Dr. Debbie:Hello.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):Hello
Dr. Debbie:Is your cat urinating okay? Just a fecal impaction?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):yes, she urinates fine
Dr. Debbie:Okay, good.
Dr. Debbie:The best way to get some quick relief is to give her an enema
Dr. Debbie:You can use a fleet enema applicator, but don't use the enema medication
Dr. Debbie:Replace it with warm tap water, about 4 ounces or 1/2 cup and a tablespoon of mineral oil.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):Wont the applicator be too big>
Dr. Debbie:You can use the mineral oil on the end of the tube and on her rectum to lubricate it first.
Dr. Debbie:No, it's pretty small, the ones we use are definitely smaller than their bowel movements
Dr. Debbie:a little larger than a thermometer.
Dr. Debbie:To give this you need to put her somewhere it won't matter if some mess gets around there -
Dr. Debbie:you just lift her back end up higher than her head and insert the whole volume, about 4 ounces, into her rectum
Dr. Debbie:and hold her there for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Dr. Debbie:Then you can let her go and she should have a bowel movement within the next 20 or so minutes.
Dr. Debbie:If she doesn't repeat one time.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):WEll Ok, I'll try that, but I'm a little anxious because she is very fragile. It really hurts when one touches her back end r/t the arthritis,
Dr. Debbie:Does she take any medication for her arthritis
Customer (name blocked for privacy):NO
Dr. Debbie:You should get her on something at her age, tramadol works well in cats, it is
Dr. Debbie:prescription medication from your vet and very inexpensive.
Dr. Debbie:It wouldn't interfere with her thyroid meds
Dr. Debbie:You can go ahead and start her on some laxatone, or hairball medicine
Dr. Debbie:that is also a stool softener, but it will take a couple days to kick in.
Dr. Debbie:Have you used that before?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):Okm i will get her some tramadol, I have used laxatone in the past. I'm thinking that she puts off going because it hurts her back end. So perhaps with something to make her more comfortable she may be able to defacate easier.
Dr. Debbie:Yes, that is a possibility - the laxatone will make it easier on her to use the bathroom.
Dr. Debbie:If she is hurting from constipation, though, enema is your only quick relief.
Dr. Debbie:Is she eating okay?
Customer (name blocked for privacy):OK, I will attempt that right now. I have one on hand and will replace the medicine with the warm water and mineral oil as you suggested. Thank you very much. I'm here alone, so this will be quite a challenge !
Customer (name blocked for privacy):She has been throwing up.
Dr. Debbie:Yes, it may be.
Dr. Debbie:I was just wondering if she may not be having a bowel movement to decreased food intake
Dr. Debbie:but if you think she's constipated, try the enema. Use a lot of mineral oil around the rectum and it should slide in without to much irritation
Dr. Debbie:It just isn't their favorite thing to have done. It is best to have a holder.
Dr. Debbie:but I have done them by myself before
Dr. Debbie:I let them lay down on their side and insert it and then lift them up and squeeze the bulb
Customer (name blocked for privacy):I don't know if the vomiting is from being disimpacted for because she didn't chew her food well enough - hasn't many teeth either - poor old kitty.
Dr. Debbie:Just do it quickly and then pick her up and hold her and just hold the butt up higher than her head
Dr. Debbie:If it is impaction, you'll know soon enough after the enema - it will help her.
Customer (name blocked for privacy):OK - thank you so much.
Dr. Debbie:Good luck. I hope it helps her.