Hi, I'm new & need some helpful tips (sorry this is long)

Hi everyone,

I have been reading thru all the posts on this forum and have found some helpful info. Here's a little background:

In January we adopted 2 male kittens (siblings approx 6-7 mos old) that were found in a feral colony. They are both altered and are the sweetest. Unfortunately, one of the brothers (Larry) had a bad URI,w/his eye having some weeping issues along w/soft stools (sorry if this is gross, kinda like soft serve ice cream).

Larry was on Clavamox and that seemed to take care of the URI and a triple antibiotic ointment for his eye but ultimately needed the NeoPolyDex suspension liquid to take care of his eye. We're still dealing w/the soft stools. After a negative fecal test, our vet prescribed a round of Metronidazole for 7 days and it started to get better (not completely gone, just not as soft) but once the meds was done, it started to get softer again. She prescribed another round of the Metronidazole along w/Proviable pills.

Okay, here's the kicker...I'm feeding them Blue Buffalo Kitten Dry and Hills Science Diet wet (please don't shoot)...I'm thinking they need to go grain free and was trying to decide between TOTW and Natural Balance Green Pea & Chicken. I've wanted to change their diet but the vet cautioned against this until we get Larry's poop issues resolved.

So, I just talked to our local pet store and they have samples of the TOTW dry...I'm sending DH over there to p/u along w/some cans of their wet. The Natural Balance folks are going to send some samples in the mail. I'm thinking about going ahead & start making the gradual switch w/the dry and start feeding the wet. (They eat 85% wet and we just put a little of the dry out in between and at nighttime.)

Sorry this is so long, I'm just agonizing over what to do...also, is the Proviable okay for daily use? Thanks in advance!!

have you had stool samples done? aka a fecal ?

What wet have they been eating? flavors I mean

NO I wont shoot , we all have to feed what we can

Also have they done more extensive fecal testing for giardia and TF?

Have you tried a probiotic with them such as Bene-bac? Sometimes this can help firm up stools.

Why Proviable.. I looked it up and it is a horse probiotic???

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Why Proviable.. I looked it up and it is a horse probiotic???

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Many supplements started out being used on horses, pigs and cows... Probios , glucomine , chondrotin, msm and others

a pro-biotic used during antibiotic treatment IMHO and new research is a waste... the antibiotic kills off the pro-biotic

Proviable
http://www.petstruly.com/3609.html this is for small animals

Yes, he's had a fecal done & it was negative. I'm feeding Blue Buffalo Kitten Dry and Hills Science Diet Kitten wet....they eat wet 85% of the time. The Proviable which is for cats in capsule form was chosen b/c Larry would not eat Forti-Flora,

My DH p/u the samples of TOTW dry along w/some can of TOTW wet and a can of weruva...

FYI...he's not on the antibiotics anymore (that was done when we first got him back in early January).

In contrast, his brother Chuck is doing great & has zero poop issues & loves wet food.

Did he have the more detailed fecal done or just the regular one? It's possible there's something still there that didn't show up on the regular one. I'd ask the vet to perform the more detailed one and check for giardia and TF. THEN, I'd start working on the food issue.

I feed TOTW dry and wet. My girl does very well on both.

Just talked to the vet tech...it was a regular fecal...so, waiting for the dr to c/b & let me know about doing another round of metronidazole (just finished the last night) along w/the extensive fecal test...it's interesting, his brother (they share litter boxes) isn't having any poop problems (don't know if that's relevant).

I feel so bad for Larry , he's been thru so much with the URI & his eye...if we can get his poop issues taken care of.

BTW, he's eating Hills Science Kitten Turkey & Giblets & Chicken & Liver wet...oh, does anyone know about using Proviable long term as a probiotic?

Originally Posted by lyoung7398

Just talked to the vet tech...it was a regular fecal...so, waiting for the dr to c/b & let me know about doing another round of metronidazole (just finished the last night) along w/the extensive fecal test...it's interesting, his brother (they share litter boxes) isn't having any poop problems (don't know if that's relevant).

I feel so bad for Larry

, he's been thru so much with the URI & his eye...if we can get his poop issues taken care of.

BTW, he's eating Hills Science Kitten Turkey & Giblets & Chicken & Liver wet...oh, does anyone know about using Proviable long term as a probiotic?

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I don't know about this particular product... but many of us have our kitties on LT probiotic use. I take probiotics every day, too. Better for me than eating yogurt since dairy makes me sick. I would ask the vet.

Update: Just got back from the vet office...dropped off another sample for an extensive fecal test, p/u another 7 day supply of Metronidazole & the Proviable (which is fine for everyday use). She also provided a sample of the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic dry...I should have the fecal results either tomorrow or Monday at the latest...so, we shall see...I think its either giardia or food related...I really want to switch to a grain free wet & dry...I have samples of TOTW dry & wet & some Weruva wet...should have the Natural Balance LID shortly. What do you all think about those food brands?

