Chronic blood in kittens stool

MingsMongols, if you do believe that it is a Protozoa infection, what would be the next course of action?

I did do a PCR test. I got the bloody stool for the test. There was litter in it, but very little. I was able to catch it pretty quickly, and the litter I use is wood pellets, so not too many of the pellets got in there. The Vet said it was fine if there were just a few wood pellets mixed in. But in any event, the test came back negative.

So, I don't know what to do from here, and neither does my Vet. But I tend to agree with you that this is some sort of parasite or infection that is not showing up on the tests. It just doesn't make sense that they both have this problem, and at such a young age.

Very tough for me to figure this out.

If you have any advice as to where to go from here, I would appreciate it. As per CatPack, I will work on the diet in the meantime, but I just have a funny feeling that it will not work.

Thanks!

The PCR test does not look for Coccidia and since they initially had that, it might be worth treating Ponazuril.

I will add that our 3 groups of kitties that had Coccidia required several rounds of Ponazuril to get the infection cleared up.

All 3 groups still have sensitive GI systems and are on canned-only diets. One group still needs the Instinct canned food only (they are on the regular duck formula)...the other two groups have been able to transition to other brands but I have noticed that they still need very low carb foods and are sensitive to some gums/thickeners.

You should definitely keep working on the diet as Catpack suggested. Food allergies can't be ruled out. Its always a guessing game and struggle when it comes to diarrhea. Very frustrating.

As for tritrichomonas you can get a pack of pouch tests that you incubate and put under a heat lamp for several days. The PCR coming back negative doesn't mean they don't have it but the odds are less likely.

For other parasites and Protozoa you can get a microscope, slides and slide covers, as well as some fecal ova floats. You could test ever few days to make sure your not getting false negatives.

Parasites are tricky, unless their in the poop sample you take at the right time in the right way then you can get false negatives. It's frustrating because there just not in every poop sample that you take unless their really infested.

Realistically though that's a three hundred dollar minimum investment for basic equipment and you've only got two cats. There's also a learning component and being able to tell parasites from inorganic matter takes time. On the other hand though, the need for parasite testing doesn't go away and over a couple of years you could save money doing your own proactive tests. If that's not a route you want to take then I'd rerun the tests for peice of mind and I'd call your vet and ask him what day and time they ship out their fecal samples and make sure your sample is as fresh as possible.


http://biomeddiagnostics.com/animal-health/companion-animal/tritrichomonas-foetus-feline

CatPack and MingsMongols, thank you both so much for the help!

So here is my plan. Will work on the diet and get them on a good probiotic.

Will also ask the Vet for Panazuril. I just have this funny feeling that it is a parasite like coccidia or giardia. I have read that these can be stubborn and also don't always show up on the fecal test. So hopefully the Panazuril will do the trick.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks again!

Sounds like a good plan.   Ponazuril is a great drug of choice. You can up its effectiveness by pairing it with Trimethoprim Sulfonamide.  As with any potential deworming you want to confine them during the treatment, clean their litter box daily (you can get a liner to just replace the litter completely without having to bleach it), wipe their butts, paws, and chins with vinegar, and clean the house. If you get the natures Variety like Catpack suggested I think you'll be surprised by just how much better the ingredients are. Its amazing. Good luck.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update. The kittens stool looks so much better! I decided to use Hound and Gatos Lamb. Wet only, no dry. There is absolutely no more diarrhea at all and the stool doesn't smell nearly as bad. I have also been using a probiotic which I think is helping.

Only problem is that there is still a small amount of blood in their stool. Any suggestions?

Also, there are days when I leave for longer than expected and I feel bad because the cats must be starving. Problem is that since I am not using dry food anymore, they have to wait a long time to eat again. Any suggestions for this?

Thanks so much.

J js12 If blood is present this means the GI tract is still irritated. The kittens may need prednisolone to help with inflammation/irritation. Or...dare I say it, a different protein.

