Accepted Answer

Dear friend,

 

I am sorry your girl has this lump buut glad her megacolon is under control.

 

Since she is eating and eliminating well and not in pain, I would not rush into surgery for her.

 

This may be a harmless Lipoma:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1592&aid=455

You can read more about lumps here

http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/lumps.html

and some of the many reasons for them are listed here

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1593&aid=424

 

I would not suspect breast cancer.

 

Her licking the area may indicate pain eminating from that spot.

 

I think the steroids and a wait and see aproach is correct at this time.

 

Your vet may want to do a needle biopsy if the growth enlarges. This is only minimally invasive.

 

Since she is allergic to milk make sure she only eats canned food to up her hydration:

 

http://www.catinfo.org/

 

Here is info on megacolon:

 

Most constipation is caused by inadequate fluid and fiber in the colon. A high fiber diet should help as long as she eats it.Never feed Science diet as it not a great food - vets push it because they sell it but there are much better ones.

A natural remedy is canned pumpkin (not pie filling) a teaspoon a day added to her food. Some people also give an ounce of milk daily as most older cats are calcium deficient.There are also several vet scipted drugs like lactulose and cipracide. The problem with laxatives and enemas are the same with humans. These artificial stimulants interfere with the normal peristaltic waves of the intestine and repeated use can cause further constipation, obstipation and even megacolon.

Please refer to the following links and info:

"The causes of constipation and obstipation are many, including diet (ingested hair, foreign bodies, bones); environment (a dirty litter box, lack of exercise, hospitalization); painful defecation (anal abscesses from cat-fight bites or feces- matted hair [long-haired cats are particularly susceptible]); obstructions (tumors and improperly healed pelvic fractures that restrict movement through the intestines); and medications (for other conditions). And watch your cat's weight. Obese cats can become constipated.

Chronic constipation and obstipation from specific causes can result in a distended colon that has poor movement (megacolon). Sometimes, though, megacolon occurs when the muscular movement of the colon wall, which propels fecal material through the colon, diminishes for some unknown reason. As a result, fecal matter comes remains in the colon where it becomes drier and harder. Over time, the enlarged, impacted colon loses most of its muscular ability (motility) and becomes a loose pouch filled with dry, concrete like material. Unfortunately, veterinary science has yet to discover the causes of this condition known as idiopathic megacolon."

Here is the rest of the article:SOURCE:

http://pets1st.ca/articles/00046ConstipationAndYourCat.asp

Here are others I think will be helpful:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_constipation_and_megacolon.html

http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/felconstip.html

http://marvistavet.com/html/constipation_and_megacolon.html

 

 

Please let me know how your baby is doing. I will always be here for both of you.

 

I hope all will be well.

 

Warmest best wishes,

 

Terri

 

PS sorry for the delay as I am a slow typist lol

 

Expert:	Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/31/2009

Feline Healthcare Expert

Expert in feline health and behavior. 20 years experience with cats.