Constipation after dental surgery?

Hello all!

My kitty Jesse had a dental cleaning and 1 extraction on Wednesday afternoon. When he came back home that evening around 6pm, he pooped right away but has not pooped since (it is now Saturday afternoon). I have been giving him 1/8 tsp of miralax in his food and am trying to give him some pumpkin, but he's not a fan of it. I'm just wondering if it is normal for cats to not poop for a few days following a dental or any other surgery due to the fasting? He also didn't eat a whole lot on Thursday, but has had a very strong appetite since. He is also on a pain medicine called Onsior (just gave him the final dose of that last night), so I'm wondering if that may also be causing the constipation. I should mention that he is urinating fine, and a bit more due to all the water and wet food I am feeding him, and he is otherwise acting fine as well and not really trying to poop for that matter (no straining or anything in the litterbox). I really wish he would eat the pumpkin. Any other suggestions or is it too soon to be worrying so much? 

Thanks!

medications can cause constipation or diarrhea, among other things, so I'm suspecting the Onsior.  If he doesn't go very soon, especially since you're giving him the Miralax, I'd speak to your Vet, though, because going too long might cause him to back-up too much and create more issues, like impaction.  I suspect his appetite will wane if he gets uncomfortable, so maybe you can use that as a guideline. 

Thanks! I'm suspecting the medication as well. Unfortunately, the vet office is closed until after the Labor Day holiday so that's a no go, but I'm hopefully he will go this weekend =/

goodness, didn't the vet give you a handout of what to expect? one of my cats just got a dental last Thurs & I got a full page on what to expect. YES they can get constipated because of the anesthesia used. When I brought my kitty home, she pooped within a couple hours & then didn't go for 3 more days. you don't have to totally give fiber stuff, I mean if he eats it fine but don't get all agro if he doesn't want it. just make sure he's eating fine, the vet told you no dry food didn't they? I can't brush my kitties teeth for 3 weeks.

Thanks for the insight! I got directions following the dental, just nothing that mentioned possible constipation issues (mostly about food and the medication I had to give him, etc). I'm going to continue with the wet food and Miralax and fingers crossed something will happen tomorrow. He's had constipation issues in the past (which is why I have the miralax on hand) so I always get a bit worried with this stuff.

Onsior is a Nonsteroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug (or NSAID) that reduces pain and inflammation.  I am a human doctor, not a vet, but to my knowledge NSAIDs do NOT usually cause constipation in humans, and this is likely to apply to cats, although you should check with your vet on this last point.

With regards,

Geoffrey

Thanks that is helpful to know...most likely it is probably the anesthesia then

here's the sheet that I got

Also, if his food intake has decreased, then his output (poop) will also decrease.  Less going in means less coming out.  Keep up with the wet food as that will be easier for him after the extraction, though my girl wanted her crunchies the day of her extraction.  Silly girl!

Thank you that is very helpful! He actually just went so YAY! In his case though it was about 72 hours later ugh! lol

Thanks SO much everyone for the input! Jesse just went #2 in the box a little while ago (so it was 72 hours later)...its very good to know that constipation can be a side effect of anesthesia. He actually had a dental a year ago and didn't experience this at all so I totally wasn't expecting it