Any insights as to what's bugging Violet?

lcaul4ms

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I got my cat Violet a month and a half ago from our local shelter. She's a calico DMH, and is almost 2 yrs old. She's gorgeous and sweet, but has the peculiar habit of refusing to chew her food. Instead, she merely licks it, and we've had to switch her diet almost entirely to wet food because of it. She cries for food all the time and at all hours, and seems to visit her litter box more often a day than our previous cats did. Her stools are soft, and extremely foul smelling. The smell is so terrible, it follows the poor little thing around the house, even though she is a meticulous groomer. She has all her vaccinations and has tested negative for feline diseases and parasites. The vet seemed unconcerned, but I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Should I insist on more tests?
 

carolina

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First of all, congrats on your new kitty!
Is she eating the dry food at all, or just licking it? If she is eating it, without chewing, it is ok, and normal... Cats rarely chew their food when eating.
As far as the poop being fool smelling, it could be because of what you are feeding her - what is she eating? Also, do you know what she ate at the shelter? When did you change her diet?
Cats are very sensitive with diet changes, especially dry. You need to change it very gradually, otherwise they can have diarrhea...
 

optionken

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It is good that your cat eats wet food and not dry. The smell may be because of the food you are feeding. A probiotic such as acidoupholous should help with that and with the soft stool. If you can afford it, a no grain canned food would be best
Cats eating wet food do pee more often
 

stephanietx

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Congratulations on your new kitty!

Has she been seen by a vet to rule out any kind of parasites or any other medical condition causing the problems? If not, then that's the place to start.
Then, what are you feeding her? Certain foods cause stools to smell worse than others. The soft stool could be caused by the food itself. It could be too rich for her or it could be upsetting her system.

Start with ruling out anything medically, then look at her food.
 
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lcaul4ms

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Thanks for the replies. Violet has tested negative for all parasites. She's on PetPromise dry food and is eating Fancy Feast wet food. We have been experimenting with food lately, which could be contributing to the problem, but she rarely will eat the same thing two days in a row. It's been driving us insane! She's very picky, and we'd like to keep her on a more steady diet, but she refuses to eat just one flavor of food. She'll leave it in her bowl and meow for hours for something different. Just when we think we found something she likes, she'll eat it for a few days and than stop. I'm sure it has a lot to do with her digestive issues, but how do we find a food she'll stick with?

I really appreciate everyone's feedback!
 

dusty's mom

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Originally Posted by lcaul4ms

Thanks for the replies. Violet has tested negative for all parasites. She's on PetPromise dry food and is eating Fancy Feast wet food. We have been experimenting with food lately, which could be contributing to the problem, but she rarely will eat the same thing two days in a row. It's been driving us insane! She's very picky, and we'd like to keep her on a more steady diet, but she refuses to eat just one flavor of food. She'll leave it in her bowl and meow for hours for something different. Just when we think we found something she likes, she'll eat it for a few days and than stop. I'm sure it has a lot to do with her digestive issues, but how do we find a food she'll stick with?

I really appreciate everyone's feedback!
This sounds just like my Dusty. Let me know if you find an answer.
 

cloud_shade

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If your vet is unresponsive to your concerns, find a different vet. I wonder if the smell could be due to an anal gland issue. As for the pickiness I would suggest getting a few canned foods and rotating them--that way, she has some consistency while still getting a different flavor each day. You might want to stick to just one protein source in different brands or one brand with different flavors.
 

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I agree with all the responses - try to get her to adjust to one food though wet is best with some dry (tho for variety ; she still needs teeth cleaning, ie brushing). Maybe she had a bad reaction with one food - was ill or had to fight for it and associates some food with that experience. Cats are smart - they tend to know what food they like.

I do agree if you can afford to buy the best. And IF your vet does not seem to help, find another one!

Best of luck to you and Violet!
 

siobhan

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I had to add - did the vet do a full blood and other analysis workup? Check her anal glands as was asked? She could have some digestive issue.

Often it is nothing serious though anal glands can certainly cause an odor!!
 

tamgirl99

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You said she was checked for all parasites, but does that include Tritrichomonas Foetus? That requires a special test that they have to send off to get results and runs around $75-100. The primary symptom of TF is foul smelling diarrhea, especially when other causes have been ruled out.

Also, the licking the food sounds to me like she might be nauseous. Does she ever smack her lips (not while actually eating)?
 
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lcaul4ms

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I have another appointment at the vet tomorrow. Now she seems to have something wrong with one of her eyes. There is yellow discharge and she keeps squinting that eye. It's obviously some sort of infection. What someone said about her licking her lips and food could be because she is nauseous was definitely something I'll tell the vet. You never think of cats being nauseous, but it's obviously possible. I'll also get the vet to double check on the parasites and anal glands. Thanks for all the suggestions! It's just been so weird because she has a rather high energy level for an adult cat, so it's not as if she's been lethargic or in any obvious discomfort. I'll let you know what happens.
 
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lcaul4ms

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Ok, Violet was treated for Herpes in her eye and Trich T. Whew...she had to go back to the vet twice so they could test her for parasites. She has not been a happy camper! Her eye looks better already, though. Thanks so much for all the help everyone! Violet and I really appreciate it!
 

babypumpkin

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Originally Posted by lcaul4ms

Thanks for the replies. Violet has tested negative for all parasites. She's on PetPromise dry food and is eating Fancy Feast wet food. We have been experimenting with food lately, which could be contributing to the problem, but she rarely will eat the same thing two days in a row. It's been driving us insane! She's very picky, and we'd like to keep her on a more steady diet, but she refuses to eat just one flavor of food. She'll leave it in her bowl and meow for hours for something different. Just when we think we found something she likes, she'll eat it for a few days and than stop. I'm sure it has a lot to do with her digestive issues, but how do we find a food she'll stick with?

I really appreciate everyone's feedback!
This is my first post, so many not do things correctly, but wanted to reply to you and others who are having diarrhea problems in their cats. You mentioned that Violet tested negative for parasite. Was she tested for tritricchomonas foetus? If so, that I can't offer in help, sorry. If she has not been tested you might want to speak to your vet ASAP. Unfortunately, many vets are not aware of this parasite or don't normally test for it.

My story is to long to go into now but the short of it is our OSH has had this parasite since she was a kitten (now almost 2). After months and months of vet visits we found a vet to test for it. Her companion, Billy, never showed symptoms but he too has the same parasite. Both cats are being treated with Ronidazole.

Best of luck,

babypumpkin
 
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