Hills Z/D Diarrhea

I am new to posting to this site but I've read 100's of posts and comments over the years when needing advice. I'm writing out of true desperation at this point. Long story short.
13 year old male spayed cat
Allergies to unknown origin on atopica for last 2-3 years (I've lost count)
Recent rash of medical issues including allergy induced asthma, ear infection, runny eye, uti, chronic diarrhea.
Currently uti free, ear infection free but persistent diarrhea.
Waiting for appointment with veterinary dermatologist in March.
In the meantime, dermatologist rx ZD food to rule out food allergy. He is eating 1/2 can in AM with probiotic and free feeds on dry. Diarrhea is horrific and he's pooping in places he shouldn't which is new other than for when he has uti. Since I know he doesn't have uti (recent vet check 2 days ago) I'm wondering if this change to ZD from Instict Limited Ingredient Turkey and Wellness canned is causing this upset. I just removed all the ZD food and put back out the old stuff. He's been on ZD for around 2 weeks. Thought otomax was causing diarrhea but he hasn't had that for almost a week now.

Did you transition the food? Some cats are hypersensitive to abrupt changes in diet.

I did do 1/4 zd and 3/4 regular for a few days and since it seemed like he was ok with I switched completely over. That's always a possibility but historically speaking he's not had an issue with food changes before. He's such a picky eater that I was happy he would even entertain a different food to begi with.

My 13 year old neutered male cat Steve had severe diarrhea issues and avoided the litter box. He was diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago and is doing MUCH better. It is rare but if you haven't already had your guy tested it might be a possibility. Good luck to you and your mew.

ru22 said:

My 13 year old neutered male cat Steve had severe diarrhea issues and avoided the litter box. He was diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago and is doing MUCH better. It is rare but if you haven't already had your guy tested it might be a possibility. Good luck to you and your mew.

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You make some interesting points. Never had a diabetic before but being a senior definitely have blood and urine checked. Other common thing at that age is CKD cats don't often show signs until it's quite advanced.

He just had his yearly blood work (all organs checked) and everything was perfect. He has allergies and is taking atopica so I'm at the vet way more than I'd like to be. Just had urine and fecal testing 2 days ago and he's all clear. Very healthy cat, bad allergies. Waiting for our appointment with the veterinary dermatologist in March and was suggested to try this food to rule out food allergies before we do the allergy testing. I want him off atopica as it causes way more issues than it prevents.

I should also say other than the diarrhea and his hair pulling from allergies he's acting normal, eating, drinking, normal weight (despite all this diarrhea), and running around/playing. On atopica days he does slow down a bit and is a little lethargic but that's his norm.

Make sure his T4 was tested and is normal. I'm not a fan of these RX diets for an allergy. I think they're not bio appropriate and a waste of money. Personally, If i were you I would put him on a homecooked or raw diet, with nexabiotics probiotic for that diarrhea. Here's more info

http://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html

Missmimz: his thyroid was also checked in the blood panel. Interestingly, he historically was always just slightly above normal and this year he's in the normal range. I've been advised that while he is on atopica (and has basically no immune system) feeding a raw diet could cause him a lot of harm as his body cannot fight off anything should there be any contamination. I do give him a probiotic every morning with his canned food. The reason for my inquiry was whether the hills zd has caused these types of issues before. I'm sorry I keep responding to everyone with "this was already done" however I think I've exhausted every possibility and nothing makes sense as to why he's still having this issue. I can only deduct that it's the change in food. I'll definitely read your links. I'm a research junkie so any info is good! Cleo is my baby and while he is 13 years old I firmly believe he has many many more years of purring and playing in his future. I'll resolve the allergy issue with the dermatologist and get him off this immune suppressant which is ultimately the goal for him to be healthy.

crsled76 said:

Missmimz: his thyroid was also checked in the blood panel. Interestingly, he historically was always just slightly above normal and this year he's in the normal range. I've been advised that while he is on atopica (and has basically no immune system) feeding a raw diet could cause him a lot of harm as his body cannot fight off anything should there be any contamination. I do give him a probiotic every morning with his canned food. The reason for my inquiry was whether the hills zd has caused these types of issues before. I'm sorry I keep responding to everyone with "this was already done" however I think I've exhausted every possibility and nothing makes sense as to why he's still having this issue. I can only deduct that it's the change in food. I'll definitely read your links. I'm a research junkie so any info is good! Cleo is my baby and while he is 13 years old I firmly believe he has many many more years of purring and playing in his future. I'll resolve the allergy issue with the dermatologist and get him off this immune suppressant which is ultimately the goal for him to be healthy.

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Homecooked, then, is still an option. Not all probiotics are created equal. "Pet" probiotics typically don't do much. Def poke around on the food fur life page. Those ladies have science behind everything they recommend, which is another reason i really like both their recommendation, and their product. 

Just wanted to give an update in case someone else runs into this same issue. I stopped the Hills Z/D food and all has resumed to normal. No diarrhea and normal bowel movements returned within 1 full day of going back to the old food. He actually (despite itching and allergy issues) has returned to his normal happy go lucky self.

crsled76 said:

Just wanted to give an update in case someone else runs into this same issue. I stopped the Hills Z/D food and all has resumed to normal. No diarrhea and normal bowel movements returned within 1 full day of going back to the old food. He actually (despite itching and allergy issues) has returned to his normal happy go lucky self.

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So glad to hear that! Most important thing is that he's happy.