Lactulose

[fitnut7]

My cat was recently put on Lactulose for constipation. Right after she started I noticed her water consumption went up. About 8 months ago she had a complete blood panel done and she was fine. She was also negative for diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Has anyone heard of this before or experienced this with their cat? Thanks, Julie

[eakerns]

Cisapride with Miralax is what we have found works for my little 6lb kitten.  She was diagnosed with Megacolon so she needs the Cisapride(2ml twice a day 30 minutes before her wet food)  1/4 tps of Miralax mixed with 1 small can of wet food(Innova or Fancy Feast are good) and I add some water mixed with the food.  So far the past month we have not had to do another enema.  The last one I gave her made her very mad with mommy and she poo'd on my bed.  Don't want to do that again if I don't have to!  Try the 1/4 tsp twice a day, or whenever you feed your kitty, and if it's too much(very wet poo) cut it back some.  It's something I adjust depending on what her poo condition is(dry/sticky vs wet)  We're trying for very soft but not runny!  Good Luck with the Miralax-I think you'll have good results.

[cyberlyn]

Royal Canin High Fiber Response Cat Food is Designed for Cats with Constipation Obstination Megacolon and Ileus !! This Food Saved my Remys Life for he has MegaColon its by RX only thru ur Vet but its a Miracle Food !!!

[reddingirl]

I read ur article tonight i also have been struggling with my pretty girl being consipated the vet put her on lactlose and cisapride after trying laxaton.Did you continue to give ur cat lactalose ,cisapride? or just mira lax? Im so scared and confused about all this i need help shes already been in emergency twice and im running low on funds  and i have heard of miralax before also shes only 7 lbs so would a tsp be to much? help Debbie

[Captainpeaches]

Hi!!  I don't really know for sure about this medication but I read recently that sometimes cats will get constipated because they are dehydrated and the body will absorb fluids from their bowels to try to compensate and that makes their stools more dry and harder to pass...........I'm wondering if it's possible that this medicine for constipation is somehow keeping her body from absorbing that water from her bowels and so she feels the need to drink more water instead..........just a theory but maybe you could ask someone who actually knows what they are talking about lol

[CoCo1951]

Thank God I read the following post by carrieann54!  My cat was faced with her last blockage.  I just cannot afford more vet trips and enemas.  When I read this post, I went to the pharmacy immediately and gave my cat 1 tsp. of Miralax with unflavored Pedialyte in her canned food (I also gave her some in a dropper at first, just in case she didn't eat her food).  I've been giving her 2cc's of lactulose 2X per day for about 18 months, without much happening.  I was faced with the next stoppage as the final event to have her put down.  So, instead of taking her in for the final visit, I followed this advice (I called my vet to let her know) and 28 hours later, we had the best BM in years!  I am so very relieved and happy to have read this blog.  Thank you!

by carrieann54, Feb 07, 2009 09:22AM
I just wanted to post what has worked for my cat in case it may help someone else out there. I almost had to put him down last week because his constipation got so bad, he has a megacolon and the surgery was not anything I could afford. He has been in emergency twice in the last month. He is taking 2cc's of lactulose 3X per day. 1cc of Cisapride 3X per day. Canned Hills W/D food with about 1Tbsp of canned pumpkin mixed in. None of this was working. I started him on Miralax, I added 1tsp to his food and then added 1tsp to a small amount of pedialyte and fed it to him. Within 24hrs he had a bowel movement. He is a 19lb cat, so probably only 1tsp of miralx for a smaller cat per day, but always ask you vet first. This seems to be working great and I have been able to keep him going everyday and cut out one dose of his meds so he is down to twice a day instead of three times. Keeping up the Miralax and pumpkin. I hope this helps someone out there because I thought all hope was lost and I think the miralax was what did the trick.

[md1johnson]

That is very interesting I'm on lactulose for ammonia levels. and it causes me to have extreme diaria. Thats the first time I ever heard of animals taking this.

[fitnut7]

Thanks for your comment. She (Sox) was given an enima about a week ago and put on the Lactulose. She was fairly backed but does not have megacolon. She's scheduled next week for another blood panel just to be sure.  

[Savas]

It is not unusual. Is your cat suffering from impaction?

I'd suggest asking over on the expert forum, where the vet's can give you some in depth detail and help, if you like.