As for those times when you are away longer...I've had good luck with Stella & Chewy's freeze dried raw for the cats in the rescue that require a canned-only diet (for various reasons). I leave it dry and haven't had an issue yet. This even with the cats that do not tolerate *any* dry food. S&C doesn't make a lamb formula, so if you choose to stick with that protein, you'lol have to see if you can find something similar in lamb.

Catpack, thank you so much for the help.

At this point would you switch to a different protein? I feel like the lamb is helping, but it's been at least a month and there definitely is still some blood there. If you do recommend a switch, what would you go to next?

I am just afraid that I keep switching and the problem doesn't get resolved. At this point, how confident are you that the issue is dietary?

Thanks so much!

I can't say with certainty if food is the issue or not. What I can say is that blood in the stool is not normal. This indicates irritation/inflammation.

At this point I would consider treating with Ponazuril to make sure Coccidia isn't still the issue, a different protein (maybe turkey, duck or rabbit), and/or a round of prednisolone to see if the issue is IBD.

The strain of Coccidia that I have seen this year has caused havoc on the kittens' GI system and has required several rounds of Ponazuril. The affect cats have then had prolonged GI issues associated with the Coccidia.

I did 3 rounds of Ponazuril (treat, wait a week repeat for 3-4 weeks or until symptoms subside + 1 extra round of treatment). Currently, all but one group (so, 3 groups) is eating Merrick limited Ingredient Chicken canned formula and 2 of those groups are being slowly introduced to the coordinating dry food (small amounts). The other group is eating Nature's Variety Instinct regular duck formula. This group had Coccidia the longest and have yet to be able to tolerate any other food. But, their stool is completely normal with this current diet.

Have you tried the kittens on a probiotic?

I think you need to follow up with your vet to eliminate a medical reason for the blood. An ultrasound may or may not be beneficial. I would likely try Ponazuril before doing this, though.

Thank you CatPack.

I had the kittens on Merrick limited ingredient duck and it didn't seem to help. The stool was runny with blood. The Hound and Gatos Lamb has been the best, but still has not eliminated the blood completely.

They are currently on a probiotic as well.

Also, they were tested for Coccidia and it came back negative. Is it possible that the test is missing it?

At this point the Vet did not think an ultrasound was necessary.

Personally, my gut is telling me that there is something there more than just the diet, but my Vet doesn't seem to think so.

Thanks again!

Yes, it is possible to not catch Coccidia on a fecal test. Though not quite as common when sent to an outside lab. Wouldn't hurt to treat with Ponazuril just to see if it works.

Thanks CatPack. The test for Coccidia was sent to an outside lab. And we did it twice. This is why the Vet is pretty confident that it is not Coccidia. So I don't know what to do at this point.

Also, when they originally had the Coccidia, the Vet treated them with Albon. We gave them 2 rounds and then tested their stool twice and it was gone.

What would you do now? Stil, treat with Ponazuril? Also what would be the difference between Albon and Ponazuril? Just wondering in case I decide to give them another dose.

Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it.

Albon just inhibits growth in the hopes the cat's own system eliminates the infection. Ponazuril actually kills the parasite.

How long after you finished treatment with Albon were they retested?

They were tested a week or two after the treatment. Then we tested them again about 6 weeks after that. All were negative.

Any thoughts?

Thank you!

A False positive is possible depending on the shedding cycle.

I would probably do a course of treatment (it will not hurt them if they do not have Coccidia) and see if you see any improvement.

The next step might be to do a round of prednisolone. The kittens we have had that seen to have a resistant strain of Coccidia have had prolonged GI issues. I have found diets that work for them and, for the most part, they are doing well. I do have 1 group that is having intermittent issues and will be doing another course of Ponazuril with them.

Thank you CatPack.

Ok, I'll try a round of Ponazuril and then I'll get back to you with an update.

I really do appreciate your help!