Megacolon in Cats | Extreme Constipation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ม.ค. 2021
- Dr. Lera talks about megacolon in cats with Oreo, a five-year-old female domestic short hair cat.
Megacolon is a term used to describe a very dilated, flaccid, incompetent colon. This usually occurs, secondary to chronic constipation and retention of feces, but may be a congenital dysfunction. Megacolon itself is not a specific disease entity, but it will usually result in obstipation (inability to defecate), since feces is retained in the colon in a larger diameter than is able to pass through the pelvis. The feces also become very dry and hard, as the colon absorbs water. Surgery may be required to treat this condition once medical management has been exhausted. (source: www.acvs.org)
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Oreo is adorable and so calm for a cat at the vet.
“Oreo is a little fluffy” 🥰☺️ ok I’ll subscribe. 👍
My cat was diagnosed with megacolon and this is what I do and it works:
1. Buy a 5 ml syringe.
2. Every morning take the plunger out and pour in half of teaspoon Miralax directly into the syringe.
3. Hold your finger on the syringe tip and pour water in until almost full.
4. Cover both holes with fingers and shake until it dissolves directly in the syringe.
5. Put the plunger back and give it to your cat on the side of the mouth so that she doesn’t choke.
6. Buy some lactuloze and give her 4 ml every evening also.
Do this every day and it won’t be any problems anymore. Don’t skip days. My baby hasn’t been constipated in over 6 months with this method. Putting everything directly into the syringe makes sure they get the full teaspoon but if you put in the food it might not work.
Tip: buy some pet enemas at the vet or online and always have some in case of emergency.
For the enema I fill up a 60 ml syringe with a dose of pet enema and warm water and I attache a long thin sonde to it that I lubricator and put half way up and gently press all the water in. Works every time.
So my cats been vomiting, took him to the vet,they diagnosed Megacolon,they gave me Meds ,it stopped the vomiting for a fee days,but it just happened again,I feel like the Vet isn't solving the problem.
@@chanceme72 is the cat constipated? If the cat is not constipated and keeps vomiting, take that baby to another vet ASAP!
I read 1/8th of Miralax into wet food. I've been putting I believe a bit more twice a day to no avail. It's been 5 days since we started the Miralax.😪 I put it directly into her wet food. Its flavorless so she eats it with no issues. Vet immediately jumped to doing procedure for obstipation. My baby hates vets. It's also 2k and we won't know if it'll even work. I don't like idea of her staying in hospital and being sedated at her age of 13.
@@marlenafina3481 it s best If you give half a teaspoon but make it full and give every morning in the syringe because Miralax works best with water. Also buy some lactuloze and give it to her every night 3-4 ml. Always have a pet enema on hand and a 60 ml syringe with a human thin long sonde attached to it. When everything fails I give my boy an enema at home. Vets are too expensive for this. Try diluting a pet enema in warm 60 ml water then put it in the syringe with the long soft thin sonde attached (you can find it in any farmacy and it fits a 60 ml syringe if you cut half the black cap off of it) then use Vaseline on it and slowly put in half way and slowly push the water in. When you still have like a 1/4 left start slowly taking the sonde out while pushing the rest of the water in. It should work in like 30 min. Let me know if you need some more help or if it worked. But I highly recommend the half spoon with water every morning and lactuloze every night to avoid this.
@@lludmilla I have the same issue.. I have a 9 year old and he is backed up pretty bad.. he had his Enema u see anesthesia done on the 30 th of December 2022.. he has not pooped since he got home. I give Lactulose , Cisapride and Miralax. But ur idea of Miralax sounds good...will give it to him in mouth (is it twice or thrice a day ? ) We r still waiting for him to poop. He tries to poop but nothing comes out. He is a very angry little guy so kindda hard at times to handle. How did u give your cat an enema . I would like to know . Thanx
Thanks for your information !
Our pleasure, thanks for watching!
I took a stray cat in a few months ago and he started showing symptoms last month and the vet diagnosed suspected viral infection... 🥴 he improved from the meds but then last week he started showing symptoms again a day after deworming 😔 the vet couldn't find what's wrong although I mentioned that its possibly an obstruction(when I searched his symptoms) 😫 I switched Vets from frustration and they finally confirmed there's fecal impaction huhu.. They also mentioned its megacolon.. 😣 The vet is planning to do surgery but so far the surgery kept being postponed 🥴 I'm so worried... huhu
omg.. huhu the doc just updated that the reason the surgery is postponed is because our cat successfully defecated a lot of the hard stools 🥺🥺😭 he might no longer need surgery if he continues to do well 🥺🥺🥺
@@Jaizy so that's a good thing right. Any updates. How's your kitty doing.
