Tolly's tummy/intestinal trouble

Earlier this week Tolly has one of his sick tummy/intestinal spells.

These spells have become more and more frequent as he gets older, in spite of my efforts of daily grooming and a strict hairball remedy regimen (every four days in winter, every other day in shedding seasons). They are caused by a build up of fur in his intestines, the fur seems to form a lining inside making him very ill, with inappetence, diarrhea and vomiting, until all of it gets passed.

Sometimes he becomes so ill that sub q fluids are necessary to keep him going until he can eat again. For a long time I had a supply of lactated ringers here, but it expired in October. At that time I spoke to my vet and now in his records at the vet he has a standing order from my vet that if I need a bag of fluids for him I can go get it without him being seen, even if my vet is not there to approve it. This gives me great peace of mind.

Luckily this time it didn't get that far. I caught the signs early, though sometimes it's difficult to tell with him. The first indication he's having trouble is he goes off his food, just slightly at first. It's difficult because Tolly is a picky eater at the best of times, and often has a day or two where his appetite just isn't there, then he goes right back to normal.

But the next sign is diarrhea, and as soon as I saw that I remembered my vet's advice to begin the "aggressive hairball remedy therapy", large (a whole teaspoon) frequent (3 times a day) dosing of hairball remedy to both absorb the acid in his empty tummy and to help shift the fur lining in his intestines.

I did that for two days, and a more serious problem was averted, whew.

And then yesterday he went and ate a quarter cup of sharp cheddar cheese I had just shredded, good grief. Well he got a large dose of hair ball remedy for that too , and so far shows no adverse affects.

Poor Tolly! But I found with cats cheese is simply irresistible

Originally Posted by My4LLMA

Poor Tolly! But I found with cats cheese is simply irresistible

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Thanks for your reply!

Yes, Tolly is a cheese-monger for sure, the sharper the better. Knowing this, it was my fault for leaving it out, even for a minute.

I want to clarify that it wasn't the cheese that made him sick. He got into the cheese several days after he'd recovered from his illness.

Originally Posted by otto

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, Tolly is a cheese-monger for sure, the sharper the better. Knowing this, it was my fault for leaving it out, even for a minute.

I want to clarify that it wasn't the cheese that made him sick. He got into the cheese several days after he'd recovered from his illness.

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My cat Muffins that lived at my great grandmother's house loved Kraft American Cheese. Every time I was there after school, I'd give her little pieces of it and she loved it. Actually that was the only way I ever got to see her, she hid from everyone but my great grandmother. Luna loves Cabot cheese.

Important information for you

From this article
http://www.suevet.com/cat_vomiting.html
something that might help

Many cats actually have a motility disorder in their stomach that creates hairballs. Instead of propelling food toward the pyloris in a synchronal fashion, their stomachs contract erratically, tossing hair together to clump and accumulate. These cats have more than the average vomiting frequency, and yet feel hungry and happy and do not display weight loss. These cats benefit from a safe prescription medication to synchronize their stomach contractions.

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More info - VERY important

http://consciouscat.net/2010/04/28/s...and-hairballs/

http://www.pet-health-care-gazette.c...balls-in-cats/

Violet thank you very much for this information. Motility issues had not occurred to me or my vet, I will discuss it with her. The two articles that discuss motility do not specify what medication they recommend, are they talking about Cisapride, I wonder.

Tolly is already on a very low fiber all canned mostly grain free diet. I don't know if he could take cisapride, since he takes other medications. He has a seizure disorder and takes phenobarbital, he also takes denosyl to maintain his liver (his numbers went very high a year ago) and the supplement l-lysine to control his herpes eyes.

I spoke to my vet yesterday about Tolly's latest bout, and he is due for a check up in February. Actually he has been going every three months but his last check up and blood work looked so good that we decided to try for four months this time.

But I think I'll go ahead and bring him in this month instead, get his blood work and talk about the possibility that Tolly is developing a motility problem as he gets older.

