Savannah kitten with bad diarrhea.

OGKitty said:

First off, we're going to the vet tomorrow so he will be getting checked out right away!

Good good

. I am not sure why, but, my hybrids and exotics, ALWAYS had issues on a Sunday

.

But I wanted to make this thread as well because I know sometimes vets don't know a whole lot about Savannahs because they aren't terribly common.

Veterinarians, know VERY LITTLE about any of the foundation (F1-4) hybrids (Bengal, Chausie, Safari, and Savannah). I have learned that the hard way. Do you know, the SAFEST, way to give him anesthesia, God for bid, that, he needs it? I can tell you, what, I feel the safest anesthetic is. I would also recommend, that, you ask the breeder as well. Did the breeder tell you, that, it is safer to give killed vaccines to your F3 Savannah cat? I hope so, because, most veterinarians do not know that. Lastly, did the breeder tell you, that, it is not safe to give the FeLV vaccine to you F3 Savannah? Again, had I not know all that, my veterinarian, would not have. I am NOT trying to scare you. I am trying to give you some information, that, I have learned over the years.

He started to have liquidy poos about 4 days ago, but it didn't seem that bad and I thought he probably just ate something he shouldn't have eaten, which is really common for him.

Yea, it is VERY common. Not, a terribly fun part, of owning a foundation hybrid exotic cat. I am going to post a link, that, I hope will not distress you. But, I want you to see it: http://www.bellehollow.net/thingstoknow.html. Again, I hope, that, this link does not scare you, but, I REALLY feel like, you need to be aware of, the special care, that, these cats need. I am sending lots of

to your Savannah.

I've heard pumpkin helps so last night I gave him and my other cat some chicken with pumpkin (a pre-packaged little treat from Cats in the Kitchen)

That is very good for Savannahs or any cat, with an upset stomach form an illness. Unfortunately, with Savannahs and any other foundation hybrid, the owner must first assume, that, the cat has had a pica "episode". Meaning, the cat has eaten a non food item. Which, might or might not be causing issues to the cat.

Then this morning it was much more liquidy,

That, could be from the canned pumpkin and chicken. Or, it could be from a foreign body. What, do you normally feed at cat? How are his bowel movements normally? Have you noticed, any change to his feces, before, this episode? Do you have ANY IDEA, what, he might have ingested?

and about 1 hour later he went back to the litter box, yowled a little, and went a little more.

My Savannah, always, "announced" when he was in the litter box. But, if, your cat has not done that before, it MIGHT mean something is wrong. Is he urinating normally? Is he eating normally? Is he playing normally? Hybrids, hide there symptoms, much better, then, the average domestic. Which, is really scary. I am aware

. I can post some links, that, show you, what, I had gone threw with my F3 Savannah Loki.

This time it had a tiny bit of (light red) blood. 

That could be from all the diarrhea/loose stools or from a pica issue, that, is now causing an infection. Again, I am not trying to scare you. I am trying to impart some information on you, to tell your veterinarian.

I've made the appointment for tomorrow, but I really don't think its parasitic like giardia or anything, my older cat had that as a kitten and I don't think I'll ever forget how bad it smelled!

That smell, could be from a parasite called Tritrichomonas Foetus. It seems to be VERY common in some hybrid catteries. A link, that, you can look at:http://www.sunsetexotics.com/health.php.

However, depending on what, you, are feeding your Savannah, he, could be having GI issues. Most hybrids, can not handle many grains or carbohydrates. The only dry food, that, my F3 Savannah could eat was Evo. More specifically, the Turkey and Chicken formula seen here: http://www.evopet.com/products/1441. Plus, he, was given two pieces of whole live prey, twice a day.

My F1 Bengal, when, she was alive could not handle any domestic cat food, for an extended period of time. So, she, was just given whole live prey. Also, my pure male African Serval could only eat, Wysong Epigen 90 dry food (http://www.wysong.net/products/epigen.php) and whole prey items.

Lastly, veterinarians, do not know alot about pure domestic cat nutrition, let alone, exotic hybrid cat nutrition. So, please keep that in mind.
 

