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
I sure hope everything starts moving normally dear Quint.
Poor guy. Constipation is just not fun at all. I’ve been there… Mom keeps Laxatone on hand at all times. Just in case. – Toby
Oh Quint, at least you didn’t have to spend a second night there, but we’re sure hoping for more poop soon!
Poor Quint. Spending nights in the vet is not fun at all. We are so proud of you for eating canned food. Buster was like you, never liked that stuff, but after his brief medical scare he had a change of heart and is now eating more canned food. We hope to transition him to completely canned food, but that is taking a long long time.
Take care Quint. It’s almost spring, time for you to do your painting. Purrs.
Quint, may that get all better quickly. I have not quit thinking of you and wondering how you are and what progress you are making. I am always anxious to hear everything about you. Love you Quint.
I was hoping to hear he was producing things from his paws–painting hopeful spring flowers! Hope this clears up with no returns, and if he will eat canned food, all the better for him in the future.
How fantastic that Quint switched over to wet food so easily! I mix extra filtered water into every meal, just to make sure there is lots of liquid flowing through our kitties. Sending more purrs and hugs, so Quint can get regular again.
Poor Quint! Zoey knows all about being constipated. We’re purring that the vet can help Quint and he might need some stronger medicines to help keep it from happening again.
oh poor Quint (and all of the rest of you). we hope he starts feeling better very soon
Oh Quint, we so hope you start producing stuff in a big way soon. We all have our paws crossed for you and wish you the best.
Quint we hope you will continue to be a good boy and take your meds, so you can get to feeling better.
We’re so glad Quint is home now. Hope he starts to feel better soon. We worry about that sweet boy.
Angel Normie, Angel Mika, Sasha & Grady Lewis
We are sad to hear that your factory isn’t functioning normally. That is very unpleasant. I’ve had the best luck medicating Jenna by grinding up her pills and burying them under her food. That only works if the plate is licked clean!
Poor fellow! I hope he is better soon. Our Sam had ongoing problems with constipation–I know it’s scary. So glad he’s home and eating wet food. Praying for him!
Poor Quint, that’s no fun at all. We’re glad you’re eating wet food now, and we hope you’ll be pooping like a champ very soon ! Purrs
dood…….cranbereez buddy; we R sorree ya haz had a time oh it late lee…we will ask R total lee awesum pal St Francis ta send sum grate blessingz yur way; while we noe goin two de eeeeeeevil place waz knot fun, we iz happee yur testz were grate N hope stuffz getz ta moovin soon; tell mom ta chex out pill pocketz, they will hold just bout any thing, liquid ore solid if her letz de medz “set” in one fora bit ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥
I’m so glad your better, Quint – I’m purring that the meds will set you right again.
Poor Quint, that sounds like it would be very uncomfortable for him. I hope he feels better soon. XO
Purrayers and POTP for Quint – hope he continues to get better soon !
Oh Quint I feel your pain and embarrassment..we all need to poop that is for sure. I was backed up about 2 months ago, had an enema and now I’m on 1/8 tsp of Miralax 2 x a day. And my system was GO in no time.
Hugs madi your bfff
Quint, you are my unsmudged twin! Now go poop and do us both proud! Imagine I am there guarding, (but not looking of course). ~ MARLEY
I hope Quint is feeling better soon. Sending healing thoughts. That’s great that he’s eating canned food.
We’re purring and praying for Quint.
The Florida Furkids
I hope things start moving better and keep moving. Poor boy must have felt very uncomfortable.
Hope ya feel better soon Quint!
Poor Quint! I think it’s so adorable that his gas scares him…what a sweet little gentlecat. And how amazing that he started eating wet food! I guess there’s hope for Mudpie 🙂
Quint, what is it with humans? Why do they think they have to talk about our pooping problems? Good grief! It’s so embarrassing!!! When we had poopy pants at various times, Mom told the whole wide world!!! We were so upset with her for sharing that. We didn’t know if we would ever be able to show our faces…..or tails….again! Hang in there, Quint. Humans have short memories so your readers will forget this soon. We are over the moon happy that you are doing better. Let them treat you royally and pamper you.
Stereo purrs…………Hemingway and Steinbeck
Pierre had this problem a while back, too. He gets miralax daily, and it keeps the trains running on time. We hope Quint gets to feeling “regular” again, too!
We are glad things are starting to move in the right direction, Quint. Constipation is no joke. 🙁
Wishing that you get all better Quint.
Poor Quint! He’s such a handsome boy … and the pictures in this post are amazing. We hope you feel better soon, sweetheart! Bear got constipated only once (though his deposits are rather dry all the time). I gave him some syrup and had a bit of success (when I had Kitty, who was diabetic, I gave her syrup when she showed signs of hypoglycemia and she’d always poop within five minutes of having it). The vet told me I shouldn’t have done that – that spiking a cat’s blood sugar isn’t good. So don’t try that at home!
Hope everything is running smoothly now. Poor Quint!
Maggie, Mickey Mouser, and Rufus the Red
Glad everything finally worked it’s way out. Our Felix had a fecolith (stuck poop) that required hospitalization, fluids, & enemas. Unfortunately for us, it was the first sign of something being wrong (small cell intestinal lymphoma).
I’ve had experience with both lactulose (unfortunately sticky stuff) and Miralax (great stuff). Hopefully Quint eating more canned food will help his digestive systems keep things moving along and he won’t need too much medication.
Oh dear, we hope he feels better soon.
Have a lovely weekend…
Noodle and crew