Miralax Dosage?

[Sandy Beach]

I was instructed by the vet to give my cat 1 teaspoon of MiraLAX per day due to constipation, for up to a week (if she doesn’t produce a BM) OR every other day if she produces a BM, for no more than 2 weeks, to get her regular. I gave her 1 teaspoon today and Within a couple hours she passed a pretty large, hard Stool with a good amount of liquid stool around it. She’s been fine since and no more BM’s. Is it “normal” after constipation treated with MiraLAX to pass a BM in that manner? I’m wondering if 1 teaspoon was overkill and if I should only give her 1/2 teaspoon the day after tomorrow instead of a full one. Lots of conflicting info about dosage online. Thanks so much!

 

[LTS3]

A typical dosage is 14/ teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon up to twice daily. 1 teaspoon is a bit much but since it was recommended by the vet, it should be ok. I'd still reduce the dose to 1/2 teaspoon for the next time.

 

[white shadow]

.
Hi Sandy Beach and welcome to the forum !

I really need to caution you on this one.....a teaspoonful is a HUGE amount of Miralax for a cat.

It's very likely that your kitty will pass more liquid stool before her bowel movements return to 'normal'. I think I'd be prepared to start her on some plain pumpkin - which works to regulate stool, either firming it up or keeping it from becoming too hard. (that's if you're feeding wet foods.....and, if you're not, canned food might be a consideration for you)

I also need to correct the information given in post #2 above....."typically", Miralax is dosed between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp up to twice daily*.

It's known as a 'dose-to-effect' drug, meaning that if the resulting stool is too hard, increase the dose; if it's too soft/loose, then decrease the dose. Common sense, then, says that it's best to start low and increase if necessary.

* I'll give you two reliable references for that dosing info, here and here.

The first of those is taken from an 'oracle' on the subject, an easy read and one IMO that should be required reading for all of us: Feline Constipation Home Page

So, to sum up.....it's certainly 'overkill'.....IF there's more liquid 'results', I'd hold off any further dosing and add some plain pumpkin....the section on 'Prevention' in that site will cover off what you need to know.
.

 

[Sandy Beach]

Thanks for the info White Shadow! She’s already on canned pumpkin and wet only cat food “soup”. Long story, we rescued this cat 10 days ago off social media. We knew she needed medical treatment prior to taking her which is exactly why we took her. Cat had all kinds of issues.

We’ve been to the vets 4 times in 10 days, for initial visit on day 1, follow ups and then a specialist. Between her gums/mouth being infected, missing teeth, & inflammation she was unable to eat kibble or meaty canned food without pain. Only pâté , mixed with lots of water. She produced no bowel movements and after day 2 they suggested pumpkin and coconut oil daily in her food. Day 5 she was examined again and given an enema...still no BM. Then the weekend hit. Still nothing for 2 days. Day 7 Finally a BM, small and hard...but we went back in the following day for blood work and re-exam, at that time not too much concern as she did pass something, so was advised to continue pumpkin & coconut oil. Then nothing again for the last 3 days. Finally they decided on MiraLAX. I even called them after I got home to verify the amount as it seemed quite large as I was measuring it out, but only panicked when I saw her BM.

I was wondering if she would go again, but so far, nothing. How long does this last in her system? She’s eaten her pâté soup since then (3 oz can, 3 oz water) and hasn’t made any efforts to go. She also ate at the time she was given her 1st dose.

I’ll be sure to decrease her dose the next time I give it! Thank you so much!

.
Hi Sandy Beach and welcome to the forum !

I really need to caution you on this one.....a teaspoonful is a HUGE amount of Miralax for a cat.

It's very likely that your kitty will pass more liquid stool before her bowel movements return to 'normal'. I think I'd be prepared to start her on some plain pumpkin - which works to regulate stool, either firming it up or keeping it from becoming too hard. (that's if you're feeding wet foods.....and, if you're not, canned food might be a consideration for you)

I also need to correct the information given in post #2 above....."typically", Miralax is dosed between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp up to twice daily*.

It's known as a 'dose-to-effect' drug, meaning that if the resulting stool is too hard, increase the dose; if it's too soft/loose, then decrease the dose. Common sense, then, says that it's best to start low and increase if necessary.

* I'll give you two reliable references for that dosing info, here and here.

The first of those is taken from an 'oracle' on the subject, an easy read and one IMO that should be required reading for all of us: Feline Constipation Home Page

So, to sum up.....it's certainly 'overkill'.....IF there's more liquid 'results', I'd hold off any further dosing and add some plain pumpkin....the section on 'Prevention' in that site will cover off what you need to know.
.

 

[dkb817]

My vet had originally instructed me to do 1/2 tsp of the miralax twice daily, in conjunction with lactulose and mineral oil (Her megacolon is...something else) - but I've had to do some adjusting of doses until we found one that is working FOR HER. Right now, my Ally is on 1/2 tsp of miralax (mixed with water), 1 1/2 ml of lactulose, and 3 ml of mineral oil once per day. If her stools are looking particular hard/dry/large, I adjust as needed. My current vet wants it to be closer to liquid than not (It's hard to describe; I'm sure your vet has the "types of poop" chart to demonstrate where they'd want your furbaby)

 

[lalagimp]

We only use 1/4 teaspoon on Tom per day. He's on a raw diet. We just need to keep him regular. Last time he broke into the girls' feeder and ate all their dry food and ended up vomiting all over the place from trying to poop, so he had to get an enema at the E.R.
Boyfriend examined his stool, and sure enough, there was a big piece of bm that had kibble in it.