Would like to share my cats experience with the surgery. My cat Dusty suffered for years with megacolon issues. Many visits to the vet to relieve him of his constipation. I knew something was wrong early with Dusty because he begin to defecate around the house. His litter was cleaned daily, no reason for him to do this.
Dusty was about 16 yrs old when i decided on the surgery. It had gotten to the point where I needed to bring him to the vet almost montly at this poin t also years of Cisapride and other medications became costly. I had to make a decision to either put him down or have surgery.
I choose surgery. The surgery was hard, on both the cat and myself. Dusty was at the vet hospital for 6 days, and needed much care in the following 2 weeks post surgery, wearing a cone for 2 weeks to avoid tear out stiches and such. He is a long hair, which just added to the mess afterwards.
The surgery was successful, no more vet visits for constipation, however it has been 2 years since the surgery and Dusty still suffers from bouts of diarrhea. At times the smell will kill you. Dusty also continues to defecate around the house, daily, I have removed all my rugs since that helps on the cleanup. I tried moving the cat litter upstairs and changing the brand, it made no difference. It appears when he has to go, he goes. However, I have found limiting his wet found intake (more dry food) and sticking to chicken flavors does help.
Knowing what I know now, I am not sure I would made the same decision for surgery, and I am still paying off the surgery bill.
I love Dusty and he is a wonderful cat, I am glad he is alive, however it is still hard on me and this type of aftercare may not be for everyone.
Dusty was about 16 yrs old when i decided on the surgery. It had gotten to the point where I needed to bring him to the vet almost montly at this poin t also years of Cisapride and other medications became costly. I had to make a decision to either put him down or have surgery.
I choose surgery. The surgery was hard, on both the cat and myself. Dusty was at the vet hospital for 6 days, and needed much care in the following 2 weeks post surgery, wearing a cone for 2 weeks to avoid tear out stiches and such. He is a long hair, which just added to the mess afterwards.
The surgery was successful, no more vet visits for constipation, however it has been 2 years since the surgery and Dusty still suffers from bouts of diarrhea. At times the smell will kill you. Dusty also continues to defecate around the house, daily, I have removed all my rugs since that helps on the cleanup. I tried moving the cat litter upstairs and changing the brand, it made no difference. It appears when he has to go, he goes. However, I have found limiting his wet found intake (more dry food) and sticking to chicken flavors does help.
Knowing what I know now, I am not sure I would made the same decision for surgery, and I am still paying off the surgery bill.
I love Dusty and he is a wonderful cat, I am glad he is alive, however it is still hard on me and this type of aftercare may not be for everyone.
