Cisapride to a cat that is not eating?

Dr. Marie replied:

Dealing with constipation issues in older cats is something I really do not enjoy. It can unfortunately be very difficult.

I don't have a problem with giving Cisapride without food. In fact, I would say that stopping the Cisapride could actually make the problem worse.

However, my main concern here is the fact that Trudy is not eating. If a cat is not eating there is always a medical reason for it.

It's possible the reason is simply that she is having constipation issues again. If she is going 3 days in between bowel movements then this is not good. This can make her very uncomfortable and can definitely affect her appetite.

But it's also possible that there is another issue. In older cats we commonly will see problems with the kidneys. If there is a kidney problem then the cat tends to struggle with dehydration. When a cat is dehydrated, the body will take fluid out of the intestines and this can make the stools very hard and difficult to pass.

There are many other possibilities as well. I know Trudy does not like going to the vet, but I really think that she should see a doctor. If this is simply a constipation issue, it's possible that a simple enema could get things going again. If we wait too long then, it could mean the difference between a single enema vs hospitalization, IV fluids and multiple enemas in order to get her defecating again. And, if there is a medical problem then we need to find out what it is.

I wish I could give you an easy solution. I would say, go ahead and give her her cisapride and if she is not better by the morning I would definitely have her seen.

I hope she is ok!

Dr. Marie.



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