I have a cat that is about 10 – 12 yrs old. She is in the early stages of kidney failure and has trouble with constipation. She currently takes a 5mg cisipride compound twice a day and 10cc of lactulose a day. She sometimes eats K-D cat food but some days she doesn’t. I try to give her as much canned food as possible and milk to drink. She is still having constipation problems. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
As you know, Kidney failure can contribute to constipation by leading to varying degrees of dehydration. But in your case, the diet probably has just as much to do with the constipation as anything.
First of all, dairy products can be VERY constipating as the proteins they contain can have a profound effect on the motility (movement) of the gastrointestinal tract. These proteins can slow stomach emptying as well as intestinal contractions. (In fact, the American Dairy Association now wants to use this negative physiological effect to “help” people lose weight. They suggest that overweight people eat some dairy before each meal to make them feel full faster. This occurs as the result of the stomach not contracting normally leading to that bloated feeling. Dairy slows colon motion as well, thus the old remedy of eating cheese for diarrhea.
The bad news is dairy is not the only culprit that can slow the intestinal tract down unnaturally. Wheat (gluten), soy and corn can do the same thing. Many commercial pet diets contain these things and once an individual is sensitized to these proteins, the abnormal reactions can contribute to constipation. Thus the commercials for human medications that now treat “IBS with constipation.”
Secondly, canned foods generally produce a harder stool than dry foods. It is just the opposite of what most think. This is due to the fiber in dry food that the canned foods usually lack, with fiber retaining water and softening the stool.
So, I would recommend that you stop the dairy and try to get the kitty to eat more dry food. Try to find food that have no gluten (wheat, barley,rye), dairy, soy or corn. The foods I recommend are Felidae, Life’s Abundance, and Wellness CORE. The need for low protein diets in these pets with kidney failure is very debatable, with the cat naturally eating a nearly pure protein diet. Most cats is serious kidney failure only want to eat meat when they are sick. They are much smarter than we are when it comes to their diet.
I hope this helps,
John
John B. Symes, D.V.M. (aka “Dogtor J”)
Beltline Animal Hospital
Mobile, AL
Please advise this owner to seek out veterinary acupuncture. It is by far the most helpful remedy for constipation that I’ve seen. I rarely even try cisapride and lactulose for my patients anymore……I call in the acupuncturist and have had excellent results.
Good luck!
Dr. Cherie Buisson
All Cats Hospitall
Largo, FL
Ask your vet about adding canned pumpkin+/- Metamucil to the canned food. K/d is one of your less palatable renal formula foods, Purina and Eukanuba make better tasting ones.
Dr. Sol Perl, D.V.M.
House Calls For Pets
Chevy Chase, MD
Add dulcolax 1 caplet 2 – 3 times daily as a stool softener – available over the counter as well as 1 tsp. of metamucil to each meal.
T. L. Medinger, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
VCA Aurora Animal Hospital
Aurora, IL
Your cat may be experiencing some constipation from the present rx’s you are giving her. You can try a homeopathic remedy called Nux Vomica 30c. This is a great remedy for constipation and hair balls.
You can also add some salmon oil in her food which will act as a laxative. Other fresh food with finely chopped green vegetables can also help.
Dyanna McCain DvetHom.
Holistic Animal Healing
Los Angeles, CA
It sounds like you and your veterinarian are doing just about everything. The only thing I might add would be fiber to the diet. We usually recommend canned pumpkin, but I’ve also heard of bananas, or even just mineral oil to keep things moving. I would say anything you feed should be at least wet down / soaked in water, and you might consider adding metamucil or citrucel to the drinking water.
Best of luck,
Joy N. Ritz, DVM
Decatur Veterinary Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
There are a couple of new products on the market for renal failure patients. My question are you doing s.q. fluids at home? That might also help with the dehydration factor. They also have clinicare for renal patients that helps with electrolyte imbalances. Good luck
Andrea S. RVT
My cat had something similar and you’ll never guess what helped. A friend suggested I add a little benefiber to her canned food and that helped her through her temporary problem.
Tonya
It is important that your cat gets help. My cat was a little constipated and my vet suggested adding a little Metamucil to his diet. That helped.
Best Wishes