Megacolon Experiences?

[bowlkat]

How old is your cat? We had a young male, Max, diagnosed with it, they performed surgery to remove much of his colon (90%) and he had a happy, healthy 8 years thereafter- he couldn't take much water out of feces so he really loaded up a catbox but he was happy! It's not cheap but it sure did get him a happy life! Ask about this possibility- if she's not too old it might be a way to give her a real quality life-

[dehlers43]

I make my own "pill pocket" type of stuff which my Franklin just loves. Just use a food processor to grind up soft kitty treats. Then slowly add canola or other light oil until a paste is formed. Just enough to hold the stuff together. Works great-no more stress with the pills!
As for the megacolon, there is a human laxative called crystalax (I think that's what it was called). It is a tasteless powder you can add to food. My kitty Winston had a poorly functioning colon due to nerve damage, acted a lot like megacolon. I feed him an almost entirely liquid diet...a mixture of Clinicare and puréed baby meats. Really help to keep things moving along....good luck with your kitty...

[maid25cats]

Just wondering how the vet visit went?
How is JoJo feeling?

[elizabethann]

Just wondering how the vet visit went?
How is JoJo feeling?

The vet gave JoJo an enema and she pooped. She pooped on Sunday and I just found a poop this morning. YAY! My vet is going to try another medication. She's really nice. She researched it and came up with two options. I can't remember the name of the medication. I'll post it. It's only available at a pharmacy in Arizona. They're compounding it and shipping it to NH. I hope it works. I was telling the vet that JoJo doesn't even try to poop. It just comes out. The vet thinks she's lost all the muscles in her colon. Probably because she only has the one back leg. She's been dragging it lately.

[maid25cats]

Glad to hear shes pooping on her own.

I hope the new medication works for JoJo.

[phesina]

Good work, JoJo! Best wishes with the new medication.

All my best wishes to you and your loving Purrrson.

[Catty1]

What wonderful news, elizabethann! I hope she continues to do really well!

Do you think she would tolerate a soft "sock" on the paw of the leg that drags?

[elizabethann]

I make my own "pill pocket" type of stuff which my Franklin just loves. Just use a food processor to grind up soft kitty treats. Then slowly add canola or other light oil until a paste is formed. Just enough to hold the stuff together. Works great-no more stress with the pills!
As for the megacolon, there is a human laxative called crystalax (I think that's what it was called). It is a tasteless powder you can add to food. My kitty Winston had a poorly functioning colon due to nerve damage, acted a lot like megacolon. I feed him an almost entirely liquid diet...a mixture of Clinicare and puréed baby meats. Really help to keep things moving along....good luck with your kitty...

I will ask my vet about that. Thanks for the idea about the homemade pill pockets b

[elizabethann]

How old is your cat? We had a young male, Max, diagnosed with it, they performed surgery to remove much of his colon (90%) and he had a happy, healthy 8 years thereafter- he couldn't take much water out of feces so he really loaded up a catbox but he was happy! It's not cheap but it sure did get him a happy life! Ask about this possibility- if she's not too old it might be a way to give her a real quality life-

. JOJo is probably 10+. I don't really know since I got her at the shelter around 2007. She was not a kitten back then. I'm guessing 12. I've heard of the surgery. That's not an option due to cost and the fact she also has kidney disease. I'm glad your cat Max lived a long life after his surgery.