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942127 tn?1276949209

constipated cat with kidney disease

One of my older cats has kidney disease and is on a special diet (Hill's K/D canned and dry) along with Epakitin and Rubenal (Azodyl if I could get it down her-but can't). I keep water for her in several places and try to keep it fresh. The past 2 or 3  days I have not noticed any fecal activity. She urinates maybe 3 or 4 times a day that I know of. I have to use NutriCal on her food to get her to eat it, but my vet said it was ok. I am wondering if there is something else I can do about her constipation.
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874521 tn?1424116797
poor baby!! Will she eat canned pumpkin?...that is great for kitty constipation....even probiotic live yogurt, I give than to mine when they get constipated and they love it.
One very good thing you can do for her is get her OFF the dry food!....it is so low in moisture it just contributes to the problem.
I hope your not over using the Nutrical? that can cause other problems.
can you sprinkle with just a tad of some other treat she likes?..I know she needs a special diet but a tad of her old diet on top( like a 1/4 teas?)...or tiny sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (thats what I have to use for one of mine to eat his homemade diet)...just a lite dusting.
good luck, let us know who she is doing ok!!
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
I agree with Opus. Canned Pumpkin is great for that. She gave you an excellent advice.
The only thing for me to add is you can give her Physilium Husk, powder...just a bit, with each meal depending on how bad her constipation is. And, when constipation goes away I would still add a bit of this product to one of her meals…just once a day.

Dry food causes the colon to lose elasticity, leading to constipation. A balanced homemade diet is the healthiest meal for any pet. Sometimes prescription foods cause other issues.  They may help with one thing  but may cause other issues. That is not a balanced diet, since she is lacking the fiber she needs to help her go.  I have heard very good things about the Physillium husk, especially for kitties who are kept on dry food.

I'm sorry about your kitty's health problems. I hope she gets better.
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
I had never heard of using  pumpkin , so i will get some today to see if I get make her eat some. She won't like it I am sure. I have oplain yogurt on my shopping list. I have been putting the dry food in with some water so it is mushy, wouldn't that be ok? The canned K/D has pysillium seed in it, so I didn't' know if it was not enough or what. I will try the Parmesan cheese too. She does like her old canned food, but I haven't tried it on top of the special diet food.
What will the NutriCal do? I probably AM over using it as that is the only thing she really wants and I mix it with her canned food every feeding (4 times a day).
I thought perhaps fis oil for the constipation, but didn't know if that was too strong for her kidneys. Laxatone was another thought since it is mostly mineral oil. What do you know about FortiFlora? I still have a little of that, but the vet said to use it only a little. And what about Stewart's cat fiber treats? I can order some, but nobody around here carries them any more.
I would be interested in making homemade food for her, but there are so many online I don't know where to start for a cat with kidney disease. Suggestions?
Thanks, I think it helps just to discuss this with someone.  
Helpful - 0
541150 tn?1306033843
Here are some good recipes for kitties with renal problems. They will also help with constipation issues. Please take a look.

http://users.ameritech.net/critterz/crf_recipes.htm
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
or another at
www.holisticat.com

most there prefer the raw and it is better, not so many supplements to add, but my kitty won't eat it so had to go to the 'cooked pork' recipe.

laxatone and Nutrical would be nearly the same as far as I know. I've hear many use fortiflora, as long as you are not over using? find out the ingredients.(?)

I'm sorry I don't know anything about the fiber treats, again check the ingred., as you've seen the nutrical is no longer working for her and they can get mega colon as PK said.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
heres the website for info on Chronic Renal failure.(CRF)

www.holisticat.com/crf.html

they recommend WELLNESS brand cat food...CANNED TURKEY..
Dry food isn't recommended for CRF cats, the dry food is so low in moisture, and dehydration leads to chronic constipation.
I know you need to be careful how much water you give to a CRF cat.
they also recommed adding TAURINE (from NOW brand of supplements) because they loose so many nutrients due to urinating so much.
CHECK WITH YOUR VET FOR ADVICE ON THIS FIRST.

you can also check out this website for info on constipation. theres tons of good info there.

