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- Nov 5, 2021
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My 4 year old neutered male cat Barney has been having some issues. Despite having experience caring for sick and elderly cats, these issues happen to be new ones for me. This comes a month after having to euthanize my soulmate kitty. Lucky me.
Last week Barney was seen for chronic constipation and given an enema. Realistically he had probably been constipated for a while but it was not noticed due to my other cat taking all of the focus with hospice and end of life. Now, Barney has not really pooped much since his big dump at the vet after the enema. I switched him just a couple of days ago to the royal canin gastro to see if that helps going forward before adding any meds or anything. The last two nights he did do a small poop each night. They were more normal color but still very small and somewhat constipated looking. I'm hoping it's just too soon to tell?...
In addition to this, he is fur mowing. I think the fur mowing started a few weeks ago or so. It began after our other cat was euthanized at home in April. I understand stress can contribute but also understand it is unlikely this is the only cause. I will add that Barney has always been a fairly anxious and crazy cat. We call him Barney The Bastard.
I took him to the vet today and left feeling very frustrated and still quite worried. She first thought the fur mowing was related to pain in his gut but another xray revealed his colon had some poop in it but was not abnormally blocked, and he is not seemingly indicating pain in any other ways. So she seemed to eventually dismiss that idea. They then gave him a dose of Revolution in case the fur mowing is unseen mites (he does not have fleas). Beyond that, I was given zero instruction, advice, things to watch for, or a potential plan forward given any potential changes or outcomes. I was told to "wait and see" on the poops and "wait and see" on the fur mowing. Not even told for how long to wait and see! He then spent the entire rest of the day pretty lethargic and I can't tell if it is because something is wrong or he was just exhausted by the stress of the visit. He has eaten though. I'm worried about him and not sure what to do next or how long to "wait and see".
Anyone have any suggestions or insights? Tips or tricks? Things I should ask the vet next time, even, could help. Thank you.
Attached is a pic of him making himself invisible at the vet this morning.
Last week Barney was seen for chronic constipation and given an enema. Realistically he had probably been constipated for a while but it was not noticed due to my other cat taking all of the focus with hospice and end of life. Now, Barney has not really pooped much since his big dump at the vet after the enema. I switched him just a couple of days ago to the royal canin gastro to see if that helps going forward before adding any meds or anything. The last two nights he did do a small poop each night. They were more normal color but still very small and somewhat constipated looking. I'm hoping it's just too soon to tell?...
In addition to this, he is fur mowing. I think the fur mowing started a few weeks ago or so. It began after our other cat was euthanized at home in April. I understand stress can contribute but also understand it is unlikely this is the only cause. I will add that Barney has always been a fairly anxious and crazy cat. We call him Barney The Bastard.
I took him to the vet today and left feeling very frustrated and still quite worried. She first thought the fur mowing was related to pain in his gut but another xray revealed his colon had some poop in it but was not abnormally blocked, and he is not seemingly indicating pain in any other ways. So she seemed to eventually dismiss that idea. They then gave him a dose of Revolution in case the fur mowing is unseen mites (he does not have fleas). Beyond that, I was given zero instruction, advice, things to watch for, or a potential plan forward given any potential changes or outcomes. I was told to "wait and see" on the poops and "wait and see" on the fur mowing. Not even told for how long to wait and see! He then spent the entire rest of the day pretty lethargic and I can't tell if it is because something is wrong or he was just exhausted by the stress of the visit. He has eaten though. I'm worried about him and not sure what to do next or how long to "wait and see".
Anyone have any suggestions or insights? Tips or tricks? Things I should ask the vet next time, even, could help. Thank you.
Attached is a pic of him making himself invisible at the vet this morning.