Rehomed Ragdoll cat that used to get 'bunged up'
Discussion
So, we've just taken on a pair of Ragdoll cats via Cats Protection League. Change of family setup with previous owners made things unsustainable so they were put up for rehoming. We're local and having lost our previous cats, jumped at the chance. These are indoor cats, so should avoid the fate of our last pair.
Brother and sister, 4yrs old, all spayed / neutered and vaccinated. Pedigree, and one owner since kittens. Previous owner was gutted, but needs must apparently.
The one thing, which is why this topic is starting, is that the boy (currently named Marley) had / has a bit of an issue with getting constipated. Previously, the vet had apparently prescribed tablets to help things along, and also had to intervene to get him mobile again. Since then, Marley was weaned off the tablets and now (following guidance from the vet) gets 2.5ml of Lactulose dropped on the top of his meal, plus some high fibre biscuits on the wet food. I haven't asked the previous vet, or got our notes into our vets yet, but the description wasn't that it was hair / furball related.
So, the Lactulose comes from the vets, it has a sticker on it, but it's standard human-use stuff. Either that or I can apparently mix it with orange juice for consumption. It was supplied with the cats when they moved in. Now, should I be putting this down as a pre-existing condition for insurance purposes, or just running with it as a 'clean' insurance and just buying Lactulose independently?
Happy to take any views.
Brother and sister, 4yrs old, all spayed / neutered and vaccinated. Pedigree, and one owner since kittens. Previous owner was gutted, but needs must apparently.
The one thing, which is why this topic is starting, is that the boy (currently named Marley) had / has a bit of an issue with getting constipated. Previously, the vet had apparently prescribed tablets to help things along, and also had to intervene to get him mobile again. Since then, Marley was weaned off the tablets and now (following guidance from the vet) gets 2.5ml of Lactulose dropped on the top of his meal, plus some high fibre biscuits on the wet food. I haven't asked the previous vet, or got our notes into our vets yet, but the description wasn't that it was hair / furball related.
So, the Lactulose comes from the vets, it has a sticker on it, but it's standard human-use stuff. Either that or I can apparently mix it with orange juice for consumption. It was supplied with the cats when they moved in. Now, should I be putting this down as a pre-existing condition for insurance purposes, or just running with it as a 'clean' insurance and just buying Lactulose independently?
Happy to take any views.
So it is unusual for such a young cat to get constipation and not have an underlying cause such as obesity, previous trauma (eg #pelvis), hairballs or possibly born with physical deformity.
The idea of him being on lactulose every day for the rest of his life isn't great. Lactulose long term actually makes the bowels lazy and is usually advised fo short term use.
Obviously I am only commenting as a generic and each case needs to assessed individually.
I would initially get from your vets and then if this definitely needs to be permanent and no other way around it then may be see if can be purchased by other means without affecting insurance (can you transfer insurance from previous owners? Probably not tbh)
You will have to tell them it is a pre existing condition esp as he is still on treatment (it will be fraudulent not to) and your vets will need his medical history and they should assess him and adv re long term treatments.
The idea of him being on lactulose every day for the rest of his life isn't great. Lactulose long term actually makes the bowels lazy and is usually advised fo short term use.
Obviously I am only commenting as a generic and each case needs to assessed individually.
I would initially get from your vets and then if this definitely needs to be permanent and no other way around it then may be see if can be purchased by other means without affecting insurance (can you transfer insurance from previous owners? Probably not tbh)
You will have to tell them it is a pre existing condition esp as he is still on treatment (it will be fraudulent not to) and your vets will need his medical history and they should assess him and adv re long term treatments.
Edited by bexVN on Monday 29th July 16:10
Thanks both.
I've never had a plan to avoid putting something as pre-existing. Just like @BexVN, it's a little bit of an odd one.
The host vet is fully aware, but obviously won't talk to me; GDPR and stuff, despite it being a cat at the centre of all this. I'm waiting for the vet notes to make it across to our vet, then I'll have a chat, maybe tomorrow.
I don't have an issue with dosing, just want to know what's what. I do reckon it's hairball related as long hair / indoors and previous owners may not have groomed quite as much as needed. We'll see.
I've never had a plan to avoid putting something as pre-existing. Just like @BexVN, it's a little bit of an odd one.
The host vet is fully aware, but obviously won't talk to me; GDPR and stuff, despite it being a cat at the centre of all this. I'm waiting for the vet notes to make it across to our vet, then I'll have a chat, maybe tomorrow.
I don't have an issue with dosing, just want to know what's what. I do reckon it's hairball related as long hair / indoors and previous owners may not have groomed quite as much as needed. We'll see.
bexVN said:
Dr_Rick said:
Just realised my auto-correct made one of my lines a little 'strong'.
I didn't mean BexVN was a little odd, I meant as BexVN said, a young cat getting constipation was a bit odd.
No offense meant!
I didn't mean BexVN was a little odd, I meant as BexVN said, a young cat getting constipation was a bit odd.
No offense meant!
No offense taken, I am a bit odd
All the best with your new masters Dr Rick.
I hope it gets resolved. Sounds like you are all more qualified than me,and possibly even vets?
I've only anecdotal evidence of a change in food sometimes having the desired effect.
One of my friend's cats had the opposite problem, and would often make a mess of the kitchen. My friend was spending a fortune on some expensive food that only made the issue marginally better. Part of the improvement was caused by the cat hating the expensive food, so eating less and therefore causing less mess.
He changed to raw, cat loved it and the problem stopped.
Could high fibre biscuits be causing more harm?
I've only anecdotal evidence of a change in food sometimes having the desired effect.
One of my friend's cats had the opposite problem, and would often make a mess of the kitchen. My friend was spending a fortune on some expensive food that only made the issue marginally better. Part of the improvement was caused by the cat hating the expensive food, so eating less and therefore causing less mess.
He changed to raw, cat loved it and the problem stopped.
Could high fibre biscuits be causing more harm?
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