trouble than to deal with a serious bout of constipation and are not suitable for impacted stool.
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If Oreo Joe is constipated that could make him nauseated and not be able to eat. If your vet thinks that Oreo is not obstructed and the constipation is due to a motility problem then a few doses of metoclopramide (aka Reglan - generic should be available at human pharmacies) can speed gastric emptying and help restore normal gut motility. NB: Metoclopramide is NOT suitable for nausea treatment in cats, but by helping restore normal bowel function it may help reduce nausea problems related to constipation problems.

If Oreo Joe were my cat I'd want him to be seen by a vet ASAP.

Be sure to keep us updated with developments. :bighug:


Mogs
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I agree with Mogs-- constipation can be resolved simply, or it can lead to very very serious problems. Hopefully Oreo Joe will poop soon, but if not, a quick once-over by the vet is in order.
 
Nothing during the night. Vet called when they opened and our vet was there. She walked me threw feeling his stomach etc all the while he wanted to groom!! She then said she would call back. She had the other vets in a consult and it was decided that she will drop off a liquid paraffin (the only treatment here and it coats the stomach and slips around the stool and hopefully slides it out). She will drop it off at a gas station about 15 minutes drive from here and save the long drive to pick it up. She is giving us 100 mg and save us driving to town and buying a ½ liter. 15 mg 2 times today and after he is going give him miralax daily. He got more water in the puree and he acts normal. He now doesn't avoid the syringe and I rarely need to hold his head. His fur is shiny his gums pink and moist. He heard my medicine bottle rattle and was awake immediately:bighug: and I tried his treats and he scarfed several down. He has 2 tsp of the new food in a bowl.
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
He got more water in the puree and he acts normal. He now doesn't avoid the syringe and I rarely need to hold his head. His fur is shiny his gums pink and moist. He heard my medicine bottle rattle and was awake immediately:bighug: and I tried his treats and he scarfed several down. He has 2 tsp of the new food in a bowl.
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This all sounds really really good. Yay for Oreo Joe!!! :)

Keeping paws crossed on the poop issue. I don't know anything about the liquid paraffin treatment, but it sounds like a good conservative approach to the situation. The fact that he sounds like he's feeling pretty good currently makes me quite hopeful that this is a very temporary problem that will soon be resolved.
 
I have been losing hope today. Still nothing, he is peeing once or twice a day and I have seen him at the water fountain but he doesn't even look at the little bit of food I put out he walks by like it isn't there and that was what he had nibbled on a couple of times. He was looking so good yesterday and even early this morning. Of course his spitting out about 3 cc of paraffin oil and it makes him look like he has greased up his white tuxedo doesn't help. But he has only been to the litter to apparently go poop 2 times today. I have been feeding him but the oil coats his stomach so the food will pass through and he gets no nutrition. He is looking sad and he sat in the middle of my lap and stared at me and then closed his eyes and sat there. It was a long time but finally laid down and cuddled close. I am losing him! The vet said that they felt that he would poop by this evening and keep hopeful. But she said if the bm was low down it would come out but high up there was nothing they could do that he would make it through or that we wouldn't need to mortgage the house. Apparently this oil was a hail Mary that they are successful with at times.
He is due for another feeding of just plain puree but he really fought that today and I stopped at 23 cc. I am shoving food in the front and nothing is coming out the back. Then he is due for another 15 ml of oil again at 8. I am alone and crying and holding my baby and begging and praying. He doesn't deserve this. Abandoned in the woods, when he was a baby, in a cage for over 2 years in a barn. I am so lost.
 
:( :( :( :( :(

So sorry to hear this. I wish there were something I could do to help. At this point, it sounds like it's up to Joe and whatever has him blocked up. It's good that he's still trying to poop, I think.

Question: were you able to take him in? When you were giving him the directed massage of his belly, did you feel anything anywhere that could be the blockage? We had a kitty here (@DavesMom , I think?) recently that had to have some hardened poop removed "manually" by the vet-- no surgery or house-mortgaging, in other words. This would only work if whatever it is is close to the exit point, of course, but is there a chance you'd be able to bring him in to see if that was a possibility?

So sorry this is happening. I have all fingers and paws crossed over here for you guys, I hope this resolves soon.

:bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
Nan & Amber said:
:( :( :( :( :(

So sorry to hear this. I wish there were something I could do to help. At this point, it sounds like it's up to Joe and whatever has him blocked up. It's good that he's still trying to poop, I think.

