|
Written by Dr. Nicky Joosting
|
|
Wednesday, 22 February 2006 |
Maggie- A lesson in management of constipation
Not many people noticed Maggie. She snoozed quietly in her corner, moving only
to catch a sunbeam or beg a tummy-rub. A very sweet cat, she is lippy only when
you pick her up. For good reason - she has degenerative joint disease in her spine - spinal
arthritis. The discomfort of handling will make her protest - but like other
arthritic cats I know, she is very playful and demanding of pats and attention.
There may be pressure on some nerves from her spinal arthritis, she has problems
with constipation, poor anal tone and won't notice if you step on her tail! We think she was injured either by being hit by a car, or someone pulling to hard on her tail as a young cat.
Maggie's major obstacle has been constipation. When she came to us she had been fed Metamucil, which just sat like a solid rock in her overstretched colon. It took a few weeks of softening to get it all out. She initially did very well on a
low residue diet, lactulose, milk and SQ fluids; then we added cisapride. That
didnt work. In desperation, Dr. Nicky was considering surgery, but had
difficulty with that option because the part of her colon that isn't working is
right at the anus. She seems to have normal motility otherwise, and everything
just bunged up right at the pelvic inlet.
Dr. Nicky added vaseline to Maggie's food. It
worked! Too well, in fact, because for a few frustrating days Maggie had very
soft poops, and because she is unaware of her back end, it was revolting! Many
baths later, Maggie is comfortable, on a routine of 1/4
tsp vaseline mixed into her canned food twice
daily. She is fed canned food only(dry food has too much fibre and she will become constipated immediately), with added water to ensure adequate fluid
intake. Soft bedding, daily brushing, catnip, catgrass and lots of love does the
rest. We thought Maggie would be unable to find a home, because of her problem. But a wonderful person took her into her heart, and Maggie could not be happier nor healthier. There were some initial downs where Maggie got constipated until her new owner learnt all the tricks but today all Maggie needs is vaseline, canned food and love.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 27 March 2006 )
|
