Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 15yr old Siamese seems to be constipated or at least having trouble going. She won't eat any wet food (it has been this way for most of her life) and she doesn't want anything to do with the Hartz Hairball medicine. The vet had given her Laxatone for this a while back, but I didn't think there was much difference between that and the Hartz formula. Is there anything else that would work? Also, is there any way to entice a cat into eating wet food?

Thanks,
Caitlin
Coke, Pippin, and Miko

Hey. This is something I've been dealing with for the past three years with Stanley. He's 15 now. Pookey (also 15) has started in with constipation/hard stools too... My vet had me try canned (unspiced) pumpkin to see if they'd eat that. No go. What works for them is Hairball Treats. Friskies makes one I like. Follow the directions on the bag -- although they call them treats, they do contain medicine. You can't give daily. I give my boys 4-6 pieces each every three days. If for some reason they don't eat their treats, I put a stip of Lax Aire (given to me by vet that is tube stuff like Laxitone) on my finger and wipe it on the roof of their mouth with my finger. In the case of constipation, treat it -- don't let her win by not liking something. It can cause major problems. She can get very sick and/or it can lead to megacolon down the road that needs more serious meds and gets worse as it progresses. It has been known to kill cats. So, try the treats. If she won't eat them, you medicate her with the Laxitone/Lax Aire (I'd go with what the vet gives -- vs. Hartz) by putting a strip on your finger, getting her in a headlock (kidding) and wiping it in her mouth. The tubes say put on paw, but she can shake it off. Give it to her as often as the vet told you to, but generally you give hairball treats and/or tube stuff every three-ish days. Not every day or it blocks nutrient absorption from food. Go get her, Tiger. You are the Mommy here...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Oh -- if this doesn't work after you successfully medicate her for a few days, your vet can give you a stool softner (Lactulose) that you can give her a squirt of in the mouth in addition to the hairball treats/tube stuff. Pookey does fine on the treats/tube stuff, Stanley needs the Lactulose in addition to the treats/tube stuff... His is worse than Pookey's. Catch it early with the treats/tube stuff and you will probably keep it under control for a long time to come. Don't let her dictate whether she gets it. If she won't eat the treats (my boys love the treats), then you give her tube stuff.

I don't know what diet you have her on, but there are good Senior diets with hairball formulas in them (Nutro Natural Choice is good). This is in addition to the hairball treats/tube stuff -- doesn't replace it. Diet is trick in Seniors. It is something I'd discuss w/vet before switching if she is doing good on what she is currently on...
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Currently, all my cats eat Blue Spa Adult Cat food (http://www.bluebuff.com/products/cats_adult.shtml). I used to have the kittens on the Adult Royal Canin food and Coke was on the senior Royal Canin, but the kittens kept eating her food. I will probably stop by the Vet on Monday and see if I can get some more of that Laxatone stuff. Is there any way to get a cat interested in wet food? The only thing close to wet food that Coke will eat is Tender Vittles. She also likes lunch meat and the occasional sip of milk, but I don't really like giving her that. Any suggestions would be more than welcome! I will also try the Hairball treats.

Thanks,
Caitlin
Coke, Pippin, and Miko

You might try warming the canned food in the microwave for a few seconds. That brings the scent out and may tempt her to try it.
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Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Alex da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Is there any way to get a cat interested in wet food? The only thing close to wet food that Coke will eat is Tender Vittles.

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I am of no help on wet food. My boys only touch dry. If I put wet out, they run like it is a Doberman. But, like yours, they will eat Tender Vittles.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Hi,

How is your cat doing otherwise? The other poster gave excellent advice for simple constipation, but sometimes, especially in senior kitties, constipation can be secondary to something else.

Conditions such as kidney problems, liver problems, dehydration from any cause, and even tumors can cause constipation. Because of these possibilities, I highly recommend a vet check, bloodwork, and possibly x-rays. You just can't be too careful with seniors. I take my oldest cats in every 6 months for an exam and labwork.

Take care, and please keep us updated.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Other than the constipation, Coke is doing fine. She was at the vet in July for a few days while the constipation cleared up and they said she was in really good health. Coke goes back next month for senior bloodwork and a check up.

Thanks,
Caitlin
Coke, Pippin, and Miko