www.felineconstipation.org

good luck
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
I think the pumpkin might have worked for the constipation. At least there was a small movement in the litter box this morning  that was sure pumpkin colored. I didn't see her though and with 2 others using the box it is hard to know. I will look at the recipes to see what I can make she might like. I am not sure where to buy some of the things they suggest adding to the recipe.
Does a person just use regular human additives? Like the taurine for instance.
Everyone on here says NOT to give dry food, but my vet suggested and sold it to me, so I am kind of at a loss on what is best.
And, if I understand correctly, the NutriCal can cause megacolon, which I understand is only worse constipation.
thanks to all..........
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't have any experience with doing this with adult cats with renal disease, but it might be something to ask your vet about.  What about using KMR to supplement her diet?  It would provide additional fluid to prevent dehydration as well as more nutrients than in water but more easily digestible than either canned or dry food.  
Helpful - 0
373315 tn?1277082626
We just had to put our 17 yr old girl down do to this awful disease.  At the end I was having to syringe her due to the sores in her mouth and not eating.  Constipation became a major issue near the end, I would mix meat baby food (turkey or chicken) with baby food peas (fiber) to help her and just syringe.  To help us know what we needed to look for and what to expect I was lucky enough to find this site:http://www.felinecrf.org/.  I am not affiliated or am I promoting this site, I am just letting those know that it contained some very good information for me and my family during one of the most difficult times that we have gone through with our furry kids.  Good luck toriree with your baby.
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
thanks everyone. I am  just going to do my best with all the great information you gave. It seems one Mochie will be a little more perky than the next. I suppose it goes that way though. She is getting pumpkin in her food now, so I hope it continues to work as it seemed to yesterday and the day before. I gave her a washcloth bath and brushed her  yesterday and she really acted like it felt good, so i am going to try to include that in her daily routine.  I am going to see about making her own food, but I'd like to find a recipe that will work for me.They all seem long and complicated.  I am assuming that a person just uses regular human supplements as I see nothing to indicate anything different.  I want to just make a small amount to see if she will eat it on her own without having to hand feed her or add anything treats to it.
kellie, that site is really great!
again, thanks to everyone! Tori
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
good for you dear!!
the best site for homemade recipes are on the site I'll send you.
I went to the cooked pork diet, because Nemo wouldn't eat the raw.
If you do searching on this site it will give brand names of all the supplements needed, have to be careful so as not to buy ones with alot of sodium or extra additives, yes it does get complicated.
I started slow, added taurine first as this is so important.

than added Vit E (the natural d-alfa..yes in people form)
Vit A,
Vit. D
all these are also in the people vitamins, they recommend. Natural Source brands or Thorne. ...some others if you read.
need to be very careful with these 3 as they are 'fat-soluable' and do NOT give to much.
Vit. B from Thorne also, I don't have that here so I am still searching other suppliers for the best. they recommend Jarrow, however some said its smelly and cats will refuse to eat when mixed in their food(?)

the egg shell powder is calcium and easy to bake and crush from your own eggs.

gelatin is for cartlidge(people form)

the canned pumpkin, I was buying the wrong one. I got pumpkin pie mix, however found out today it has to be without the spices therefore 'plain pumpkin' apparently also avail in groc food section.
Found out squash either canned or fresh (cook and puree) is also good for constipation.

Dulse is a trace mineral, I found this at my health foods store.

to just give it a try, I started with cubing a raw pork chop, seared it in xtr virgin olive oil and he loves it.....the rawer the better, its good for their teeth and gums to chew on!

p.s. just trying this once or twice is ok, but if you are going to switch totally to a homemade diet please do the transition slowly so kitty will get used to and therefore not get a tummy upset.

and b/c of kitties renal failure I would speak to my Vet first or consult with the holistic people on the site at least, to learn what is safest for him....there are some very indepth people there who have years of personal experience treating all sorts of ailments....they just blow me away with their knowledge, and what they can't answer they will lead you to the site that can.
the site is
www. holisticat.com
when you get to the board index, search in COOKED DIET RECIPES or RAW DIET RECIPES.... than more info in SUPPLEMENTS
this site you can read on for FREE or for $10 you can join than ask mega questions, they are so very helpful.

best to you both

Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
SORRY ME AGAIN.
perhaps if it gets too intimidating for you, that is the site that also recommended the pet food from WELLNESS the canned TURKEY for renal issues.
Wellness I've never used but it is a very good food, NO grains and fewer additives.

Than again if your kitty is eating the Hills K/D alright, it may be best for him to stay with the one he's ACCEPTED, it can be so easy to turn a sick kitty OFF foods in general... I just hate to mess with a kitty with such severe problems already.(have I confused you enough?)

just do tons of reading honey and talking with a helpful Vet that will help you make some decisions.
Helpful - 0
88793 tn?1290227177
I gave my cats the lactose free milk.  If I found they're pooing a bit hard then I gave them some normal full cream milk or the food contains "cheese".  The stool become soft.  Even can be runny if too much dairy products.  I don't know if it's the right way to do or not?

I also got a 12 years old male cat has CRF.  He is on Fortekor 2.5mg daily.  He only came home and eat.  After eating 3 x 85g Fancy Feast, he wants to go out.  He don't like the 6 months old female ***** (this stay home, no out door yet).  I never see him poo or vee.  I also never see him drink water!  He is very skinny but always want to fight with the young ***** at home (show he is strong)!  

