Megacolon problem

[gbray]

Hello,
I have a 9 year old cat that has been diagnosed with megacolon. We take her back into our vet about every 5-6 weeks when she starts stuggling to use the litter box and is also vomitting. He gives her an enema and that usually helps her for 4-5 weeks. He said he won't do surgery because it may not work and the potential complications are too numeroous.
We basically give her Iams dry weight control food along with laxatone every other day.
Does anyone have any ideas on any medicine that we might be able to try. If so please let me know if I would need a prescription. Also is there any other treatments we should try.
Thanks,
Gregg

[davet]

i don't know if there is really any medication for Hirschsprungs or megacolon..Fiber in the food and things like that but if there is really no effective diet change then i would consider surgery at a surgical center or a vet school...i have done it and seen good results, not in every case but the majority...again if nothing is working the scooping, glycerine suppositories, diet change etc then i would consider surgery...

[gbray]

I've read about people using lactulose or propulsid. Are these medicines that I should try first? I don't know anything about these.

[Traci]

Both medications have been used in megacolon, but if your vet hasn't given you additional options, I would strongly suggest seeing a new vet promptly, preferrably a feline-only vet. You also might want to discuss with the new vet, using the canned equivalent of the food or similar...there are veterinary diets available the vet can recommend for this condition.

[gbray]

are there ways to find a reputable feline-only vet in our area? we live in ocean springs, mississippi.

[Traci]

Look in the yellow pages of your phone book, call around.

[davet]

you might try giving a call here:

Mississippi State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-3432


i am naot sure where it is located but they could possible direct you..Only thing i know about MSU is that we whooped their butts in football (Auburn) but try a call to them and see where it takes you