Diarrhea again, with vomiting!

Hey all, I could really use some encouragement right now. My kittens, now approx. 3 1/2 months old, are having diarrhea again. We dealt with this problem when we first brought them home, and you can read about all that in the two threads linked to below:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=168503
http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=169311

They've been through their first 2 rounds of shots already, and we were schheduled to go in for number 3, along with their tests for FeLV and FIP next Monday. They did have a little bout with worms about 2 weeks ago, but we gave them each meds and they "expelled" them right away! I really thought and hoped that would be the last of our yucky health issues for a good long time. I even was getting ready to set up spay/neuter appointments for them.

But over the last 5 days or so, I started noticing a change in their stools when I cleaned the litter box. So I began deliberately watching when they go potty, and now I've confirmed that two of the three definitely have very loose, tan to yellow colored stools. The third one will no doubt have the same very soon, if she doesn't already (she's sneaky and doesn't go potty when I'm around!)

I was going to wait a couple days before calling the vet (a) because I know he's out of the office until Aug. 1, and (b) because we've brought in some new furniture and had company over alot lately, so I thought it might just be stress. But tonight after feeding them a small amount of their normal dry food, Maggie promptly went and vomitted everything she'd just eaten. I did check the vomit for anything suspicious (gross, I know) but did not see any worms or other foreign objects, just chewed up food.

So, now I'm going to have to make an emergency visit to a different vet tomorrow. Ugh. I'm just so worried because I keep reading about all these horrible diseases cats can have, and they haven't been tested for them yet because they are so young. I just keep thinking the worst, I guess. I love these kittens so much, and I just want them to be healthy and happy. Anybody that would say a little prayer for me and my furbabies, I'd really appreciate it!

Do take them to the vet because at their age they get into everything. They could have gotten a taste of a plant or into a chemical you weren't even aware of. Keep feeding them but in smaller meals and make sure they keep drinking water. Good luck

Update--we have an appointment this afternoon! Hopefully we'll get this straightened out!

Just back from our vet visit! I took some stool samples with me, so they checked those and found bacterial overgrowth...again. It seems my little babies have trouble with that. The vet said it could be caused in part by stress, as I originally thought may be the case. She sent us home with two meds I have to administer 2 and 3 times a day for 10 days...I'm sure my kitties will love that! But that should clear everything up, as long as that is the only problem. They also did the FeLV and FIV tests to rule those out, and both came back negative! Yay!

This vet was much more helpful and also recommended some things we can do to keep them healthier overall, such as changing to a higher protein diet. I also asked about their spay and neuter costs, and those were lower than our regular vet's. DH and I are now seriously considering changing vets after today's visit. I hate to do that, but I think it may be better for everyone in the end.

Anyway, I will update in a few days about how the kittens are doing on the new meds!

what are you feeding them now ???

Are you giving probiotics??

I've been feeding them Purina Kitten Chow, even though I know there are better foods out there...my husband is a minister, so we really are on a pretty tight budget. I never felt like I could afford anything better, so I never looked. But after what the vet said today, we may switch to something slightly more expensive if it means we will end up saving in vet bills in the long run.

I'm not sure if the meds the vet gave us are probiotics or what...the names are Metronidazole and Erythromycin.

Thanks Laureen, I had heard of probiotics and wondered what they were! I will have to talk to the vet about that after the 3M's finish their antibiotics! I've also read about some cat food that promote intestine health, so I'm going to look into those as well.

Originally Posted by Cocoa Cream

Thanks Laureen, I had heard of probiotics and wondered what they were! I will have to talk to the vet about that after the 3M's finish their antibiotics! I've also read about some cat food that promote intestine health, so I'm going to look into those as well.

Click to expand...

the food promoting have a SMALL amount of probiotics

Originally Posted by sharky

the food promoting have a SMALL amount of probiotics

Click to expand...

I'm assuming you mean that it may be more beneficial to use a separate supplement rather than an intestinal health formula food? The food I was looking at was Iams, but they don't have anything like it for kittens anyway, so I'll probably just switch to wet food and talk to the vet about probiotic supplements.

wet food is better ...

Yes supplements have alot more bacteria

Argh! Maggie just threw up again! I was just working in the kitchen where all the kittens were sleeping, and I noticed Maggie get up, move away from the other kitties and start licking her lips. She's done this three times now, so I know now what's coming when she does it. But I just can't understand what's going on. I just gave them their medicine at 1 pm and fed them lunch shortly after that. Then they all laid down and fell asleep. Do I just need to give the meds more time to kick in, or should I be concerned?

I am going to ask a seemingly weird question...

Has the vet done bloodwork?? or a stool sample???

Not a weird question at all! Yes, I took in a stool sample yesterday and they did a couple different kinds of fecal exams. The gram stain showed bacterial overgrowth, but they did not find any parasites. We also had them go ahead and do the FeLV and FIV tests. Those both came back negative.

did they know which bacteria was overgrown??

Ummm, if they did, they didn't tell me. And I didn't know enough to ask. Does that make a difference?

I'm wondering if I fed Maggie too much too close to the time I gave her the medicine. That stuff must taste really awful because after I give it to them, they hop around for a while, acting like they are about to gag. They have been acting normal the rest of the day, though, and Maggie has not vomitted again. I also noticed the last time she went poo that it was much firmer than it was yesterday.

Sending hugs and good your way for a speedy recovery. I hate to see my babies get sick, especially right after they eat because you know they have nothing on their stomachs once it al comes up.

Many Prayers and for your little kitties

Update...

Well, we are on day 5 of antibiotics, and everyone is doing great! Firm stools and no more vomitting! They absolutely hate the taste of the meds, but they are quick to forgive! In about 3 days I have to call the vet and let her know how they are doing, so I'll ask about probiotics then.

Please think of me on Monday as I take them back to our "regular vet" for their next boosters. I am going to have to tell them I've already had the tests done that we were scheduled to have, and I'm not going to schedule another appointment there, either. I have decided to stick with the vet hospital that I've taken them to for the diarrhea, but I don't know quite how to switch vets "politely". Any thoughts?