Reoccuring constipation in new elderly cat

I just adopted a 19 year old cat, Sassy, from the local shelter 2.5- 3 weeks ago. For her age she seems pretty healthy and absolutely loves attention, cuddles, and being carried. I was prepared for kidney or thyroid issues to crop up.  I was not prepared for, however, was the constant vet visits for a mysterious case of reoccurring constipation.

She is currently sponsored under a fund, so this has helped quite a bit. However, I am at witts end and want to be careful with the being used too much on her as this is getting pricey without a diagnosis. She has had blood work her first visit to determine that she does have hyperthyroid, and maybe the early stages of kidney failure and is currently on thyroid meds. From the day i adopted her until her first check up, i noticed she only pooped once in the 5 days I had her. I informed the vet, they gave her an x-ray, saw that it appeared normal with stool about to come through. Two days later her eating habits decreased even more and barely any bowel movement, I brought her back for an overnight check and to receive fluids. They gave her another x-ray in the morning and determined she was blocked. They gave her an enema, and since it was a Friday held her for observation over the weekend. The vet had also told me her anal glands were impacted and thought this was the cause of her constipation. By the time I got her back she was back to eating, had a big poop 1.5-2 days after she returned. In the meantime I had been bringing her in every other day for subQ's, which she had last Wednesday, last Friday and yesterday. However, she is keeping to a defecation schedule of once every 1.5-2days. The 2nd one after she returned was super dry, the third was dry and like little balls. I informed the vet tech while she was receiving her subQ yesterday. Now she is back at the vet today, for another x-ray and possibly an enema.  I have asked about the possibility of this being megacolon and asked for laxatives. They told me they were going to compare her x-ray with her old x-ray to see if it has stretched more. I question this method as I am beginning to wonder if this is why she ended up at the shelter in the first place. 

At her age, I am trying to keep her as comfortable as I can and trying to avoid a reoccurring blockage. If subQs continue I will start doing them at home once I stop being so needle shy, but I have been taking advantage of going to vet for this procedure as it gives me a good chance to keep them informed and I am currently constantly concerned of heading into a weekend emergency. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation, specifically with a senior cat? What are things that may help at home? Under the fund, I am limited to a specific vet. I have considered a second opinion, but  am concerned about the costs of more diagnostic(or too invasive testing), and being able to immediately find someone who is very familiar with chronic constipation/ bowel disorders in cats. As of now Sassy is a social butterfly and does not seem to bothered by vet visits as it equates to more people able to pet her as the techs adore her. She has even stopped yowling at the vet office, but hates the drive.

You can ask your vet about possibly using a stool softener or canned pumpkin puree on a regular basis to help with the constipation. Unflavored Miralax or generic unflavored equivalent is often used to help cats with constipation issues. The vet will be able to give you the correct dose for your cat and tell you how to correctly give it (mixed with a little water to dissolve and the mix into preferably canned food. Do not give it to the cat as a dry powder sprinkled on food). Canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) is another popular way to help constipated cats. There are pumpkin supplements for pets (ie Weruva's Pumpkin Patch Up) that are basically the same thing as regular canned pumpkin puree but the 3 oz pouch cost more than a huge can from the supermarket. LIbby's is one popular brand name of canned 100% pumpkin puree that you can find in supermarkets. A store brand equivalent will also work as long as the ingredient is 100% pumpkin and nothing else except for water.

What do you feed your cat? Dry foods can cause constipation in some cats. The high moisture content of canned foods can help keep things moving along. You can add extra water to canned food to ensure that the cat is getting plenty of water.

good for you adopting an older cat! 

our cat is going on 18, and he has kidney and thyroid issues, but he also has constipation.  since he absolutely wouldn't consider pumpkin, our vets recommended miralax, which we've been using every since.  i melt the powder into a little water, then mix in gravy from a can of gravy lovers and HK thinks it's a delicious treat while we're relieved he's not constipated.  talk to your vet about this - we started at 1/8th of a tsp once a day, and then 1/8th tsp twice a day.

regarding sub-q's, i'd suggest these links before giving fluids - they helped us a LOT when we first started.  btw, we heat the lactated ringers to about 91, using a thermometer.

http://www.felinecrf.org/subcutaneous_fluids.htm

http://www.felinecrf.org/subcutaneous_fluids_tips.htm

also watch this


the fluids help some with the constipation along with the miralax.

 What do you feed your cat? Dry foods can cause constipation in some cats. The high moisture content of canned foods can help keep things moving along. You can add extra water to canned food to ensure that the cat is getting plenty of water.

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Sassy is currently on canned tuna Hill's Science Diet k/d. They wanted her on the thyroid dry food also, but she does not really eat that and is very much a wet food cat. Do to the costs of Hill's I plan on switching her to something more moderate in price, I am currently looking at doing Hill's Chicken Dinner to try and cut out the fish flavor. I would like to find something else, I can afford cheap to moderately priced food, but am trying to keep as low on phosphorus as possible to appease vet on switching her off k/d when I run out. I spent a lot of time going over Tanya's crf commercial lists, and a couple other lists. She isn't actually too picky of an eater as long as its mushy.

 our cat is going on 18, and he has kidney and thyroid issues, but he also has constipation.  since he absolutely wouldn't consider pumpkin, our vets recommended miralax, which we've been using every since.  i melt the powder into a little water, then mix in gravy from a can of gravy lovers and HK thinks it's a delicious treat while we're relieved he's not constipated.  talk to your vet about this - we started at 1/8th of a tsp once a day, and then 1/8th tsp twice a day.

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How long has your cat been on miralax? I had to ask about getting a laxative after they did another x-ray and another enema, or else I feel this cycle would have been repeated. I kinda want to cut down on the enema needs, and I am sure Sassy would appreciate it. They said her colon did not seem enlarged. For now they told me to give her 50mg of colasce.