Best cat food for intestinal/Megacolon issues?

I'm so happy I found this site today!! One of our kitties (the one with the vaccine lump currently) has had a number of overnight stays at the Vet because of intestinal issues. Our vet thinks it's a megacolon and stuff just gets backed up. Plus, she's a compulsive groomer so that doesn't help, as you can imagine. She has an Rx for Lactulose (thankfully, we've only had to use it on one occassion) and we use Lax'Aire weekly as a preventative measure. I'd rather control it with diet.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of a good quality food, but still affordable, that will help keep her bowel movements regular.... but that we can still feed our other cat that does not have these issues.

Hi,

I was feeding my male Samson (who had a very bad constipation issue) Eukanuba Vet Low Residue. I have 3 ragdolls and it seemed to work well for all three, however with the recent scares I have switched them to Orijen, which is scaring me a little because Samson seems to be constipated again, he's not drinking water anymore barely that I can see and the other 2 also are barely pooping. I have a post on this is the food forum.

May I ask you a question? What have you heard/did they tell you about Lactulose? I was also given some and told to start feeding it to him whenever I suspect constipation, however we saw 2 different vets at my clinic during the constipation thing and they both told me different things about it. I am a little scared to keep giving him drugs to poop.

Sorry didn't mean to change the topic.

Kahula

The Lactulose was given as an absolute last resort. She hadn't pooped in almost a week! From what I know, it just moves everything out smoothly, and man oh man it sure worked! And quickly! We gave her two doses over the course of two days and it really did the trick. She had to go urgently when she did, but ever since then she's been regular - probably about three months (??) The preventative Lax'Aire seems to keep her normal.

I have not heard anything adverse about it, but am interested in what you have heard, as I don't want to use it if it could hurt her.

The original vet that treated him (poor guy had like 15 enema's in the course of a weekend) sent us home with the Lactulose 1 1/2 ml 2 -3 times a day. The next day when we went back for more enema's the other vet treated him and upped the dose to 5 ml, and said it was mild and would move stuff out. The 5ml for some reason sent off bells in me and I did not adminster that much, the next day when I returned the first vet just about fell over when I told her what the other vet said and said NO Way that lactulose can make them feel really icky and gross. Ever since then I am reluctant to administer it, however I have given him one dose on two occasions because he just starts to coo and cry when he's in the litter box, the one thing I haven't been able to figure out though, is he always crys when he's digging not when he's going, is that normal?!? I am just in the midst of debating adminstering it again since he hasn't pooped near enough for what is going in him and he started the cooing in the box again but I also don't want him dependent on lactulose to go. What is the other item you mentioned, I have never heard of that?

oh the Lax'Aire? It's basically kitty malt... you know, that viscous dark brown stuff that comes in a tube that you put on their paws to lick off? It basically just aids in moving things along in the digestive tract and is commonly given for hairballs. When our kitty was given all of those enemas for the megacolon issue they also got a LOT of fur out, so we use that preventatively.

a few thoughts that may help.. if your not all ready, try switching to all wet food, the extra moisture helps, and it is normal for cats to drink less if they are only on wet food.
Some good brands are, the natura line- innova, california natural, evo, merricks is good, and felidae as well. I am sure many others here could recommend a few i am not mentioning. i dont know much about orijen, cant get it here where i am ( seems to be a top favorite as well. Your other cats could eat any of them, just make sure to introduce the food a bit slowly so it doesnt shake up their digestive tract.

If you dont like using the lactulose all the time, you can try an 1/8 of a teaspoon of canola oil in their food as well, do it a few days on a few days off, help moves things along naturally.

Lastly, omega 3 is good to give cats, it helps them shed less, less furballs. Many of the foods above have some in them.

oh the Lax'Aire? It's basically kitty malt... you know, that viscous dark brown stuff that comes in a tube that you put on their paws to lick off? It basically just aids in moving things along in the digestive tract and is commonly given for hairballs. When our kitty was given all of those enemas for the megacolon issue they also got a LOT of fur out, so we use that preventatively.


Ok I have all different kinds of the Hairball stuff, actually I was just going to post about that because of course my male who needs it the most, won't eat it, he absolutely hates any kind that I have gotten(malt or tuna flavour). The only way I can once in a blue moon get it in him is to shake Catnip on it. But even then it's really weird, once he licks it he starts shaking his back paws, and walking backwards, really weird, so I am almost scared to keep giving it to him? Maybe he just doesn't like the texture? But it's pretty hilarious to watch, poor kid I shouldn't laugh at him:laughing:

Thanks for responding to me, I wish I could be more help to you!:o

One of our cats used to hate it until she saw the other one getting it, now she comes looking for it -- jealous little feline :p

Our kitty who actually needs it for the megacolon maintenance hates it, so I put a ribbon of it on my own finger (so I make sure I'm getting the right amount) and then rub it all over her paws. She has to lick it off then b/c cats hate stuff on their paws, so she gets her dose.

I've found that the kitty malt I get from my vet (the Lax'Aire) is much more viscous and much more effective for her. The store brands seem too watery as compared to the kind I get from the vet. One tube costs me about $11.00 US and lasts a number of months, maybe close to 8 months.