Hi everyone!
After two enemas, my cat Lilou still isn't passing any stools...
Here's the background: he's a 10-year-old male Siamese and is usually in very good health. He had a few bouts of constipation about 18 months ago, which weren't too serious. We changed his diet and now prepare his meals ourselves with steamed meat or fish and plenty of fibre (green beans, pumpkin, and courgettes). I even add a bit of water to his food since he isn't much of a drinker... For a year and a half, everything was fine.
Then the constipation came back two weeks ago. It lasted for two days, so we thought it was just a passing thing. But it started again last week, and by the fourth day without any stools, I took him to the vet. They kept my boy in to give him an enema. When I picked him up, he was still quite groggy from the anaesthetic, and the vet assured me that the X-ray hadn't shown anything serious. Back at home, once the effects of the anaesthetic had worn off, Lilou got back into his routine, eating normally and using his litter tray to wee... but still no stools. The thing is, he wasn't even trying! I thought we just had to wait for his digestive system to get moving again, since his bowels were completely empty after the enema. However, after four days, I called the vet to ask if this was normal; he said no and that I should bring him back in. I was there within the hour. After another exam, I was told: "Your cat is constipated again." He had another enema, this time under sedation. We took the opportunity to do some blood tests to check for other potential issues (like thyroid). The results were fine, except for the very early stages of kidney disease. Nothing serious but something to keep an eye on. According to the vet, this minor issue wouldn't cause such severe constipation on its own. Anyway, we're back home and my lad is now on Laxatone (a laxative) and Cisapride (to help with colon motility). I'm also giving him some psyllium husk.
That was three days ago, and still no stools... His behaviour is normal, he's eating well, and he's using the tray for a wee, but that's it. He isn't even trying to pass a stool...
I'm wondering now: could he have been traumatised by the constipation or that first enema, to the point where he's scared to go? Is he holding it in on purpose because he associates it with pain? And if so, what can I do to help?
Sorry for the long post... I'm just hoping someone else might have been through the same thing? I really want to get this sorted as I don't want Lilou having to have an enema every week... Thanks in advance for your replies and advice!
