Question:
My new kitten (7-8 wks old) has been adjusting well to his new home. His name is Wendel (after the Leafs great Captain - Wendel Clark). My other kitten (4 months old) Tucker was accepted him and they play with each other. Sometimes Tucker is a little rough, but Wendel lets him know. I will post pics when I get some.

Wendel had a good 1st couple nights, exploring his new place, etc. He is eating his hard kitten food regularily (eats like a little monster in fact), and drinks regularily, sometimes sharing both with Tucker.

Problem: He pooped when I brought him home on Sunday afternoon. I took him to the vet Monday and mentioned he had only pooped once since I had him (2h hrs approx). My vet said he had some back up in him, but it was normal, and if he hadn't gone poop in a few more days to bring him back in. He is also been given medication for an upper resp. infection, which gave him a runny eye and some sneezes. That is clearing up very well. 2 weeks he has to go back for his shots. All he had done was deworming.

Wed night he kept trying very hard to poop, but nothing would come out. Tucker (the older cat) tried to help him along by licking his butt, etc. Still nothing. He would stop what he is doing and try to go every hour, then every 1/2 hr. His butt was becoming pushed out looking. I took him to a 24 hr emergency pet clinic that night at midnight. In a major thunderstorm mind you. The vet there bascially cleaned him out using a rectal thermometre, and by pushing it out by squeezing on his tummy. Lots (12 inches plus) came out, as well as a good amount of urine. Poor little guy was scared and screaming through this all. After an enema, and a prescription for Laxatone, and a rather unpleasant bill I went home. He slept good on the way home and once I had him home.

It is now Friday, and he was pooped once since, unless he has done something today while I am work (ssshhh! ).

Is this common? Should I be overly concerned? I would figure the medication would do the opposite (diarhea), not plug him up beyond belief. I do have to take him back to my regular vet for shots in 2 weeks.

Any input or help on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again everyone.

Answer:
Here is the update, hopefully some input can be given on this.

I got home from work on Friday, and little Wendel hadn't pooped yet. I called my vet and they said to go to the drug store/pharmacy and get some Lactulose. I gave him a dose (.2mL), then had to go out for the evening, and then another when I got home. (I am supposed to give 3-4 doses a day). By Saturday morning he still had not gone. I took him back to my vet Sat. morning and he had to remove 2 hard plugs of poop from his butt. He also gave him 2 enemas over the hr or so I was there. He stayed open an extra 1/2 hr + for me. Thank you Dr. Lutzman (Manning Rd. Animal Hospital).

So, I am giving him his medication for his resp. infection, as well as Laxatone (3-4 times daily) and Lactulose (3-4 times daily). If he does not become able to go on his own (as it is obvious, these movements for induced) there is a pill form of some medication (can't remember the name of it) that might work. If that does not work, then they suggest putting him down. :(

I really don't want to have to do that, however I won't be able to deal with a chronic care cat who isn't even 4 months old.

Apparently this is the weirdest thing my vet has seen. This is not uncommon in 12-14 yr old cats, but a 2 month old kitten?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
Although usually seen in much older cats, did your vet mention the possibility of "megacolon"?

What is he eating? Have you tried canned kitten food with water added?

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I missed your original post. I hope this is all resolved favorably. Poor little Wendel!

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Have to tried to rub his bum with a warm wet cloth; this could replicate how the mother gets them to poop. It could help.

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Yes, megacolon was mentioned as a possibility. Apparently that can be cured? Not sure.

I started out giving him Iams kitten food (hard), but switched in the last few days to the canned, and that combined with the daily lactulose doses seems to get him to poop regularily. My fear though is what happens when we try to get him off of that and basically not give him anything. My other kitten Tucker eats the hard food, but just loves the canned stuff too. I am still locking off the house to seperate them while I am at work, so I usually give Wendel his food, then close off the house and go to work.

It will be unfortunate if I have to give him lactulose 4x a day for the rest of his life, but I would do it for the sake of saving him, and keeping him.

Things may be OK, but Wendel gets his shots on Thursday and my vet wants to work out a schedule of some kind to slowly get him off the lactulose and see if he can go on his own.

Answer:
Oh, it's good that he is going on his own now!! Since he is so young, the problem could resolve itself.

Really, for two male cats who will be neutered, canned food is best and I would stick with that. Also, kittens seldom drink enough water, so can get more in the soft food.

What shots is this kitten getting?

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I am not sure what shots he'd be getting, whatever the typical 1st set of shots is.

Right now I am feeding Tucker the hard Iams kitten food, and giving Wendel the canned soft Iams. Tucker loves the wet food too though.

Hopefully all will clear up and I'll have two healthy kitties!

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I too have a cat prone to constipation - he's an old fellow though. When I was giving him lactulose, the vet told me to give it to him until things were really rolling, maybe for a week, then a dose every two days, then not at all, if things were OK. Your cat might be a different kind of case. I have a feeling it's pretty strong medicine, so I took Badger off it and now give him pumpkin (actually baby squash) mixed with water, which I squirt into his mouth with a syringe (remove the needle!); sometimes I give him slippery elm, a pinch of powder in about 1/8 cup of water; it is an excellent, totally safe herb, good for the entire digestive system. It's a question of management, watching your kitten closely (can't tell you how many times I've followed Badger to his litter box, to his great indignation) and not waiting for too long before you apply the remedy.

