Newly Diagnosed Diabetic Cat - Sammy

[Margaret]

Still working on the constipation issue. Sammy often drops a few turds on the way to the litter box -- they are hard and dry, largish, round balls, not long and Tootsie Roll-shaped.

To date, I've continued the psyllium fiber capsule sprinkled on his food twice daily. I added some canned pumpkin to each meal starting several days ago, and couldn't see that it was making much difference.

Yesterday I started with some Laxatone (along with the psyllium and pumpkin). I got the formulation that is petrolatum free because it doesn't have corn syrup in it. The ingredients are: soybean oil, hydrolyzed veg oil, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, chicken flavor, vit E, lecithin, soy protein, sorbitol, beeswax, maple flavor, methylcellulose, chamomile. So I don't know if all that soy is the greatest thing. Any opinions on that? I guess it's too soon for me to know for sure if it's working for him, but he does act pretty contented this morning -- ate all of his breakfast voraciously and is purring like crazy when he stirs from napping -- looks pretty bright and interested in life.

I've been reading on other threads about using Miralax -- and am thinking maybe it would be better for Sammy than the psyllium capsules, as they don't seem to be enough on their own.

I'm going shopping today and would like to get some Miralax, but I anticipate that, if it's like other OTC medications, there are probably several formulations -- what should I look for? And what is the recommended starting amount for cats?

Thanks for any help you can give!

Margaret

 

[KPassa]

I've been reading on other threads about using Miralax -- and am thinking maybe it would be better for Sammy than the psyllium capsules, as they don't seem to be enough on their own.

If nothing else is working, this might be a good idea to try. I'm not familiar with it enough, but you might want to start another post with the subject something like "Questions on Constipation" or something.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Hi Margaret!

My sugardude Wink gets both Miralax and Psyllium added to his food once a day. 1/8th of a teaspoon seems to work for him fine most of the time. Occasionally he'll need a second dose in a day. The pumpkin did not help his constipation, but it's great for when he gets diarrhea.

My civie Dancer gets both Miralax and Psyllium added to her food twice a day. 1/8th of a teaspoon seems to work for her fine most of the time.

My vet told me to start with 1/8 teaspoon, and increase the dose of Miralax until the stools get really soft, then back down on the dose.

I also add extra water to their canned food, a tablespoon or 2 each meal to help keep the stool softer with the two medications.

The generic Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) works fine. There are no different formulations, just pick up a bottle of your choice of brand at your local drugstore and start using it on a regular basis.

This website on Feline Constipation has a lot of good information.

 

[Margaret]

Thank you for the information! Glad to have the Miralax in my arsenal, and the additional info at the feline constipation site, too.

Sammy seems to be doing better -- I'm not seeing the large, hard dry balls now, and though I can't be 100% positive it's Sammy's (two other cats here), I'm seeing some soft, shiny poops (an appearance I haven't seen before), and I think the addition of the Laxatone "Natural" formulation may doing the trick for now.

I, too, add extra water to the wet food concoction, and Sammy's eating his meals voraciously, so he must not mind the taste of the additions. Knowing him, I expect he actually likes the pumpkin, even if it's not enough to overcome the constipation on its own.

Margaret