What to give a 12 year old cat with megacolon?
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel).
Is there a cure for idiopathic megacolon in cats?
It can be a curable disease with early surgical intervention. Cats should never receive an enema during the preop period. Otherwise, it dramatically increases the risk of fecal leakage during the anastomosis. Fibers may help in the early stages of idiopathic megacolon when the colon still has some ability to contract.
Can a feline take erythromycin for megacolon?
Erythromycin has no effect on feline colonic smooth muscle; therefore, is it not indicated in the treatment of feline constipation, obstipation, or megacolon. Metoclopramide and domperidone enhance gastric motility, but they have no effect on colonic transit times, therefore making them useless for megacolon.
When to take your dog to the visbiome vet?
Visbiome Vet has become a must in our care for our dog since our internal specialist prescribed it a month ago. After years of loose stools and then a long 4 months of daily diarrhea (sometimes with blood), many tests to try to diagnose a problem and finally just insisting on getting referred to a specialist, our furbaby is doing better.
Can you give a cat a sedative during a vet visit?
Since these drugs may have side effects, NEVER administer a sedative if you have ANY concerns about the cat’s present state of health – even if your veterinarian has provided you with a sedative for routine wellness visits in the past.
What kind of medicine can I take for my Cat?
Natural medicines, also known as complementary therapies, cover a wide range of products including herbs, nutraceuticals, supplements, and homeopathic remedies (see our handout “Behavior Counseling – Complementary Medication”).
How much trazodone should I give my Cat?
Since the average house cat weighs 8 to 10 pounds, I lean towards thinking the cats in this study were within this range. TL/DR: Your cat should be fine taking 100mg of trazodone. Seeing that your vet recommended 100 mg of trazodone for your cat really concerned me.
How often should I give my Cat mirtazapine?
On the basis of this research, 1.88 mg is recommended as the initial starting dose for oral mirtazapine and can be given as frequently as daily in young normal cats.
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel).
Is it safe to take metoprolol succinate ER while pregnant?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Metoprolol Succinate ER will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby).
Can you give an enema to a cat with megacolon?
Cats should never receive an enema during the preop period. Otherwise, it dramatically increases the risk of fecal leakage during the anastomosis. Fibers may help in the early stages of idiopathic megacolon when the colon still has some ability to contract.
Erythromycin has no effect on feline colonic smooth muscle; therefore, is it not indicated in the treatment of feline constipation, obstipation, or megacolon. Metoclopramide and domperidone enhance gastric motility, but they have no effect on colonic transit times, therefore making them useless for megacolon.
How old do cats have to be to have idiopathic megacolon?
Cats affected with idiopathic megacolon are usually between 5–9 years old. Diagnosing the condition usually happens long after constipation has been present, especially in a multiple cat household, or when cats are indoor/outdoor. In these cases, owners may not be aware of their cat’s normal bowel habits.
How does a veterinarian check for a megacolon?
It is important that your veterinarian perform a rectal exam to check for old collapsed pelvic fractures, obstructive masses, or hernias located either inside or outside of the colon or rectum. Diagnosis of megacolon is based on history and physical exam, and is confirmed with radiographs (x-rays) of the abdomen.
Cats should never receive an enema during the preop period. Otherwise, it dramatically increases the risk of fecal leakage during the anastomosis. Fibers may help in the early stages of idiopathic megacolon when the colon still has some ability to contract.
Can a feline megacolon cause vomiting and vomiting?
Feline megacolon is most commonly seen in middle aged male cats, and any breed can be affected. It is the result of dysfunction of the colonic smooth muscle. Most obstipated cats strain to defecate and produce little or no stool. If obstipation is severe, it can result in vomiting,…
Can a feline megacolon delay the need for deobstipation?
In the development of feline megacolon, medical and dietary management can be successful in delaying the need for deobstipation. The colon still maintains some ability to contract and expel stool, but defecation may be infrequent or incomplete (constipation).
What to do about feline megacolon and constipation?
In the development of feline megacolon, medical and dietary management can be successful in delaying the need for deobstipation. The colon still maintains some ability to contract and expel stool, but defecation may be infrequent or incomplete (constipation). If management efforts lapse, obstipation may result.
Why does my cat have a lot of megacolon?
However, the cause of megacolon is undetermined in most cases. Cats with constipation or obstipation may exhibit the following signs: Male cats with a blocked urinary tract may also strain in the litterbox. Owners may mistake this for constipation, which is a problem since a blocked urinary tract is a medical emergency.
It can be a curable disease with early surgical intervention. Cats should never receive an enema during the preop period. Otherwise, it dramatically increases the risk of fecal leakage during the anastomosis. Fibers may help in the early stages of idiopathic megacolon when the colon still has some ability to contract.
Can you give Miralax to a cat with megacolon?
There are no known adverse effects associated with administering this product long term in cats as a stool softener. It should not repeatedly be administered as an enema in cats with megacolon. Megacolon is a complicated disease process that may be present for the entirety of your cat’s life.
