constipated cat, digital evacuation damaged colon/rectum?

My little 5yo tortie Holly will be going back to the vet in four hours.  The 24-hour vet advised via phone this would be the way to go, unless the situation worsens.

The short version is, she's been having problems with anorexia and constipation for about 8 weeks.  In that time she's had blood tests, ultrasound scan, enema and manual evacuation of colon at the vet.  Nothing unusual showed on the blood tests or ultrasound, and the next step was to be an endoscopy.   Despite 1/4 tsp Miralax daily, she stopped pooping again on the 30th, and on the 2nd we brought her to the vet.  They said yes, she's backed up again.  They performed digital evacuation.

She's not a big cat at all, barely 7 lbs on small frame, and her evacuation was about 8" of "extremely hard" stool, poor little girl.  I could hear her screaming from the waiting room as the doctor moved the feces out. Her bum was swollen looking for around 24 hours after this, not a surprise. 

We are going in in a few minutes.  I wish I had more information on this and likely outcomes, if surgery would be likely to be effective, or we are just looking at kitty diapers the rest of her life or ???  I am so scared.  She didn't deserve any of this.

Sending you vibes, big time.
Holly is a very beautiful kitty, and her coat looks so shiny!
Please update us as soon as you can. Too high a dose of Miralax would only cause diarrhea and possibly some dehydration. I am hoping the issue is just from her still healing after the procedure.

So sorry to hear Holly is having these issues. I'm surprised that Holly wasn't sedated for the "dig out". I have a cat that also has constipation issues and was at the vet for 5 days in June. Since he's been home he is on all wet diet, 1/4 t miralax 2x per day and he still has soft well formed stools (once about every 2 days). Sending positive thoughts to you and healing vibes to Holly. Let us know how she is after your vet appointment. ((Hugs))

What did the vet say? I've been thinking of you both today.

Thank you @happybird and @LotsofFur -- Holly graciously accepts your kind wishes and compliments!

I'm really unhappy with the way the vet handled the appointment today; no one there gave me an answer to direct question about what was wrong. 

We were sent home with metronidazole and told to lower the Miralax back down to 1/4 tsp. 

I'm new to chronic constipation in kitties; wouldn't one of the 5 veterinarians and technicians I've spoken to about Holly's problems last week have thought to mention that "leaky butt" could happen after enema/manual evacuation, if it is a common occurrence?

Sorry if this makes no sense, I have gotten no sleep and I am so upset and confused.  Why can't they just tell me what is wrong?

I'm having the same problem with my 11 yr. Old kitty recently diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease. It's been a miserable past 2 months with constipation, diarrhea, and 2 enemas so far. He's had diarrhea since his last enema 8 days ago. The vet got nasty with me when I brought my kitty in after 3 days of diarrhea cause I can't continue to spend hundreds each time I go there for more tests and procedures. Most vets seem to be about the money. I left with no answers and feel desperate to the point of crying and wondering if I should put him down cause I can't stand to see him so miserable. I feel hopeless.

Btw... I'm on little sleep too.

jaosf said:

Thank you @happybird
and @LotsofFur
--

I'm really unhappy with the way the vet handled the appointment today; no one there gave me an answer to direct question about what was wrong. 

We were sent home with metronidazole and told to lower the Miralax back down to 1/4 tsp. 

I'm new to chronic constipation in kitties; wouldn't one of the 5 veterinarians and technicians I've spoken to about Holly's problems last week have thought to mention that "leaky butt" could happen after enema/manual evacuation, if it is a common occurrence?

Sorry if this makes no sense, I have gotten no sleep and I am so upset and confused.  Why can't they just tell me what is wrong?

Click to expand...

Well, that's no good. Few things are as frustrating as an unsatisfying vet visit. Have you tried searching through the chronic constipation and megacolon threads on here? There are a lot of them and surely another member has had a similar experience.

