Older cat with megacolon

acuddymar

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I have a 14 yr old female cat diagnosed with megacolon seven months ago. I was advised to use Lactulose twice a day and add water to her wet food. I should mention that I also have a male cat six months older who is fine except for hyperthyroidism which is under control. I mention this because they eat from the same dishes. She has been cleaned out twice and this week was the second time. I got a well deserved scolding for not giving her the Lactulose and just adding water to the all wet diet. She was on Fancy Feast. The doctor put her back on the Lactulose and changed her to the wet and dry Science Diet w/d. I have been reading a lot of owners say that high fiber made the condition worse and the cat needs to be on low or no fiber and little or no dry food. Please advise.

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denice

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I personally think an all wet diet would be better because of the extra moisture.  Adding water to the wet also helps.

I have a cat with chronic constipation but not megacolon.  I asked my vet about the megacolon, kind of a what if question.  She said that kitties like mine often are helped with a little added fiber but once a cat goes into megacolon they do better with a very low fiber diet.  I think it's very specific to the cat and sometimes it's difficult to know if a cat has actually went into megacolon.

My vet recommends Miralax instead of the lactulose.  It's a tasteless powder that is easily added to their wet food.  It works by drawing water into the colon.  I know some people here have had very good luck with the Miralax and it is easier to give.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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I personally think an all wet diet would be better because of the extra moisture.  Adding water to the wet also helps.

I have a cat with chronic constipation but not megacolon.  I asked my vet about the megacolon, kind of a what if question.  She said that kitties like mine often are helped with a little added fiber but once a cat goes into megacolon they do better with a very low fiber diet.  I think it's very specific to the cat and sometimes it's difficult to know if a cat has actually went into megacolon.

My vet recommends Miralax instead of the lactulose.  It's a tasteless powder that is easily added to their wet food.  It works by drawing water into the colon.  I know some people here have had very good luck with the Miralax and it is easier to give.
    My chronically constipated cat did much better on Miralax than on Lactulose.  It's SO much easier to use 
.

This is the first time I've heard of a megacolon cat being put on W/D!  And part kibble no less.  Seems odd, but I'm not a Vet.  With megacolon, I thought half the problem too was actually motility, and thought cycipride was usually prescribed for that. 

I really don't understand why he would scold you for not adding water to her ALL CANNED diet, then switch her over to half canned and half kibble.  Doesn't seem to make sense
 

poppysmummy

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My 11 year old Poppy had to be cleared out twice over the summer and I was getting frantic! I didn't want her to have surgery and getting lactulose into her was nigh on impossible. Read about Miralax and she has it in her wet food and hasn't had any more impacted faeces since. I would keep your cat on wet food though and not the dry stuff!
 
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