Is there any way to get megacolon to come out?
So we can administer all the cisapride, lactulose, and special diets in the world—that poop is just not coming out. And then, there’s the dreadful enema. At best, it will help temporarily; at worst, it can cause traumatic tears of the colon. Either way, the smells and sights probably will make your toughest technicians sick to their stomachs.
How old is Garfield the Shorthair cat with megacolon?
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil).
What are the symptoms of megacolon in cats?
Symptoms of Megacolon vary on the severity of the condition. Usually, the cat’s stool is very small or missing. Usually the stool will be hard and dry The cat may struggle to defecate, and stand over the litter box for extended periods of time, or return to the litter box to try to defecate. The cat may poop outside or around the litter box.
How much does surgery for megacolon in cats cost?
The surgery is difficult and usually the cat requires a long hospital stay. It can cost between $1500.00 and $3000.00. It can be a risky surgery. Some cats do not survive the surgery. Most cats will have slightly soft stools after the surgery. However, there are some cats that end up with chronic diarrhea after having a subtotal colectomy.
What can I give my Cat for megacolon?
Cisapride or metaclopramide tablets which help to move the intestines. Miralax granules added to the food. A change in diets. Some cats with megacolon do well with the addition of fiber (bran, pumpkin, metamucil) while other cats do better with a prescription low residue diet.
Is it possible to transmit megacolon from person to animal?
Megacolon occurs when the large intestine becomes distended and filled with hard fecal material. Transmission is not possible between animals and not possible between animals and people Constipation and megacolon may be seen in cats of any age, breed and gender.
There are no known adverse effects associated with administering this product long term in cats as a stool softener. It should not repeatedly be administered as an enema in cats with megacolon. Megacolon is a complicated disease process that may be present for the entirety of your cat’s life.
When to worry about a kitten’s bowel movements?
Cat Poop in Kittens. Because of their small size, changes in bowel movements should be monitored. Don’t worry: If your kitten misses a day in the litter box — meaning, she doesn’t poop for one day — just keep an eye on her. Constipation that lasts longer than a day or so, however, may be a cause for concern.
When does a cat have a medical emergency?
Difficulty breathing is usually a medical emergency in cats. Photography by Valery Kudryavtsev/Thinkstock. This is the most urgent emergency any individual — cat, dog or human— can face. Death occurs after three minutes without breathing, so cats with breathing difficulties are on the edge of disaster.
When to seek medical attention for a vomiting cat?
If this yellow vomit is accompanied by lethargy, loss of appetite, increase of appetite or abnormal behavior, you should seek medical attention for your cat immediately. One other scenario in which your cat might vomit is undigested food. Sometimes your pet may just eat too fast and expel her entire meal.
Can a 9 year old cat still be bouncy?
Many cats are just as bouncy at 9 as they were at 5 and 6, but some may be slightly less energetic. As cats begin to age, they may start having trouble handling stress. You may notice that your cat seems less tolerant of loud noises and environmental changes.
What kind of water do elderly cats need?
You may need to experiment with the type of container, for example, ceramic bowl, glass or drinking fountain and even the type of water, such as tap water, boiled water, filtered, spring etc. It may even be helpful to add a small amount of water to your elderly cat’s wet food.
What to do if your cat has renal failure?
Renal Failure. As a cat with CRF moves towards death, it will require more frequent fluids, blood tests, and nursing care. The expense of treating chronic kidney disease alone may prompt pet owners to put their animals down, as there is no hope of recovery. Cats dying of renal failure may show extreme weakness, weight loss,…
What should I give my senior cat for anesthesia?
What I learned is that senior cats should always have IV fluids and catheters. For induction of anesthesia, propofol is one of the safest methods. For maintenance of anesthesia the gases, isoflurane and sevoflurane, are among the safer methods and result in faster wake-up times.
What does it mean when a cat has a megacolon?
Megacolon in cats literally means enlarged colon. It happens when the large intestine is filled with fecal matter which causes it to enlarge beyond its normal diameter. Here is more: When does Megacolon Occur? Which are Cats Most Susceptible to Megacolon? Cats tend not to chew their food but rather swallow in chunks.
Cats affected with idiopathic megacolon are usually between 5–9 years old. Diagnosing the condition usually happens long after constipation has been present, especially in a multiple cat household, or when cats are indoor/outdoor. In these cases, owners may not be aware of their cat’s normal bowel habits.
How much does it cost to treat megacolon in cats?
The treatment for megacolon is an expensive process that costs $ 500-$6000 depending on the type of treatment chosen. Medication such as cisapride may cost $1.50-$ 2 per capsule, and depending on dosage this may translate to $950-$1000 per year. This is without considering the diet expenses.
Megacolon in a 12-year-old cat. Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil).
However, the cause of megacolon is undetermined in most cases. Cats with constipation or obstipation may exhibit the following signs: Male cats with a blocked urinary tract may also strain in the litterbox. Owners may mistake this for constipation, which is a problem since a blocked urinary tract is a medical emergency.
