Pumpkin?

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Marcy & Klinger (GA)

Marcy & Klinger (GA)

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I've recently noticed that it looks like Klinger is having trouble pooping. Well straining really. I read somewhere that when switching to raw kitties may have harder stools and to use canned pumpkin.
I want to pick some up at the store today and try this with Klinger. How much do I give him? Do I mix it in with his raw food?

Thanks!
 
Humm, I thought pumpkin was to help firm it up.

You should ask on health, there are two kinds of stool softeners, one adds fiber which you don't want and the other absorbs moisture to soften the stool, that's the one you want. But I can't remember which is which.
 
Lactulose or Mirilax is my suggestion. I preferred Lactulose since appetite was an issue with H. Lactulose is Rx Miralax is OTC. Both do the same thing by drawing fluid in from the body into the intestine. SubQ fluids can also help hydrate and soften stool too [or give fluids back to kitty that might be stolen via lactulose or Miralax]. Lactulose is easily syringed in while Miralax [a powder] is best put in the food. Although when I gave it I did mix with water in a syringe and give it that way but it was a total pain in the ... I had the vet write the lactulose Rx for 1 pint or 473 ml which is frequently the the original bottle size. It is pretty cheap and is a human med.

My experience with Pumpkin was that H's BGs raced off when he was on it - but that I cannot say with 100% confidence it was the Pumpkin. Pumpkin has insoluble fiber in it which is sometimes used for treating constipation. I've seen some here recommended though for constipation so...
 
Hi Marcy,
Cody gets miralax in every meal because he has bad megacolon. Miralax is one of the first wonderful suggestions I got on FDMB. I think it honestly saved his life.

I use a measuring spoon and add a level 1/8t to each 1/2 can of 5.5oz Friskies (or 1/4t per 5.5oz can). Since some cheaper foods have more water, if I feed those, I cut back on the dose.

It is important to increase the cats water in addition to adding miralax, because it works by drawing water into the colon, so i expect it could make them dehydrated if you don't increase water. Many add water to the food. I give fluids and add water to the food.

Miralax works slowly, so if he is blocked up, that may need to pass before you see softer poo.
If it gets too much, the poo just oozes out uncontrollably. Its a pretty delicate balance so it would be good to measure, and stick with a dose for several days until you get it right.

The added water helps Cody a lot all by itself. I'm thinking high numbers tend to dehydrate a cat also. the kidneys lose water as they try to flush sugar.
 
I had the best success with Miralax as well. Pumpkin made my guy barf, so it never got too far in the trials. Second Nancy's comments on the "ooze" factor, as she said it's a delicate balance finding the right dose. I think it took about 2 nailbite_smile days to see action when I started it it (different kitty than Bix), and then after that things were pretty consistent. When he left little "I sat here!" marks, I lowered the dose a little and that went away.
 
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