Hairballs

blueyedgirl5946 · Jul 10, 2010

Muffin went about a week without the Denamarin. He didn't vomit any at all during that time. I discussed with the vet and we made decision to start him back on it every other day. I gave it to him Thursday morning. I watched and never saw any vomiting so I gave him another pill this morning. After he already had the pill I found a vomit pile under one of my shrubs, probably from last night. (I was about nine o'clock giving the supper meal). I cleaned it up and examined it and found a really firm hairball in the vomit. I have been giving him some of the lubricant from the tube stuff every day and brushing him. So even with this, I am not sure if he is having a problem from the Denamarin or the hairball issue now. Is there any other treatment for hairballs other that what I am already doing. Any input or advice is very much appreciated.

stephanietx · Jul 10, 2010

Are you able to groom/brush him? That will help cut down on the amount of hair that he licks off himself and eventually swallows. Do you feed dry or wet food?

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Muffin went about a week without the Denamarin. He didn't vomit any at all during that time. I discussed with the vet and we made decision to start him back on it every other day. I gave it to him Thursday morning. I watched and never saw any vomiting so I gave him another pill this morning. After he already had the pill I found a vomit pile under one of my shrubs, probably from last night. (I was about nine o'clock giving the supper meal). I cleaned it up and examined it and found a really firm hairball in the vomit. I have been giving him some of the lubricant from the tube stuff every day and brushing him. So even with this, I am not sure if he is having a problem from the Denamarin or the hairball issue now. Is there any other treatment for hairballs other that what I am already doing. Any input or advice is very much appreciated.

I use a fiber supplement, Vetasyl, mixed on Lucky's food - it has taken care of her problem completely - I mix it on her dry food, she has no problems eating it at all.

otto · Jul 10, 2010

Be sure to give the hairball remedy on an empty stomach at least an hour before food. This is a wicked season for hairballs and shedding this year, seems like people all over the place are having the same issue. Here, too.

Have you talked with the vet about trying just the denosyl, rather than the denamarin? (Tolly's liver numbers have gone back into normal range on the denosyl. It took six months, with one two week course of baytril during that time.)

blueyedgirl5946 · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by otto

Be sure to give the hairball remedy on an empty stomach at least an hour before food. This is a wicked season for hairballs and shedding this year, seems like people all over the place are having the same issue. Here, too.

Have you talked with the vet about trying just the denosyl, rather than the denamarin? (Tolly's liver numbers have gone back into normal range on the denosyl. It took six months, with one two week course of baytril during that time.)

Otto, I will be calling my vet on Monday. We were just thinking maybe Muffin could tolerate the Denamarin if the dosage were cut. If I remember right the Denosyl has no milk thistle. Is that right. Thanks for the info on the hairball remedy too. I didn't know that.

Stephanietx, Muffin eats dry food only from the vet's office.

Carolina, where do you buy the vetasyl you are talking about? I will talk to my vet about that too. Thanks.

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Carolina, where do you buy the vetasyl you are talking about? I will talk to my vet about that too. Thanks.

Some vet offices sell them (a lot of vet hospitals do), but I buy mine at Amazon - it is just cheaper... Here is the link.

otto · Jul 10, 2010

I notice in that link it does say the vetasyl can interfere with digestion and elimination, so, again, do not give it at the same time as any other meds, or as the main meal.

Yes, Denosyl is sam-e without the milk thistle.

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by otto

I notice in that link it does say the vetasyl can interfere with digestion and elimination, so, again, do not give it at the same time as any other meds, or as the main meal.

Yes, Denosyl is sam-e without the milk thistle.

Otto, Vetasyl is fiber, nothing but fiber - psyllium fiber... that is all it is... flavored with a little bit with malt from Barley. Yes, it does interfere with elimination because it is fiber... that is what fiber does

It is to be given with the main meals - sure it is. You sprinkle it right over the meals - wet or dry.

To the OP: Discuss it with your VET.

otto · Jul 10, 2010

Carolina, just quoting from the web page. I know it's fiber and I know it is working for you and your cats. However I still will recommend it not be given at the same time as any other medication.

Blueyedgirl, the reason hairball remedy (not talking about fiber here) should be given on an empty stomach is for two reasons. It's nature is to glom onto whatever is in the stomach. You want it to glom onto fur, not food or other medication.

Secondly, because of it's action, it can interfere with nutrient absorption, by moving the food through before the nutrients have been absorbed.

I know you have been struggling with whether the denamarin is causing Muffin's vomiting. It's a delicate balancing act, keeping special needs cats healthy when there is so much they need, it can be so difficult to figure out where a problem originates.

The week he was off it he didn't vomit. You put him back on it and he vomits, but it was a hairball. Frustrating.

Keep us posted.

sharky · Jul 10, 2010

FYI: Fiber commonly takes out nutrients in the digestive tract...it does whether your human or feline

.. Of course petroleum inhibits absorption for a longer time frame

Blue Please talk with the vet.. my only idea is possibly something in the meds causes the hairball to come up ...

