Cystitis or constipation??

[JBalways2000]

So we are back from the vets-he is constipated bless him. I was hugely relieved when the vet said this, i asked him twice is he sure its definately not his bladder lol and he said no, that he can feel some solid stools and that he is just a little constipated. he gave him an enema, which as im sure you can guess Hernie was thrilled about lol i feel really sorry for him because hes going around feeling sorry for himself bless him. have also been given 5 days worth of laxative for him and told if it reoccurs that i can try liquid parafin or katarax for him.

So yes im very happy i went now so that my mind has been put at ease. he said with regards to him getting in and out the litter tray and peeing a little that sometimes they know they need to do something but their not sure what

Thanks for all the replies, shall update if there is any change!

[dinahsmum]

Glad all is well - or will soon be well.
Did the vet offer any advice about preventing it occurring again - like a bit of fish in oil every so often, or a tiny bit of bran in his wet food?

[dandysmom]

I'm relieved that it wasn't more serious, poor fella! Thanks for the update.

[JBalways2000]

Just a little update on Hernie. we have only witnessed him pooping once since tuesday, though we think we may have just missed him going one other time. he is still straining and pacing but not as bad as he was. i was worried about him last night but it was early this morning that my OH saw him go(he jumped out of bed when he heard one of them in the litter tray ).

Not really sure what to do long term for him. i mean the vet said it wouldnt have been the change in food that caused this but i dont see what else it could be. hes only two years old and everything i have read says constipation isnt too common in cats, but older cats can get it. very confusing. really doubt its an obstruction either, Hernie doesnt eat anything hes not supposed to. he does dig at one of the carpeted steps on our stairs but never seen him eat the bits he pulls off, we end up picking them up when he spits them out

the vet didnt mention adding bran or veg to the diet but id already read about doing this so think i will. anyone know what the best forms of these would be to give a cat?

we did actually get some sardines in oil last weekend for him when we thought it was constipation but to be honest our cats dont really like that sort of fish. they love tuna but its not exactly oily. guess i could try the one in sunflower oil with him though. is there any type of bottled oil that i could add a little to his normal food? or is it the fish that is helpful more then the oil its in? sorry bit clueless with this stuff

Any tips are really appreciated! poor boy, most of the time he is fine but when he starts his pacing and straining it breaks my heart.

[dandysmom]

Originally Posted by JBalways2000

Just a little update on Hernie. we have only witnessed him pooping once since tuesday, though we think we may have just missed him going one other time. he is still straining and pacing but not as bad as he was. i was worried about him last night but it was early this morning that my OH saw him go(he jumped out of bed when he heard one of them in the litter tray ).

Not really sure what to do long term for him. i mean the vet said it wouldnt have been the change in food that caused this but i dont see what else it could be. hes only two years old and everything i have read says constipation isnt too common in cats, but older cats can get it. very confusing. really doubt its an obstruction either, Hernie doesnt eat anything hes not supposed to. he does dig at one of the carpeted steps on our stairs but never seen him eat the bits he pulls off, we end up picking them up when he spits them out

the vet didnt mention adding bran or veg to the diet but id already read about doing this so think i will. anyone know what the best forms of these would be to give a cat?

we did actually get some sardines in oil last weekend for him when we thought it was constipation but to be honest our cats dont really like that sort of fish. they love tuna but its not exactly oily. guess i could try the one in sunflower oil with him though. is there any type of bottled oil that i could add a little to his normal food? or is it the fish that is helpful more then the oil its in? sorry bit clueless with this stuff

Any tips are really appreciated! poor boy, most of the time he is fine but when he starts his pacing and straining it breaks my heart.

We can get tuna in olive oil here; a bit pricier than the ones in water, but what I like. Even Leia, who's picky, will lap a little of the oil, and Patches and Misty loved it. I have no clue about the bran, never tried it.

[angieh]

I used to give Merlin liquid paraffin on occasion. Lovely boy used to lick it off my fingers and I used to give him two or three fingers worth depending - he used to take as much as he needed, bless him. He would not take it in his food.

[dandysmom]

Liquid paraffin reminded me of the anti-furball remedies that are designed to make the hair able to pass out the rear rather than the front. I believe it does have a stool softening effect, although not absolutely sure about that. You might want to ask your vet. Most cats love it and will lick it off your finger.

[calismum]

If none of that works you could always mash the tuna in some liquid parafin or cod liver/olive oil.

Poor boy, hope he is better soon.

[MadCatLady]

Hello! How he's feeling? Better!!?

Thought the following information may help as it is related to both crystals (struvite & oxilate) and poohing problems...

A) If you live in a hard water area or your cats are particularly sensitive a filtered water drinking fountain is a must! There are several on the market at varying costs but basically you fill them up everyday and I wash mine out once a week, once switched on (mine is on approx 3 hrs a day, more in this hot weather) it cools and filters the water and not only encourages them to drink (splashing water and all that) hence helping flush both the bladder & bowels but entertains them too!
B) Oily fish, cod liver oil, meds like Katalax (not just available by a script from your vet!!) can be given regularly to help their bowels, being stressed about not being able to pooh can have the knock on effect of causing cystitis!!! It's the stress & discomfort you see!!
C) There are daily supplements you can purchase (not necessarily from your vet!!!) that assist the cats digestion by lining the bladder & preventing inflammation which can cause UTI's & crystals! I use one called cystease but there is one called cystaid etc.
D) Now food.... In many cases I have spoken with, vets have simply said wet food is better than dry... depends on the food!!??? Again I advocate Hills C/d dry which I now feed my whole Tribe, Rigby is the only one who has actually had crystals/blockages but there is no harm (other than the cost!) in feeding any cat specialist food. If the quality of the wet food is very poor then the cats system will have more problems filtering it through their bowels & bladder so really a good quality or specialist dry food is actually better than a poor quality wet!! Hills C/d dry is low fat and all of mine now eat it happily, every other day they get a pouch of whatever wet food they fancy but you can also buy Hills C/d in a wet pouch/chunky with gravy variety or mashed variety in a tin in chicken or tuna flavours! Although these diets are often called prescription diets you do not need a script and you can get them online NOT just from your vet!! Needless to say much cheaper online & delivered to your door so no lugging it home!!

I think these issues are related and that many vets don't give the whole 'prevention spiel' because it means you keep going to them for help and paying for it!