Mega Colon experienced help requested

Greetings.


I would appreciate some advise and experience about maintenance of a cat with a megacolon.

About me:
married in my 40s with years of experience hand raising, rescuing and feral cat assistance. I have worked and volunteered with the SPCA in two states. My wife and I are passionate animal lovers and fully supportive of each other in efforts to help this specific cat.(any cat for that matter)
However, I have never encountered much less be owned by a cat with this issue.

The cat.
Sleeves is her name. She is 6 almost 7 years. She one of a two sisters bottle raised by me and my wife. They were orphaned since birth. We discovered them in our yard after their feral mother well you know..cars.

Her history.
She became sick with a viral infection at 2 years. it was sever and unidentified. We almost lost her. her tongue sloughed ran a very high fever (108).

During the treatment of this infection, she acquired an abscess in one of her anal glands. Which was removed by the vet with Silver Nitrate solution.
In the years that followed, she became increasingly constipated.
to the point where the mega colon issue arose.

Surgery for this is not an option. As 1 its expensive. we already have close to 6K in vet expenses alone with this cat. and 2 its been confirmed by two separate vets that this procedure will not always correct the root cause and could be fatal.

We found 1 vet who was very compassionate and willing to help us do all we could to maintain the cat at home. (A foot note, this vet believes that there was nerve damage to her sphincter when she was sick.)

We treat Sleeves with lactulose in her food and with droppers as needed.
We supplement her diet with fiber and with pedialyte.
We serve her only canned food. or dry food soaked in pedialyte.
We have 7 litter boxes in the house and only 3 cats. 2 for every floor plus 1 extra in the main living area. unscented litter only and no hooded litter boxes.
occasionally she will have an impacted feces and will require an enema which i administer. (i have been trained by a vet to do this and have the vet issued catheter)

now to my real issue,
Sleeves due her condition has terrible potty habbits. we have replaced carpets, floors furnature etc. i dont want to count the $$ spent.

She will urinate properly until she becomes constipated. at which point it is a hit and miss if we walk into a mess the next morning.
her deification cycle is approximate 4-5 days between movements.

We isolate her at night, but this causes issues with her sister and the other unrelated cat. not to mention the lack of sleep from her howling and tearing up the door.

we have recently moved into a new home and we really just cannot keep up with this anymore. additionally we recently both became unemployed.

We are desperately seeking any experienced advise or direction.
Sleeves is the most loving and precious cat and does not deserve this condition.
We do not want to think of any alternatives that include putting her outside for good (thats a death sentence IMHO) or euthanasia.

about the only thing i can think of that we have not tried is raw food diet.
as i do not have any experience with that either.

What are we missing? What else can we do?

Thank you for your time
Ric

What foods have you tried... ?? Type , brand and how long

This condition is kinda like in humans no two cats react the same.

Have you discussed this with a holistic vet?

We have used vet supplied ID formulas for 6 + months.
besides the excess cost no difference in her system.

We currently feed them purina one for 2+ years.

I do not know a holistic vet. according to the AHVMA There is none within a 100 mile radius of where we currently live.
I am skeptical of anything "holistic" but am willing to entertain for sleeves sake.
Are you suggesting a consultation with discussions of raw food? and supplements?

Cats are oblique carnivores. I will not subject the cat to the purely human idea known as vegan-ism.

Agreed, this cat is unique with the colon issue and nerve issue compounds the problem.

Thank you for your reply.

Hi,
I have a cat that was diagnosed with megacolon in April. It was a long road to get to that point and since then. But I pretty much have her condition under control with a low fibre diet (1 - 1.5% MAX fibre content canned food), Cisapride (motility drug), and Miralax (called PEG 3350 in Canada). Miralax is a stool softner like lactulose. But Miralax is a tasteless/Odourless powder that you can add into your cats canned food with some water. And you can also buy it over the counter at pharmacy for much cheaper then at a vets office. Some owners even buy it off the shelf at walmart in the medication section. Lactulose stopped working for Lexus a longtime ago and my holistic vet recommeded the Miralax. I am so happy she did because it really helps at softening the stool. Has your vet mentioned putting your kitty on Cisapride to help push the poops out of the cats colon? This is a pretty common medication for megacolon kitties b/c their colon muscle are at the point where they can not contract to push the poop out on its own. The Cisapride helps that problem. Many vets push high fibre diets on Megacolon cats but many times it makes the problem worse b/c it bulks up the stool which in turn makes it harder for the megacolon cat to defecate. That's why a low fibre diet works better so the stools are not so big. Worked wonders for my cat.