The vet gave Miralax as a stool softener in the office and cat was shy till I got him home. 6 times he went. 20.00 enema! I gave Miralax as follows, 6 tsp. In 1/2 cup water, using small syringe w/out needle. Fill 1/2 and inject down side of throat. 10 years on he's going. Every day I have to treat. Plus soft canned food and hard. If I don't do this he has cannon ball poop! Can't pass them. They do respond to Miralax.
Unfortunately my 13 year old kitty's not responding to Miralax after an edema. We're on day 5 of the Miralax. 😑
My cat is the same.. nothing with Miralax , Lactulose or Cisapride.. I dunno wat I should do next.
@@Shazimran06 pls take your baby to the vet it’s gone too long without poop he needs manual de obstruction!!!!!!!
@@lludmilla we called and they said there is nothing else to do but wait for him to poop. My question is, can I try enema at home ?
@@Shazimran06 Yeah that’s a really bad vet response. They can always do it manually the only thing we cannot do at home. Buy a pet enema because that’s the only safe enema for pets then dilute that in 60 ml of warm water and put in in a 60 ml syringe. Attach a long thin and soft sonde to it(you can find it in human pharmacies ask for a thin sonde). Use Vaseline on the sonde then gently push it in half way. Then start very gently pushing the liquid in and when you’re left with 1/4 of the liquid start gently taking the sonde out and pushing the liquid in at the same time. You need to have him stay really still for this. Try it and let me know if it worked. It should work in about 30-40 min. But call another vet clinic bc it’s not normal what they’ve told you. If you google it you’ll see how dangerous it is for him to not poop in so long. Try my method and let me know if you need some more help.
I have a cat who doesn't have megacolon but has struggled with constipation on and off since I rescued her from the animal shelter in 2018. She is now about 11 years old. Since her rescue, I have used Miralax which has helped to control her bowel movements. About a month ago she was majorly constipated: took her to her vet more than once: a couple of enemas and fluid therapy. Now seems as though stool is remaining in her colon and vet said just a couple of days ago that it is not hard, rather soft, but for some reason, it doesn't want to come out even though she does strain. I had an ultrasound done on her and blood work: No problems except elevated kidney levels (which I already knew) but still in the high normal range. I am palpitating her at least once or twice a day. For about week she has been on lactulose and a day ago, I started cisapride (2 doses so far) Her last bowel movement, which wasn't very formed was a few days ago. If cisapride along with lactulose is going to work, how long before I should see some results? I will contact the vet later this week to give an update. I don't won't to automatically take her to the vet at the drop of a hat, but I also don't want it to get worse. Thanks
I have the problem with my cat. she is 15. 6 years or so ago she has the enemas, extraction, was put on cisipride (does nothing for her) and Royal canin fiber response which worked for a few years. Its happened again, spent 1700 on xrays, enema... and never pooped again after the operation. that was 2 weeks ago and she is miserable. Taking her back in Tuesday for another extraction. I have done mineral water enemas at home, fed her olive oil, nothing is working.
Update?
Any updates. My cat just had an edema. Very small amount came out along with vomiting. Nothing at home and it's almost a week since vet visit. Vet never did ultrasound but said next step is sedation and removing the pooper from her. It's very expensive and no guarantee she'll have normal bowels. My cat hates the vet. Don't understand why vet doesn't give her meds first and if it fails says lets proceed with sedation etc. I don't want to put my senior baby through pain and don't want to see her suffering with not being able to go.
@@Hollibird64 any updates
Hi, I rescued an outdoor kitten who got treated for worms twice. About 4-5 months after treatment she had worms in her diarrhea and then got constipated and continued to be constipated after two more deworming treatments (which were two weeks apart, as per the vets recommendation). She has been on 1tsp miralax per day for about a week but it does not seem to be providing enough relief.
Is it possible the worms caused a blockage or the deworming medication (milbemax) worsened her constipation?
I'd really appreciate the help, i'm worried about constipation leading to megacolon :(
I grow cat grass for my cat. Cats love it Grass can help prevent constipation DRY KIBBLE FOOD IS TERRIBLE . MY CAT IS ON SOFT CAN FOOD ONLY . THANKFULLY IS IS OK NOW
I have a 13 year old cat who's struggling with chronic constipation. She yowls in her box, strains so hard she pukes. I take her to the vet, they give her an enema or sends laxatives with her but it seems like nothing works. We tried lactulose, miralax, wet food, chicken broth, pumpkin, High fiber diet, etc. Nothing makes it go away. It stops for a week or so then comes back. We pay for x-rays. The vet finds nothing. 😔
If it's just constipation that needs to be managed and there's a drug called cisapride which may help. You'd probably want to have an abdominal ultrasound with an internal medicine specialist consultation about the case.