Can you have megacolon surgery on a feline?
Just go on the Feline Megacolon group on yahoo and you will see first hand that the surgery is no guarantee. My Ootay had megacolon, but by the time it was properly diagnosed she was too ill in other ways to manage such an invasive surgery. But if she had only been 6 years old I would have had the surgery done, no question.
When does meowing become excessive in adult cats?
Unlike meowing, adult cats do yowl at one another, specifically during breeding season. When does meowing become excessive? That’s a tough call to make, as it’s really a personal issue. All cats are going to meow to some extent—this is normal communication behavior. But some cats meow more than their pet parents would like.
When does an unspayed female cat come into heat?
An unspayed female cat who isn’t bred by (doesn’t have sex with) a male cat will continue to come into heat every 18 to 24 days throughout the breeding season (roughly February through September in the Northern Hemisphere). Indoor cats may continue to come into heat all year round.
When does your old cat meow all the time?
When your old cat meows all the time, especially loud yowling at night, there could be a serious health problem. Photo: Mingo Hagen Is that a new techno sound upstairs, or has your old cat just gone over the brink?
What to do for a cat with megacolon?
Affected cats go from months or years of misery, to comfort and happiness. One important job of the colon is to absorb fluid, so Buster’s owners were informed that he would likely have soft stool or diarrhea for a few weeks. Medications (lactulose and cisapride) were discontinued, and the fiber-rich diet was not needed either.
Can a cat with megacolon have normal bowel movements?
Surgery was successful and Buster did very well in the following weeks and months. The body, being the amazing machine it is, adapts over time and after a few weeks Buster began to have normal bowel movements again. He went on to live a happy and healthy life.
Is there any humane alternative to euthanasia for cats with megacolon?
Otherwise, at this stage, the only humane alternative would be euthanasia. During surgery, most of the stretched colon was removed and its ends were reconnected. It’s a fairly technical surgery, but in experienced hands, we typically see great results. Affected cats go from months or years of misery, to comfort and happiness.
How to diagnose and treat megacolon in cats?
In order to properly diagnose your cat, your vet will ask a series of questions. Be prepared to describe: Run some tests. In order to determine what is going on with your pet, the vet will need to perform a series of tests. If your cat is showing symptoms of megacolon, your vet is likely to perform: Determine and address the cause.
The treatment for megacolon is an expensive process that costs $ 500-$6000 depending on the type of treatment chosen. Medication such as cisapride may cost $1.50-$ 2 per capsule, and depending on dosage this may translate to $950-$1000 per year. This is without considering the diet expenses.
Can a cat with feline megacolon be cured?
Feline Megacolon is a serious condition that can affect cats. As the name sounds, the disease causes a very large colon. While cats with this condition can not usually be cured without surgery, there are several things that can be done.
How can I tell if my cat has a megacolon?
Most of the time a vet will diagnose megacolon by taking an xray. A radiograph of a cat with megacolon will show a very dilated colon filled with firm stool. The colon in this diagram to the right shows a colon that is at least twice the size of that of a normal cat.
How old is a 16 year old cat?
By age 16 your cat’s physical and mental development is very much like that of an 80-year-old person. She has definitely slowed down physically (relative to her prime adult years)and may have developed a number of health problems.
How does megacolon affect a cat’s bowel movement?
The difference between the two is that when a cat has megacolon the colon will no longer function properly ever again. If there is simply constipation then once the cause of the constipation is resolved the cat should be able to defecate normally again. Cats with megacolon have lost their ability to move stool through the large intestine.
How old do cats have to be to have megacolon?
Megacolon is a common condition in cats that is very uncomfortable. These poor kitties cannot defecate, or poop, for several days. The majority of cats diagnosed with megacolon are male (70 percent), and megacolon usually occurs in middle-aged cats with an average of 6 years old.
What kind of diet do megacolon Kitties need?
Megacolon kitties actually need to be on a no grain diet. Not high fiber like you’d think. We use Wellness Core dry and wet. 2. Miralax, Miralax, Miralax! Way better than Lactalose and much much easier to get into the kitty. Miralax has been our lifesaver!
How to treat megacolon and constipation in cats?
Intermittent subcutaneous fluid therapy can be helpful as well. Stool softeners (e.g., lactulose) and medications that enhance muscular contractions in the wall of the colon (e.g. cisapride) are also frequently prescribed.
Megacolon kitties actually need to be on a no grain diet. Not high fiber like you’d think. We use Wellness Core dry and wet. 2. Miralax, Miralax, Miralax! Way better than Lactalose and much much easier to get into the kitty. Miralax has been our lifesaver!
Is the Iams cat food good for cats?
If you look at its commercials, or at the promises on the package, you may perceive Iams as a good company producing healthy cat food. But it’s easier to find out if a cat food is good by looking at the label, not the advertising.