Today’s entry was originally meant to go over the finer details of our feeding/cleaning routine post from Monday. Something, or we should say, someone else very important came up that we wanted to share.
Quint feeling under the weather – © Colehauscats.com
A couple weeks ago, we might have mentioned Quint was having constipation problems. He went three and a half days without producing anything from back there with the exception of gas, which scared the poor boy right out of the litter box each and every time that happened. He’s very shy about those kinds of things, a true gentleman who’d never release gas so loudly in public or private perhaps for fear of being labeled a gasbag.
Everything seemed to work out on the fourth day and all was well… until this past weekend when constipation returned with a vengeance. Throughout all this, he had no vomiting, was drinking water and eating just fine. Just, nothing was coming out like it should. Stuff was backing up and that was scary.
Quint was scheduled for a vet visit late Tuesday, the soonest he could get in, but he seemed so uncomfortable by Monday afternoon, even after giving him a bit of canned pumpkin Sunday evening and more Monday morning, we knew he couldn’t, nor shouldn’t have to wait for real relief.
Concerned Quint – © Colehauscats.com
Monday, we rushed him to our local emergency vet who looked him over and took X-rays and blood and proclaimed that yes, sometimes we know what we think we know: Quint was very, very constipated. No obstruction, no foreign objects, no visible tumors or abnormalities seen. Just lots and lots and lots of compacted poop.
Quint had to spend overnight at the emergency hospital. He was given fluids (always a good thing), and a couple of enemas (good if you really, really need them), and the poop wait was on. Would he? Could he? Will he? Won’t he?
By Tuesday morning, he presented the vets with the least amount possible and that just would not do. After calling to check up on him, the vets said if he didn’t poop soon, he’d likely have to spend another night there. But they had a plan and so, it was rinse and repeat time. More fluids, a couple more enemas, a bit of medication to soften things, and more waiting.
A bit of good news, in the meantime, is his blood work shows no sign of early kidney disease or other problems. The even better news is that Quint started eating wet, canned food on his own for the first time ever! He’s always hated that stuff!
Gimme that canned turkey! – © Colehauscats.com
By Tuesday afternoon, a couple more compacted poops appeared, and thankfully this time, they were bigger. Sorry, no photos but we are happy to say the emergency vets felt that it was enough to send him home; he wouldn’t have to spend another night there, and under the closest watch, of course, with lots of different medications to help him feel better and to help… um, help his colon feel better, too. He still has a lot in him but two of those prescribed liquid medications should help with that.
Late last night, we brought Quint home. And he chowed down an entire can of Wellness minced turkey. A while later, at medication time, he had a mild, somewhat scary reaction to his meds, and salivated most of those up. We called the emergency vets back and they said that was pretty much normal. We’ll administer his biggest dosage of meds, Cisapride, much more slowly and spaced out next time to help prevent that. It can’t do any good if it ain’t in him.
Quint under his blanket – © Colehauscats.com
And that’s where we sit today. He’s comfortably ensconced in the quiet Cat Den by himself, tucked under his favorite fleece blanket. We’re waiting for more poop and anxious about getting his meds IN him, rather than on him and the floor. Let’s hope this big poopy adventure is at it’s end. Whew!
(Quint will be taking Gabapentin (1/2 capsule) twice a day for a week, Lactulose 3.0 mls three times a day for a week (perhaps longer), and Cisapride 0.25 mls twice a day and 1/4 tsp Miralax three times a day, both perhaps for life depending on his recovery.)
Quint – © Colehauscats.com
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We’ll be off Friday and will see you again on Monday, March 5th. Have a good weekend!
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A Colehaus Cats flashback:
2017 – No post
2016 – No post
2015 – No post
2014 – Trap-a-cat
2013 – No post
2012 – No post