This doesn't smell horrific like that did, and besides hid poo he seems fine, running playing, eating, drinking...

That is very good. But, like I said, these cats, are VERY good at hiding symptoms till the last minute

!

Any thoughts on what's up with him?

Hopefully, I covered that above. I hope, that, you do not mind all the questions and links. More

, that, he is fine

!!! If, you need any clarification, please, do not hesitate to ask.

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OGKitty said:

Great response, I will keep all of this in mind for the vet tomorrow!

I hope, that, everything went well at the veterinarian today

. I am just sending you

, just to be on the safe side. I am glad, that, the response was some use to you and thank you, for, your kind words

.

My breeder did NOT tell me anything about the vaccinations.

That is rather disheartening, in my humble opinion.

And my kitty has already had his FeLV

Do you allow your Savannah outside into an enclosure? If so, that, maybe why, the veterinarian gave him an FeLV vaccine. If not, then, I would not recommend, repeating that vaccine. However, do what makes YOU feel most comfortable. Since, A) I am not a veterinarian and B) I am NOT the animals owner/caretaker. I am just giving you my

. Quite literally mind you

.

She also did not tell me anything about anesthesia either.

Now, that, is down right dangerous. Foundation hybrid cats, do not handle anesthesia, like pure domestic cats!

Any links to reliable sources for research would be great.

This, is, the best website for hybrid cat medical care, that, I have ever found: http://www.savannahcatbreed.com/savannah-care/vet-care.

Besides the diarrhea he is behaving completely normal, playing and eating and using the potty. There's has been no other sign of sickness.

Hopefully, nothing is wrong with your boy. Since, like I said, they, can hide there symptoms very very well. At least, until the last possible moment.

Since I have a bengal and a savannah I would ideally like to have a cat food that they both will eat, as keeping them separate when feeding is pretty difficult.

By this point, I suspect, your Savannah can jump far better and is vertically superior to your Bengal. So, you could simple feed the Savannah in a location, that, your Bengal can not get to. Again, just my

.

Right now they are both on Royal Canin Urinary SO because the bengal had some urinary problems a while ago.

A Savannah has a PHENOMENAL growth rate the first year. Plus, just like a Serval, the F1-F4 generations, have very long legs. So, they need proper nutrition. Again, I am just giving you my

.

There is also Natural balance kitten food mixed in.

I can't find a kitten formula

. This, is the only one, that, I could find: http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/product.aspx?ProductId=84&title=Original+Ultra®+Dry+Cat+Formula. If you would like me to look at the formula, would, you be kind enough to send me a link? The one that I found, is way too high in grains for my liking. But, again, that is my personal opinion. Nothing more and nothing less.

I'm absolutely willing to switch to something like EVO, but a vet did tell me that the high protein content of food like that could give the Bengal a UTI again.

Can you ask the vet why? Then, please, let me know, since, I REALLY do not see, how, that is going to happen. However, I am not a veterinarian and always happy to learn

.

Anyway, they have both been eating that for about 6 months and this is the first time the savannah has had any digestive problems.

Okay, then, it is not likely, that, the diet is causing the diarrhea, Since, as soon as I got my Savannah, it was clear, that, he was not able to digest his current diet properly.

My savannah has gotten in the trash before (not anymore we bought all covered trash bins)

Yea, hybrids, are notorious for getting into garbage or any food that is left out or is "unattended". I too, had to get metal trash bins.

and he will eat socks,

I find that very interesting. My pure male Serval, used to eat socks. While, my Savannah did not. But, he would eat: paper, plastic, carpet, fabric and so on

.

other than that he doesn't eat anything else.

That, is, really really good and really really

!

If he's eaten something recently that made him this way if I had to guess I would say it was part of sock. 

Please, tell the veterinarian that

. So, that way, he/she can do the appropriate testing

.

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OGKitty said:

The vet gave us some powder to put on his food to help his digestion,

Okay, hopefully, that will help

. Is he willing to eat it? Or, is it a pill? Can you give him a pill? Most hybrids, need the pill hidden in food.

but since he's been playing and eating and drinking fine doesn't think it's too big of an issue.

