? Diabetic cat - stool issues - please advise if possible

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rshank

Member Since 2015
my cat Gus is 11 [or so, rescue] and has been on lantus for about 2 years. he has bad diarrhea, bright blood. we've been to the vet twice to try to figure it out. he's on regulated food with forti flora. however it's not helping - and we've given it a good long try. he poos out of the box all the time, not that he means to but it appears he can't help it. at times he cramps into an arc and has a blurted cry/meow - sounds like pain - but never while he's pooing.
i have no idea and i hate to say the vet isn't helping, but he kind of isn't.
my husband is done with having a poo house and i can't blame him, need to figure out what's wrong.
any thoughts are welcome.
 
Have you treated for parasites such as coccidia and giardia? Sometimes fecal tests don't show them when present, so discuss empiric treatment with the vet. Also, sometimes more than 1 round of treatment is needed.

Bloody diarrhea may be caused by inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance, or intestinal cancer. For IBD, oral budesonide may be helpful and is less likely to cause glucose to raise; another thing to discuss with the vet. Changing the food to a novel protein that has never been eaten, such as venison, may be an approach to try to.

Fiber will help give some form to the feces and make them less liquid. Add 1/8 teaspoon in a canned food meal with some extra water. Do discuss with the vet.

For now, while you work on figuring out a solution, using washable or disposable tarps in 1 room where he stays may help deal with the mess. Or, use a 48" long wire dog crate, lined with newspapers to confine him.

To learn more about the feline GI tract, go to Feline Constipation.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Gus isn't doing so good on the pooping front. It's awful seeing anything wrong with our little ones.

FWIW, if the fecal blood is bright red I'm fairly sure that whatever problem Gus may have is in the lower part of his GI tract (nearer the exit - blood from higher up the GI tract tends to blacken stools).

The inappropriate elimination and crying are clear signs that something's up with Gus that needs appropriate veterinary support to find out what's going on and how to help him. It's clear from your post that your current vets aren't giving you that sort of support. I strongly recommend you seek a second professional opinion as soon as possible. Perhaps if you post a thread on Feline Health letting people know the rough area you live in you might be able to get some recommendations about good vets in the area from other FDMB members? If there's not another vet practice in the area that you can go to, I'd suggest asking your current vets to refer you to a specialist. (Tip: follow the "Notes to Share" link in BJ's signature for her list of Vet Interview Topics; it's very helpful.)

I hope you find out what's troubling Gus soon, and that you'll be able to get the help he needs to make him feel better.


Mogs
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thank you for the feedback.

we had an appointment today. vet put him on Tylan (Tylosin) powder twice a day. has anyone has any experience or success with this?

if this doesn't work i think i will get a second opinion.
 
I see from Wikipedia that it's an antibiotic sometimes used for colitis in small animals. I've no experience of giving it to a cat so can't add anything. I hope that it does Gus some good. Be sure to let us know how he does.


Mogs
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Hoping someone can respond regarding a constipation issue. My cat Calli was recently diagnosed with diabetes just 10 days ago! So much to learn and I am overwhelmed. Today she seems to be constipated and I am not sure what I can safely give her that won't raise her BG and will give her some relief. She did go last night, but stools were hard. She just tried to go again with no luck today. Would appreciate any advice to help her. Thanks in advance.
 
@Phoenix128 -

Hi Barb,

Know the problem! You could add canned pumpkin (not the pie filling - just the plain pumpkin) or psyllium husk to Calli's food. They can help normalise the gut. Both tend to make stools a little bulkier. Miralax is another possible treatment. It softens the stool without bulking.As always, have a word with your vets before starting any treatment or adding things to food.

You can find lots more info at www.felineconstipation.org.

Hope Calli feels better soon. :)


Mogs
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I have a call in to my vet today and am waiting to hear from her. I see the 100% pumpkin has way too many carbs. I'm just getting started on this diabetes issue and do not want to give her so many carbs. I also heard about psyllium but will wait to hear from the vet. I feel so bad for Calli because I know how bad it feels to be constipated. Poor girl...it has been a rough 10 days since diagnosis! Thanks for your feedback. I will post what the vet recommends.
 
The canned pumpkin typically doesn't adversely affect blood glucose levels at all. If anything, adding fibre to the diet carries the possibility of lowering blood glucose levels. In Saoirse's case, psyllium tends to have a more beneficial effect on her BG numbers than pumpkin but it tends to bulk up her stools a bit too much, hence my preference to give her a small amount of pumpkin in several of her meals each day.