Question: were you able to take him in? When you were giving him the directed massage of his belly, did you feel anything anywhere that could be the blockage? We had a kitty here (@DavesMom , I think?) recently that had to have some hardened poop removed "manually" by the vet-- no surgery or house-mortgaging, in other words. This would only work if whatever it is is close to the exit point, of course, but is there a chance you'd be able to bring him in to see if that was a possibility?

So sorry this is happening. I have all fingers and paws crossed over here for you guys, I hope this resolves soon.

:bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
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I will take him in tomorrow morning. Hubby had to be gone today and there is no way to get to the vet now - well they are almost closed now.
I palpated his tummy and it is not hard or lumpy. He still has a layer of fat there but I just don't feel anything different. Pernilla - the vet - said that she could try to remove some but he would need to be put to sleep and get a tube in his mouth to keep him from aspirating anything and then the enema. They call this a big deal and could cost more than the rest of my savings. Also she feels that if the poo was close enough for her to do this the oil would have worked. If it higher up they can't do an enema. I need to live by Dr. Jeff!
Do you think I should maybe just give him water and forget the food and the oil? He was taking the feedings very calmly until today.
Pernilla knows how his stomach should feel and at least she could do that. If he is worse in the morning and nothing can be done I guess I would be there to say good bye to him. I will not have him dying at home feeling awful.
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
Pernilla - the vet - said that she could try to remove some but he would need to be put to sleep and get a tube in his mouth to keep him from aspirating anything and then the enema. They call this a big deal and could cost more than the rest of my savings.
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:banghead:

I probably misunderstood how extensive the treatment was (maybe DavesMom will come into this thread later and clarify what happened there).

OK, at least until tomorrow, we just have to hold our breaths and hope. Maybe someone else will also have some suggestions, but in the meantime, give him lots of loving and encouragement, poor little guy. Keeping you in my thoughts. :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
Oh, Bonnie!

:bighug::bighug:

All I can suggest is to ask your vet tomorrow whether a short course of metoclopramide (Reglan) might be a help to Oreo Joe (to help him get back to pooping normally after she helps him with his current difficulties). I've never had a cat as severely constipated as Oreo seems to be at the moment so I don't know what to suggest about feeding. He might be dehydrated (do the scruff tent test and check his gums). Dehydration doesn't help anything so maybe see if you can get Oreo to take a little water?

I'm very glad that you're taking Oreo Joe to the vets tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed that because he's actually trying to pass a bowel motion the problem stool is down low enough for the vet to be able to do something to help when you get him there.

Constipation can make a cat feel really lousy and they can get quite lethargic. Once they get the problem poop out they can quickly feel a great deal better. I hope this will happen for your dear boy.

Sending positive vibes and prayers for both of you.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Don't know whether this may be of help but when Saoirse was badly constipated after a surgery the vet gave her an enema but she didn't need to be anaesthetised for it.

Keeping fingers and paws crossed that the vet will be able to help in the morning (and also that Oreo Joe might be able to pass something in the meantime).

:bighug:


Mogs
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I was up all night with my boy. He loved the tummy massage that lasted for hours. He goes to the fountain now but at 3 AM I couldn't keep sitting, I went to bed with Oreo on me before I laid down. We then spent the rest of the night with him hopping off to the litter box and back on the bed. Every ½ hour. Early AM to the phone and the Vets are doing work at another clinic for small animal visits as they are far away from any clinic. There was no one there until Pernilla is back for a 3 pm so we will be there then. Poor boy he has been to the box 5 times in 1½ hours. I ck'd my account and my money will be wiped out before the coming bills come and I will have to set up monthly payments. But he made it this far I can't let him down. 3 leaks in the roof over my bed on my head. Roofer is coming. :banghead:
 
Bonnie & Oreo Joe said:
Poor boy he has been to the box 5 times in 1½ hours.
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I still think this is a really good sign that it's something close enough that he can feel it, and he's still going for water and enjoying attention. Hoping it's just a matter of more time, or a small (inexpensive) intervention... Will be thinking of you guys all day, please keep us updated. :bighug: :bighug:
 
Remember to ask the vet about whether a few days on metoclopramide (Reglan) would help normalise Oreo Joe's gut motility (after the vet has the sorted out the current constipation hold-up, of course).

