Need idea's for Giz....

**Freedom** · 05-12-2010, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by emily_the_spoiled

Canned pumpkin works like a charm, but unfortunately the pumpkin crop failed last fall and there is almost none available in the local grocery stores

But as a substitute you can use a winter type squash (butternut, spagetti, etc), and even frozen peas.

Well, I knew we didn't have any canned pumpkin in our stores, didn't realize why! I need it for Tasha daily, as well as Lacey. Hmm, need to get the butternut squash.

I wouldn't have thought peas work the same way at all! How odd!

**krazyaboutkatz** · 05-13-2010, 12:36 AM

Laura, Storm had the same problem as your Giz and he also scared me but he was able to pass a large stool even though he was in a lot of pain.

I e-mailed my vet about it and she just said to give him hairball medicine,Petromalt, at least 2 times a week. So far this has done the trick. If she still ends up having a lot of problems then she may need to be put on lactulose daily. My RB Pepper had to take this and it sure helped him. Good luck.

**emily_the_spoiled** · 05-13-2010, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by Freedom

Well, I knew we didn't have any canned pumpkin in our stores, didn't realize why! I need it for Tasha daily, as well as Lacey. Hmm, need to get the butternut squash.

I wouldn't have thought peas work the same way at all! How odd!

If it helps you can get frozen squash and use that (it is easier to prepare that real squash (which is off season right now and VERY expensive). I have had to do some research into this so I talked with a nutritionist and they suggested peas or squash as alternatives to the pumpkin...

**Laura's Babies** · 05-13-2010, 07:24 PM

KAK, I had to pass by my vets office today so I stopped and talked to him about it and he gave me some lactulose for her. I'll start her on it tonight. I did get some olive oil in her last night without a problem but working like I do, I want something I KNOW will work... all I have to do is figure out the right dose to give her and how often.. He said that is trial and error since each ones case is different.

She hasn't had anymore episodes of the howling and squatting since the other night but there is no stool in her box still... I wonder if she is going somewhere else that I haven't found... I AM watching her really close all day, every day.

**krazyaboutkatz** · 05-13-2010, 09:45 PM

Hopefully she'll be able to go soon and if not she might even need a kitty enema. My poor RB Pepper needed this

but then he was put on I think 1-1 1/2ml of lactulose every day and he never had this problem again. I think it goes by weight and he was a fairly large cat. He never liked the taste of it so I just had to quickly squirt it down his throat. Good luck.

**Catty1** · 05-19-2010, 10:25 PM

Laura, how is Giz doing?

**phesina** · 05-20-2010, 08:16 AM

Laura, I don't have any other ideas to add to the excellent suggestions you've been getting, but you have our prayers and good wishes that Giz is soon doing much better.

**Laura's Babies** · 05-21-2010, 01:26 PM

The Lactulose the vet gave me for her is doing the trick and she is even throwing up a LOT less furballs. I've also been giving a little to Amy and it is helping her also with softer stools. I got online and looked this stuff up and I can get a 16 ounce bottle of it for half of what the vet charged me for only 2 or 3 ounces.... however, it probably would take me years to use that much. Geez, the markup they charge at the vets these days!! I may just call around to different vets and see what they would charge for a refill when I need one...