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Constipation help
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Member Since:
8 January 2021
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24 March 2021 - 9:21 am
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Y'all were so right, AGAIN!!! I stopped the pumpkin. 

We are heading back to Dr. Lisa tomorrow, and I think Amelia just likes being there!! 

Last Friday night she finally started having some formed stools along with the diarrhea. Among the literal sh%$show I was dealing with she had a big, DRY stool and then it was non-stop for almost 14 hours of formed, soft stool until Saturday at almost noon. We went through ALOT of training pads and had ALOT of baths. 

She is feeling SO much better. I am feeling thankful that I think we narrowly avoided a major medical disaster. 

Since Saturday she is going once per day, normal soft and I haven't had to give her anything, but I am noticing she is producing ALOT of mucous. I moved her into a bedroom to try litter retraining and have 6 different litter boxes. I bought the litter attract litter and she is showing ZERO interest. She did come over to one tray yesterday and looked interested but She is just going where ever she is laying at the time and laying in it. Over the past 24 hours she is doing MUCH better about keeping herself clean. Which is a big improvement. She also wants to play again, so I have been trying to play with her near the litter boxes. 

I feel like with the exception of being 100% incontinent which she was using the litter box right after surgery for a month, we are doing great. So, we are going back to the vet tomorrow. 

Virginia



Member Since:
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24 March 2021 - 9:32 am
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Okay, I have to chuckle....SIX LITTER BOXES a d she still prefers wherever she is laying😁  And we ce that because the good news is her stools are normal now and the 💩💩storm has stopped!  You are taking  such good care of her!!

Just "guessing" the mucus stool is a sign of her colon/digestive traction being I flamed from all the "activity " as well as the antibiotic....  maybe?  The Vet will figure it our..

SPECTACULAR  news that she's playing again and really getting her sparkle back👏👏  Keep in keepin' on!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Michigan

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24 March 2021 - 10:38 am
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Purrkins brother has had mucus in his stool on occasion. Some is normal it is abnormal to see a lot of it. Again it can be from constipation, dehydration & as Sally said, inflammation glad you have an appt already.

Vomiting and staining at the same time or even after straining in the box is a sure sign you need urgent assistance ok. That's when the stool is too big to pass.

Did they do an x-ray of the colon last time? That is how they determine how much stool is in there, the stool's size, if it's going to pass ok, etc. It can give you some peace of mind on what's next. rule other things out. I'm happy to see you have normal poops now.

I do wonder if the colon was affected by her intensive surgery, was this discussed? Once you get the poop in a regular form on a regular basis, UTI cleared up. NO pain, you will have the best shot at getting her back in the box.

Are you using an enzyme cleaner to clean up where she goes? A UV light after cleaning to make sure it is clean. Otherwise, it is a losing battle if she can still smell her urine/ poop any residue. Those spots will be the litter box.

Let us know what the vet has to say.  Excellent job staying on top of this and finding the positives. smiley_clap
Big hugs & best of luck tomorrow!
Holly & Purrkins

On The Road


Member Since:
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24 March 2021 - 12:19 pm
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I love that members here are so awesomely devoted to their Tripawds! You are simply amazing and such a great nurse to her! It's showing, she's getting better and stronger smiley_clap That's quite a selection of litter boxes!

Hopefully you'll get some answers from the vet. Let us know how it goes.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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26 March 2021 - 8:44 am
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Another Amelia update!

This poor cat! So, she was STILL constipated yesterday. I am beyond stunned. She was given two enemas after they did a follow up xray. They said she is all clear now. They rechecked her urine and don't feel like she is still dealing with the UTI. She is WIPED out today. We are going to start the lactulose but hopefully that will be a temporary thing, Dr. Parshley is hoping this was a result of the cascade of events and not something that will be chronic. Since I ordered the second water fountain for Amelia's recovery room she is back to drinking her regular amount of water, and I have her eating some different wet food she is really loving. She is taking some bone broth supplements on the side as well.

The animal rehab place in town finally got back to me!! They are booked about 6 weeks out but the lady was SOOO nice and their rates are really reasonable so we booked an appointment, but she sent me instructions to start Amelia on a home hydrotherapy program immediately. As soon as the thermometer for the bathtub water arrives we will be starting that so hopefully next week I will have her in the tub to start helping with that. She also had a list of acupuncturists that she knows are willing to see small animals even with covid precautions. I. have been having the most difficult time! 

So, HOPEFULLY we are on our way to a reboot(?) if that is the right word? on this Friday! 

Virginia



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26 March 2021 - 8:56 am
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Wow!  Two enemas, a Ver visit and xrays....I'm sure she is wiped out!  

If I recall, it seemed like, except for the mucus, the stools were getting  back to normal with good frequency .  

Sooooo....what was the Vet's suggestion  going forward?  Glad the tests all came out okay.

Yeah, "reboot" sounds like a good option!  Clean slate (or, in this case, clean colon) and starting over with food hydration, wet food, etc

You are doing sich a good job!!!!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Michigan

Member Since:
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26 March 2021 - 11:28 am
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Awe, I'm sorry about the two enemas. You caught it, and it was not an er visit! Trust me that does counts for you both.

Amelia will be wiped out; it is exhausting and stressful for them.

Best of luck with the lactulose its not pleasant to give or receive; it's a sticky wicket mess; a few cats don't mind, so I'm hoping Amelia is one of those. 

Just for information, both lactulose and Miralax are the same types of laxatives. Both are an Osmotic Laxative. 

