Is constipation common in Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)?

Question

My cat was catheterized as treatment for FLUTD. However, he has not been passing any stools for about more than a day. Is it normal? What can I do to improve his bowel movements? He was given Pred syrup, Nutrivite syrup and Celexin by the vet.

He hasn't been drinking much and eating as well, but he puts his head near the water bowl and rests there. What does this mean? How can I encourage him to eat and drink?

Thanks so much for your advice. He's feeling better now, after I brought him back to the vet for drip. He's walking around and drinking water, but is still not eating. I'm trying to find ways to make him eat his meals.

Answer 1

He might have some constipation from the anaesthesia. Don't worry, it will go away. if it lasts more than 2 more days, you can give him a baby enema of glycerin. If he still has the catheter on, or even after he takes it off, he might also have some discomfort and strain, although he has no poo. He is not eating much, so he has not much poo anyway. Milk helps with constipation, but it might be bad for FLUDT, so ask the vet about it.
GIve him canned food (the juicier the better, like Royal Canin Urinanry, but not dry food, the one in little sachets, vets have it) and add some water in the food. Or give him some water with a syringe or ask the vet if he should get IV under the skin. Does he still have the catheter on? If not, check if he is peeing properly and give him special food anyway (Hill's s/d, canned is better, etc).
Good luck!!

Answer 2

It could be stress, and the fact that he's not eating or drinking as much.

Sometimes it takes a few days for the anesthesia to leave the system completely. As with humans, animals are all different too. Some recover quicker than others. Mine sometime do that (resting their head on their water bowl). Maybe the coolness feels good to he, especially if he's still feeling a bit under the weather.

Keep offering small amounts of food. Since he's being treated for
FUD, he's probably on or will be on soon, special dietary food. He may take a few days to get used to it.

Keep a watch on him. Drinking water is especially crucial, you don't want him to get dehydrated. If by the end of today, you don't see any improvement, I'd say by 2 pm, give the vet a call and see what he says.

Do not, by any means give your cat an enema. If the doctor wants to do that, he will do that. You could do more harm than good by trying something like that on your own. You don't want to cause him any more stress either.

Good luck, hope all is ok.