Poo Issues

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Shenandoah

Shenandoah

Member Since 2015
Hi all,
Shenandoah seems to be pooing regularly, and in the litter box, and no issues there. The problem is that several times lately she walks away with a piece still stuck, and then does the squat-and-slide on the carpet to get it off.
Is this a symptom of constipation? Or could it be from her neuropathy? Or might something else be causing it?
Is there anything I can do to help her?
Thanks.
 
Yeah, I'm aware of that issue, too. I don't think that was the problem the past couple times - because I haven't seen any hair in it, and also they seemed to come right out easily when she did the slide -- whereas with hair it usually has been more difficult for her to remove them and sometimes has required me cutting it.
But maybe that's all it was. I'll keep an eye on it if it happens more.
 
Having seen many unregulated or recently diagnosed kitties with inappropriate peeing behaviours which resolve with improved regulation, and possibly an adjunct of methyl B12 supplementation, it's reasonable to hypothesize that neuropathy may affect bladder control. I just did a web search and came up with this article about bowel and bladder control problems in human diabetics.

I do wonder whether neuropathy affects GI transit times. Saoirse's transit time ended up doubling without her insulin treatment, and her stools ended up like bullets. Were Shenandoah's stools hard or yielding? Is she showing any signs of constipation/longer GI transit time?


Mogs
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The stools are on the hard side, but I haven't seen any other symptoms of constipation.
Unfortunately, transit times are a bit difficult to monitor with two cats. Unless I catch them in the litter box, it's harder to tell who is going when.
I also can't check on her when she's going, because as soon as I peek into the room where the litter box is, she walks off, even if she's in the middle of going. She likes her privacy.
 
I have a ragdoll (very long hair), non-diabetic cat who has this happen to her once in a while. I was concerned too and later found out why. I accidentally found out the other two kitties would pounce at her as she stepped out of the litter box (kind of a bully game). The litter box is enclosed so she couldn't see them lurking around the corner and waiting for her. It was really mean of them. Then that led her going in the box and quickly wanted to get out before she was done and before they would pounced on her, hence, not quite done pooping. Since she was fairly consistent going into the litter box, I would make sure that those two cats were not in the room so she would have more time in the litter box. Those two got a good reprimand too and some time out. I haven't seen it happen in the last couple of months. Probably not what you are experiencing though.
 
An interesting thought, especially since she is so private (as I said, me just peeking in makes her stop). But in the past couple cases my only other cat was in my lap, so I know not harassing her. In general, I have never seen him bothering her when she's at the litter box. (the opposite is not always true - she will stalk him, waiting just outside the door to the room and pouncing as he comes out).
 
Shenandoah said:
The stools are on the hard side, but I haven't seen any other symptoms of constipation.
Click to expand...
It might be worth considering the addition of a little canned plain pumpkin to her food. It has helped Saoirse a lot. Initially I don't think I gave her enough and her stools turned into raisins, but I upped the quantity a little and her stools are now properly yielding again. It's worth noting that now Saoirse is back on Lantus her GI transit time improved. Between the insulin and the pumpkin her GI transit time is pretty much back to normal now. (Anti-jinx, anti-jinx ...)


Mogs
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SpecklesandMe said:
While she's pooing, does she hold herself up in the litterbox okay?
Click to expand...

From the little bit I've been able to see, she seems to be.
But it's really hard to get a glimpse of her without interrupting.

Also, considering her general difficulties, she amazed me at how coordinated the squat-and-slide was :p

Her neuropathy really is not horrible. It mostly just causes some wobbling (which also causes some balance issues), and some difficulty jumping up onto things.
 
Critter Mom said:
It might be worth considering the addition of a little canned plain pumpkin to her food. It has helped Saoirse a lot. Initially I don't think I gave her enough and her stools turned into raisins, but I upped the quantity a little and her stools are now properly yielding again. It's worth noting that now Saoirse is back on Lantus her GI transit time improved. Between the insulin and the pumpkin her GI transit time is pretty much back to normal now. (Anti-jinx, anti-jinx ...)


Mogs
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Click to expand...

Thanks, I might try that, especially if I see this continuing.
About how much pumpkin do you give?
 
I started with only a tiny bit per meal (a couple of fork tynes' worth - over 9 meals a day the quantity mounts up) but that's what shrank her stools. I then tried her on 1/4 tsp per meal to 'load' her system. I'm just reducing now to about 1/8 tsp per meal for maintenance. A good site for cat constipation problems is, unsurprisingly, www.felineconstipation.org. It also discusses other fibre sources.


Mogs
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