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Lv 5
? asked in PetsCats · 9 years ago

elderly cat with severe constipation?

My sister's elderly (15yrs) siamese is currently on a drip at the vet. She has also given him a charcoal tablet. She (vet) is reluctant to do an enema due to possible electrolyte problems. She said she can feel a mass is there in the gut/bowel. Has anyone else had this problem? Should my sister seek a second opinion? This Cats brother died back in December and she is frantic about losing this one too. He hasn't been to the loo since Saturday/Sunday.

Update:

Thanks Bonnie Angel. You are saying almost word for word what I have said. It is definitely compacted faeces, and he has (so far) only been treated with IV and charcoal. I don't think she should waste any more time and take him to another Vet, especially as he has now stopped eating.

Update 2:

Thanks Bonnie Angel. You are saying almost word for word what I have said. It is definitely compacted faeces, and he has (so far) only been treated with IV and charcoal. I don't think she should waste any more time and take him to another Vet, especially as he has now stopped eating.

4 Answers

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  • bloomorningglory
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Also don't be afraid to ask questions of the current vet. How long are they giving the IV to work? If nothing has happened by that point in time, what's their next plan? etc. You can also voice your opinion and see if they are will to do as you wish with the enema. Possibly they are trying to stabilize the electrolytes with the IV and THEN do the enema. If they're moving to enema stage quickly, it may not be worth going to a different vet. You ultimately need to do what you're comfortable with. If it were me, I would ask if we could move forward.. if the vet refused, I'd move on to a new vet. After that it will be important to make sure it doesn't happen again.. whether that means doing bloodwork to look for underlying health conditions, feeding a higher fiber diet, feeding a canned food diet with plenty of moisture, etc. Good luck!

  • frank the bunny
    Lv 4
    9 years ago

    Im surprised your vet hasnt recommended giving him vegetable oil. I had this problem with my cat i was very worried he hadnt used thee litter tray in a week so the vet said using a syringe give him about 10 or 15 mls of vegetable oil and it did the trick he went after a few hours.

    It wont do him any harm trying it work for my cat and it was the vet that advised me.

    Also vets will sometimes manually manipulte the blockage by firmly massaging the stomach and bowles area to break it up inside the intestine and help it pass hopefully on its own and with the help of the veg oil it will loosen the stool

    Good luck.

    Source(s): Cat rescuer
  • Bonnie Angel
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    While it is important to have here electrolytes ok it is also necessary that she poop. Being impacted can kill her too. Something needs to be done. The mass could be cancer but the vet should know the difference between cancer and poo. If nothing is done for the constipation the cat needs to see someone else.

    Good Luck.

    The electrolytes can be fixed with the IV the cat is getting.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    lf the cat is unwell and not eating much then there won't be much poo to come out.

    The vet is the expert...trust her.

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