Kitty diarrhea- what to do from here?

We woke up Monday and our cat was very lethargic, she is usually a total rascal running around and getting into things. It was clear she wasn't feeling well. There was a puddle of diarrhea by the litter box and wasn't interested in eating or drinking. We threw away her can of cat food, but we don't know what it was. I usually clear out the sink, counters, and table before we sleep/go to work, so I don't know what she could have gotten into. I like to take care of problems right away, but my husband's more of a wait and see kind of guy. He agreed to a vet appointment, but said if she was looking better by then we should cancel and see how it goes. We came home from work and she was back to normal. Jumping on our shoulders begging for food. She had drank the water i put next to her and she was back to her rascally self. My husband asked me to cancel the appointment. We fasted her 12 hours, but she was demanding food so we gave her boiled chicken, rice, and pumpkin and she ate it all up. The next morning there was more diarrhea in the box. No blood and she wasn't going frequently, she was also peeing the same amount as usual. It was the same as usual, but mushy. I fed her the chicken, rice, pumpkin mix the rest of tuesday and she seemed completely normal. Again this morning more diarrhea. I read diarrhea can be dangerous because cats can get dehydrated fast,  I don't believe she is dehydrated at all. If I were to venture a guess I would say she's just getting whatever it was out of her system, but she is my first cat and I am far from knowledgable. Anyone have previous experience or advice?

Oh I'm sorry. Yes, the problem with diarrhea - apart from it meaning there is either an infection, a parasite, or the intestines aren't working properly - is that it leads to dehydration. In older cats it's not *as* serious as quickly as in younger cats - in kittens it can very quickly become life-threatening.

When my adult cats are "off," I usually fast them 24 hours, and then feed just plain poached chicken (with the water it was cooked in added). Sometimes it takes a little white rice, as you've done.

I also keep a yeast-based probiotic, S boulardii (Saccharomyces boulardii) on hand for things like this. Here is a post with links to information. Bottom line, it helps normalize intestinal function, and fights a number of nasty bugs. For example, it is used in hospitals for antibiotic-resistant c diff. Florastor is an easy-to-find brand, as it's sold at most big box stores like Walmart and Costco. I give my adult (that range in size from 7 pounds to 14 pounds) half a capsule twice a day. (It doesn't colonize the gut, so must constantly be refreshed. When you stop using it, it's out of the body completely within 36 hours).

If that doesn't clear it up in a day or two, we go to the vet. So ... it seems like you're at or very near that point.

ETA: ooops, I forgot to include the link! http://www.thecatsite.com/t/283161/saccharomyces-boulardii-use-for-diarrhea-and-gi-disease-incl-ibd

Thanks for your reply! My husband and I talked about what you had said and agreed it was time to take her into the vet.

Good, I'm glad to hear it! :heart2: I hope they're able to help you get this sorted. :rub:

Guess what, the vet says she seems healthy and suggested putting her on probiotics like you had suggested.

I hope that helps. So they aren't going to run a fecal?

Here's some info on probiotics and if you scroll down, you'll find those used with success and instructions next to them. My cats don't have sift stools, but based on my research, I feel they provide long term health benefit, so my cats get probiotics every day. I use Nexabiotic.

http://www.ibdkitties.net/Probiotics.html

They did run a fecal. Thank you for the extra info. I read it all before giving her the probiotics today. She just went and it was finally solid. Yay!