It may be megacolon. Do you feed canned food only? Also, you can add pumpkin
(no spices) in the food.
Gail

-------
We have friends who in addition to the lactulose sprinkle BeneFiber on the
cat food twice a day. It helps a lot. The cat hasn't had a problem in
months. I understand this wasn't the main part of your question, but if it
could be of some help...
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

----------
He is totally beautiful!
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

I got a couple questions for you

How old is the furball?

How long has he had this?

If he has had since he was young.  There is a parasite that young cats gets
I forgot the name  but  it won't show up in routine testing it can cause
diarrhea and problems in the that area

I've never had a cat with this as an ongoing problem.  When my 17-yr-old got
constipated after a surgery the vet had me give her plain mineral oil.

Hugs,

CatNipped

I'm so sorry he's going through this. I had a cat diagnosed with
megacolon and I'm sorry to say we couldn't get it under control
with lactolose, and another drug, I too can't remember the name of
now. I know someone else will remember as I've seen this on this
group over the years many times.

You're right to not use high amounts of fiber because I think I
remember being told that fiber will absorb fluids and make the
feces even harder to pass causing strictures.

My cat was at the point of surgery or euthanisia when I had to make
the decision. He was getting enemas to pass anything at all, and
couldn't live that way for long. This was just about at the time I
discovered Usenet, so wasn't able to find out how well they can
live with a shortened colon, but the vet's prognosis for him wasn't
good. I wish you luck or courage, whichever way you go.

Yes, our cat had this. Once they get to a certain point -- supplements
and other things don't seem to help.

Our cat had her colon removed after a week of daily trips to the vet.
She just could not get anything to move and time was running out. The
vet sent us to a great surgeon at an emergency clinic.

The surgeon had done lots of these surgeries and had never had a
problem. Sweeter did well through the surgery but ended up getting
weaker after she got home. We had to take her back in and she had
another surgery. She had developed a septic infection because some
internal stitches had come loose. The surgeon was very upset and
operated the second time for free.

Sweeter survived, and recovered quickly once the infection was
diminishing. She is doing great a year later. She is a new cat, seems to
have a new lease on life. She's playful again!

If you have the surgery, get a referral to a surgeon with lots of
experience. Our surgeon said Sweeter's colon was so bad and thin, it
actually tore when he touched it. Poor cat, she had suffered for quite
awhile apparently.

By the way, the only medication she takes now is a potassium supplement.

Good luck,

Rhonda

Well he's still in the vets having had an enema this AM and has not
passed anything yet.  I fear the worst tbh :(

I had a BIG problem with my own constipation and megacolon. The "cure"
for me was, and is: 1/2 tsp/day of epsom salts. That is: MAGNESIUM
SULFATE! My body absorbs what it needs from the gut and leaves the
excess Mg in the gut,which holds water. Mg is absolutely necessary for
proper muscle contraction, including the digestive tract, in cats as
well as humans. In your case, the BIG question to be answered is: does
magnesium SULFATE acidify the urine?!  I'm sure you are aware of the
bad name Mg has regarding FLUTD in cats. There is serious debate
around this issue. From what I understand, crystals and stones of Mg
CANNOT form in acid urine. You can probably find the answer on the web
somewhere. If I knew that MgSO4 acidified urine, I would give the
epsom salts a try to treat my male cats severe constipation. Why not?
Hopefully, someone who knows more than me can answer that. Ask your
vet.
In humans, too much epsom salts causes severe diarrhea. I started
with 1/4 tsp/d and worked up from there. Not too much and not too
little, but just right is what you're after.The way I would do it for
my cat would be to dissolve 1/4 tsp in a cup of warm water, and then
add 1/2 tsp of that liquid to my cat's canned food.
            Catman
       

Well he's back from the vets.  He's totally clear now but he's not
eating any food (still drinking though).  I think he's had too much
lax at the vets as he' straining to poo all the time but not passing
anything.

Hopefully he'll start eating soon.  Very worried :(

Much better today, eating and drinking normally and very chirpy.  Just
need to wait and see if he can pass solids normally.