:bighug:


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Oreo has or probably has a tumor It is where their wouldn't be stool. A rectal was done and there was soft stool that she could feel. She couldn't feel any stool where it should be if constipated. He is hydrated. She said to try Miralax ½ tsp BID. If he is no better by Friday morning we need to decide if we put him down. Before we left home he had a walnut shaped extremely hard piece of stool. As far as the tumor it may be slow growing and we won't know, There are no scans available as most people can't afford the price. An x-ray will only show a shadow and we know that is there. He is on my lap cuddled in for a good long nap. Roger needed a nap badly so is laying down in the feeding spot. We picked up feeding syringes 14 dollars for 2 - 10cc syringe! I should have never been a nurse, I should have went into equipment for pets! We don't have pumpkin available and we have to out of town to find a squash, usually only tiny zucchini.
Any help in decision making will be welcome. :(
 
Oh, Bonnie ...

My heart sank on reading the above. :(

I've no experience with tumors so I can't help any in that regard. I do suggest that you start a new thread on Feline Health asking for urgent input/help from any members who have dealt with feline tumors. They might be able to offer suggestions about diagnostics, etc. Be sure to give details of Oreo Joe's recent history (poor appetite; syringe feeding leading to some improvement in appetite with Cerenia assistance; difficulty passing stool then subsequent dip in appetite again). If you have any current lab results it would be helpful to include them in the thread, too.

For information only, psyllium husk is an alternative source of fibre (needs to be started very, very sparingly as it can really bulk up the stool). NB: Given the latest discovery, you need to consult with your vet before doing anything with fibre!!! I really and truly hope the Miralax will help Oreo Joe.

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers and sending some gentle fusses for your beautiful boy. It shines from your posts how very much you love each other. Just wish there was something more I could do ...

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I'm so sorry.... :(

I also don't have experience with this kind of thing, but my impression is that the course of action is very individual and depends on the location and progress of the tumor. In some cases, cats can live quite happily with something slow-growing, in others with a more aggressive tumor, quality of life issues become obvious very quickly.

I'm glad he was able to pass a bit of stool, maybe that will help by removing that one extra obstacle. I don't want to promote false hope here, but it sounds like the vet wasn't able to be definitive on a tumor, but was inferring its presence because Oreo had some soft stool/wasn't constipated when you brought him in, but that was after he'd passed the hard lump. In any case, let's see how he does in the next day or so.

:bighug:
 
Butternut squash, sweet potato, yams will also work.

One of my inherited cats made a trip to the emergency vet due to constipation. An xray was taken. Along with fecal matter, the xray showed a very visible large cell tumour on or near her liver. I have no clue if the tumour and the constipation were related. The vets could not answer that question. Due to her age and personality (she was a scaredy cat and chose to live in one room), surgery wasn't an option, and we decided to treat with compassionate care only.

The constipation was dealt with by an enema, twice (such fun). Cisapride to help with motility was prescribed along with lactulose. The lactulose didn't help, so we switched to mirilax (which did). Blood work taken showed chronic kidney disease. Treated with subq fluids, pepcid ac, an ace inhibitor, and aluminum hydroxide.
The subq fluids helped the constipation as well (miralax works by drawing water into the colon).

We kept her going for 11 months. Looking back, I don't think it was our hard work that kept her going, but a complete personality change that came over her. She had a bucket list and was determined to tick off every box. In the end, the tumour became so large that it squished her digestive organs and prevented her from eating. She wasn't in pain. Just hungry and unable to eat. Sad, but good knowing that she had crossed so many things off her bucket list. I'll never forget standing in the woods watching a by now deaf cat on a leash intently mouse hunting.

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Hi Bonnie,

Just checking in to ask how you and Oreo Joe are doing this morning, and to let you know you're both in my thoughts and prayers.

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I know I left everyone hanging. Things are getting horrid. I am feeling so sorry for Oreo and myself. He is like a service cat for me. He is there when I am having hard times even moving. He cuddles when I need it. We thought that he would start doing #2 Wed pm. There were a couple of times he asked for crunchy treats and was back to drinking. He ate a few bites of food Sat and then at 4 this morning ate some food with enthusiasm. Yesterday there were 2 small moist stools. Thumb nail size but it was a start. He has gotten Miralax 1/4 tsp AM and PM. But I haven't seen him drinking today although he did urinate once. He goes to the litter box after each feeding but nothing. I never have seen him in the box but this pm I was getting my bed ready for a cold night when I could see him and he really strained hard several times. My heart dropped, he is not acting sick but I am thinking that the tumor is pressing where it stops easy passage of stool. By the end of the week he will be gone. We can't fight this tumor, once he is showing discomfort we will have to take him in. I will be back to report later.
 
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