Last week, he caught a mice/rat at night in the garden.  I only see his mouth full of something.  I asked him to release.  He looked at me and ran away.  I use to teach him not allow to catch birds, rats etc...  Otherwise he's not allowed to go out.   Now I thought he's ill so let him go for "wild" and hope he'll getting better.   "YES"!  He shows he can catch mice/rat outside.....  NOT ILL !
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
Update- she is no longer constipated (after I used a disposable enema from the vet), but is now vomiting again. My poor girl is trying SO hard --- I got metoclopramide today from the vet. I was going to try Pepcid Ac but she said it was good with CRF cats. I did however order some Slippery Elm Bark for plan B.
She just absolutely does NOT want to eat. I am feeding her often with Nutri-Cal and however much K/D or Fancy Feast or A/D I can get mixed in. She seems to be able to lick the gel out even if i mix it up! Will she ever get her sense of smell or appetite back?
Has anyone used that medicine? I am curious to see if it has helped.
thanks!
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
well good the constipation issue is good for the moment at least....do try the canned pumpkin in with her food that is a good source of fiber and should help alot.

I don't know much about metoclpramide other than its for normalizing stomach contractions. you can research on
www.1800petmeds.com/metoclopramide-product10210.html
or
www.marvistavet.com/html/body-cisapride/html

SEB (slippery elm bark) plan B.....is a very very good product for kitty to relieve tummy and GI tract  issues in minutes!!!..............this is a VERY SAFE product with no known  side effects.
the recipe is on
www.holisticat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3092

good luck to your poor little girl, I hope you can get this under control for her, please let us know ok
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
Thanks! i will do that. Right now, getting her to eat anything is my number one priority. The medicine from the vet seemed to help her tummy yesterday evening. I found her curled up in her cat bed later in a more normal comfortable position. I hadn't seen her do that for several days!!
Will it be safe to use the medicine AND the Slippery Elm Bark at the same time?
She is still hanging in there though. Every morning I expect to find her dead somewhere.
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942127 tn?1276949209
She is gone.
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88793 tn?1290227177
I'm very very sorry for your lost.  I've just seen one gone.  Now another.......  Is that anything I can help?  I hope I can share the pain with your lost.

Hugs, Hugs......
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
Oh I am so ry for the loss of your dear little girl. With renal failure this is common.
You did all you could for the little darling, her system was just shutting down its often the case with renal failure they will just no longer want to eat....you tried, she knows she was loved. take comfort in the fact that she was comfortable in her own bed and not in pain.
RIP Mochie
Helpful - 0
942127 tn?1276949209
Thank you for your comfort. It really means a lot. I know she tried her best and I know she knows I tried my best. She just got so terribly weak and Tuesday afternoon, finally I knew it was time to let her go. We went to the vet and she found her peace and comfort.
I had forgotten hard horrible it is to have a pet put down. It had been several years.
But when  she needed a home, I guess I needed her  and it was meant to be. At least I know 6 six years
were mutual love.
Tori
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
Oh it is one of the hardest things we can do when we love our babies so much, but there does come the time when its their best interests at heart that we do say goodbye.
She did have a loving caring home with you and you did your best for her right up to the end thats all anyone can do.
Yes you had 6 yrs of unconditional love she came to you when you needed that and she did too....she will always be there in your heart.
I do hope your heart will eventually have room for another little one that needs you.
Its hard to think of right now when your grieving, but having someone to love in your life as you know gives back  benefits many times over.
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942127 tn?1276949209
Thank you again for the encouraging words.
And, not to worry about finding another to fill my heart, I already do. Three in fact.
Now, I think I am having a hard time dealing with THEIR grieving and emotional upheaval. It is so very obvious in two, but the other, Onyx, has pretty much been a loner and wasn't around Mochie that much. She got to see her before we buried her too, so maybe that is making a difference. Maybe I should have seen to it that the other 2 did as well. Snickers has been watching and listening for her at the times she normally would see her and going to the door of the bedroom that  Mochie chose for her final weeks. I am not sure she has slept much since Tuesday for all her waiting.  Gutter, her backyard pal,   has been smelling all over the backyard and hangs his head down whenever I hold him. Yesterday he was sitting right on top of where she is buried and at night he wanders all over the house meowing for her.
I am giving them lots of special attention because we all need each other.
All of my cats have their own life stories, just as Mochie did.
Vicki
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874521 tn?1424116797
Vicki I'm glad you have others there to fill your heart, yes animals do feel the loss of a friend just as we do.
I'm sad that illness and death is what brought you to our cat forum, but now that you have found us I do hope you'll stay.
We welcome all 'cat people' and value everyone's knowledge and experience.
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942127 tn?1276949209
thank you for the invitation. This site has been very helpful and I will try to watch the cat forum often! I was already a member of medhelp   for myself, but glad I found it for my kitty family too!
Vicki
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