@@DrLera I need help my older cat wants food but he’s losing weight because he has major contractions and pain due to not being able to defecate. I don’t know what to do, we can’t put him down because we don’t have enough money. I don’t want him to be in this excruciating pain. Whenever he gets the contractions his stomach tenses up and he growls or cries in pain.
Update: we ended up putting her down. We worked with the vet and tried several food changes, laxatives, stool softeners, increased water intake. They couldn't find a blockage or anything but also couldn't solve the problems and she kept suffering and yowling in pain. Enemas stopped helping. We exhausted ALOT of finances but nothing ever improved
@@JerrTheHooman So sorry you had to put your cat down
Get a 2nd opinion. Likely Megacolon and time for expensive surgery.
lets see the treatment
Why is their no option of surgery?
ty
You're welcome!
I have a female cat about 9 years old that developed magacolon abput a year ago after what eating what appeared to be scotch tape. The vet put her on the low residue food and it was going fine until about a week ago. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotic shot. Pneumonia cleared up almost immediately but now, she has stopped defecating again. Already took her back to vet for enema but now she has stopped going again. The other issue is the cat is very nervous by nature anyhow so "capturing her" for a vet visit usually results in at least a week of never seeing her so I hate putting her thru that over & over. Very frustrated & worried....
Pros and cons. You have to take into consideration if you try to skip going to the veterinarian and just try treatment that you may be missing something that could potentially be getting worse while you try to treat it. Also you may be at the point where you're going to need more than just a diet change. You may need stool softeners and motility agents to make sure that she is pooping every single day regularly even if her still has to be made softer than normal. Again my default is to make sure that you do the test to make sure that nothing has changed from when she was first diagnosed.
@@DrLera our vet never did ultrasound but wants to go ahead with procedure for obstipation. This concerns me.
I brought a feral stray in and he is constipated all the time, I cant afford this, R.I.P. George.... Heart breaking...
Ohhh nooo. Did you euthanize him??
@@marlenafina3481 Not yet, I had another episode with him, I bought some glycerne and an oral syringe, held him down and put the tube in the stool and then worked the lump out.. Then I removed the feeder with the dry food and put a door with a chip so the other cats can go in and out but he cant.. I feed him only soft food and give him some pumpkin puree everyday (it's recommended safe for cats) because I noticed it's the dry stuff he cant handle....He's really friendly and trusts me now....I have trouble killing something that trusts me....HOWEVER, life is cruel and if it doesn't work I will have to subject myself to putting him down...
@@mike62mcmanus hope all is well with you. I took in a feral stray and he has this symptom too.
It's a sad prognosis... What is your plan?@@hn308
I need help my older cat wants food but he’s losing weight because he has major contractions and pain due to not being able to defecate. I don’t know what to do, we can’t put him down because we don’t have enough money. I don’t want him to be in this excruciating pain. Whenever he gets the contractions his stomach tenses up and he growls or cries in pain.
You could look at mixing some mineral oil in a small amount of food on a regular basis to try and lubricate his intestinal tract. It's going to be challenging to manage his condition without sufficient funds. If you go to a local humane society or animal shelter and you don't think that he has quality of life they should be able to do the euthanasia at new charge. Best of luck and I'll keep you in my prayers
@@DrLera oh no. So sad.
How does one differentiate between megacolon & FIP?
X-rays. They are two totally different diseases. You can diagnose megacolon with x-rays of the abdomen
@@DrLera thank you for your answer. I did an X-ray. I live in Saudi Arabia and our clinics/expertise here are not the best, some are saying Megacolon, some are saying FIP. Is there a way to contact you (Whatsapp/email) to show you the results and have your opinion please? It’s really urgent.
My 3month old kitten has constricted pelvic possibly due to trauma. And now having constipation. Enema dont work anymore what should I do. Hes on Lactulose too.
May need to have surgery to fix it
Yes my cat had to go to Veterinarian 3 different times.
Sorry to hear that, it is definitely not an easy thing to deal with.
What end up happening?
Updates?
@Marlena Fina kitty has recently been diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease. .this was causing the chronic constipation. Now he gets small does of Miralax prescribed by Veterinarian. He is doing ok.