Thanks

Originally Posted by lyoung7398

I've wanted to change their diet but the vet cautioned against this until we get Larry's poop issues resolved.

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This is something that drives me crazy about so many vets... It's very likely the poop issues are food related, and simply switching to grain-free would resolve them, IMO. Such was the case with my boy, Nelson, who has such an intolerance to them that he gets soft stools from even eating some treats! (He is thriving on a raw diet now, but did improve by switching him to grain-free kibble & canned food). My vet threw a lot of medication at Nelson's poop problem, and never once suggested a food change! None of the meds worked, the diet change did. Most vets - amazing and brilliant as they are - simply are not educated enough in the area of nutrition. (If they were, the wouldn't all have Science Diet for sale in their lobbies!)

I would suggest having a culture & sensitivity done on his stool, but if it were me, I would do it after a slow food switch - if that didn't take care of the problem. Remember, it could take weeks after a food switch to see the full results. That's just how I would tackle the issue...definitely not trying to disagree with your vet's advice at all. But, Larry's already been treated twice with Metronidazole, and if it were giardia or TF, I tend to think Chuck would be having the same issues, especially if they share a litter box.

BTW, before I switched to raw, I fed TOTW dry and Weruva canned - the cats loved them both!

All good foods. Mine eat TOTW dry and Weruva wet. One of my boys had stomach issues with the NB so I don't feed it, but its a good food that many have success with.

Originally Posted by BrookeSphynx

This is something that drives me crazy about so many vets... It's very likely the poop issues are food related, and simply switching to grain-free would resolve them, IMO. Such was the case with my boy, Nelson, who has such an intolerance to them that he gets soft stools from even eating some treats! (He is thriving on a raw diet now, but did improve by switching him to grain-free kibble & canned food). My vet threw a lot of medication at Nelson's poop problem, and never once suggested a food change! None of the meds worked, the diet change did. Most vets - amazing and brilliant as they are - simply are not educated enough in the area of nutrition. (If they were, the wouldn't all have Science Diet for sale in their lobbies!)

I would suggest having a culture & sensitivity done on his stool, but if it were me, I would do it after a slow food switch - if that didn't take care of the problem. Remember, it could take weeks after a food switch to see the full results. That's just how I would tackle the issue...definitely not trying to disagree with your vet's advice at all. But, Larry's already been treated twice with Metronidazole, and if it were giardia or TF, I tend to think Chuck would be having the same issues, especially if they share a litter box.

BTW, before I switched to raw, I fed TOTW dry and Weruva canned - the cats loved them both!

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Thanks Brooke...(my daughter's name is Brooke too ) That was my logic... if its giardia or TF, shouldn't Chuck be having the same issues too?? I think she's trying the "systematic approach" and not do too many things at once...she's not against the diet change, when I talked to her just now we discussed it again.

I think I'm going to go ahead and start the slow switch from Blue Buffalo dry to TOTW dry and some TOTW wet & Weruva wet...I've read some good & bad about NB LID so, I'm a little wary about trying it. I don't want to get him on the Royal Canin Hypoallergenic if at all possible since its so darn expensive...thanks for the vibes...

Update:

The results came in on Saturday for Larry's extensive fecal...all negative (including giardia & TF) . Unfortunately, we were out when we got the call so I'll talk to my vet on Monday.

I went on ahead & stopped by the local all natural pet food store & p/u a couple of cases of TOTW wet and the boys are definitely going wild for it. They are really good buddies and usually eat out of the same bowl but, with TOTW, they require their own bowls...the two of them were jockeying for prime position to get their chow on.

On the poop front, I noticed that Chuck's (Larry's bro) poop is getting smaller and Larry's doesn't smell as bad & seems to be tightening up (could be a combo of the continued Metronidazole, probiotic & TOTW).

Didn't try the vet provided sample of Royal Canin Hypoallergenic dry...I'm hoping all we need to do is switch both boys to a grain-free diet. We'll see, I have 5 more doses of the Metronidazole...keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks.

MIX slowwwwllyyy.. I know you know this but... old with new... for a typical kitty food switch is normally 5-7 days.. sensitive kitties may take up to a month ....

the Metro is a type of antibiotic ( truly it is a anti fungal but it also kills bacteria)...

Thanks Sharky...that's the plan. I really don't feed them a lot of the dry (only a little at nighttime & if we're going to be gone for a few hours).

They really are going bananas for TOTW wet...they lick their bowls clean! Going to finish the Metro (did some reading on it) and will continue w/the Proviable. I'm going to f/u w/the vet in the morning to discuss long term use of the Proviable since Larry has no interest in Fortiflora or anything sprinkled on his food. Again, keeping my fingers crossed.