Hey guys,

just had a pleasant evening at parents, got home and my poor cat is straining like mad to poop in her litter tray, looks like constipation to me. She was acting totally normally for her when I left at half 6. I've rung the vets, but the vet on call is out treating another animal, so waiting for them to ring back. Poor puss is whining, keeps getting out of the tray, licking her neither regions then getting back in the tray- rinse repeat. Unfortunately, the out of hours people can't advise on anything I can do in the mean time (they just take calls, not qualified to give advice). Is there anything I can do in the meantime, or do I just wait until they ring?

Feel a bit useless at the mo.

Thanks

Sorry only just logged on so hope you have found an answer overnight ! How is she today ?

Can you give her some sardines in oil or something similar? It won't act immediately but will help smooth the way so to speak a bit later.

Thanks guys,

The vet rang back at half 11. Was arranging a time to meet them at the surgery and the cat produced a massive rock hard poop. Perked up a lot after that, she got straight out of the tray and headed for food. Vet has advised feeding oily food once a day for the next 3 days, and adding a bit of water to get normal food. We're going to the vets next week for a general check up ( cat has other health issues that aren't related) so we'll get it checked out then.

Never thought I'd be so happy to be cleaning a litter tray

That's great ! old fashioned remedy used to be half a teaspoon of liquid paraffin, still use it with my dogs occasionally. But I am sure she will enjoy the oily fish more.

I remember the days of dosing horses with liquid paraffin if they had colic. Think giving it to a horse would be easier than trying to get it down a cat, and that involved a long tube up the nose and down into the stomach

Thanks for the reminder though, I might try and get some today. Can always put it in food, or put a bit on her paws to lick off. Obviously hope it doesn't happen again, but handy to have around if it does.

A few years ago my cat had a similar problem but with wee rather than poo, he hadn't had one for a good few hours but was straining for all he was worth in the tray.

The vets wanted to see him immediately so off we went only for cat to unleash a torrent of wee all over the examining table as soon as he got on it!

Cost me £55 for the privilege