Frustrated

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
So my cat has had diarrhea. I gave him a probiotic and enzyme supplement and I thought -- this worked. I started it on 11/10 and for two straight weeks perfect stools. I was so hopeful.  But today, today, he got diarrhea again. 

I have no idea why?

At this point I have to make a decision... take my cat into the vet or not. Taking him into the vet is a nightmare because I will have to sedate him and that is very traumatic for him. Plus, I don't want to give him sedation for what could be no reason.

It is hard to justify doing it when he seems so happy and not sick.

My thoughts

1. perhaps I slacked off a bit on the supplement and didn't give enough.

2. perhaps it takes time and one loose stool after two weeks of good is to be expected.

3. The food I am giving him I just found out, though listed as "organic" does have ingredients that could give him diarrhea.

This has been going on since October 12th and I can't see any "ah ha" symptom that would lead me to know he was sick and had a problem. Just loose stools.

I had thought hyperthyroid but he actually has gained a little weight. And I can't say he is hyper or anything. He sleeps about the same as ever.
 

mysterylover

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
Messages
168
Purraise
99
I don't have any great answers for you, as I have been experiencing much the same thing.  I actually did take my cat (1 of 3 siblings) to the vet a couple of weeks ago.  They treated for worms--indoor-only cat, but better to rule out worms-- (Profender on the neck, which made him vomit and sickly for 3 days after he was able to lick it after the vet applied it), gave me Flagyl and the probiotic Fortiflora), and also gave me Iams Low-residue RX food to try.  He actually did get better on the Flagyl and the Fortiflora with the Iams, but that actually caused constipation, with no stools for nearly 3 days.  Oh, we did blood work at the vet as well--thyroid okay, liver okay.

Once done with the Flagyl, the Iams was definitely causing constipation.  He was on a mostly canned diet before the loose stools with a small amount of Blue Buffalo dry.  The vet did say that he had seen lots of cats not do well on Blue.  I had a hard time accepting that he would suddenly not be able to tolerate the foods he had eaten for 2+ years.  Anyway, the dry foods were just added to his wet.  I tried dropping all dry food prior to the vet visit, which did not help the stools.  The Special 33 was not as constipating to the cat, but he started excessively licking and grooming.  I am guessing was from the grains, since the Blue food was grain free. About a week ago, I got a small bag of Natural Balance Green Pea and Chicken limited ingredient.  We mixed with the Special 33, and I saw well-formed stool for several days.  So, I finally went to all Natural Balance a couple of days ago.  Well, suddenly today, I scooped loose stool again.  I am assuming it is the same cat.  I guess it could be the Natural Balance.  It is hard to believe he suddenly is allergic to chicken or turkey.  I fed him only boiled chicken at one point without worsening the loose stools, but I did consider switching to the Natural Balance Pea and Duck, but we would have to change the canned he is eating as well for any food sensitivity tests like that to work.

Is there was any chance the loose stools were triggered by stress?  My kids both went off to college (one commuting and one on campus) this fall, and my parents are needing my help more (meaning I am gone from the house more and for longer periods when I am usually around the house a lot, as I work from home).  Also, I have had my share of stress from the college prep and concerns about my parents' health and well being.  I was gone for about six hours yesterday and came home and unloaded some of my stress in conversation with DH.  Then, this morning, the loose stool in the litter box (watched him go the day before, and stool was nearly perfect).  Is there any chance your cat has experienced any upsets in the household, routine, stress you might be carrying?  My cat is 4 years old, by the way, so hyperthyroid was not likely, but I had the vet check anyway, as he seemed to have lost maybe half a pound (either from the loose stools or from the slow transition I had made the 6 months before toward more wet food).   I was just thinking how I don't free feed and how the cats get their feeding schedule thrown off  when I am kept away unexpectedly.  Yesterday, I was 3 hours later returning home than I thought I would be.  The other 2 cats do throw up white foam when they go more than 10 or so hours without food, so I have been wondering if maybe the loose stools are this cat's way of responding to his food being too far apart of something.  If you think our cats have anything in common in their environment, feeding schedule, etc., I would love it if you would share.

I hope your kitty improves!  My cat did not love the trips(3 in all in 1 week) to the vet, but he actually seemed to handle it better than I expected, but his sister acted like he smelled of evil for a week and hissed at him every time he came near, and she adores him.  They are back to cuddling now.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
So I am now on the Tritrichomonas train.

I went to the pet store and one of the ladies there told me how her cat got it after 10 years. Her cat was indoor only. And here is the kicker. Her cat had just started predinsone (which my cat just started over the summer) reducing the immune response.  It is just that the diarrhea SMELLSSS SO BAD.   And that is a key symptom of it. I mean really -- we can use my cat's poo to fight terrorism because they would run screaming.

Here is the thing though... my vet told me I could just give a fecal sample to test for it... but I think she is wrong. I think getting any litter on it will ruin it and also, has to be fresh and can't be too wet and or too hard. But I have decided to give it a shot anyway. If it comes back positive then we will know, if not, I can go to a doctor that is more knowledgeable about this stuff and test it again.

I have also heard that the drug they use to treat it could be dangerous to my cat. Does anyone have experience with it?
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,768
Purraise
3,490
Location
Texas
Since this has been going on for an extended period of time, I'd get him to the vet and have the PCR test for fecal done to rule out anything with parasites.  Then, work on a limited ingredient ingredient.  What are you currently feeding him and what have you fed him in the past?  How old is he?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
 
Since this has been going on for an extended period of time, I'd get him to the vet and have the PCR test for fecal done to rule out anything with parasites.  Then, work on a limited ingredient ingredient.  What are you currently feeding him and what have you fed him in the past?  How old is he?
Earthborn wet (and he got that in the past) and he is 8.  

What is the PCR test? He has already had a fecal test that came back negative.  I am not sure what was tested for.
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,768
Purraise
3,490
Location
Texas
It's a special fecal test, not the regular one done in a vet's office.  It tests for tritrichomonas foetus as well as other parasites that don't show up on a regular fecal.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
 
It's a special fecal test, not the regular one done in a vet's office.  It tests for tritrichomonas foetus as well as other parasites that don't show up on a regular fecal.
Well how do I get that?  My vet hasn't suggested it.
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,768
Purraise
3,490
Location
Texas
Ask the vet for it and if your vet denies it, then seek another vet.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

mommytobuck

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
635
Purraise
189
This is an old thread but I wanted to update the board.

For four months, from November to February, I gave my cat this probiotic and enzyme... that worked amazingly. But, I HAD to give it to him daily. Finally one day in late Feb, it looked like he was getting constipated and so I stopped the supplement. And he hasn't had a problem since. I am not at all sure what happened.  I am not even sure. But I did go back to feeding him like I had before he got sick. Wet food and dry food. Dry food for renal problems -- even though my vet (and the tests) say he doesn't have renal issues. 

I can't tell if the reason is because I was giving him too little food and this food is higher in calories.. or what. I just don't know. 
 

momto3cats

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,143
Purraise
131
Location
TX
I'm glad he's doing better!

I am curious though, why are you giving him a renal diet if he doesn't have renal problems?
 
Top