You may want to join the Yahoo group "Feline Megacolon" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_Megacolon/ for some support with your kitties megacolon cat. Lots of great info in the files and messages. I hope to see you over there because I think you can get on the right track with a proper daily regimen

Originally Posted by megacolonkitty

We have used vet supplied ID formulas for 6 + months.
besides the excess cost no difference in her system.

We currently feed them purina one for 2+ years.

I do not know a holistic vet. according to the AHVMA There is none within a 100 mile radius of where we currently live.
I am skeptical of anything "holistic" but am willing to entertain for sleeves sake.

Are you suggesting a consultation with discussions of raw food? and supplements?

Cats are oblique carnivores. I will not subject the cat to the purely human idea known as vegan-ism.

Agreed, this cat is unique with the colon issue and nerve issue compounds the problem.

Thank you for your reply.

Click to expand...

I would NEVER suggest making a cat a none meat eater... I feed a rotation diet and that helps my liver and ibd kitties

I would get a second opinion from a holistic or holistic minded vet ( for me word of mouth is best )

There are natural and non natural supplements than can help...

How many different vets have seen this cat?

I once had a very old siamese kitty that i rescued, who had many health issues; CRF, a rare condition of the adrenal glands...and megacolon. With her, her stools were often so large and bulky that I think sometimes they were just hard for her to push out so she would go 5-6 days without going; then I'd know she was constipated because she'd be in the litterbox, straining, and next thing you know she'd throw up (from the back pressure). I'd take her to the Vet and they'd give her an enema or 2. I found this to be very traumatic for her, plus the buggers charged me $50 each time I'd go. As I'm an RN and no stranger to enemas (LOL), I asked my Vet if she could give me the supplies for me to be able to give the enemas at home; much less stress for her, and me..and less cost.

I would give her an enema every 4 days. It was just a warm water enema (there are other types you can give but the others, IMO, are very irritating to the bowel and in her case the warm water enemas were sufficient).

I'm not sure if your cat would tolerate this or not.

Basically the tube used for the enema is similar to a urinary catheter (long rubberish tube used to drain the bladder) for an child.....in fact that likely is what it was (a straight catheter).

My old girl was pretty docile so it wasn't too hard.

I'd basically get a 60 cc catheter tipped syringe (pointy long tip, the end fits perfectly into the end of the long enema tube).......a bowl of warm water (make sure not too hot). I'd lube up the end of the enema tube with KY (once I was in a pinch and used olive oil!). I'd spread out a garbage bag on the bed (found it easier to do this on the bed so that she was at waist level for me, so I didn't have to bend, I have a bad back).......then a couple of thick towels. You basically just insert the lubed tip of the very thin enema tube into the butthole about 1 - 1.5 inches. You attach syringe to other end of enema tube..........slowly syringe the water into the enema. I'd instill about 60cc's. Sure, some leaks out. Sometimes I'd have 2 syringes, just so I had another one ready. Once I'd instilled about 60 ccs in total (you should verify amount w/ Vet), I'd keep her from litterbox for about 5 minutes....this allows the instilled warm water to soften up the stool in the colon. Then I'd take her to her litterbox in her room..........it worked like a charm. It's not like you'd envision, that the minute you do this the cat will crap all over............

Something to ask your Vet about. I'd discourage use of Mineral oil or soap water enemas (solution of warm water w/ castille soap - way too irritating to bowel, IMO).

This is what we did for a good year until she succumbed to heart failure

I used the same enema tube each time (It's not something that has to be sterile, of course).

If your vet is willing, you could ask him/her to show you in the office, how they do it....

Best if you have 2 people..one to hold and pet kitty....the other to give the enema. And don't worry, kitty doesn't poop all over the surface he/she is one while you're giving the enema.....in a cat w/ megacolon that's just not going to happen...you just might have a little bit of the warm water leak out onto the towel beneath cat.......

My old girl felt so much better after we did this. She's poop huge, poor thing. Her appetite also improved a lot, which makes sense (who'd want to eat when so full inside?)

Please, if you're unable to keep kitty, please don't just put kitty outside........if you have no alternative and you can't find a new home, euthanize before just putting kitty outside because kitty would suffer amazingly to be outside and maybe wander off and not come home/get lost/ get injured/end up horribly constipated with no help.

