He does have constipation issues pretty much every time he has a bowel movement. We put down some more food for him and he's eaten a little bit of it so far. Getting him to the vet if it becomes necessary will be a problem for us since we don't have a car and with it being this late at night I don't know if we could find anyone to give us a ride, and we don't have any money for a cab or anything like that. @Bama Kitty Mom (AL) advised in previous question I had that if he ever threw up after receiving his shot I should monitor until his nadir passes and be prepared to intervene with syrup, gravy food and such. Would that be an okay way to handle this? I hope you're still up to see this, as I'm pretty distraught about this whole situation.
Okay, thank you so much.
In my opinion, as long as he gets it out, he can leave that deposit anywhere
Have fun with your pumpkin carving!
Thanks for asking, guys
He's doing okay so far and finished having his bowel movement earlier, so that's good. It's really strange with his bowel movements, because sometimes all of the stool will be hard and other times, it's just the first little bit that comes out that is hard and the rest of it is softer 
We're going to stop giving him the Laxatone all together since it doesn't help at all with his constipation anymore (though it did work before he was diagnosed with diabetes), and we're going to start adding canned pumpkin to his food to see if that helps; if it doesn't I guess the next thing we'd try is Miralax.
I think you can put the pumpkin in with the B12. You could post here for advice on how much pumpkin and how often each day.Thanks for asking, guys
We're already adding the B-12 to his morning meals, so instead of adding the pumpkin to it as well should we add it to his nighttime meals, or maybe to a smaller snack during the day? How much would you suggest we add?
Unrelated, but Victor also just turned 11 recently
@Bama Kitty Mom (AL) Thanks for the suggestions about the syringes, I'll give it a try
Will start out with the amount you suggested, thanks. But I do have a related question; the can we got says it is 100% pure pumpkin, with pumpkin listed as the only ingredient, but under the Nutrition Facts it says it has 5g of sugar, so I was wondering if that is okay or not?
The small amount you’ll be giving probably won’t make a difference. That’s probably for a serving size of 1/2 a cup or so and that is naturally occurring sugars or carbs not added sugar. May even be locked inside the cell wall of the fiber and not accessible or digestible.
Sorry to ask another question but how would we go about measuring out 1/8 teaspoon? We don't have a measuring spoon in that size and I'm really bad with stuff like that.
Use a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon and eyeball about half full as well as you can. I don't think it has to be exact for Miralax.
Yeah, that would work for either Miralax or pumpkin or just about anything you’re giving from over the counter. You’re just trying to get to a starting point and from there judge effectiveness.
Agree with you so much about how it's better to have a vet that's willing to work with you; our previous vet was definitely one of those that was sure their way was the only way and that was so frustrating and discouraging. This new one even approves of home testing and was interested in seeing Victor's spreadsheet.
I had taken Bama off the pumpkin a couple of weeks ago, thinking it was having little to no effect. After 4 or 5 days off the pumpkin, his constipation got worse. After consulting with the Banfield vet, she recommended increasing his level of dry food, decreasing the wet food and going back on the pumpkin plus probiotics that I had been giving him. Apparently, his problems stem from too little fiber in an all wet diet. Adding more dry food in the form of Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein Chicken [4 to 5% carbs] will give him the extra fiber he needs as will the pumpkin. I add water to all forms of his food--wet, dry, pumpkin--so I think he is well hydrated. I hope you find the effective dose for Victor's constipation soon.
So do I, it's so distressing to see him have to strain the way he does to have a bowel movement, and his neuropathy makes it even more difficult for him; if we happen to catch him going in to his litter box we'll help him by holding him upright, but if we don't he actually lays down in his litter box to go
Please don't be upset with me for saying this again.So do I, it's so distressing to see him have to strain the way he does to have a bowel movement, and his neuropathy makes it even more difficult for him; if we happen to catch him going in to his litter box we'll help him by holding him upright, but if we don't he actually lays down in his litter box to go
Changing Victor to low carb wet food only can go along way to helping with constipation. Add a few tablespoons of warm water to each wet food meal along with pumpkin, Miralax, etc. until he's pooping more easily. Dry food literally sucks moisture out of the poop and dehydrates a kitty in general.
It's okay, I'm not upset for this being brought up again, it's honestly something that is on my mind every day and that I know needs to be done. Looking at it from the perspective you suggested makes a lot of sense, and I guess at the very least we can try him out on the Friskies and see how he does on it. I actually really appreciate that you care enough to keep mentioning itPlease don't be upset with me for saying this again.
Friskies pates are very economical. I know you've expressed concern in the past about the quality of the ingredients and would prefer to feed the more expensive Fancy Feast but have said it's out of your budget. Why not look at it from the perspective of weighing the possible less than ideal ingredients in Friskies (although many feed it here on FDMB because that's what they can afford) against the pain and disability Victor has at this point when he tries to poop.
I know you want to do what's best for Victor. It's obvious that you love him very much. Please, please rethink the wet food issue. The tall cans of Friskies can be found for about a dollar each and that's probably more than enough for Victor per day. A months supply would be $30 max.
Just wanted to know if you can tell me where to find these at and if it matters what flavor, etc.
Any grocery store or pet store will stock the tall cans. They might be a few cents less expensive thantwo of the regular 5.5 oz cans.Some people even find them at the dollar store. Any of the pates are low enough in carbs. Just avoid the gravy/sauce styles or the "indoor cat" versions. Fish pates can be popular with kitties but it's best not to feed those more than once a week. Some kitties are sensitive to beef so I'd avoid those. Other than that, go for it! If I recall you've said that Victor enjoys wet food.Just wanted to know if you can tell me where to find these at and if it matters what flavor, etc.
Thanks