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Thanks for the input badger. We are kind of at a wait and see stage of things. Hopefully I can get him totally off the lactulose for good. It seems silly, but my girlfriend and I get excited when he does poop.

LR, I might try switching to canned food. Both guys love it, but I still 1/2 bag of Iams hard kitten food left. I was at my local PetsMart today and did some research online. I was thinking of switch from Iams to Nutro, as they have these packets of wet food, and the reviews are excellent. I want what's best for Tucker and Wendel. Especially with males prone to urinary crystals.

Answer:
Little Wendel had his 1st set of shots yesterday. His resp infection has cleared up, and he is pooping like a monster. I slowly have to reduce his doses of lactulose over the next 4 weeks, until he gets none. Then, if he is pooping on his own, normally life is good! It's looking good. He has put on weight, is full of energy, everything a normal kitten should be. If, however, he still can't go on his own he is to get some medication (for the rest of his life?) that is used for megacolon. My vet said that if he for some reason can't go on his own, it is likely there is some type of neurological damage.

Just wanted to let everyone know how my vet appointment went.

THanks again everyone!

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That's awesom news!!!! Just be careful with the medication. If you use it too long the cat could become dependant and then not go without it!!!
Glad to hear that everything is shaping up! Wendel sounds cute! Do you have any pics?!?

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I will using my Dad's digital camera soon to take pics, of both Tucker and Wendel. Wendel is a grey tabby, siamese mix, blue eyes. Everyone loves him. Tucker is a typical orange tabby with a white chin. I will post pics when I get them.

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Hi guys! I'm kind of reaching the end of my rope with a severely constipated kitten. Cash (or should I really call him Debit?!) is approximately 10 weeks old and has had 4 visits to the vet to relieve severe constipation, at about $100 each visit. His last visit was on Monday and he has not pooped since. He tries, but seems to be unable to push much poop out. The vet recommended a 1/4 teaspoon Citracil or other nonflavored fiber additive, which I gave him yesterday. I think this has made things worse as although he ate this morning, I can tell that he does not feel well. Should I take him back to the vet for an enema and try the mineral or fish oil treatment or should I have the little guy euthanized? He is such a sweetie but I hate to see him suffer. At the same time, if he can be cured, I will try anything. Any advice?

Thanks, KarenRO

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Gee, I hope no-one has me pts next time I get plugged up!

Do you trust your vet? I'd think they'd be trying to figure out what is causing the blockage if it's happening that frequently. Have they not been suggesting alternatives? I'd consider going to another vet if I were you. I'd also try one of the natural remedies suggested by one of the very knowledgeable folks earlier in this thread before doing anything so drastic as euthanasia! Good luck!

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I certainly don't want to have Cash pts because he is just the sweetest guy but at the same time, having him at the vet constantly for enemas can't be health. I read on another board that prune juice worked wonders for a stopped up kitten. I will call my other vet and see what they think. Thanks for the reply! KarenRO

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Go to another vet and get a second opinion. Do not put this little guy to sleep unless there is not other way and I do not think you are at that point yet. Keep us updated.

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KarenRO, what are you feeding your kitten? Are the stools very hard and dry or they normal?

Usually milk will cause diarrhea in normal cats, but a little may just help your kitten to go!

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Hi All!

Cash has been eating wet food since I caught him at 4 weeks. He was fine for about 3 weeks and then started to strain. I talked to my other vet and I will drop Cash off at their office tomorrow. She thinks this is something that can be controlled by diet...just have to find the right diet!

I'll keep you posted, KarenRO

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Hi guys! Cash spent Thursday morning thru Saturday morning at the vet's. He had to have 2 enemas during that time. The vet suggested a Hill's brand food called WD that is high in fiber and also showed me how to administer an enema. Cash has tried several times to pooped since he has been home but has only passed a little. *sigh* I've given him a 1/4 teaspoon of 100% pure prune joice. This was suggested on another board as helping to keep the stool very soft. Poor little kitty! I'll keep you posted. KarenRO

Answer:
KarenRO: Sounds like what I have been going through with my kitten Wendel.

I have been giving .2cc doses of lactulose 3 or 4 times daily and it works good. He is pretty much normal now. But I have to keep it up. He also stopped using his litter box (I think he associated it with pain, and not being able to go). Now, I added a litter box, and changed back clumping litter and he is fine now.

I have some pics I will post soon, as soon as I get them scanned.

Answer:
Is the lactulose a prescription or can it be purchased over the counter? Cash only pooped today because I offered assistance by pressing on either side of his rectum. The vet said to try this but it obviously hurts him (such screaming!). :-( I hate to keep giving him enemas. *sigh* KarenRO

Answer:
Lactulose is available over the counter. It is VERY inexpensive. I would ask your vet about it and see what he/she says, and thus give you dosage. You will need a syringe (no needle of course). Wendel is 2 lbs, and he gets 3 or 4 doses of .2cc daily. It works really well.

Good luck!

Answer:
Cash, the constipated kitten, appears to be on the road to recovery or should that be the road to regularity!? He eats 1/2 teaspoon of canned pumpkin every morning and that seems to be the right amount of fiber. Now, if I can just convince him to poop in the litterbox rather than the floor. I guess he associates the box with pain, although he uses it for peeing! Kittens! KarenRO

Answer:
That is wonderful news. Man you want so much (LOL ) your not pooping engough (he fixes that ) and than you are like you are pooping in the wrong place he is like I do not even want to think what you will want next LOL~ Just kidding I am so glad that your baby is doing better. I love happy endings.

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