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Cat in trouble - can't poop

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
I've had enough 03:00 emergency vet visits and just need some quick help. Much appreciated in advance.

Jasper has been struggling to poop since I got home today and he's letting me know it. He's 11 years old. His anus is extended and very irritated. He's lethargic, and all around looks and acts like a very sick kitty.

I've cleaned his anus and he's still struggling with no result. Are these symptoms emergency or not? His bladder seems fine.

Thanks in advance for constructive answers.

-update-
I had to put him down, he was too far gone but he purred when I told him he wasn't going to suffer anymore.

RIP - Jasper, aka Bubby
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
I don't know. I've dealt with cats that have been blocked before and they can die within 24-36 hours, but that's a blocked urinary tract. I just didn't know if this was the same kind of emergency as in ACT NOW.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
I don't know. I've dealt with cats that have been blocked before and they can die within 24-36 hours, but that's a blocked urinary tract. I just didn't know if this was the same kind of emergency as in ACT NOW.
Ask yourself these two questions...
1. If it's not a true emergency, and you go... How would you feel?
2. If it is a true emergency, and you don't go... How would you feel?

 

theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
0
0
you should definitely take him to the vet ASAP. you may not be able to wait until morning. my dog has been plagued with bowel problems (never obstructions, but some constipation issues, abscesses, infections, diarrhea, blood, etc.) and it's not something to ignore. bowel obstructions are INCREDIBLY serious and could be a sign of cancer (in that case i'm really sorry to say your poor kitty doesn't stand much of a chance) or that the cat ate something it shouldn't have.

i wish you the best of luck.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,873
10,668
147
My experience with emergency vet hospitals has been that you can call them and often get a sympathetic and knowledgable person on the phone to whom you can describe the symptoms and ask their expert advice as to whether or not you need to bring teh kittah in right away.

Good luck!
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
This isn't meant to be expert advise, and all those other warnings, yadda yadda, fine print.

Just go to the drugstore & get a mineral oil enema to give to the cat. Oh, and this site was hilarious! here
It's a story about a cat who had similar problems, complete with illustrations. My particular favorite was page 3 "It's for my cat" ("yeah, right") - I was in a similar situation and had to purchase KY Jelly & Preparation H for a goat. "It's for my goat" (even weirder look).

I recommend doing it in the bathtub; helps keep the cat confined & makes for much easier cleanup when you're done. Personally, I would go that route first, vet 2nd if that didn't take care of the problem. If it's cancer, (and I sincerely hope it isn't), the enema isn't going to make it worse. If it's just a little, umm, clogging at the end of the pipes, then you may completely cure the problem without any vet intervention.

Again though, at least spend a few minutes researching this.

edit: better link
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,298
12,818
136
Originally posted by: spidey07
I've had enough 03:00 emergency vet visits and just need some quick help. Much appreciated in advance.

Jasper has been struggling to poop since I got home today and he's letting me know it. He's 11 years old. His anus is extended and very irritated. He's lethargic, and all around looks and acts like a very sick kitty.

I've cleaned his anus and he's still struggling with no result. Are these symptoms emergency or not? His bladder seems fine.

Thanks in advance for constructive answers.
the best answer is take the cat to the vet as soon as you can.

this can be very serious.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: DrPizza
This isn't meant to be expert advise, and all those other warnings, yadda yadda, fine print.

Just go to the drugstore & get a mineral oil enema to give to the cat. Oh, and this site was hilarious! here
It's a story about a cat who had similar problems, complete with illustrations. My particular favorite was page 3 "It's for my cat" ("yeah, right") - I was in a similar situation and had to purchase KY Jelly & Preparation H for a goat. "It's for my goat" (even weirder look).

I recommend doing it in the bathtub; helps keep the cat confined & makes for much easier cleanup when you're done.

That's a good idea, might as well try it if you dont want to go to the emergency room
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
Blow into his mouth REALLY hard.

Also, make sure his butt is pointed towards a window or something...could get messy.
 

Eeezee

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2005
9,922
0
76
Take him to the vet? If your cat goes to the emergency room, I'd think a vet visit would be on the next day's agenda.
 

Praetor

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 1999
4,498
4
81
My cat was a pound kitty that somehow he had broken his tail in the first 3-4 months of his life. (I got him when he was 4 1/2 months) He's always had issues. Number one issue is passing his poop or always knowing when he has to go.


I've had to give him enemas before (NOT FUN!) and lock him up in the bathroom for a few hours until he passes stuff. I've also had him on the Science Diet for sensitive stomachs mixed with Metamucil every single meal. I've tried to avoid the enemas as much as I can. When I hear him meowing pitifully or start vomitting, that's a good sign he's got a piece stuck. At that point, I try to massage his back just behind his tail to help push it out. (ew!)

Shopping for Metamucil with my son is always fun. He knows it's 'cat medicine', but then he announces it really loud when he gets it off the shelf and people always look and roll their eyes as if to say 'yeah, right'. :p

Anyway, if it's that late in the game, stop by the Vet's office and have them give you the enema syringe and lock that Kitteh up.
 

911paramedic

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
9,448
1
76
Impacted colon is very serious, in cats and people. That was my short answer since I am off for my chemistry class in a few...

Go to the vet.
 

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
Male? Probably an enlarged prostate. Get him to the vet immediately. I left my dog like that for a day and he started to bleed. They gave him an enema and all was well.

Side note: The Vet recommended that we spay him to avoid the enlarged prostate issue in the future. I think it was the absolute biggest mistake I ever made regarding any pet I have owned. Poor dog couldn't hold his pee anymore and had to start taking pills daily, which led to his death two years later.

Just get the enema, and fuck what the vet says about spaying him. They are like any other company, only out to make a profit.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Originally posted by: DrPizza
This isn't meant to be expert advise, and all those other warnings, yadda yadda, fine print.

Just go to the drugstore & get a mineral oil enema to give to the cat. Oh, and this site was hilarious! here

That's freaking hilarious. Great pics too.