DESPERATE Diarrhea insite!

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
Hi there!
I've recently adopted a kitten who is now 5.5 months. We have been dealing with non-stop diarrhea since we've adopted her. The vet has run blood tests, dewormed (even though there were no signs), 2 rounds of antibiotics, I have a probiotic I've introduced into her food, I've tried grain free holistic food ( Earthborn brand), you name it, I've tried it. She STILL has diarrhea. She's, occasionally, having accidents outside her litter box and I'm so frustrated that nothing I do seems to show any signs of improvement. Is this something she may possibly grow out of? Am I missing something? Any suggestions, insite, ANYTHING would be beyond appreciated. We just want our baby healthy.
Jennifer
 

catpack

TCS Veteran
Kitten
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
3,271
Purraise
646
Location
Southeastern USA
You mention blood work and deworming, but no mention of a fecal test?

I suggest doing a fecal test and having the vet send it to an outside lab. You can choose to test for the most common parasites (Coccidia and Giardia) or opt to do the full PCR panel which checks for a wide array of parasites/protozoan (Coccidia, Giardia, C-Diff, Clostridium Prefringens, Tritrichomonas, Campylobacyer, and Cryptosporidium.)

What medications has the vet given you? (My guess is Flagyl/Metronidazole and perhaps Panacur and/or Stronid, or Albon?)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
Silly me, yes, she has had fecal tests done as well. ( a few times)
The antibiotic they put her on is the Metronidazole.
 

catpack

TCS Veteran
Kitten
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
3,271
Purraise
646
Location
Southeastern USA
Ok. What exactly did the fecal tests look for? I highly suggest the PCR test as it will see if there was been exposure to the above parasites/protozoan.

Aside from that, what food brands/flavors have you tried and for how long? Wet or dry food?
 

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,822
Purraise
13,097
Location
Columbus OH
Has any of the fecal tests been sent out though.  It usually takes about a week to get the results back.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
As far as I know, fecal test all came up fine. I don't believe they sent the test out. Should I request that? For food, I haven't experimented much with that. That was going to be my next avenue. I started her on Purena Kitten food and it was suggested to me to try getting her on a more Holistic food. I slowly introduced Earthborn grain free food into her diet (a couple spritz of a probiotic spray) and a tiny bit of pumpkin purée following antibiotic ( per doctors orders). Still no signs of any solid forming stool and it's been 2 months. : (
 

catpack

TCS Veteran
Kitten
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
3,271
Purraise
646
Location
Southeastern USA
Yes, I would request the fecal be sent out and, if it were me, I would request the PCR panel. The specific test you want is the "Diarrhea RealPCR Panel (Comprehensive) - Feline"

The sample is sent to the Idexx lab. The test # is 2627.

If this comes back negative, then we can help you focus on her diet.

In the mean time, I have had the best luck in putting cats with chronic diarrhea on a canned-only diet of Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Turkey or Duck. The company also makes a Rabbit and Lamb LID formula, though I haven't had to use those yet.

The canned food is typically 70%+ water, so helps keep cats hydrated, especially when diarrhea is involved.

About a third of our rescue (I help run a cat-only rescue) cannot eat dry food. This group is mostly made up of cats that had to do their own hunting for food (I speculate that because they are accustom to a natural diet, their systems cannot handle the over-processed dry) and cats that have had major issues with parasites/protozoan.
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,761
Purraise
3,484
Location
Texas
I am another one who would recommend the PCR diarrhea panel.  The fecal float is done in-house at the vet's office and checks for the basics, but the PCR test will need to be sent out.  It takes a more in-depth look at things and tests for different parasites than the fecal float does.  Have you consulted with whoever you adopted her from to see if she's had these issues previously?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
I have not consulted with the animal shelter. I thought about it, but they seemed very unorganized and chaotically ran when I initially adopted her that I didn't feel I would get any solid and reliable answers, sadly. I will absolutely call my vet tomorrow and inquire about a PCR text. Until then, should I try introducing a newer more basic and gastrointestinal friendly diet?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
p.s. Any tips or tricks from keeping her from going to the bathroom on the floor? She always uses her box for #1. She has more and more frequently, lately, been going #2 outside of her box. : (
 

catpack

TCS Veteran
Kitten
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
3,271
Purraise
646
Location
Southeastern USA
I believe the accidents are only occurring either because she is having sudden urges to go and isn't able to make it to the box; or, she is having pain (stomach cramps) when she has diarrhea and is associating the pain with the box.

Aside from proving her more boxes (in the event this is due to sudden urges) you are going to have to find out what is causing her to have the diarrhea first and correct that and then, I highly suspect the accidents will stop.

Just know that she is not having the accidents on purpose, so no scolding or punishing her for it, as this will only make matters worse.

I certainly do not think it would cause her harm by putting her on a canned-only diet, using one of the foods I mentioned earlier. However, if she does have a parasite/protozoan, the dietary change will not fix the problem.

The main reason I suggested Turkey or Duck is because they are not the top allergens to cats. The following are:

Corn
Wheat
Soy
Chicken
Beef
Fish

However, a cat can certainly be allergic to or have a intolerance to any protein, vegetable or even some of the gums/thickeners in canned food.

Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) do not contain any gums/thickeners, but do contain peas (but these are whole green peas that can be easily removed.)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

jenngrr14

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jul 4, 2016
Messages
7
Purraise
1
Thank you all for the help! I will call the vet in the morning and see about getting the stool sample sent out. I will also see about getting her on a different diet. I'm really hoping to get the o they pot of the problem. We love her so much already and just want to get her healthy at any cost. Thank you again ladies. I'm beyond appreciative.
Jennifer
 

stephanietx

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
14,761
Purraise
3,484
Location
Texas
I would add additional boxes, maybe even put one in every room for the time being until she's over this.  Just an FYI...smelly, loose poops generally indicate food intolerance.  If the metronidazole isn't helping, then you need to look for a different food.  At this point in time, I'd go for a limited ingredient food like someone above suggested or something for sensitive tummies from the vet until you figure out what's going on.  Also, if your suddenly changing dry food, that in itself can cause tummy upset and diarrhea. 
 
Top