Hey all. Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re proudly owned by 3 ragdolls and a domestic. Our ragdolls joined us this year and weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re having some concerns. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m looking for some help and thoughts.
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been struggling since our second ragdoll arrived to determine whatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s causing loose stools to diarrhea now in both of our ragdoll girls. They came from different breeders and 5 weeks apart. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m worried for them and mentally exhausted. Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been checked multiple times for parasites (2 different vet clinics) and we had cultures done as well. Our second arrived and had diarrhea from the start. We chalked it up to the long trip she had to get here. During her wellness check the vet felt she observed some spirochetes from a direct draw of stool (she didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t like the looks or smell of the stool sample we brought in) and prescribed Metro. At no time during this course of treatment did the diarrhea stop. Other than that, all other tests done on both of our female ragdolls have come back negative but the runs and loose stools continue. The diarrhea in our oldest ragdoll began 9 or 10 days after the arrival of our second ragdoll. The stools of our oldest furkid, a domestic 11 yrs young, are as they always have been and our newest raggie (arrived 10 September) has had no issues what so ever. His stools are perfect! So, if this is some sort of parasite or bacteria, I would think by now all of them would be experiencing the same loose stool/runs as they wrestle, play, and groom each other along with of course using the same litter boxes, which we have 7.
Over a month ago I started giving the girls some 100% pumpkin to see if that would help firm them since all the tests weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve had done came back negative, except for the direct smear thing and possible spirochete. They really love the stuff. There was a wee bit of improvement. We went from cowpile to somewhat formed. After a week I increased it to twice a day to see if they needed more to firm up, 2 tablespoons a day each. It did seem to improve a bit more, less cowpiles and tubular in shape, but never anywhere close to normal. Now this week, they are both back to runs despite the added fiber.
Their diet consists of 1/3 Royal Canin (kitten - 4 mos to 1yr level), 1/3 Eukanuba Kitten and 1/3 IAMS hairball (added that slowly per one of the breeders). They get no table scraps or people food despite begging for it.
Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been checked multiple times for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Coccidia as well as for worms in the float tests.
Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been wormed multiple times. They were tested for the leukemias and have had all their baby shots.
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not tested for Tritrichomonas foetus as the vets here think Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m a loon and itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s only found in cows not cats despite my giving them information about it from NC State.
They are alert, playful, happy and are growing and gaining weight. Their stool odor practically melts the paint off the walls and they go at least 3 or 4 times a day, maybe more on some days like today as they have the urge to go a lot but smaller amounts.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve thought of food allergies, but I canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t wrap my mind around two having this same problem and the oldest ragdoll didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t have this until after the arrival of number 2. But if this is contagious why would I have two that are perfectly fine? Are there other causes that Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not listed above that we could test for? My kids need relief and frankly so do we. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not experienced anything like this ever before and I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want this to be a lifelong condition if there is something we can be doing. The only common factor the girls have is they both have been on antibiotics (number 1 for a suspected UTI and number 2 was on Metro for spirochetes and prior to arrival Panacur and I think something else) where my other two have not been. Could the resolution be something as simple as needing some good bacteria added back? How would I do that?
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re really at a loss what to do to help them and they and us are very tired of bum baths. Does anyone have any suggestions? There is only one clinic in my state that is certified in felines and they are miles and miles away. I'm starting a new job this week and won't be able to get off work for a few weeks I'm sure and they don't offer saturday appointments.
Thank you so much for letting me vent.
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been struggling since our second ragdoll arrived to determine whatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s causing loose stools to diarrhea now in both of our ragdoll girls. They came from different breeders and 5 weeks apart. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m worried for them and mentally exhausted. Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been checked multiple times for parasites (2 different vet clinics) and we had cultures done as well. Our second arrived and had diarrhea from the start. We chalked it up to the long trip she had to get here. During her wellness check the vet felt she observed some spirochetes from a direct draw of stool (she didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t like the looks or smell of the stool sample we brought in) and prescribed Metro. At no time during this course of treatment did the diarrhea stop. Other than that, all other tests done on both of our female ragdolls have come back negative but the runs and loose stools continue. The diarrhea in our oldest ragdoll began 9 or 10 days after the arrival of our second ragdoll. The stools of our oldest furkid, a domestic 11 yrs young, are as they always have been and our newest raggie (arrived 10 September) has had no issues what so ever. His stools are perfect! So, if this is some sort of parasite or bacteria, I would think by now all of them would be experiencing the same loose stool/runs as they wrestle, play, and groom each other along with of course using the same litter boxes, which we have 7.
Over a month ago I started giving the girls some 100% pumpkin to see if that would help firm them since all the tests weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve had done came back negative, except for the direct smear thing and possible spirochete. They really love the stuff. There was a wee bit of improvement. We went from cowpile to somewhat formed. After a week I increased it to twice a day to see if they needed more to firm up, 2 tablespoons a day each. It did seem to improve a bit more, less cowpiles and tubular in shape, but never anywhere close to normal. Now this week, they are both back to runs despite the added fiber.
Their diet consists of 1/3 Royal Canin (kitten - 4 mos to 1yr level), 1/3 Eukanuba Kitten and 1/3 IAMS hairball (added that slowly per one of the breeders). They get no table scraps or people food despite begging for it.
Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been checked multiple times for: Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Coccidia as well as for worms in the float tests.
Theyâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been wormed multiple times. They were tested for the leukemias and have had all their baby shots.
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not tested for Tritrichomonas foetus as the vets here think Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m a loon and itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s only found in cows not cats despite my giving them information about it from NC State.
They are alert, playful, happy and are growing and gaining weight. Their stool odor practically melts the paint off the walls and they go at least 3 or 4 times a day, maybe more on some days like today as they have the urge to go a lot but smaller amounts.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve thought of food allergies, but I canâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t wrap my mind around two having this same problem and the oldest ragdoll didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t have this until after the arrival of number 2. But if this is contagious why would I have two that are perfectly fine? Are there other causes that Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not listed above that we could test for? My kids need relief and frankly so do we. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve not experienced anything like this ever before and I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t want this to be a lifelong condition if there is something we can be doing. The only common factor the girls have is they both have been on antibiotics (number 1 for a suspected UTI and number 2 was on Metro for spirochetes and prior to arrival Panacur and I think something else) where my other two have not been. Could the resolution be something as simple as needing some good bacteria added back? How would I do that?
Weâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]re really at a loss what to do to help them and they and us are very tired of bum baths. Does anyone have any suggestions? There is only one clinic in my state that is certified in felines and they are miles and miles away. I'm starting a new job this week and won't be able to get off work for a few weeks I'm sure and they don't offer saturday appointments.
Thank you so much for letting me vent.