Concern About Bowel Movements

So Victor's issues with constipation hasn't been quite as bad lately, but there is something I'm still worried about. When he goes to have a bowel movement (and I apologize for gross specifics) the first piece or two that comes out are still a bit hard and really take a toll on his strength, to the point where he actually kind of sinks over to the side before trying to go again, and the other day, after he got the first little bit out, he actually got out of his litter box, laid down on the floor on his side and finished having his bowel movement like that. Is it just his neuropathy that's causing this or is there anything else we should be worried about that it could possibly be?

 

Possibly his neuropathy is making it hard for him to hold a proper "pooping position". If he's overweight it'll be even harder for him. Neuropathy should slowly improve with the B12 supplement and getting his BG into lower ranges.

Re BG: I suggest you bump up his dose to 4 u after another couple of cycles at 3.75 u.

 

@Kris & Teasel @JanetNJ Victor's PMPS is 374, and I assume that will be okay to give 3.75 u but just wanted to get confirmation if you possibly see this in time.

 

Just seeing this now. You did the right thing giving 3.75 u. I'd give that again today then bump it to 4 u tomorrow AM. You need to get his BG range down, especially if neuropathy is causing problems.

 

My cat Fena would do this, and still does sometimes depending on the consistency of the stool she's trying to pass but instead of laying down she'll kind of... slowly "melt" into a sitting position in the box with her tail up as high as she can hold it. Then she'll get out, circle around, get back in and try again but if it's a bit bad she'll just step out and try again right next to the box on the floor itself.

I had thought about neuropathy the last time we were at the vet but with all the other information and concerns going on it slipped my mind and I forgot to bring it up so I'll be doing that ASAP.

I don't know how private your Victor is about his litter box habits but when Fena was getting over the worst of her constipation and I saw her struggling (not always that often) she'd let me slip a hand down her belly and kind of just brace/support a little bit. She was confused at first, but then she seemed to realize it was "help". It didn't always work since I didn't want too much pressure on her abdomen but on the few occassions I did it, it seemed to help a little bit.

 

You can add some Miralax to the food. I use the generic Miralax, much less expensive than the brand name. I would start with about 1/32 to 1/16 tsp.

 

Hm, I'd read 1/8 teaspoon twice a day to start - how dependent is it on weight, compared to possible severity..? If that makes sense?

 

It is dosed to effect. 1/8 tsp is fine to start

 

I've always used 1/4 teaspoon once in a day so it most probably will be trial and error. My guy is 15 lbs. and this seemed to be effective for his moderate constipation he used to have. My previous kitty who was severely constipated from her IBD and intestinal lymphoma got 1/4 teaspoon twice a day twice a week to keep her maintained.