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Here is some info on it:

http://brookviewvet.com/information/...oomla-features

http://www.vetinfo.com/easing-digestion-vetasyl.html

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Vetasyl-prod10508-10508.html

http://answers.1800petmeds.com/answe...question=28157

Again, do your research, and talk to your vet before doing anything - one thing is for sure: It does wonders with hairballs, eliminated Lucky's problems with it, it was approved by my vet, and I am way happier to feed this to my cat than petroleum based hairball meds.

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by otto

Carolina, just quoting from the web page. I know it's fiber and I know it is working for you and your cats. However I still will recommend it not be given at the same time as any other medication.

Blueyedgirl, the reason hairball remedy (not talking about fiber here) should be given on an empty stomach is for two reasons. It's nature is to glom onto whatever is in the stomach. You want it to glom onto fur, not food or other medication.

Secondly, because of it's action, it can interfere with nutrient absorption, by moving the food through before the nutrients have been absorbed.

I know you have been struggling with whether the denamarin is causing Muffin's vomiting. It's a delicate balancing act, keeping special needs cats healthy when there is so much they need, it can be so difficult to figure out where a problem originates.

The week he was off it he didn't vomit. You put him back on it and he vomits, but it was a hairball. Frustrating.

Keep us posted.

It will not interfere with nutrient absorption. However, I do agree in not giving with any meds - you should not give fiber supplements within 2 hours from taking prescription medicine.

Amazon is not correct on that text Otto - I am not sure who wrote for it, but it was not Vetasyl - you can check on Vetasyl site, and on 1800petmeds and other places - as you know about psyllium, it is simply a fiber - it nothing but healthy.
Again she needs to talk to her VET.

sharky · Jul 10, 2010

this is obviously humans but a great quick tutorial on fiber s

http://blogs.webmd.com/integrative-m...-roughage.html

In a cat multiple the affect as they have far less need for fiber than a human

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

I am not sure why this is a hard concept to grasp... The hairball food formulas are high in what? Fiber. Why? For one simple reason - because it works for hairballs.
The problem is, if you already have a food that works for your cats, or are feeding a prescription food, or have cats with allergies - then you are out of luck. Also, try getting a high quality grain free hairball formula - I never seen one... As far as I have seen, they are all very grainy... What if you don't want to feed grain to your cats? You are also out of luck.
Sure, your vet can wish to put you on a high fiber food - but what if you need and hypoallergenic prescription one? Try finding a hairball formula that is chicken free. What if you need a low sodium, or another kind of prescription?

All a fiber supplement does is gives you choices. It works (and again, that is why hairball formulas are high fiber), and you can use it with any food, with you cat's current food, allowing you to treat both problems.

sharky · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by Carolina

I am not sure why this is a hard concept to grasp... The hairball food formulas are high in what? Fiber. Why? For one simple reason - because it works for hairballs.
The problem is, if you already have a food that works for your cats, or are feeding a prescription food, or have cats with allergies - then you are out of luck. Also, try getting a high quality grain free hairball formula - I never seen one... As far as I have seen, they are all very grainy... What if you don't want to feed grain to your cats? You are also out of luck.
Sure, your vet can wish to put you on a high fiber food - but what if you need and hypoallergenic prescription one? Try finding a hairball formula that is chicken free. What if you need a low sodium, or another kind of prescription?

All a fiber supplement does is gives you choices. It works (and again, that is why hairball formulas are high fiber), and you can use it with any food, with you cat's current food, allowing you to treat both problems.

this is for giggle.. but I recently saw two grain frees ( one chicken free ) that claimed to be hairball control... they are relying on veggie fiber and some potato fiber..

IMHO oat fiber is the easiest and best form in a hairball food.. most premium hairballs have very little extra fiber roughly 1.5% on ave ... ie instead of typical 3-5% they have 5-7%

carolina · Jul 10, 2010

Originally Posted by sharky

this is for giggle.. but I recently saw two grain frees ( one chicken free ) that claimed to be hairball control... they are relying on veggie fiber and some potato fiber..

Wow, do you remember which?

blueyedgirl5946 · Jul 13, 2010

I finally heard back from my vet. He gave me 3 choices, the vetasyl, up to 1 tablespoon pumpkin on the food once a day, or the metamucil l teaspoon one time a day on the food. Muffin only eats dry food and I am concerned about adding a fiber due to lack of liquid. Does anyone else add fiber supplement on dry food only. Also does anyone have any experience with using pumpkin. I am trying to educate myself before deciding what to do.

carolina · Jul 13, 2010

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

I finally heard back from my vet. He gave me 3 choices, the vetasyl, up to 1 tablespoon pumpkin on the food once a day, or the metamucil l teaspoon one time a day on the food. Muffin only eats dry food and I am concerned about adding a fiber due to lack of liquid. Does anyone else add fiber supplement on dry food only. Also does anyone have any experience with using pumpkin. I am trying to educate myself before deciding what to do.

I do - Lucky eats dry only... I sent you a PM.

sharky · Jul 13, 2010

I would start with pumpkin but realize many dont like the flavor and in some it is an allergen( in my house we use sweet potato for that reason)......

Hairballs

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