I feel like I am always asking for Vibes... Bugsy...

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

Yea formed poope. I am so happy for you and Bugsy

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Me too!
I am shocked, just shocked!
Bugsy never ever had a problem with Z/D! This was the one thing we didn't change - the wet food, as he just always did well with it... Bugsy IS allergic to chicken and has horrible diarrhea with it - Z/D has hydrolyzed chicken it. Now I think that perhaps when they changed plants some months ago the processing of the chicken might not be as well done as before. Not sure, but something definitely changed, as the difference in his poop was drastic and immediate.

That is just absolutely amazing that you found this out over the weekend, just fantastic news . Sure hope that this formed poop keeps coming out formed . So happy for you and for darling Bugsy.

Celebrating with you Carolina! (Your post wasn't too long I read every word.)

Am really pleased to hear this news, fingers crossed he continues to improve

Originally Posted by otto

Celebrating with you Carolina! (Your post wasn't too long I read every word.)

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I couldn't agree more!

So happy that Bugsy is doing better! That poor boy (and you) have been through so much!!!! Lots more vibes coming so that is improvement continues!!1

Hey that is such great news to hear!!!!!

I hope this does the trick and Bugsy will stay on the upswing and be well!!

I'm so glad for Bugy that he's feeling better, and doesn't have to have the surgery!

WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry the z/d was a problem - but SO GLAD YOU FOUND OUT and you and Bugsy will be spared all of that!

Carolina, good luck on the new diet and treatment!

So glad Bugsy's feeling better. I was fretting over him.

Robin

Wow, at the 12th hour!
'
So happy for you and Bugsy!

well.... it was not the Z/D's fault, but Bugsy is still doing good!
After a few days being off Z/D Bugsy started having diarrhea again. I think the rice just worked as a binder and helped with his poop...
Bugsy was not eating well at all on dry only
His vet was off and I ended up having to take him to his other clinic for a steroid shot to increase his appetite as I was going out of town in a few days and was afraid of him not eating well... But even the steroids were not enough... So since he was still having diarrhea on dry only, and not eating well, I decided to put him back on Z/D.
With the Z/D I put him back on his diarrhea herbal drops (runnipoo), his fiber, and started him (under his vet's approval) on Cat's claw.
A few days later decided to try to give him my IBD probiotic - align. I could not find anything about if it had been tested on animals, but it had made such a difference in my life... well... I gave him a capsule. Lo and behold, the next morning his poop was formed. Unfortunately I was going out of town on the next day and had to take my supply with me - I had nothing extra to leave behind... So I ordered some and Kelly started him on while I was out in Florida.
Since he has been on this "protocol", Bugsy's poop has had a tremendous improvement. Runnipoo definitely helps, but I am sure align is the one that is making the biggest difference. His poop mostly formed, the majority is soft, but there are areas that are already solid. The color is no longer yellow - it is already a healthy brown color. (Sorry for being gross)
It is still the beginning stages, so it is too soon to judge - align takes a up to 3 weeks to make a full effect, so we will see by then.
Tomorrow I will stop by his vet to discuss it with him - I am sure he will be fine with it... A probiotic sure beats surgery or even steroids. The only thing I am not sure is if I should give this probiotic and his (Proviable-DC), or only this one. Tomorrow I will talk to his vet about it and depending on what his says, drop or continue Proviable.
As far as everything else goes, he is doing awesome! I got home from my trip after a week for a happy healthy crew of kitties, and there was no feeling like sleeping with my purring ball of fur!
I really hope this natural approach works...
It sure has been a long roller-coaster! A Seven-month and six days roller-coaster to be exact, and would be nice to turn that corner! If align really works, I will regret to not have tried sooner... It has been on my cabinet for so long.... It is true sometimes the solutions for our biggest problems are right under our noses, we just can't see it
Anyways, that's the update for Bugsy......... hope from now on I just post improvements, sorry to bore you all with all the back and forth.... it is really a journey....