I'm wondering if they just didn't want to directly say, 'yes, the enema we preformed is what caused this new problem,' even if it is a common result. And I think they should have warned you upfront that this could possibly happen. Hopefully, as she heals, the opening will get smaller, the poor baby. Sending you more vibes for healing!

Thank you very much, @happybird.  I did wonder if they just wanted to avoid possible lawsuit by not owning up?   I mayb be a bit paranoid, though, with all the stress and lack of sleep...

Whatever happened, Holly is doing a little bit better now.  Her leaky butt closed back to near normal on Monday, and she is maintaining on her Miralax dosage, pooping nicely every 24-36 hours Some of the poop is a little mucusy but at least it is getting through her.

@LotsofFur, I had an exhaustion brain-fart before and failed to say how happy I am that your kitty is more stable and pooping now! 

I am shopping around for a different veterinarian.  And if I do have to have this manual evacuation performed for her again, I will definitely request sedation. 

BTW warm water enema went perfectly, she only grumbled a little,  and everything came out in about 10 minutes, no mess afterward and no leaky butt.  While the manual evacuation took probably 15 minutes and she screamed the whole time.  And then had leaky butt for the better part of a week.

@viv77, how are the two of you doing?  We have to get tests done on our babies to figure things out but when the vet doesn't even care?  How awful.  I know you are trying to do what's right for your kitty.  Thinking of you both and holding healing wishes for you.

Thank you for caring My kitty continues to not have a normal bowel movement. I think he was dehydrated so I'm now going to give him fluids every day to see if it helps. He didn't have a good day yesterday...lethargic, not eating much and vomited a bit so another night of no sleep for me. Kidney disease is such an emotional roller coaster ride. He seems better today but still no poop in his litter box. I doubt we'll ever find a great vet. I'm on my 3rd one in over 2 months. I'm going to start with miralax again since he doesn't have the runs anymore or barely yesterday just once. I'm going insane trying to find the right balance with his poop situation which is the main issue so far and I also notice some head twitching that comes and goes. It breaks my heart when I see it. It's amazing how much we love our furry babies and suffer with each little thing. I'm doing hours of research online cause I know already that I won't get the info I need from them. Let us informed about your kitty and hope all goes well soon.

I was just wondering if you do the warm water enemas yourself?

So glad to hear Holly is doing better. Constipated cats is something I've never dealt with until June of this year and I've had cats all my life! It's frustrating trying to figure out what works and the anxiety waiting for each bowel movement is too much sometimes.
I clean the litter boxes several times a day and even started writing down when I scoop a poo or if I actually see who does it (I have 5). Their boxes have never been this clean lol... I can say that out of 5 there is only one that seems to poop every day. The other 3 non constipated cats don't go every day either since they've all been on all wet diet with added water. I started my cat (per vet) on 1/4 tsp miralax per day but had to increase it to 1/4 tsp 2 times per day. What seems to work for my kitty, although I wouldn't say he's "regular", is also adding 1/4 tsp coconut oil per day. Since I added that in he hasn't had any failed litter box attempts, *crossing fingers, and i expect a poop anywhere from every other day to 3 days without to much anxiety
Again, I'm very happy for holly's improvement and I'm hopeful you find a vet you trust and and Holly's issue is a thing of the past. ((Hugs)) standing in solidarity with kitty constipation

I'm new to kitty constipation too!  What I found worked for my guy (he has a little frame and about 8.5 lbs), was giving the Miralax (1/8 teaspoon) twice a day at first just to get things hydrated and moving.  After that worked and I could tell the poop was too soft I backed off to 1/8 tsp one time daily.  He gets wet food in the morning w the Miralax mixed in and a second wet food in the evening without any Miralax just for hydration.  I noticed the Miralax worked better for him when I dissolved it first in a little water and then poured the mixture into his wet food rather than just sprinkling the Miralax directly onto his food.

I've noticed my cat's butt "opening" from time to time too.  When I notice it, it usually means they have the feeling to do #2 and are always off to the litterbox shortly thereafter.  =)

I hope Holly bounces back soon!  Sweet lil girl!!