Also, do you know about or belong to the Feline IBD/Megacolon Group on Yahoo? Here's the address:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline_Megacolon/

Denali,

Thank you. We have used Cisapride as first prescribed by the vet we tried several differnet compounding formulas working with the vet. the last we used was 7.5mg. There was no notable mobility in her movements. It was adding stress to the cat and causing some vomit. The vet and I believed the vomit was a result of her being so backed up. Additionally she was suffering from bad bouts of yeast infections from the drug. ( poor baby.
) Under vet direction, we ceased cisapride.

We do use benefiber in her food now. I like your ideas about decreasing this to reduce bulk. We will join the group. thank you!!

Ric for sleeves.

The Cisapride may not have been working because of the added bulk to the stool. Or the lactulose was not doing its job in softening the stools. Many members on the feline megacolon group have joined the group with the same predicament - lactulose and cisapride were not doing the job for their kitties. But once they switched to Miralax and cisapride their kitty started pooping again. And also changing to a low fibre diet.

I used to get cisparide compunded into a flavourless liquid and syringed it into my cat. If I didn't get it all in or got some on the side of her mouth she would end up getting diarrhea or drop soft poops all over the house. I recently have been getting the cisparide compounded into beef chews and she absolutely loves them. And no more diarrhea or poops being dropped around the house. I am now confident that she is getting her full dosage. And now she is passing a stool like clock work every 1-3 days. I would definately recommend the chews.

The Food lady,

Thank you so much for the detailed reply and observations about your Siamese kitty. I am sorry for her loss. I pray that she is patiently waiting over the rainbow bridge for you. It is very similar to what we observe. Her stools are often so large In both diameter and length, it is difficult to imagine the pain and discomfort she is in. (poor baby)

I have no problems giving the cat an enema as needed. The vet trained me specifically and I have all the necessary supplies. For the same reasons, $60 a pop to have the vet do it and the added stress on the cat. The vet prescribed a 60cc soap solution but noted that we could use mineral oil as you stated. The vet we did settle on we trust 100%

This enema process is usually my epitaph of true love for my cat(s). Noone else(we know) would ever give this cat the care we have. She is family. all of our animals are family.

TRUST me NO animal in my care or i even see in need will be neglected much less abandoned.

Sharky,


Thank you. i hope i didnt offend. it was not my intention. I will take your advise and attempt to find a holistic vet. As we need a new vet here in VA.

We have had this cat see 6 different vets at 3 different offices.
We settled on Dr. Mahoney she is compassionate, listens and trusts our observations. My wife and I keep journals on our special needs kitties so that we do not miss something. The vet was able to see our true concern for this cat and treated us accordingly. This was invaluable to us!
Unfortunately for us, That vet is in NY and we now live in VA.
The vet has been willing to give us phone consultations as needed.
we have not yet seen a vet here in VA.

Originally Posted by Denali

The Cisapride may not have been working because of the added bulk to the stool. Or the lactulose was not doing its job in softening the stools. Many members on the feline megacolon group have joined the group with the same predicament - lactulose and cisapride were not doing the job for their kitties. But once they switched to Miralax and cisapride their kitty started pooping again. And also changing to a low fibre diet.
I used to get cisparide compunded into a flavourless liquid and syringed it into my cat. If I didn't get it all in or got some on the side of her mouth she would end up getting diarrhea or drop soft poops all over the house. I recently have been getting the cisparide compounded into beef chews and she absolutely loves them. And no more diarrhea or poops being dropped around the house. I am now confident that she is getting her full dosage. And now she is passing a stool like clock work every 1-3 days. I would definately recommend the chews.

Click to expand...

ok, that makes sense. We were on the path of adding fiber to contain moisture to help it move. so this makes complete sense.
I will call the vet as we still have some Cisapride left. We will confirm prior to making any changes or using these pills.

What amount of Miralax do you use? or did you arrive at a dosage based upon observations?
Sleeves is a large kitty. Main Koon mix DSH. roughly 18lbs. give or take a 1 lb of poo.

I am a firm believer in Miralax. Our 15 year old Sven has chronic constipation (has NOT yet been diagnosed with megacolon), and was on lactulose with no results, so I asked our Vet about Miralax and she investigated it, and we started in on it, and within a week he became regular and as long as we keep dosing him twice a day with the Miralax, he's really quite regular. This has been consistent now for about 3 months! We're so happy with it. Since he refuses to eat wet food, we just mix 1/4 teaspoon into a little water and squirt it into his mouth twice a day. It's a God send!