Thanks for the info. and ideas.

You know, the connection between serious hairball issues, IBD and lymphoma is very real to me. I've been through it, a couple of dear friends have been through it. So I pray with all my heart that this hairball issue is not a sign of more serious issues down the road for Tolly.

My cat was short haired, so shaving wouldn't have helped. But my friends had long-haired cats and shaving was a tremendous help for them. So, please, please, consider shaving Tolly for some serious relief.

If cisapride is the only choice of medication, I couldn't recommend it without serious reservations. My Rosie had issues with constipation which might have been the result of a motility issue. In the end she had to have megacolon surgery to save her life. Anyway, when she was on cisapride she started coughing and I couldn't help thinking of all the cardiac issues linked to this medication. I got scared out of my mind and stopped giving it to her. Also, cisapride is not a safe medication for cats with liver issues.
So, if this medication is the only choice for dealing with a motility issue, I would wholeheartedly recommend shaving instead. Shaving would definitely solve the problem.

I know you have to worry about a seizure disorder, a liver issue, and keep herpes under control. This is a lot to take care of on a daily basis and you need to be safe and I want you to be safe while you're trying to deal with any additional issues such as the hairball issue for instance. There is no doubt in my mind that under the circumstances shaving would be the safest way.

Normally IBD doesn't show any signs in the chemistry profile, a cat can be very sick with IBD and still have blood values well within the normal ranges. However, please ask your vet to do a CBC, and make sure you get a copy of the results. There might be something in the CBC results you could follow up on. Most importantly you'll want to see whether the white blood cell count is within normal range. With certain problems the white blood cell count and some other values in the CBC are very good clues. (Of course, ask for a complete chem profile as well and get a copy of the results for yourself so you can study them.)

Thank you Violet. Tolly is also short hair, but his fur is very fine.

Tolly gets a complete blood count and a superchem every three months. I obtain and keep copies of everything related to my cats, it is good advice and automatic for a pack rat like me.

Ootay took Cisapride for megacolon for many years and did not have any trouble with it, but every cat is different.

I'm lucky to have Cornell University Veterinary hospital a two hour drive away, if Tolly needs further testing such as an ultrasound to check for masses.

I hope he doesn't have more serious problems looming too. Every day is a gift with him, the neurologist he saw when the seizures started gave him a general prognosis of ten years, and he is almost 12 now.

That's great, wonderful, something to be really happy about.

I just thought of something, so I'd like to ask you, are you using the Furminator for grooming Tolly?

Oh, Mr. Tolly, feel better!

otto- Genever and I are sending lots of get well wishes to your Tolly. I hope his insides can get sorted out soon and without too much complications.

Originally Posted by Violet

That's great, wonderful, something to be really happy about.

I just thought of something, so I'd like to ask you, are you using the Furminator for grooming Tolly?

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I use the furminator on Tolly three times a week, and a regular comb on the other days. His fur is gossamer. And there is so much of it. When he walks it just floats off him.

Originally Posted by DarkMavis

Oh, Mr. Tolly, feel better!

otto- Genever and I are sending lots of get well wishes to your Tolly. I hope his insides can get sorted out soon and without too much complications.

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Thanks Erica. xx

So I guess he's still doing ok? No adverse effects from all that cheese, silly cat! ISn't there some sort of hairball remedy that comes in a tube (like toothpaste) that cats supposely like to eat? Couldn't you just give some to him everyday to help them slide on thru? You've probably tried that already and maybe he won't eat it? None of my cats like it. Forget what it's called, but think it's made by the same people who make Nutrical and Laxatone (maybe it IS laxatone!)

Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens

So I guess he's still doing ok? No adverse effects from all that cheese, silly cat! ISn't there some sort of hairball remedy that comes in a tube (like toothpaste) that cats supposely like to eat? Couldn't you just give some to him everyday to help them slide on thru? You've probably tried that already and maybe he won't eat it? None of my cats like it. Forget what it's called, but think it's made by the same people who make Nutrical and Laxatone (maybe it IS laxatone!)