Thanks for the update on Bugsy! It is not boring, we care abut Bugsy and you, and besides your experiences may help someone else.

Bugsy
you

It is not boring in the least. And actually you posting about this "journey" with Bugsy might be helping other's who are going through this with their kitty. Would be interested in hearing if the vet says to take Bugsy off the Proviable-DC and just try the Align alone. Keep the updates coming and Here's to more formed poops

It's good to hear something is finally working, and hopefully your vet will approve the Align. More for Bugsy!

Originally Posted by otto

Thanks for the update on Bugsy! It is not boring, we care abut Bugsy and you, and besides your experiences may help someone else.

Bugsy

you

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Originally Posted by Feralvr

It is not boring in the least. And actually you posting about this "journey" with Bugsy might be helping other's who are going through this with their kitty. Would be interested in hearing if the vet says to take Bugsy off the Proviable-DC and just try the Align alone. Keep the updates coming and Here's to more formed poops

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Thanks guys
Just got off the phone with his vet - he wants me to continue to give Bugsy Proviable-DC AND align. Proviable-DC is a multi-strain probiotic, and very strong (5 Billion CFU), in his opinion, the best for animals. align on the other hand, has a different strain, and is 1 billion CFU. He does not think the change from 5 to 6 billion CFU will overdose Bugsy, and since they are different strains, he wants to add to it instead of eliminating the strains from Proviable.
I will have a follow up call with him in 3 weeks when align makes full effect.
Also, Bugsy will have a follow up CBC on July 23rd.
He is very happy with this natural approach, and confident it will be a safer path for Bugsy than drugs.
The only question we have is how long to leave him on Cat's claw. He said any IBD treatment would be for life - so if we continue this protocol, and if it works, ideally we would test him a couple of times a year in the beginning to see how he is metabolizing the herbs and go from there. If he is doing ok, leave as is, if not, eliminate from his diet and leave him on the rest.
For now, he is good to go as is

I'm glad to read that Bugsy finally has something that's working for him! I hope it continues to work

Originally Posted by Feralvr

It is not boring in the least. And actually you posting about this "journey" with Bugsy might be helping other's who are going through this with their kitty. Would be interested in hearing if the vet says to take Bugsy off the Proviable-DC and just try the Align alone. Keep the updates coming and Here's to more formed poops

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I was getting worried about you, but glad to hear it was because you were away on biz.

VERY interesting about the Align!!!! Thanks for reminding me - I need to order this for Gary.

I really hope this works for Bugsy!!!!!

Wow! What a roller coaster ride you've had with Bugsy! Glad to hear that it has gotten better though!

OH My Carolina, I didn't know you were going through all this with your baby Bugsy I'm sorry, I've been so busy with my sick Lucas that i hadn't read your post.

I think we have both been going to a terrible agony trying to find the right food and the right medicines for our kitties. I'm so glad Bugsy didn't have to go though that painful surgery and that the new medicines are working. It must bee awful to see a kitty have diarrhea for so long

I will keep Bugsy in my prayers

HUgs, Tamar

Originally Posted by LDG

I was getting worried about you, but glad to hear it was because you were away on biz.

VERY interesting about the Align!!!! Thanks for reminding me - I need to order this for Gary.

I really hope this works for Bugsy!!!!!

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Hi Laurie!!
Yep, been in and out of town like popcorn! And now the fun begins - my trip schedule will be insane
When I go out Kelly sleeps here though, and the kitties absolutely love love love her And she is craaaaazy about them! I am very fortunate to have her in our lives!
This upcoming week I have 2 trips, but I am going to do both in and out - fly in and out in one day, so I can sleep here with the babies - Kelly will come in during the day to feed them and all. I, on the other hand... will be dead

Anyways, back to Bugsy's poop:
No more Cat's Claw - he was on 1/2 dosage initially and when he got into full dosage it gave him diarrhea. I pulled from the program and sure enough, formed poop.
Align on the other hand..... my goodness, what a blessing it has been!
I thing we found our magic spot!