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We hope this is temporary, but please do not stop any therapy; you cannot chase constipation; you want to stay ahead of it. Purrkins brother gets Miralax 2 times a day has for years. The laxative is to add water to the stools and keep things softer. Plus, he is on a motility drug called Cisparide to move things along. Only time will tell you how Amelia does, but please try not getting discouraged; this is manageable either way. NO, it's no fun either way, but you have a fresh, clean colon now. The laxative will keep things soft and easier to pass. If the colon is slow-moving, there are meds to help with that too. OK

Trust me when I tell you we understand we went thru all that with Purrkins brother and too many er visits. We have given enema's at home on occasion. The vet instructed us how, of course. Thankfully it's rarely needed, but it's a skill I'm grateful to know beats the er visit for us both!

Great job on the fountain it helps us here, too, having multiple freshwater sources and in different locations—any way to promote more fluids, the better. Even so, some cats still have issues OK. We have one!

We take Purrkins for acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. I think you will see significant improvements! Purrkins brother also benefited from acupuncture and chiro for his constipation! 

We also look forward to seeing the therapy at home in the tub. 

Bristol Stool Chart for reference. Yes, we learn to be experts in poop!

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Happy to share our own experiences and any information we have. What has worked for us and what has not. Again all cats are different. There is never one size fits all. But there are proven remedies! It is finding the right balance for Amelia & you will!

Keep us posted, 

Hugs and scratches to Amelia, please!

Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 March 2021 - 12:53 pm
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Reboot Friday, I love it! Yes, sure sounds like it. After what Amelia and you have been through, I hope the coming days are easy peasy. That's pretty cool that the rehab place was so helpful! Makes all the difference to know you have a plan.

Holly & Purrkins' incredibly helpful experience and advice is priceless, I'm so grateful they are here to share! Thanks you two!

I hope all of this helps you feel hopeful and upbeat to know that remedies for Amelia are within reach.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
8 January 2021
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26 March 2021 - 2:46 pm
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ugh, she is wiped out today, 

Dr Parshley is worried, she just emailed me and wants to talk early next week after I observe Amelia over the next few days. She is concerned about cancer affecting Amelia's ability to urinate and go poop. There are no signs of reoccurrence, and her margins were clear, but she said she can't not consider it at this point.. so I will take any and all positive thoughts that this was the cascade of events and not a reoccurrence or new cancer. I guess her bladder was really full yesterday as well-- she was saying that could be her avoiding voiding due to the pain from constipation too-- so fingers crossed. 

On The Road


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26 March 2021 - 4:04 pm
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Oh my gosh, our paws andfingers are crossed for you two. May the next few days bring relief and progress!

Dr. Parshley is really sharp and will figure this out so Amelia can start feeling strong again. If she's not showing signs of cancer recurrance that's really good. It's probably too early to consider other diagnostics right now, but by chance did she mention doing anything like a CT scan if things don't improve?

We are standing by with tons of pawsitivity going out across the miles. Give her extra scritches and cuddles from us. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan

Member Since:
11 July 2016
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26 March 2021 - 4:14 pm
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Amelia was peeing before this right? Just not in the box?

I went back to read your first post. Is Amelia still getting bisphosphonates ? That can cause constipation; please inquire about that!

Hold on to the pawsitives. No signs of recurrence, clean margins!!

Pawsitive thoughts and prayers this is a bout of constipation & not C returning!

Do your best to stay pawsitive as you observe, ok. NO C!  fingers and paws crossed for some poop and pee as you observe!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
(((((Big hugs)))))
💝💝💝

On The Road


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26 March 2021 - 4:59 pm
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Oooh good thought Holly! Thanks for digging that one up, what a great idea. Pawsitivity rays beaming out to Amelia!!!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
8 January 2021
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26 March 2021 - 5:48 pm
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Yes! she has been consistently getting the biphosphonates!! And no signs of reoccurrence! She was peeing even in the box!! She JUST stopped peeing in the box when the UTI started. Which I really think was due to the dehydration and constipation. 

Thank you! I really feel like this isn't reoccurrence! I hope I am not being overly optimistic. This has become my safe space! So thank you all! 

Im really thinking she has just had some really bad hurdles to get over. 

Michigan

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26 March 2021 - 6:45 pm
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Thank you! I really feel like this isn’t reoccurrence! I hope I am not being overly optimistic.

NOWAY WE STAY OPTIMISTIC UNTIL WE HAVE A REASON NOT TO BE OK.

STAY OPTIMISTIC & trust your instinct! Please do ask about the side effects of the bisphosphonates for felines! I am betting that is part of this puzzle, and you can manage with the laxatives no big deal;) 

She was peeing even in the box!! She JUST stopped peeing in the box when the UTI started. Which I really think was due to the dehydration and constipation. 

OK! I thought so on the pee but wanted to be sure. So YES MORE OPTIMISM.
This can always be your safe place! We all understand this journey, the love for our furmily members, and all the worries and anxiety that comes with it.

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Keep us posted, please,
Holly & Purrkins 💝💝💝

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 March 2021 - 8:35 pm
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Can only add to the hugs and share in all the pawsitive thoughts.

And absolutely  100% agree, with Holly!  Thinking pawsitively and optimistically  is a powerful energy.  When we dont have answers to something, we have two choices, .one is to think negative  thoughts...the other is to think pawsitive  thoughts.  And unless there is a reason to think otherwise, choose pawsitive!!

And keep in mi s that this wasn't  "just" an amputation,  it was hemipelvectomy, which is more invasive.  So just add that to the "cascade".

Holly is sooooo knowledgeable on everything kitty and a great detective  at figuring  out what's going on and wju.  Such a valuable  memver on so many levels♥️♥️♥️

Hugs 

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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