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Thank you for your thoughts. There are several different brands of laxatone.

No, none of the cats will eat the hairball remedy, except Queen Eva and she doesn't need it yet. She likes to lick the residue off my finger after I have dosed the big cats. By the time she needs it she will probably hate it like the rest of them

I put the blob of it on my finger, pry open their mouths and swipe it onto their tongues as far back as I can, then gently hold the head until they swallow it. They all hate that of course, but they accept it.

I use three kinds of hairball remedy in rotation. I use Tomlyn brand laxatone, cat lax, and petromalt. All of them have undesirables in them, which is why I rotate.

The problem with using the stuff every day is that the body becomes dependent on it, so it's not a good thing. In summer, when I use it every other day, at the end of summer I am careful to reduce the dose very gradually. Dropping from every other day to every 2nd day for a while, then every third day and so on until they are back on every fourth day.

Plus...for Tolly his medicines are already a circus balancing act. Hairball remedy should be given on an empty stomach (such as first thing in the morning, I don't free feed) at least an hour before a meal.

Well Tolly gets his denosyl first thing in the morning, as that has to be given on an empty stomach with no food for at least an hour. And after he has finally had some breakfast, he has to have his phenobarbital. Can't give hairball remedy within a few hours before or after the phenobarbital because it (the hairball medicine) could interfere with the absorption of the anti convulsant.

So I have to time his meals and avoid snack time on the days he is due to have it.

I appreciate everyone posting their thoughts, all are helpful, and you never know what might be something I or my vet haven't though of, so I do thank you all for your interest and help!

Your med system sounds like mine.

You are so committed to all your babies.

Well, I hope that cheese didn't screw everything up!

It sounds like you have a very fine balancing/timing thing going on, but you're such a great meowmy, you make it work!

I'm so glad you averted a bigger problem. !!!!!!

Glad to hear that you caught it in time! He is so so pretty, the prettiest Orange tabby I have ever seen. I love his deep color and the white just makes it stand out!

I'm sending lots of that your Tolly will be OK.

We give laxatone here when it's needed. They hate the stuff. I've learned to smear it onto their muzzles. They hate having something around their mouths, so they'll clean. And when they clean, they ingest it that way. (Unless they simply shake their heads and let the laxatone fly where it may....I try not to smear too much on their mouths, so they will have to ingest it as they clean.)

Feel better, Tolly! And stay away from the cheese!

Originally Posted by farleyv

Your med system sounds like mine.

You are so committed to all your babies.

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Thank you! It's a lot of work, as you know, but oh so worth it!

Originally Posted by LDG

Well, I hope that cheese didn't screw everything up!

It sounds like you have a very fine balancing/timing thing going on, but you're such a great meowmy, you make it work!

I'm so glad you averted a bigger problem.

!!!!!!

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thank you! Tolly did not appear to have any trouble with the cheese, thank goodness for small favors.

Originally Posted by KatKisses

Glad to hear that you caught it in time! He is so so pretty, the prettiest Orange tabby I have ever seen. I love his deep color and the white just makes it stand out!

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Thank you! Yes, my Tolly is a beautiful Red Boy. Of course all Red Boys are special. But then all cats are special ....did you know I have a blackie now? Her name is Queen Eva. How's Bear doing?

Originally Posted by Winchester

I'm sending lots of that your Tolly will be OK.

We give laxatone here when it's needed. They hate the stuff. I've learned to smear it onto their muzzles. They hate having something around their mouths, so they'll clean. And when they clean, they ingest it that way. (Unless they simply shake their heads and let the laxatone fly where it may....I try not to smear too much on their mouths, so they will have to ingest it as they clean.)

Feel better, Tolly! And stay away from the cheese!

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Thank you! Tolly is all recovered.