Good good

.

She said if he starts throwing up or the diarrhea doesn't get better to bring him back

Again, just my

, but, if, he stops playing EVER, that, is a medical emergency. Even  if, he, is eating or drinking normally. Yes, I have seen hybrids eat and drink, but, not play and it turns out to be an obstructions, or, in the case of my F1 Bengal Taro, who, at the time was 14 years old had lymphoma. I do NOT think your cat has ANY DISEASE. I am just giving you an example

. Please, keep that in mind.

and they would check for an obstruction, but she didn't think he had one since he was having bowel movements and he was playing normally.

My Serval got blocked three times, in the few years, that, I had him (I was his fifth and final owner) and  the ONLY symptom, that, he had was diarrhea. So, please, keep that in mind. I also know people, who, lost a F2 Savannah to a pica episode, that lead to an infection. The only symptom, again, was diarrhea. Again, the foundation hybrids, are NOT like the domestics that most veterinarians see.

I'll talk to her about putting both my kitties on a higher protein diet like Evo, and see if she thinks that will bring back the Bengal's UTIs and I'll ask her why if she thinks it will.

Yes, please do. Though, he, looks very good, on the above diet. My only concern, is, proper development of the Savannahs "long bones".

Thanks again for your help and the Savannah resource!

You are very very welcome and I happy to help!

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Franksmom said:

High protein will not cause a uti but dry food can. Take a look at catinfo.org it is written by a vet and has a section on diets for cats prone to uti's. I also know exotics and hybrids usually take well to a raw food diet so it is something to consider. Most regular vets do not have proper training in nutrition and push for the prescription diets they sell, so that is something to consider when talking to your vet.

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OGKitty said:

That's a good point! I'll have to consider that if I decide to change their diet.

Yea, sadly, like Franksmom pointed out, veterinarians, are not trained in proper nutrition. However, I have heard, that, from veterinarians all over the USA, so, I figured it might be true!

But unfortunately the Bengal has just not taken to any wet food diet

Have you tried mixing the dry and wet food together? Have you tried a wet food, that, is made by Royal Canin?

I tried some recommended wet foods as well as Instinct: Raw chicken (and rabbit) and he is just too picky.

Have you tried Fancy Feast? Most cats, love it. Just make sure, that, you only give him the classic pate (I can't spell that  word right

). I am posting a link:  http://www.fancyfeast.com/wet-cat-food/classic/. Just make sure, that, you pick from cans on that site and stay away from the fish flavors (cause they are not good for cats with UTI's and domestic cats in general) and you have a good healthy low carbohydrate cat foods. You can even try Friskies canned food, as long as, you stick with the pate cans and no fish flavors. Though, most cats, like Fancy Feast (FF) over Friskies. Would you like a link to the Friskies canned foods?

He'll eat dry food and that's it.

Have you tried raw meats, like chicken, beef or steak? Have you tried the same list, that, are cooked? Just so that way, he, gets a taste for them

. Then, you can try and add them to his diet or on the canned food, you know, like, as a "topper"?

I have been trying to supplement that dry food with treats like the water from a can of tuna and some of those packaged chicken treats that are in water or pumpkin sauce.

Will he, actually, consume them? If so, I have a great idea, how, to get him onto canned food. It is VERY time consuming though!

( Any suggestions on treats/supplements that will be good for them and will trick the Bengal into getting more hydrated would be appreciated!!)

Have you tried, a semi moist treat, like Pounce (http://www.petfooddirect.com/produc...r?extcid=PLA&gclid=CPPElaHg8LYCFYHe4AodmwoAHA)? All my cats (Domestic, Exotic or hybrid) loved them. I used it, as, a treat to give pills and to transfer the picky ones, onto, better diets.

Thankfully the Savannah drinks tons of water so I'm not too worried about him being dehydrated.

Yes, they do drink a lot! My only concern, with, all the grains, in his diet, is his development and maybe, many many years, down the road a UTI and obesity.

