1 year old cat constipated after surgery

Hello, 

     I was wondering if you could give me some advice... My cat (1 year old male cat) was in a car accident and had it's tail broken in half, and a 4 cm (1.5 in) vertical cut (skin deep) at the base, no internal injuries. The vet amputated half of the tail and closed the cut. All this happened yesterday morning. He gave him a painkiller and a shot of antibiotics (+anaesthetic for the operation), and today just the antibiotics.

     My cat is feeling better, moving around eating and drinking normally, but today he tried to poop and couldn't (tried for about half an hour). He doesn't mind the tail and it doesn't hurt him. I've read he might be constipated from the antibiotic or anaesthetic.

     I've read on other forums that cats might be constipated for up to a week or more, about feeding them prune juice, Metamucil, pumpkin or others. How long before I should worry? The vet said i should just give him plenty of liquids and continue monitoring him.

     What is your advice, what should I do? 

Yes, this is common also because you had to fast him before surgery so there isn't much yet to poop! Don't give him anything else right now. Prune juice! I wouldn't do that, that's for sure. What I would do is go and get some Miralax at the store and if by tonight he hasn't pooped, then give just a tiny bit, like a quarter of a teaspoon. Again tomorrow if he hasn't pooped. By Monday morning, if no poop, call the vet.

I wouldn't give prune juice either. I would try something like Almo Nature chicken with pumpkin. My fussy cat loves this stuff, whereas he won't eat pumpkin otherwise.

Yep, since he's not eaten since however long before the surgery, his little body has nothing to eliminate.  Give him a couple of days and he should be okay.  If you're concerned, you can add about a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie spice) to his wet food twice a day. 

 If the cat was on any kind of pain medication after the surgery that would bind him up, I would ask the vet about an enema or suppository to help him safely go to the bathroom.

Also adding Olive Oil(About a teaspoon) to his food may help things "Slide" out.

Please NEVER give olive oil to cats - it is poisonous to them. Your best bets are plain pumpkin puree as mentioned and metamucil; both used with their wet food.