I need help! I have an 8 month old kitten that is dwarfed (looks like 1½ months) with mega colon..... I live in the country our local vet where he's been seen 2ce, does not have x-ray. I just felt like this was more than just him being constipated. He is the fifth born of a litter of six. The sixth kitten was born with all of its organs in a sack outside of its body and it was born alive. I had to put it down myself.😔
Rocky was the runt of the litter. He was always getting pushed aside and not getting enough milk. So I took him and started feeding him to supplement his diet, but he just didn't grow. It was at that time that I noticed he seemed to be constipated. (I have worked for years with feral cats and I know what can happen when you start to supplement but this was different.) When I tried to litter train him, I made the mistake of using a clumping litter and I caught him trying to eat it twice, whereas I read online don't use clumping litter because that could be a major intestinal blockage problem. After I wasn't seeing proper stools and he started having no control of his rectum, I took him to the our vet where he was given 2 enemas (since there was no relief after the first one). At that time he was diagnosed with constipation. I chose his diet with Pedialyte, water and chicken baby food. I was mixing the water and Pedialyte together with his food because he has never drank water from a bowl ever. Long story short, I took him to a vet in town where they had x-ray because he had thrown up feces the night before. I was told he had megacolin and for quality of life I was told he should be put down. But this little guy and I have a bond and he's not always in pain but I know this is painful for him when he's trying to pass stool and the X-ray shows that he is nothing but full of poop! The vet did not want to try to remove any of it for fear of tearing his colon and said I should put him down. I just feel that there's somebody out there that would do this procedure (the surgery) on him????
I don't have a lot of money and want to make a Go-Fund-Me Account.
ROCKY & I NEED SOMEONE'S HELP/ GUIDANCE!
I don't know how to go about finding a doctor that's willing to do the surgery....
It was a VCA Animal Hospital where I was told I should euthanize him.
I bath him constantly. When poop does come out it's mostly clay like or diarrhea. This occurs mostly when he's asleep and relaxed. Please is there somebody out there willing to do the surgery or somebody that can help me find somebody that will try to help him????
There are times when he screams because it hurts trying to have these passings of a bowel movement that doesn't happen.
Then there are times when I get some of that relief for him through an enema and lactose and he will play with me, my other cats or with a ball.
He loves me to rub his stomach because it helps comfort him whereas he purrs. He sleeps/snuggles with me every night. He's always with me. I don't mind caring for him. I just wish that I could help him so that he could have some type of a normal life..... Can anybody help me?
I am sorry hear the situation you are in. It does sound like may need surgery but it does sound like a higher risk surgery and the only people willing to do those surgeries usually are board certified surgeons. If you find somebody to help you with a GoFundMe page please let me know as I have cases that would also need similar help and that have needed that help in the past
@@DrLera Thank you for your response. I appreciate any information/help with Rocky's condition. I make it a point to educate myself no matter what - so thank you! If I am able to open any doors towards helping others, I will definitely let you know as I completely empathize..... this is a very helpless & heart wrenching feeling and I wouldn't wish it on anybody. Again thank you. ❤️😻🥰❤️
I have an adult cat and he was also suffering from megacolon for 2 weeks. Was not eating anymore so we put him on a subcu fluids to hydrate him. 2 enemas did not help him too. However I researched articles and videos and stubled upon a comment saying that we can try giving him Miralax powder(for humans). I was skeptical at first but it worked. It took 2 weeks before getting my cat to poop a lot. Hope your cat is fine now!😺
You're literally describing the case if my baby Ricky to a T!!!!! She's a dwarf, was the runt, is 5 months old but has the body of a 1 month old, an hasn't pooped in 8 days now and seeing her strain and cry is chipping away at my soul. The doctor said it's a high risk surgery and I pretty much have no idea what to do. Can you please tell me how it ended up for you and Rocky?
@@sheenaayo7527 put my senior cat on Miralax 5 days ago and still nothing.
Wouldn't it be cool if they actually made a video on how to help your cat instead of how much veterinary info they know? Instead of the long spew of information, it would be cool to have a video of how to actually help your animal instead of listening to a vet verbally jack himself. A video on how to help your animal would have been preferred.
Yep. I'm on my 5th video. I feel like a qualified vet and my cat is still constipated.
Cats who are constipated usually have an underlying disease. Which will then require constant treatment to prevent the cat from becoming constipated. Laxtulose and cyproheptadine are the two most treatments and wet food of course
No
Not one mention of raw feed diet... raw meat and bone ! And put cat on diet..lose some weight