 Purred: Tue Mar 29, '11 11:04am PST |
 | |  | | Apollo, being constipated can make you throw up - that sounds like what may be happening to you. An explanation:
"The membrane lining of the gut holds receptors, especially abundant in the colon, which respond to stretching and can transmit signals to the brain's vomiting center. The enteric nervous system can run the show on its own but it is still tuned in to the rest of the body. By this stretch receptor mechanism, straining to poop can result in vomiting or an overly large stool could cause excessive stretch receptor response."
That's from:
http://felineconstipation.org/whatgoeswrong.html
http://felineconstipation.org/introduction.html
One of the side effects of Tramadol is also listed as constipation, though it's supposed to be rare: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tramadol.html
Tramadol is also metabolized principally by the liver, so perhaps some other pain med that is not removed through the liver would be better for you. (More links about pain meds are below.)
There are things you can take for constipation, from Miralax [human, non-Rx] and Lactulose [human, Rx] to more natural methods [Slippery Elm Bark, canned pumpkin].
Here's more info about constipation from Tanya's Feline CRF site, which tells about the remedies above as well as some others:
Constipation
Scroll down to "Treatments for Constipation" and "Preventive Therapies".
Have your mom check with your vet, too.
I don't know much about pain medications, but I found this information about pain management (it includes dogs, so you have to pick thru for the info about cats). It indicates that Buprenex (Buprenorphine) can be used long term for cats (it would be expensive, I think).
For the info about Buprenorphine (or Buprenex), in this link scroll down to OPIOIDS, and then on down to "partial mu agonists" :
http://www.vasg.org/chronic_pain_management.htm
Here's more info from the same site: http://www.vasg.org/newer_options_for_chronic_pain_management_2.htm
and here's a summary (using info from that site) about Tramadol and some other pain relievers used for cats:
> Tramadol - generic, inexpensive;
Side effects rare - GI upset, constipation, sedation; bitter taste for cats;
Dual action; not technically opioid but some effect on opioid receptors; mild anti-anxiety effect;
Dose starts at 1 to 2 mg/kg BID to TID; up to 2-4 mg/kg (generally ΒΌ of a 50 mg tablet) BID;
Metabolized principally by liver, small amount excreted unchanged by kidneys;
Cautions - dose reduction for impaired hepatic or renal function.
> Amantadine - generic, inexpensive; adjunct use;
Side effects rare - agitation, diarrhea; long-term daily use considered safe; often effective 2 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off;
"Is the best-suited oral NMDA antagonist available for .. cat pain mgmt today";
Dosed at 3 to 5 mg/kg every 24 hours PO;
Elimination almost exclusively via kidneys; excreted, unchanged, in the urine;
Cautions - dose reduction for impaired renal function.
> Gabapentin - moderately expensive; use alone or adjunct;
Possible side effects - weight gain, transient sedation;
Particularly effective in neuropathic pain and cancer related pain;
Dosed at 2 to 5 mg/kg BID PO;
Metabolized by liver; primarily excreted unchanged by kidneys;
Cautions - dose reduction for impaired renal function (no cautions for liver).
> Amitriptyline - inexpensive; use alone or adjunct;
Possible side effects - sedation;
Antidepressant, used for pain; has some effect on opioid receptors;
Dosed at 2.5 to 12.5 mg total dose SID per cat;
Metabolized by liver;
Cautions - dose reduction for impaired hepatic function; monitor cardiac status.
I'll see if I can round up a couple of knowledgeable Angels to give you more/better info, Apollo, either here or by pmail.Edited by author Tue Mar 29, '11 11:36am PST
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When she ultrasounded my kidneys she told Mom that for a 17-year old cat, my kidneys are still just about perfect! 
Now how ironic can it be that my dear littermate sister, Athena suffered and passed to the Bridge because of CRF?
Unlike most of my friends, it wasn't my cancer that sent me to the Bridge . . . my kidneys failed and I couldn't handle it.
Ask a Cat Lady: Why Does My Cat Love Knocking Things Down?
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