Our 12 year old has Mega colon and we finally have hit upon a good combination of foods and meds for him. He takes Cisapride (5mg) twice a day, 2 stool softener capsules (100mg) a day, Fish Oil capsules totaling 2000 mg. per day. Plus in his food we mix in about a teaspoon of baby food squash. He eats Fancy Feast regular wet foods, his preference is along the seafood lines. For dry food we buy the Blue Wilderness bags that have duck meat in them. It's a green bag with a mountain lion on it. It's a high protein food that he, and our other 2 love. We tried the food with grains and that didn't work. I was taking him to the vets just about every 4-6 weeks to get unplugged before, but the last time I had to take him it was 12 weeks. The vets recommended giving him Cat Lax every day, but he doesn't like any of the brands we tried. We started rubbing it on his front paw, and that worked for a while. Then he just stopped licking it off and that turned into a mess when he used the litter box. That's why we switched on our own to the Fish Oil and so far so good. He, along with the other 2 have their canned tuna once a week, but we don't give him any Greenies because of the fiber. That seems to be his problem with fiber. I used to take him outside since he is a inside boy, but I can't do that now because he just wants to eat grass. I feel bad that he can't go out, and he doesn't understand why he can't. Luckily our other 2 are inside boys......but that doesn't help him.

Originally Posted by Andamo

Our 12 year old has Mega colon and we finally have hit upon a good combination of foods and meds for him. He takes Cisapride (5mg) twice a day, 2 stool softener capsules (100mg) a day, Fish Oil capsules totaling 2000 mg. per day. Plus in his food we mix in about a teaspoon of baby food squash. He eats Fancy Feast regular wet foods, his preference is along the seafood lines. For dry food we buy the Blue Wilderness bags that have duck meat in them. It's a green bag with a mountain lion on it. It's a high protein food that he, and our other 2 love. We tried the food with grains and that didn't work. I was taking him to the vets just about every 4-6 weeks to get unplugged before, but the last time I had to take him it was 12 weeks. The vets recommended giving him Cat Lax every day, but he doesn't like any of the brands we tried. We started rubbing it on his front paw, and that worked for a while. Then he just stopped licking it off and that turned into a mess when he used the litter box. That's why we switched on our own to the Fish Oil and so far so good. He, along with the other 2 have their canned tuna once a week, but we don't give him any Greenies because of the fiber. That seems to be his problem with fiber. I used to take him outside since he is a inside boy, but I can't do that now because he just wants to eat grass. I feel bad that he can't go out, and he doesn't understand why he can't. Luckily out other 2 are inside boys......but that doesn't help him.

Click to expand...

Nice post but you do realize NO one has posted in this thread for nearly 10 months

Hi Andamo, glad to hear you have found a regimine to help your mega-colon
12 yr. old kitty..I have the same, a 12 yr. old male cat with this, it's horrible..With my Dave, what is helping now is Miralax and Cisipride, and only wet food, low-no fiber, he is doing fabulous on this, FABULOUS..!
no more ER evacuations, it's great! I wish you continued success with your senior mega colon baby, (don't worry too much about him not going out to eat grass, he will get used to being pampered inside with you!!)

Originally Posted by sharky

Nice post but you do realize NO one has posted in this thread for nearly 10 months

Click to expand...

Yes I did see that nobody had posted in a while, but I felt any information put out there is good.


It was so frustrating at the onset because our regular vet knew what he possibly had, but didn't have any good treatment options. After 1 trip to the emergency hospital, the doctor there recommended a local husband and wife team that are both vets. Ironically their last name is Katt, so I knew it was going to work out. Here is a picture of our Igloo. He gets his name honestly and we call him Iggy for short.

Hello. I had a older cat with mega colon and nothing worked except enemas. I ended up getting the subtotal colectomy done and she had diarrhea for the rest of her life until passing from renal failure at 18 years. The enemas were hard on her and the diarrhea made her bum bum sore but the outcome of the subtotal colectomy depends on each cat.

I recently took in three feral kittens currently 6 weeks old and the mama to get healthy and adopt out. One of the kittens has mega colon which is uncommon for that age. After two visits to regular vet and three emergency vet visits something actually worked. We did enemas and enulose to try and get the colon cleared but the doctor wanted try something new that some are doing. Eye drops. It is a prescription and for some reason works on cats with mega colon. It's called pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 2%. This poor kitten hadn't pooped on his own for a week only by enemas performed by doctors. After one drop in his food he had a soft bowel movement within the hour. Not sure what the long term holds for this little guy but it's a start. If nothing has worked to get bowel movements going ask your vet about these eye drops. Good luck!