Cat/Feline: Intestinal Blockage (Twisted Intestine)

[siruh]

Yesterday I did ask about stool softener or other pain med options. For stool softener they mentioned “blue heron” or “lactulose.” They also pulled out a bottle of CBD (pain med). I didn’t end up buying meds yesterday as I was just curious. I’ll see how she fairs in the next few days.

She’s been sleeping most of today. Poor kitty must be catching up on rest after everything. I would imagine multiple enemas would be stressful. I cannot believe she received a total of 5 enemas over 3 days. Her butt must be tender.

Thanks so much for the support!! =)

 

[siruh]

Thanks again for the support these past few weeks. Quorra had her first “normal” poo tonight. 1 week after all those enemas.

Was worried a few days ago when she projectile vomited bile with a hairball, but her appetite stayed good. For future reference - one episode of vomiting with a hairball is normal (even after major surgery). ER office said you should only be concerned if a cat continues to vomit. They said it was good that she got the hairball out (rather than go through her healing intestine). A good appetite = a good sign.

I’ve been feeding Quorra mainly chopped up wet food (Friskies savory shreds / indoor chunks). Also offer her crushed up dry food mixed with water (Royal Canin Bengal). She has been eating both. Trying to leave food out only an hour at a time before it’s trashed - don’t want to risk feeding her spoiled food!

I hope Quorra’s recovery story helps someone in the future. There isn’t much info or resources online similar to what we’ve gone through. With love, patience, and lots of rest a cat can recover and happily live on.

 

[siruh]

Hello all - wanted to provide a final update on what happened here. By the end of August/early Sept (about 3 months after 1st surgery), Quorra lost appetite, had vomiting issues and became severely bloated. She was on mirtazapine since the first surgery, which was the only thing that would get her to eat. By this point mirtazapine wouldn’t work, and she was completely inappetant.

I took her back to the exploratory surgery vet, who performed xray and ultimately brought in a specialist for ultrasound. The ultrasound found intestinal issue (duodenum abruptly narrowed into thin irregular tissue, there was a lesion, wall thickening). He then recommended a second surgery as there was another blockage (likely due to stricture/scar tissue, a complication from 1st surgery). He said he couldn’t do the surgery the 2nd time due to it being more complicated - the intestine issue was right next to her pancreas.

I had to drive down to a specialty hospital to get a board certified surgeon to do it. Quorra recovered from the second surgery. She ended up having a small portion of her pancreas removed (due to an adhesion), and about 4 inches of her intestine removed.

Quorra is finally acting like her old self again. I cannot stress enough that if your pet needs a major surgery, PLEASE GO TO A BOARD CERTIFIED SURGEON. It is due to the messy work or inexperience from the first vet that we went through hell this summer. He may have bought her some time, but ultimately I regret going to him in the first place.

After all this I’ve upgraded Quorra’s food and litter for a healthier lifestyle. No more dry food.

Wet food:
Smalls cat food
Raws Pate

Litter:
Pioneer Pet Grass Seed litter

Additionally, we did a biopsy of her intestine at the specialist. Results are inconclusive as she has no symptoms of their diagnosis, so I wont mention the results. I have a feeling they want more $$ for more tests. I’ve been on the phone w/ her surgeon, and she says as long as she seems fine then no worries. She is doing great - playing, eating, poo/pee, finally gaining weight back. XOXO.

 

[siruh]

Also recommend “CLASSY CAT DISHES” for your kitty!!!

 

[fionasmom]

Thank you for the update. It is so good to hear that beautiful little Quorra is doing so well.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm so sorry both you and she had to go through all that, but so glad the end results turned out happy Lesson learned for all of us.

Thank you for updating and sharing this information.