I think he'd probably give in to a different dry food, but in my frustrating experience he just won't eat wet food. 

Who won't eat wet food? The Bengal or Savannah? I am sudenly, VERY confused

. My above suggestions are for the SBT Bengal. I have others for the Savannah, should you need it

.

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OGKitty said:

@Franksmom -

I did a very similar thing when I was first trying to get him on wet food. I would put Whole Life dehydrated chicken on top (he goes completely insane for the stuff!)

If you want to and can afford it, then, just buy those treats and rehydrate them for one or two meals a day?

But he would just pick it out and leave the rest

You might have to do that for MONTHS, quite literally, until, the Bengal gets a taste for the canned food! Like all hybrids and some pure domestics, they, can be VERY stubborn! I have learned, that, you needed to "outlast" or have more will power, then, the cat

.

I'll give the [color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]digestive enzyme forti flora, since he's always had a sensitive stomach that might be good on more than one level [/color]

It is also, a great "topper" for raw feeders and for people, trying to covert the cat onto canned food

.

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]@ Cat Person[/color]
 

Hi

,

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]You might want to post the Savannah link here since this thread is specifically about Savannahs[/color]

It is not a link, it is photo's that, I took and saved on an outside source. So, maybe, I should make a Savannah toy thread, in the Care and Grooming section, of this forum tonight or tomorrow. Or, I could just PM you the picture's. Just let me know, what, you would like

.

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]and the other one was about my roommate's domestic [/color]

Speaking of which, if, you would like to update that thread, I would love to know, how, everyone is "getting along"

.

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]I'll keep a close eye on him and if the diarrhea doesn't get better I'll make sure the vet checks for an obstruction![/color]

Yes, just keep a close eye on him

and let me know, how it goes. More

, that, it is nothing serious!
 

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]The more I read up on these Savannah sites the more I think I'll slowly switch them to Evo... [/color]

All the hybrids, in my experience, need a VERY GOOD quality dry food like Evo or Wysong's Epigen 90 (http://www.wysong.net/products/epigen.php) at bare minimum. Though, like I said, your boy, looks very very good.

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]and try to get them eating some raw food a bit too, I gave the Savannah some raw chicken treats every once in a while but the Bengal won't touch it :/[/color]

The foundation hybrids, seem to instinctively, in most cases, know what raw and canned food is. I breed my own prey items (mice, rats, rabbits, quail and chicks), since, I have the space and to me, it is far more cost effective then buying canned food. But, you can buy the Evo 95% meat cans: (http://www.evopet.com/products/1421, http://www.evopet.com/products/1401,http://www.evopet.com/products/1401 and http://www.evopet.com/products/1411) and they come in like 13oz cans and that is very good, when, just feeding one Savannah and or a Bengal too

.
 

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OGKitty said:

UPDATE: Kitten pooed fine for 2 days, then liquid again tonight :/ but I'm certain he hasn't gotten into anything since, so I'm pretty sure its not an obstruction....

I am very very glad, that, you do not think it is an obstruction. What type of pill, did the veterinarian give you? Some medications, that, do not bother pure domestics, CAN give a foundation hybrid cat(s), a very upset GI tract. Also, like I mentioned, on this thread, you might want to have him checked for certain unicellular parasites, that, are not common is household (indoor) pure domestics. What does the veterinarian, think, is wrong with your cat and what was the medication for?

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OGKitty said:

@Cat Person - Let me know if you make a thread on savannah safe toys! I need to stock up

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/258166/foundation-f1-f4-cat-bengal-chausie-savannah-safari-toys

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vball91 said:

Fortiflora is marketed as a probiotic, but it's not actually a good one. I believe that animal digest is the first ingredient which is why most cats love the taste of it. Animal digest is usually what is sprayed on kibble to make it so appealing. Most people on this forum use Fortiflora as a topper on canned or raw to encourage cats to eat it.

If you want a good probiotic, most of us use a human grade one that LDG's holistic vet recommended. It's the Natural Factors Acidophilus and Bifidus 10 billion CFU. Also, if you were looking for digestive enzymes, Prozyme has been used by many members here.

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