how often and how long to use miralax for constipation

[kac]

update: henry continues to improve on his new wet food diet so fingers crossed the crisis is over. i'm still monitoring him closely and will continue to do so.

thanks again to everyone who offered information and support. i hope all your cats continue to be healthy and happy >^;^<

 

[Furballsmom]

I can't seem to get a straight answer as to how long it's safe to use the Miralax. I'm willing to take him back to the vet

To my mind, you received an interesting variety of responses.

Both, our regular vet and the specialist we took him to, said the same thing. As long as we watch the litter box and give him his medicine as he needs it, Casper will be okay for the foreseeable future.
As our regular vet who is an 'old, country doctor' said... "Water! Water! Water!" The most important thing is to be sure that the cat is drinking plenty of water!

When I had to put our angel Poppycat on miralax after his triaditus, my vet told me the same as Caspers Human's veterinarians; watch the food intake, watch the water intake and watch the output. Miralax was a part of our lives for the rest of his.

Most cats that are constipated have some degree of dehydration going on. So, it is important they stay hydrated. I would stop any dry food since he likes the canned.
I have seen cats start to depend on miralax before, which is why I say to contact your vet. It also sounds like he is still somewhat constipated.
There is no set amount of time that a cat can be on miralax, as each cat is different.

exactly this.

Keep working to get communication from the vet clinic that you saw a week before you began this thread, as a followup. It would be much better to do that, if possible, rather than to rely on the sometimes contradictory and even argumentative information that was posted here, because every cat is different, has different health issues and reacts differently to those issues and to the treatments.

Since you're asking for clarification there shouldn't be a charge, but ask them about that.

Then, you need to try to find a regular vet that you can depend on. This link may help with that;

Find a cat friendly or cat only veterinarian

 

[Mac and Cats]

My cat is 14 and I have been giving her 1/8th teaspoon mixed in a small amount of water, then add a Churu type treat and mix it in, twice a day for over a year now. The vet said that this is fine to do, up to 1/4 teaspoon twice a day for the rest of her life.

My neighbor has to do this with her cat too that is about your age and her vet also said it was safe to do for the rest of her life.

 

[kac]

To my mind, you received an interesting variety of responses.


When I had to put our angel Poppycat on miralax after his triaditus, my vet told me the same as Caspers Human's veterinarians; watch the food intake, watch the water intake and watch the output. Miralax was a part of our lives for the rest of his.


exactly this.

Keep working to get communication from the vet clinic that you saw a week before you began this thread, as a followup. It would be much better to do that, if possible, rather than to rely on the sometimes contradictory and even argumentative information that was posted here, because every cat is different, has different health issues and reacts differently to those issues and to the treatments.

Since you're asking for clarification there shouldn't be a charge, but ask them about that.

Then, you need to try to find a regular vet that you can depend on. This link may help with that;

Find a cat friendly or cat only veterinarian

hi mac -

thanks for the input. i've had some experience with chronic conditions in cats although this is my first exposure to miralax. since this all began i've spoken again to the original emergency vet and he was seen in person by his regular vet yesterday. she agreed with the regimen i've had henry on for the past week since it seems to be working well. he's much better, pooping, peeing, eating and drinking normally. and feeling well enough to drive me crazy.

my original question about using miralax was based on information i got from the emergency vet who was pretty vague about dosage. they referred me to his regular vet - unfortunately, it was a weekend and the regular vet was unavailable so i had to wait several days. since then, his dosage and frequency has been confirmed and i'm hopefully confident he'll continue to improve. actually, he's acting completely normal.

he's just 5 y/o and this is the first bout of constipation. i'm certain now it was a result of a mainly dry food diet. that is now changed and his diet is 99% wet food with 1/8 tsp miralax morning and evening. i confirmed with the vet that the miralax dosage is correct and may be decreased in future if it's not needed.

i guarantee... i watch over him like a hawk!!!

as to the vet... i'm not alone is this, i've talked to quite a few people in the past few weeks and the unfortunate fact is that vet services in my area are woefully hard to access. i've been going to the same vet clinic for 14 years and they are now closed evenings and weekends. every other vet in the area has the same limited schedule. the only off-hours clinic in the area is an emergency hospital and i hate to tell you how much it cost. i will check the link you posted because you never know.

thanks again!

