Constipation/impaction?

[missusjess]

I took one of my girls to the vet a few weeks ago for what we thought was an abdominal tumor. Ended up, she was actually impacted. The vet said it appeared that something had gotten lodged in the cecum. She healed up just fine from the surgery (days 1 and 2 were rough but she's a trooper) and has been acting very normal.. except for the past few nights.

She's fine in the mornings, but by evening when we have play time, she's "fluffy" and not as active. I've been checking her tummy and it's seemed fine. Tonight, I checked it and can feel a small hard area in the same spot the impacted area was last time.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I think I am going to separate her into the hospital cage tonight to see if she poops. I have 4 girls so I don't think I can track it any other way. The last time I saw her poop during play time was a few days ago, before the fluffy thing came back. She likes dry pasta as a treat but I'll back off on that too. I have some fruit around and I'm going to pick up some canned pumpkin tomorrow.

She's frequently on baytril/doxy for respiratory issues and I'm wondering if that's affecting her digestive system too much. I know it's usually diarrhea with abs, but who knows. I sure don't.

I'll call the vet tomorrow. We'll see if she poops tonight. Oh yeah, she's 2 years old. I'm open to any suggestions. I've Googled like crazy and am just not finding a whole lot that seems to apply.

 

[mamarat]

Could she still be in pain from the surgery? Did you get pain meds?

 

[missusjess]

She had metacam. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since the surgery.

 

[mamarat]

I think it's a good idea to see if she is pooping. Do you still have some metacam? I would also give her some.

 

[victoria]

I would also give her a probiotic like BeneBac and some fish oil or mineral oil (a few drops in soft food) to try to get her digestive system started up again. The probiotic (given 2 at least hours before/after antibiotics) will help replace what the antibiotics have stripped and the oil will help the mechanical digestive process. Moist foods are also a good idea (blocks soaked in water, baby cereal, cooked pasta) to help move things along.

 

[jorats]

I'd also do the mineral oil and probiotics to see if that helps move things alone. Poor little one.

 

[missusjess]

I've been giving the BeneBac regularly. I gave her a bit of olive oil last night and she wasn't impressed. She had some apples and blueberries and is drinking plenty of water.

In the hospital cage last night, there was a single mucus-looking poo. It was white with a brown dot on the end - looked more like a booger than anything. Her tummy is definitely getting more full and she wants out of her boring cage.

I don't have any metacam, just infant ibuprofen.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I would try to stay away from the ibuprofen because it can sometimes cause constipation. I would definitely second (or third) the suggestion to get some mineral oil or even castor oil. Hopefully the poor girl doesn't need surgery again.

 

[lilspaz68]

How old is your girl? Is there a possibility of mild late onset megacolon?

 

[missusjess]

She's 2 years old.. and the vet doubts megacolon because of where the impaction had occurred. Another girl from her litter had megacolon when they were babies so that keeps coming to mind for me.

Should I ask the vet for a laxative? Should I try Senokot?

I'm on my way to work now, but I'll be calling the vet. The husband can take her to the vet if he wants to see her. I'll pick up some canned pumpkin and mineral oil at the store, along with some more baby food..

 

[missusjess]

Called the vet. He said to try a little of a children's suppository tonight. He is worried another surgery would be too hard on her and told me to keep trying what we've all discussed.

My husband found some organic canned pumpkin and put a little scoop in her house. He said she wasn't impressed and went back to bed.

I'm really worried that I can't do enough to help her. I'm praying like crazy that she poops.

 

[lilspaz68]

Called the vet. He said to try a little of a children's suppository tonight. He is worried another surgery would be too hard on her and told me to keep trying what we've all discussed.

My husband found some organic canned pumpkin and put a little scoop in her house. He said she wasn't impressed and went back to bed.

I'm really worried that I can't do enough to help her. I'm praying like crazy that she poops.

There are motility drugs you can get for babies, have you tried any of those?

 

[missusjess]

Called the vet. He said to try a little of a children's suppository tonight. He is worried another surgery would be too hard on her and told me to keep trying what we've all discussed.

My husband found some organic canned pumpkin and put a little scoop in her house. He said she wasn't impressed and went back to bed.

I'm really worried that I can't do enough to help her. I'm praying like crazy that she poops.

There are motility drugs you can get for babies, have you tried any of those?

No, but I'll look at the store tonight so thank you for mentioning it.

 

[SQ]

You might want to check out Woody's megacolon diet
http://ratguide.com/health/figures/mega ... gure_5.php

 

[Joanne]

I really hope you see poop soon!

 

[missusjess]

SHE POOPED

I got home and it was all over her and the cage, poor thing. She's running around a lot more normal looking tonight, thank goodness. There is still a little hard area in her side so she's not quite cleared out. I bought a lot of stuff from the megacolon diet that was posted and I'm just thinking I'm going to keep her on the soft, cooked foods like it suggests and see if it helps her keep things moving. I gave her a little mineral oil with tonight's snack to keep it going and some BeneBac to level things out so her tummy doesn't hurt.

I grabbed the baby suppositories in case she needs that help. I'm really hoping to figure out how to control this by diet as much as possible.

 

[victoria]

I think if you keep her digestive flora in check and make sure she's well hydrated with moist foods, she should be fine, You really don't want to have to put her through another surgery. I hope she continues to improve!

 

[missusjess]

Thank you - I agree!!

 

[mamarat]

Sending healing vibes to your sweetie.

 

[Moon]

Sounds like you'll just have to keep on top of her diet pretty closely from now on, but I'm so happy she "went"!