Expert: Becky - 8/27/2006

Question
Hi,
Two and a half months ago I took in a stray adult female cat. She has been eating a dry cat food aimed at indoor cats. Seh hasn't been out at all since living with me, and her diet hasn't changed in this time. A week ago, I realsised she hadn't had a poo for two or three days, but then she had one that evening. Apart from being stinky, it seemed normal. However, she again hasn't had a poo for four or five days, and as recommended by a catty friend gave her half a ouch of wet cat food (a fish one). She has had a couple of sprout sized nuggets, hard and dark. She had also a more worrying grey poo, quite snall and thin , with a kind of mucous on it and tiny traces of what could have been blood. My  vets are closed now until Tuesday; I am wondering if I should call an emergency vet or just wait til Tuesday? She seems absolutely fine otherwise; she is not meowing excessively and isn't straining on her box. thanks for anything you can tell me.

Answer
Hi Penny,

I don't think this is really anything to worry about. Try putting some butter or margerine on her paws. She will lick it off and will like the taste of it too! This will hopefully help her from being so constipated.  It will also help with hairballs.  If this doesn't help, you can buy over the counter products or your Vet could recommend something.  You may want to have her checked for parasites too, as blood in the stool could possibly mean hookworms.

God Bless,
Becky