Tara can't poop

[Valerie]

I don't know how many of you read about my little rattie that came from the store that I work at.  We're now two days past tail amputation and we seem to have run into our first roadblock.  If you need more background to the story I detailed what happened to her in "OUCH!! Tail Amputation Questions".  I've named her Tara and she can't seem to poop by herself.  The poop just backs up at her anus.  The first day she was pooping by herself.  It was black stinky yucky poop and the vet said that it was probably a combo of stress and the Clavimox.  Last night I stayed at a friend's house and right before I left I cleaned her cage and gave her her medicine.  This morning when I returned there was no poop.  I picked her up and you could see it all backed up at her anus.  With a little help I got the eight poopies out of her.  I feel so bad for her that she was all plugged up all night.  I can't get a hold of the vet til Monday morning.  How many times a day do you think she would have to be helped to poop to keep her comfortable?  Can you think of any other solution besides pinching both sides of her anus to "pinch" them out a couple times a day?  Thanks for all of your help.

Valerie and the Brood de Brux

[Tara]

Well, I am sorry that I have no experience with your problem, but imagine my surprise at reading the subject line of your thread...

I must say, everything is coming out just fine for me, thank you very much

[Valerie]

I've been thinking about this alot tonight... I'm thinking that the best course of treatment is probably gonna be very close to treating megacolon?  What do you all think about that?

[Joe]

Well, I am sorry that I have no experience with your problem, but imagine my surprise at reading the subject line of your thread...

I must say, everything is coming out just fine for me, thank you very much

  Hehe. And upon hearing that little tid-bit that brightened my day (in a gross sort of way), I'm going to bed.  

[Mandarb]

Hi Valerie, I'm sorry that things are not going smoothly for you and tara.  I have a question, Dose she have feeling around her anus?  If you poke or tickle her around the anus does she respond.  the response will look like  a twitch or teh muscles around the anus if she doesn't respond more enthusiastically.  If she has feeling around that area then it is less likely that she has nerve damage to that area causeing the problem.  I think that she should go back to the vets for a neural exam.  Good luck to both of you, I hope that all goes well.

[Yresim]

I know that this may no longer matter (I am several days behind in the forums), but...

My experience with little mammals that have trouble pooping indicates that the best way to deal with it is to "stroke" it out of them at least 2-3 times/day.

Their mothers do this when they are young, and it is fairly easy.  Just pretend that your finger is a momma rat's tongue and stroke down (towards the anus).  Some even like this sensation (most don't like the "pinching").  

If that doesn't work, then the only thing I can think of is to keep doing it your way.  Either way, you should try to do it at least 2-3 times/day.  

Of course, your vet can probably offer better advice than I can.