Miralax use? - Civvie & Diabetic

[Barbara]

I've been reading about using Miralax for constipation. My 17 pound male civvie is straining & still only going a little. I've noticed a lot of his fur in it. My diabetic has had problems with constipation in the past & I gave them Laxatone. What are the pros/cons of Miralax & Laxatone? It seems like all the others are having some sort of issue. I can't catch any of them in the litterbox but the poops seem to be getting smaller and seem pretty hard. My diabetic has had "trace" ketones on a pee strip before and she has been sick for the past 2 weeks with something...no one can figure out what's going on with her...long story, so I'm concerned about adding anything in the mix with her but on the other hand don't want her to be constipated! Someone also mentioned to me about the Miralax drawing water out of them so I'm concerned about that with her "trace" ketones. Any suggestions? And are there any other alternatives? What is the dose if I give it to my civvie? Thanks!

 

[Randi & Max (GA)]

Hi Barbara
Sorry you are having some pooh problems with your kitties.
I used Miralax with my Max as many here have.
It is true that it draws out water so when I used it I always made sure to add
water to the wet food as well. I would sprinkle the Miralax, 1/8 tsp twice a day with water
as well. We feed FF here as well. I have one OTJ diabetic (in remsission for a year)
and 3 civvies.

 

[Harley and Pattie]

I also use Miralax with Harley. I do add additional water to his food and once a day I give him a "treat" of soupy FF. This way he is getting additional water with his food.

Pattie

 

[Blue]

I also must mix in Restoralax into Oliver's food as he has 'slow stool' which sort of hangs around inside too long.
The powder is tasteless and can be mixed into foods but be sure to add water to make the food more mushy as it works by drawing liquid from the body to be able to soften the stool.
I need to mix at least 1/4 to 1/2 tsp in each of Oliver's meals to make sure he is regular. I aim for one deposit a day, or at least soft stool.
Depending on the results you get, you can adjust the amount of powder.... if too loose/soft, cut back on the powder, if still not soft enough, add a bit more powder.
I had tried stopping it when Oliver was more regular, but the problem just returned, so it's easier to just add a bit into each of his meals and be done with it.

 

[BJM]

If this is a fairly recent change, and you haven't had a vet exam ... please go. There are things besides constipation which may cause straining at stool, such as an impaction or foreign object obstruction.

A worst case scenario: If you tried to force stuff through the GI tract with an impaction, it could tear the intestine, contaminate the internal abdomen, cause infection, and lead to sepsis and death.

 

[Blue]

I should mention that Shadoe had to have her anal glands expressed and she did NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT.
If it has been quite some time since any deposit, it may be an idea to have the vet give some help to remove any blockage.