Recent Feedback
Hello, my cat suffers from constipation due to a narrowing of his pelvis resulting from a pelvic fracture that occurred 1.5 to 2 years ago. We've had to take him to the vet before b/c he was in a lot of pain and very lethargic (although he was still eating and drinking). That was about 5 months ago and while he occasionally struggles to produce a stool he's been relatively healthy despite. The past few weeks he's been urine marking, and the past two days (today and yesterday) he's been constantly straining to defecate (Inside and outside the litter box). I've made an appointment for tomorrow morning with my vet but I'm concerned b/c he hasn't eaten and I haven't seen him drink much since yesterday (It may have been longer since he's eaten). He's been restless and cranky and is frequently licking his hind quarters. He's in pain for sure, but it doesn't seem he's in nearly as much as when we took him to the vet's 5 months ago. Overnight his back end seems to have developed a distinctive smell (reminds me of dogs anal glands when they're squeezed). He's also had some brownish watery discharge from his anus. He seems alert and is still moving around but he hasn't been very feisty. I can feel what I think is hardened stool in his abdomen but alas, I am not a vet so I can't be sure. He looks a bit bloated though. His head and ears also feel rather warm to the touch (Warmer than usual and warmer than my other cat) and I don't know if this could indicate a fever. I've tried forcing him to drink and eat to no avail - he just gets angry. So, my question is, based on all that, will he be okay to wait to see the vet until the morning (I have to go to work soon and today isn't really an option - but I'm worried!!)? And also is there anything I can do in the meantime to relieve some of his discomfort? Please help! Thank-you!
Optional Information: Pet's Gender: Male Pet's Age: 6 Name of Cat: Lucifer Already Tried: Tried giving him wet food with pumpkin and a bit of mineral oil (He didn't eat it). Forced him to eat pea-sized dollop of Vaseline.
Hello,I am sorry to hear Lucifer is having some trouble. I would love to help I just have a few questions so I can better assist you. Please understand I try to ask all relevant questions at one time, however your reply may prompt a few more. Since I am unable to see your pet I must rely on information.You mention he was urine marking the last few days, do you know if he has urinated in the last 24 hours if so when?Can you feel a hard ball in the lower abdomen?Is there any swelling around the rectum?Will he let you take a rectal temp ? If so please do and let me know what it is?What color are his gums?If needed would dropping him off at the vet before work and leaving him even overnight if needed be an option?
He gets irritated if I touch him too much but as far as I can tell he doesn't have a hard ball in his abdomen although the area feels kind of firm. I'm pretty sure he urinated overnight but since I have two cat's and didn't think to separate them I can't be certain although he gets mad if the other cat gets too close.His rectum may be swollen but also that's hard to tell. He let me wipe it and his hind area with cat wipes and it doesn't feel or look overly swollen but it's not really an area I'm familiar with.His gums seem dark but pinkish. He's an all black cat so I don't know if that is why his gums are darker. My other cat has asthma and I've seen his gums go bluish when he's having an attack but I don't see anything like this with Lucifer.A rectal examine is prob out of the question since it's difficult for even my vet to do this alone.I couldn't get an appointment for today and even after I described his symptoms the earliest they could see him was tomorrow morning.