Mogs
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@rshank - your baby may have a polyp or cyst near the end of his colon. Doc gets them which causes the same bright red blood in the stool. Xrays would possibly show you if something is there causing the pain. It also sounds like my 'poopy issue' non-diabetic kitty when a piece gets stuck and he can't move it. Miralax and/or pumpkin usually helps it move. He does that back hump and cry when that happens.

HUGS and good luck - it stinks when they hurt and we can't fix it...
 
This is the first time Calli has been constipated. She did have a bowel movement last night and has been pooping fine right along. I am just concerned that she is uncomfortable today because she can't go. I just want to try and help it move along and come out. I am waiting on a call from my vet for any remedy she may recommend that will not affect her BG. 100% pumpkin is very high in carbs! Thanks for the feedback and I hope your kitty feels better soon. It is terrible when they are sick and sad they can't tell us how they feel or what is wrong. Good luck to you also! Thanks again!
 
Calli had a rough night. BG up to 329 at 6am. She did poop, but now there is brown smelly liquid coming out from around her anus and I am assuming it may be anal glands. The brown smelly stuff is all over her fur around the anus and below and she won't let me clean it. Good note is her sugar came down to 247 and she ate. Don't know what to do here. I guess another vet trip that I cannot afford. Happy New Year to me!! :(
 
Hi Barb,

Just checking in to see how Calli and yourself are doing today. Did you call the vet for advice? (Sorry I can't suggest anything; no experience of what you've described.)


Mogs
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Phoenix128 said:
Calli had a rough night. BG up to 329 at 6am. She did poop, but now there is brown smelly liquid coming out from around her anus and I am assuming it may be anal glands. The brown smelly stuff is all over her fur around the anus and below and she won't let me clean it. Good note is her sugar came down to 247 and she ate. Don't know what to do here. I guess another vet trip that I cannot afford. Happy New Year to me!! :(
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Sounds like she needs her anal glands expressed or may have an impacted gland. That will cause it to hurt when she goes to poop so she may hold it overlong so it won't hurt. The vet would indeed be able to help with this. Some cats (and dogs) are prone to this happening. If it happens often, your vet can teach you to do it yourself. Luckily my cats don't have this issue but 2 of my little dogs do...
 
Critter Mom said:
Hi Barb,

Just checking in to see how Calli and yourself are doing today. Did you call the vet for advice? (Sorry I can't suggest anything; no experience of what you've described.)


Mogs
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Hi Mogs,
Calli's butt area looks a lot better. I actually think the anal glands drained themselves as there was a bunch of brown smelly stuff all over her anal area. I put a little vaseline on where it was all red and it looks so much better today. She is still constipated so today I am going to try the Miralax on her. I am worried that she is in pain because she can't poop. Her last bowel movement was 2 days ago and it was hard and wasn't very much. Her BG levels have been pretty good. Today at 180. She is eating and drinking well. It's been a roller coaster ride so far, but she is worth the ride! :) Happy New Year to you and thanks for checking on us. :)
 
Thanks for the update, Barb. I'm glad Calli's doing a bit better today. As I mentioned above, www.felineconstipation.org is a very helpful and well-respected resource for poop-related problems. More than worth the time to visit. Hopefully things will start moving properly soon.

Happy New Year to both of you. :cat:


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Thanks for the update, Barb. I'm glad Calli's doing a bit better today. As I mentioned above, www.felineconstipation.org is a very helpful and well-respected resource for poop-related problems. More than worth the time to visit. Hopefully things will start moving properly soon.

Happy New Year to both of you. :cat:


Mogs
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My vet suggested laxatone, but I heard it has sugar in it. I'm afraid of the Miralax as I worry about side effects. Not sure what to use.
 
Squeaky and KT said:
Sounds like she needs her anal glands expressed or may have an impacted gland. That will cause it to hurt when she goes to poop so she may hold it overlong so it won't hurt. The vet would indeed be able to help with this. Some cats (and dogs) are prone to this happening. If it happens often, your vet can teach you to do it yourself. Luckily my cats don't have this issue but 2 of my little dogs do...
Click to expand...
Critter Mom said:
@Phoenix128 -

Hi Barb,

Know the problem! You could add canned pumpkin (not the pie filling - just the plain pumpkin) or psyllium husk to Calli's food. They can help normalise the gut. Both tend to make stools a little bulkier. Miralax is another possible treatment. It softens the stool without bulking.As always, have a word with your vets before starting any treatment or adding things to food.

You can find lots more info at www.felineconstipation.org.

