Acrid smelling and very soft stools

My ten year old kitty, Chloe has developed horrible soft stools for about 3 weeks, going 3-4 times per day.  She seems to have lost weight and is eating a lot of dry food.

I am afraid she is sick and may be getting dehydrated, although she drinks a lot of water.

Any ideas?  Her stools smell like strong vinegar smell, just awful.

Your cat really needs a vet visit as soon as possible. All of those symptoms point to something being very wrong.

Yes-I am going to take her in to the vet asap.  It has gone on long enough.  We love her too much.

Thanks,

Poor girl. Glad to hear you're taking her to the vet. Please keep us updated!

Yes-I have an appointment next Monday am for her.  I will be taking a stool sample-wish me luck.

Can you get her in sooner by any chance? Monday just seems so far away for something like this. Severe, vinegar-smelling diarrhea is not good, and I worry about dehydration.

GoHolistic said:

Can you get her in sooner by any chance? Monday just seems so far away for something like this. Severe, vinegar-smelling diarrhea is not good, and I worry about dehydration.

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I agree. Please explain that it's an emergency situation. I am not trying to scare you and I'm not usually someone who says vet exam ASAP, but the symptoms you are describing are pretty urgent.

My avatar is chloe.  I called back and I am taking her in on Saturday am early!  I will update you.

Thank you for your concern.

THey are not open on Thursdays and Friday I wont have a car.  She is drinking plenty of water, so I am ok with Sat am.at least for now.

I called back but they are not open on Thursdays and Friday i wont have a car, so I am ok with Sat. am she is drinking a lot of water.  and is cuddling with me.  I will update you.  Thank you for your concern.

She is beautiful! Okay, Saturday is better...thank you for calling them back. If, for any reason, she crashes between now and Saturday morning, please keep handy the location and phone number of your nearest 24 hour emergency vet.

Sending good vibes your way and hoping Chloe makes a full recovery.    I hope it's nothing too serious.

GoHolistic said:

She is beautiful!

Okay, Saturday is better...thank you for calling them back. If, for any reason, she crashes between now and Saturday morning, please keep handy the location and phone number of your nearest 24 hour emergency vet.

Sending good vibes your way and hoping Chloe makes a full recovery. 

  I hope it's nothing too serious.

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Yes, I second all of that. Many vibes for you and Chloe.

Jeanmona said:

She...is eating a lot of dry food.

I am afraid she...may be getting dehydrated, although she drinks a lot of water.

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Hi Jeanmona !

Does she eat any wet foods?   If so, DITCH the dry, at least for now**.

If not, are you willing to try some canned foods with her?

No matter how much she appears to drink, it's is well-established that no cat is able to drink enough to compensate for and to equal the amount of water in a cat's natural food - wet food.

If she won't touch any wet food, at least you should moisten a small amount of her dry food (start with a spray and gradually increase the moisture content) - then, continue providing small meals like that periodically, using a clean dish each time. (dry foods that become damp/wet can, over a lengthy period, become rancid - over a few hours, no problem)

Just on the odour issue, this might be helpful (and something to 'tuck away'): The Poop Patrol

**If you haven't already found this "marvel", it bears checking out: But, my cat is fine on dry food - Lisa A. Pierson DVM

Yes-I give her the wet food in the am.  She is going in to the vet at 10am tomorrow-I am so relieved.  I saw one tooth on the right side lower, that is red around the gumline, and Im wondering if its infected or something.  I am taking a stool sample and will have her mouth checked out as well, hopefully get to the bottom of this.  She is a beautiful cat.  Will post when exam is finished.

Thanks everyone for your posts!!

Jeanmona said:

Yes-I give her the wet food in the am... 

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Jeanmona said:

I am afraid she...may be getting dehydrated, although she drinks a lot of water....Any ideas?

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White Shadow said:

DITCH the dry, at least for now


No matter how much she appears to drink, it's is well-established that no cat is able to drink enough to compensate for and to equal the amount of water in a cat's natural food - wet food.

If she won't touch any wet food, at least you should moisten a small amount of her dry food (start with a spray and gradually increase the moisture content)

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Jeanmona.........she needs WET food......24/7 !

Good news for Chloe Jean!!  She is not diabetic!!!!  Very nice people at Harborside Animal Clinic-took xrays, blood work and stool culture.  The vet Dr. Bob thinks it may be hyperthyroidism.  I will know next Monday when he calls with the results.  She is also not dehydrated, and weighs in at 7.50 pounds.

SHe was a very good girl for the technicians!!  I am relieved and if it is thyroid, a pill will probably be all she needs. Fingers crossed.

Good news for chloe-she is not diabetic.   They drew blood and took an xray- will know results on Monday.  The good people at Harborside were very nice,and it may be hyperthyroidism-treated with pills. 

Will let you know when I find out the results.  Thanks everyone. He did a snap test for the glucose and it was normal!!!

Thanks for the update. Yes, the blood results will be helpful to know if there is any kind of infection going on...but hopefully there is not!

I've never had a cat with hyperthyroidism. Does that typically cause loose, smelly stools like this? 

Well-I received a call from the vet this am and Chloe is extremely hyperthyroid.  Her liver enzymes are elevated, so he's starting her on 5 mg of the methimazole twice a day.

The start of art treatment would be radiation therapy and injection but is costs about $1,700-$2,000.  I dont have this kind of money unfortuntely.  I will monitor her levels with bloodwork.

I really like this vet so I am sticking with them.  I am getting the RX and will be able to order the meds cheaper than picking it up at this office-he even suggested that.  The loose stools are because the system is in high gear over acting and they pass thru so fast and out.

I hope the pills help her, but I am glad that she is not a diabetic which would be worse and more expensive. 

I feel really bad, but that's life, I cannot change what is.  I will let you know how she responds to the pills.

Mona

I'm very sorry about your kitty and the diagnosis. Would Care Credit help? Is there any other type of radiation treatment available? Is surgery an option?