Thank you for the additional information.My main concern with the way he is acting right now is that he may be having trouble urinating. The marking could have been a symptom of a urinary tract infection and often we think they are straining to pass stool when actually they are trying to urinate. A blockage in the urethra is very common in male cats and the risks are higher if there is infection. A urinary blockage can be life threatening where as not passing stool for the next day will not. Click hereIf I was sure he was urinating then I would be less concerned with waiting until tomorrow.I would really suggest calling your vet back and letting them know that you are not 100% sure he has urinated. Many times even when they do not have appointments open they will take a patient on drop off bases and they will fit them in , this may however cost a boarding fee for the night if they are going to keep him or of course hospitalization charges if he is having trouble urinating. They will also be able to remove any impaction and give him pain medication.Cats have anal glands as well as dogs so it is very possible that he expressed the glands or the glands are impacted or infected and that is where the smell is coming from. This could also be the discharge you are seeing.Unfortunately there is not much you can do for him at home. Try offering some tuna in oil the oil may help him go and we really need to get him to eat and drink. You can also try some chicken baby food with a 1/2 teaspoon of mineral oil.Laxatone( which is a hairball treatment) can also be used I am not sure what your vet has you doing daily to help prevent impaction but I would ask about maybe trying lactulose daily and going to a low residue food that produces less stool.I hope this helps. If you need additional information or clarification an anything please hit the continue this conversation or Reply button and I will be happy to continue helping. If your questions have been answered please rate my answer to end our conversation. If you rate a 1 or 2 I will not be compensated for my time. If your intention is to press "I expected more" or " Helped A little" please STOP and reply back to me so I can try to assist you further.Best Wishes CandyCandyR41080.7570731481
Hello. I see you gave me a negative rating which means I will not be compensated by the site for assisting you.Is there anything else I can assist you with or any additional information I can give that would give you a more positive experience with the site? If you would like I could opt out and see if another expert would be willing to assist you.I understand that you are in a difficult situation here , but please understand that I can not see him and feel for that bladder myself. I would hate to tell you all would be fine only to have this be a problem with him passing urine and he declines over night.I really do not try to push owners into getting into the vet right away unless I really feel it is necessary.CandyCandyR41080.7706696759
Hi Lindsay,I'm just following up on our conversation about Lucifer. How is everything going?CandyR
Hey, sorry about the feedback I was just stressing about my cat. He was at vet's from wed. to sat. (today). Turns out he has a tumor which is pressing on the nerves that control his bladder. We have him home for the weekend and will be giving him medicine to try to stimulate the bladder to start working on its own. The vet offered little hope though and we're told to bring him Mon. where we'll likely have to put him to sleep. He seems really sad with the cone on his head and even though he has the catheter in he keeps going to the cat box. When I came home just now it looked like he was trying to get at the catheter and I'm afraid he'll rip it out if he can reach it. I'm distraught and don't know what to do.
I am so sorry this is happening and I wish it had been something as simple as having a blockage that could have easily been treated. I understand about the feed back sometimes we just want someone to do something and believe me it is hard on us too we are used to being able to help but unfortunately our hands are tied in this type of forum.It is pretty common for them to try to tear out the catheter as its pretty uncomfortable, if you keep the cone on he should not be able to get to it.Please keep me posted and let me know how things are going. If financially possible it may be worth consulting with a surgeon to see if there is a possibility that this tumor can be removed.
We got a second opinion and it wasn't much brighter. We're planning on taking him in tomorrow to be put down. This has all happened so fast and we're having a hard time dealing with it. He no longer has the catheter but hasn't resumed function of his bladder. We had him at the vet around 1:30 pm Monday and they emptied his bladder. They said we have about a day before his bladder becomes too full. They also said that even if he resumes function eventually this tumor will weaken his hips and cause great pain. He isn't eating but we've left him out of cage and without cone for a few days so we could enjoy our time together. He seems otherwise bright and alert as well as affectionate. He isn't hiding like he usually does when he's sick or in pain which makes this all that much harder. His constant and unsuccessful visits to the cat box are breaking my heart though and I don't want to put him through any more unnecessary pain. I wish there were more options but thanks for all your help.
Oh, I am so sorry this is happening. I wish I could have helped more and I really wish the second opinion would have given you more options.I can imagine how heart breaking this is for you but please know in your heart that you are doing what is best for him. sometimes the last act of love and kindness we can show them is to let them go peacefully and without suffering. Just give him lots of love and know that he will be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge.I will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Here is a great site that is very helpful for many pet owners during this hard time, they even have a place where you can make a memorial page for him should you want to once the pain has lessened.Click hereCandyR41086.1730120718
Experience: Practicing Veterinary Technician for 26 years.Former Veterinary Practice Owner, Technician Trainer