Hope Calli feels better soon. :)


Mogs
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Hi and happy New Year to you and yours! Just to update all on Calli's bowel issues. I had to take her to the emergency vet on Sunday as she was in pain from not pooping. After x-rays they determined she needed two enemas to get all of the stool out. No anal gland issues! The vet there told me to choose either the pumpkin or Miralax to keep her stools soft enough to pass. They said everything that came out was rock hard. Poor girl! After being completely cleaned out, I started Miralax yesterday (Monday). No bowel movement yet, but since Sunday night her blood glucose test results are as follows: Monday a.m. 118, evening reading 108. This morning (Tuesday) 108. I am beyond thrilled and hope the readings stay like this. She is acting normally, eating and drinking. After many trials in such a short time it is hopeful to see such positive results just from diet only. Now waiting on a bowel movement. If any of you have gone with Miralax, how long before it will take affect? This is day 2. Hoping all of your furbabies are doing well!
 
Barb, it may be 4-5 days before she poops after cleaning out everything....give it time. Miralax draws water out of the colon to soften the stool that's moving through.

HUGS and 'poopy' thoughts.... :)
 
Aw, poor Calli! That can't have been fun. :(

Nasty solution aside, I'm glad to hear that Calli is feeling better - and doesn't it show in her much improved BG levels! FWIW, Saoirse tends to run a little higher when she's overdue for a poop.

Phoenix128 said:
She did poop, but now there is brown smelly liquid coming out from around her anus and I am assuming it may be anal glands. The brown smelly stuff is all over her fur around the anus and below and she won't let me clean it.
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Did the vet clarify whether this might have been discharge from the anal glands, or could it have been some diarrhoea that managed to squeeze round the stuck stools?

Positive pooping vibes on their way from here, too. ;)


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Aw, poor Calli! That can't have been fun. :(

Nasty solution aside, I'm glad to hear that Calli is feeling better - and doesn't it show in her much improved BG levels! FWIW, Saoirse tends to run a little higher when she's overdue for a poop.


Did the vet clarify whether this might have been discharge from the anal glands, or could it have been some diarrhoea that managed to squeeze round the stuck stools?

Positive pooping vibes on their way from here, too. ;)


Mogs
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The vet said it was diarhhrea that got out around the poop! I am wondering if I should give the Miralax to her twice a day until we see results. I would hate for it all to back up again. Yes, we definitely need positive poop vibes! The more the merrier!! Thanks
 
Squeaky and KT said:
Barb, it may be 4-5 days before she poops after cleaning out everything....give it time. Miralax draws water out of the colon to soften the stool that's moving through.

HUGS and 'poopy' thoughts.... :)
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LOL!! Thanks for the "poopy thoughts!!" :)Wow! Surprised it would be that long. At least she is eating, drinking and peeing well and I am loving those BG numbers. Hoping that continues!
 
I've not used Miralax for Saoirse, Barb, so can't answer.


Question to other readers of this thread:

Does anyone know what is the right dosing for Miralax, please?


Mogs
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'Normal' dosing for Miralax is 1/8th tsp twice a day but for 'poopy problem' cats or larger ones, up to 1/4th twice a day. My 16lb cat with poopy problems ges 1/4th twice a day when having issues, 1/4th once a day for maintenance.
 
Squeaky and KT said:
'Normal' dosing for Miralax is 1/8th tsp twice a day but for 'poopy problem' cats or larger ones, up to 1/4th twice a day. My 16lb cat with poopy problems ges 1/4th twice a day when having issues, 1/4th once a day for maintenance.
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The emergency vet told me 1/8 once a day!
 
Squeaky and KT said:
'Normal' dosing for Miralax is 1/8th tsp twice a day but for 'poopy problem' cats or larger ones, up to 1/4th twice a day. My 16lb cat with poopy problems ges 1/4th twice a day when having issues, 1/4th once a day for maintenance.
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I took Calli to the emergency vet Sunday and after two enemas to clean her out she sent me home with instructions of 1/8 tsp once a day. Should I be doing more? BTW, the emergency vet was not her usual vet. Calli has not pooped yet since the enemas Sunday.
 
Anything new is still soft so the 1/8th once a day may be enough for now - it's when it stays in the colon for long enough to dry out and get hard that causes the issues.
 
Barb and Calli said:
LOL!! Thanks for the "poopy thoughts!!" :)Wow! Surprised it would be that long. At least she is eating, drinking and peeing well and I am loving those BG numbers. Hoping that continues!
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Ever experienced any side effects with the Miralax? Calli seems like she might be a little sick to her stomach. No poop yet! She ate the 4th dose this morning. I'm very nervous and have become fixated on her litterbox!!
 
I may have missed this somewhere but I was wondering how the kitty with bloody diarrhea was doing too. I think someone already suggested this, but I would also test for pancreatitis and do an abdominal ultrasound.
 
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