To dose with hair ball remedy I put the blob on my finger and swipe it right into their mouths. For Mazy I used to smear it in a thin coat on her paw and she would lick it off. Then I discovered that SHE had found out that if she sat very still for long enough, all the stuff would slide down and turn back into a blob on her paw, and she could then flick it off.

So Mazy had to learn to accept it blobbed into her mouth like the others.

Queen Eva likes the hair ball remedy and will lick the residue off my finger. She doesn't need to take it yet, by the time she does need it she will probably not like it any more.

Originally Posted by otto

Thank you! Yes, my Tolly is a beautiful Red Boy. Of course all Red Boys are special. But then all cats are special

....did you know I have a blackie now? Her name is Queen Eva. How's Bear doing?

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I saw your threads when you first got her, I am not sure if I replied though I was pretty busy with Bear at that time lol! She is sooooo cute! And a little stinker from the pic you posted earlier LOL! Blackie is one of Bear's nicknames lol, I call him Black Tobaccy (short for tobbacco, not sure why I came up with this ) most of the time hehe!

Bear is doing so good, he is getting too fat now. I was feeding him 2x day, as much as he wanted but he is getting too big so I have to slowly cut back. I am scared to death of him relapsing since we don't know the cause of his illness, we know what it is but not the cause. He is a Denosyl cat now like Tolly, I am keeping him on it forever. He also takes the Pepcid still, he will not eat without it. Thanks for asking, and thanks for rooting us on through his sickness. You have no idea... well maybe you do. But I was so deppressed through the whole thing, I couldn't decide if I was doing the right thing for him. He didn't show any signs of suffering but I still wondered ya know? And I didn't know if I was going to have to force feed him forever, and it that would be the right thing to do... what kind of life would that be? It was rough, you guys really helped so much.

Thank you! Tolly is all recovered.

To dose with hair ball remedy I put the blob on my finger and swipe it right into their mouths. For Mazy I used to smear it in a thin coat on her paw and she would lick it off. Then I discovered that SHE had found out that if she sat very still for long enough, all the stuff would slide down and turn back into a blob on her paw, and she could then flick it off.

So Mazy had to learn to accept it blobbed into her mouth like the others.

Queen Eva likes the hair ball remedy and will lick the residue off my finger. She doesn't need to take it yet, by the time she does need it she will probably not like it any more.

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My little monsters hate their hairball goo too! I just use NutriCal (sometimes generic) since the #1 ingredient is mineral oil.... they hate it. One liked it as a kitten, she would have ate the whole tube if I let her. Her fav treat ever..... and now as an adult she hates it! Glad mine don't need it that often, I'd have alot of scratches from Poodle lol. I hope Queen Eva doesn't grow out of it... that she continues to like it!

Funny you brought up Mazy's trick lol. Poodle did that the last time I rubbed some on his leg. OMG! He shook it all over! I rubbed it in good too... I already knew they shake it off. I watched him... he ran all around the house, he found somewhere to pout and let it melt. It ran down his leg and settled on top of his paw too lol.

These cats, I tell ya!

he ran all around the house, he found somewhere to pout and let it melt. It ran down his leg and settled on top of his paw too lol.These cats, I tell ya!

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They are so smart aren't they!

Tolly is on the denosyl for life too. He will always have to take it but he is easy to pill. Do you chase the denosyl with water?

Speaking of hair ball goo and Tolly, I once tried putting the hairball stuff on his paw, smeared thin like I used to do with Mazy. Poor Tolly was SO Insulted, I've never seen such Reproachful Looks. I mean we all know how reproachful those Looks can be, but OH my I wanted to crawl into a hole, I felt so bad.

I hurriedly washed it all off his paw and gave it to him the usual way. I explained I was just trying to save him from having yet another thing shoved into his mouth but he wasn't buying.

I am so deeply happy to hear how well Bear is doing, I've got tears in my eyes, even amidst laughing at Poodle's antics. You did well by him, and yes the support here makes a whole lot of difference in coping with traumas like that.