 

[kac]

My cat is 14 and I have been giving her 1/8th teaspoon mixed in a small amount of water, then add a Churu type treat and mix it in, twice a day for over a year now. The vet said that this is fine to do, up to 1/4 teaspoon twice a day for the rest of her life.

My neighbor has to do this with her cat too that is about your age and her vet also said it was safe to do for the rest of her life.

thanks mac - hope your guys continue to do okay.

 

[Mac and Cats]

thanks mac - hope your guys continue to do okay.

Thanks! I do agree to keep pestering the vet. My cat has had constipation issues her whole life (I think). She was originally my parents' cat, but when my dad was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing dementia (Lewy body), my husband and I committed to taking her in. She only ever ate dry food at my parent's house and right before we took her, I had gone over to my parents' house and saw her GIANT cat food bowl OVER FLOWING with food. Apparently, my dad just kept adding and adding and adding....with zero regard to if she actually needed it or not.

She did still eat dry food with us for quite a while, but we always offered her wet food. Eventually we transitioned her to wet food only, but she got backed up. That's when I started her on the Miralax. She continues to eat wet food only now (although, she would love if I would give her dry). I know if I stopped, she would get constipated right away.

My neighbor's cat is about your cat's age, but her situation is also special. She works at a vet and acquired this cat as a kitten who was surrendered because a child pulled her tail and she became lame. The tail was amputated and she now is fully functional, except she has potty issues due to this injury (and why you should never pull a cat's tail!), which is the reason she will be on Miralax her entire life.

My response was mostly to tell you, it's safe for him to be on it and what the max dose is you can give him. But you should for sure check with your vet to see if they have more specific guidelines for your kitty. Good luck and I hope your kitty feels better soon!

 

[Furballsmom]

it seems to be working well. he's much better, pooping, peeing, eating and drinking normally. and feeling well enough to drive me crazy.

The best news ever !

 

[kac]

Thanks! I do agree to keep pestering the vet. My cat has had constipation issues her whole life (I think). She was originally my parents' cat, but when my dad was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing dementia (Lewy body), my husband and I committed to taking her in. She only ever ate dry food at my parent's house and right before we took her, I had gone over to my parents' house and saw her GIANT cat food bowl OVER FLOWING with food. Apparently, my dad just kept adding and adding and adding....with zero regard to if she actually needed it or not.

She did still eat dry food with us for quite a while, but we always offered her wet food. Eventually we transitioned her to wet food only, but she got backed up. That's when I started her on the Miralax. She continues to eat wet food only now (although, she would love if I would give her dry). I know if I stopped, she would get constipated right away.

My neighbor's cat is about your cat's age, but her situation is also special. She works at a vet and acquired this cat as a kitten who was surrendered because a child pulled her tail and she became lame. The tail was amputated and she now is fully functional, except she has potty issues due to this injury (and why you should never pull a cat's tail!), which is the reason she will be on Miralax her entire life.

My response was mostly to tell you, it's safe for him to be on it and what the max dose is you can give him. But you should for sure check with your vet to see if they have more specific guidelines for your kitty. Good luck and I hope your kitty feels better soon!

thanks - you too!

i hate to hear stories like the one about your neighbor's car. frankly, i cringe whenever i see a small child with a small animal. it may look cute but the reality is little kids see animals as toys, not living creatures.

 

[kac]

thanks - you too!

i hate to hear stories like the one about your neighbor's car. frankly, i cringe whenever i see a small child with a small animal. it may look cute but the reality is little kids see animals as toys, not living creatures.

"cat" obviously... it's early...