Oscar had another attack. Help please!

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oscarandlucy

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A few weeks ago Oscar had a strange episode that landed him in the vet emerg. See thread here:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=39556

He has been fine since then, until last night. I noticed that he had not had a bowel movement (he usually has one every second day). In the middle of the night, he started crying and vomiting. While I cleaned the vomit, he started hunching and straining as if trying to have a bowel movement. He was nowhere near his box. The straining seemed to cause him great pain, and after an attempt, he would lie down and pant. This happened a few times with a few minutes of calm in between. Finally, he passed a fairly large stool during one of these horrible episodes - it seemed as if his whole lower body was cramping up.
Once he did that, he was fine. He ate and then slept comfortably through the night. This seemed to be a milder version of what happened last time. Although that time the panting, shaking and howling were so dramatic that they overshadowed the bowel movement, which was just written off as a symptom of whatever else was going on.

So, is it possible that what he is experiencing is severe constipation, even if his normal schedule if only off by one day? I think we will get to the vet but in the meantime, are there any suggestions that won't threaten his OTJ?

He loves lactulose (acts like it's the best treat ever) but I hesitate to give it to him since it is a sugar. I also give him 1/8 tsp psyllium each day. Should I up the psyllium? give lactulose regularly? something else?

All thoughts welcomed. Thank you in advance.
 
lucy just wanted to let you know i'm here...i read your post but wanted to read the link too ok. brb
 
gosh, i'm surprised the vet let you go without an xray or ultra sound if the symptoms were the same as this last time.
severe constipation could cause this i think...
but i do think if you can get him to the vet it would be best. he could have (and this is serious) an intestinal blockage...
 
Sorry, let me clarify. When he was in the emerg, he had an ultrasound - heart, lungs, abdomen - all clear. But, I guess he could still have something serious.
 
certainly sounds like. does'nt intestional blockage seem to fit these terrible symptoms?
 
Poor Oscar.

I hate to mention this, but must. Mr. Kitty had some of these symptoms and
his colon cancer, near the rectum, was found via endoscope (colonoscopy) through
the anus.

You have had ultra-sound so I hope that has been ruled out. Did they check the
entire elimination tract...complete end-to-end ?

Mr. Kitty's was only 20cm 'in' from the anus.

Sending prayers for you and Oscar.
 
I'm glad you mentioned it. I wonder if something like that would have shown up in the extensive blood work he had.

Also, were you're cats symptoms so variable? His attacks were separated by weeks of completely normal function.

Anyway, calling the vet in the morning and we'll see what happens.
 
If there is a section of colon which no longer moves well or at all, stuff could stall in that area, losing water and becoming harder. Instead of lactulose, what about Miralax?
 
did you talk to the vet about IBS. I wasn't sure if cats could get IBS but they can I googled it for you to check. It can be extremely painful.

here is one site if you google IBS cats that may help. anyway not sure if it is or isn't it is just a thought but it sounds like it may be. . . http://www.constipationremedies101.net/ ... -cats.html


watch the color etc if it is dark almost black call the vet. that usually means there is blood in the stool. also look for red blood in the stool. usually you don't have that with IBS and it can be something more serious then. Not that IBS isn't serious because it is very painful. the pain is usually relieved with a bowel movement because the pressure and gas is gone most of it.
 
Thank you for these possibilities, which I will read about and discuss with the vet.

The stool he passed last night and during the first attack was a little on the big side, but normal in colour and maybe a bit hard. There was no blood on the stool although the vet noted some bleeding when she took his temperature. She thought he might have swallowed and then passed a foreign object that caused some tearing.

It is very interesting that both times, once he passed the stool he was normal. Last night, he went immediately to his feeder and had something to eat and then he went to bed.

He's had a very normal day. No aftereffects at all, it seems.
 
It sounds like IBS but I am not a vet. you may want to take someone else's suggestion about the

miralax it is gentle does not produce much gas , easy on the stomach and does not cause electrolyte balance problems.
 
sending my warm thoughts to oscar. My friends cat had an episode like this (there was also blood in the stool), and he was diagnosed with a case of IBS. As others suggested, I would ask the vet about this! good look
 
We saw the vet. She was wonderful and walked through all the emerg test results with me.

She thinks he is just suffering from constipation, but will monitor for IBS. She recommended Restoralax (Miralax) but said it can be hard to find in Toronto. I'll search this afternoon. She also said lactulose 1/day is safe for an OTJ diabetic cat.

She echoed the emerg vet's recommendation that he lose 2 pounds.
 
oscarandlucy said:
We saw the vet. She was wonderful and walked through all the emerg test results with me.

She thinks he is just suffering from constipation, but will monitor for IBS. She recommended Restoralax (Miralax) but said it can be hard to find in Toronto. I'll search this afternoon. She also said lactulose 1/day is safe for an OTJ diabetic cat.

She echoed the emerg vet's recommendation that he lose 2 pounds.
Click to expand...

Any generic brand of 'Miralax' will do. Look for the ingredient Polyethylene Glycol.
Most big chain-store pharmacies have their own generic brand...ask the pharmacist.
 
If you can increase his water intake that might help soften his stools a bit as well. Do you already mix water with his food when you feed him? If so, a pet fountain might also stimulate drinking.
 
I was able to find both Restoralax and its generic at Shoppers Drug Mart (the main chain in Toronto).

Yes, I do add water to his food. 1 tablespoon to each ounce of food. He rarely drinks out of his bowl but I will look into fountains.

Of course, once he was relaxed after his vet visit, he had a very normal, pain-free bowel movement :)
 
Something I learn from my vet also a long time ago is cats drink more water if it is not with the food. I have a fwe places I keep water pitchers for my cats. It seems to work having multi locations. I also only use glass and plastic is so toxic.
 
The Miralax seems to be working. Even just on the baby 1/8 teaspoon dose he had a bowel movement within 30 hours of his last one. A first for him. Cross your fingers!

Yes, I keep his bowl at a distance from his food and I only use glass or stainless steel.
 
I use Lax-a-day for DC.
I'm in Alberta and we can't get Miralax here.
My vet suggested the Lax-a-day instead and so did the pharmacist.
I hope Oscar feels better real soon.
 
In Ontario, Miralax is called Restoralax, but I just bought the generic version.

Thanks for your good wishes. Oscar sends purrs and head taps.
 
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