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- Mar 7, 2006
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I'm new to this site, but I had a question that maybe some of you could help with. Also, please bear with me, as I tend to be long winded
About 2 weeks ago, I adopted another cat, Oliver. I had just lost my 18 year old cat, Nutmeg, to CRF and my remaing cat, Noelle, was pining for her lost buddy. After a few days of keeping him in a different room for adjusting, he wanted OUT and he and Noelle have been playing together ever since. Even sleeping in the same cat bed in less than a week. I was very surprised by how easily she accepted him.
The problem, however, is that ever since I brought Oliver home he has been having soft stools. At first, they seemed pretty bad. He could be walking around and he'd leave little "droplets" on the floor. After a few days though, the droplets stopped and his deposits in the littlerbox seemed a bit firmer.
Because of that, I thought maybe it was because of the food change. I have no idea what the shelter was feeding him, so I couldn't gradually change his food over. But after almost 2 weeks had gone by and there was still no change - other than no droplets - I took him to the vet again (I had also brought him to be checked over when I first got him). They said he had a slight fever and could possibly have GI inflammation, so they put him on Flagyl and Diarsanyl - an anti-diarrheal paste type stuff in a syringe plunger with pre-measured incriments. They also sent me home with Purina "EN" veterinary diet pouches (looks like tender vittles) for him to eat for the next few days. I'm supposed to gradually switch back to his old food once I see an improvement in his stools.
So that was on Friday and I've been giving him the medications, which has been a chore and a half. He's still skittish of people at times, so catching him has been rather difficult. I've found a way to smoosh the pills into 2 or 3 of the special food kibbles, so that is much easier on him, but the other med I still had to catch him for and because he's difficult to hold, he ended up with much of the paste everywhere else but in his mouth. And as a result, I really don't know how much of it he actually got into his system. It's now Tuesday and I haven't seen really any improvement in his stools. I called the vet back today, but they were not available, so I spoke with the receptionist. She didn't seem overly worried, though, and said she's pass the message along and have someone call me back.
Some background information - Oliver is about a year old. He's had all of his vaccinations, has been tested for FeLV and FIV, and has been wormed. He also had ear mites, but was given medication and they're now gone. When I brought him in on Friday, I also brought a stool sample for a fecal, which was negative. He's been extremely active and playful with Noelle and eats and drinks normally. And all eliminations - except one on the first night - have been in the litterbox. Both he and Noelle are on Nutro Natural Choice for Indoor cats.
Am I just expecting results too soon in this case? I had read cases where people had given these medications and had seen improvements in just a day or two, but maybe he's just going to take a little longer. However, if this doesn't work, any ideas as to what could be causing the diarrhea? I believe the vet had also mentioned something about possible food allergies. Could that be it?
Any an all input would be appreciated. Thanks!
About 2 weeks ago, I adopted another cat, Oliver. I had just lost my 18 year old cat, Nutmeg, to CRF and my remaing cat, Noelle, was pining for her lost buddy. After a few days of keeping him in a different room for adjusting, he wanted OUT and he and Noelle have been playing together ever since. Even sleeping in the same cat bed in less than a week. I was very surprised by how easily she accepted him.
The problem, however, is that ever since I brought Oliver home he has been having soft stools. At first, they seemed pretty bad. He could be walking around and he'd leave little "droplets" on the floor. After a few days though, the droplets stopped and his deposits in the littlerbox seemed a bit firmer.
Because of that, I thought maybe it was because of the food change. I have no idea what the shelter was feeding him, so I couldn't gradually change his food over. But after almost 2 weeks had gone by and there was still no change - other than no droplets - I took him to the vet again (I had also brought him to be checked over when I first got him). They said he had a slight fever and could possibly have GI inflammation, so they put him on Flagyl and Diarsanyl - an anti-diarrheal paste type stuff in a syringe plunger with pre-measured incriments. They also sent me home with Purina "EN" veterinary diet pouches (looks like tender vittles) for him to eat for the next few days. I'm supposed to gradually switch back to his old food once I see an improvement in his stools.
So that was on Friday and I've been giving him the medications, which has been a chore and a half. He's still skittish of people at times, so catching him has been rather difficult. I've found a way to smoosh the pills into 2 or 3 of the special food kibbles, so that is much easier on him, but the other med I still had to catch him for and because he's difficult to hold, he ended up with much of the paste everywhere else but in his mouth. And as a result, I really don't know how much of it he actually got into his system. It's now Tuesday and I haven't seen really any improvement in his stools. I called the vet back today, but they were not available, so I spoke with the receptionist. She didn't seem overly worried, though, and said she's pass the message along and have someone call me back.
Some background information - Oliver is about a year old. He's had all of his vaccinations, has been tested for FeLV and FIV, and has been wormed. He also had ear mites, but was given medication and they're now gone. When I brought him in on Friday, I also brought a stool sample for a fecal, which was negative. He's been extremely active and playful with Noelle and eats and drinks normally. And all eliminations - except one on the first night - have been in the litterbox. Both he and Noelle are on Nutro Natural Choice for Indoor cats.
Am I just expecting results too soon in this case? I had read cases where people had given these medications and had seen improvements in just a day or two, but maybe he's just going to take a little longer. However, if this doesn't work, any ideas as to what could be causing the diarrhea? I believe the vet had also mentioned something about possible food allergies. Could that be it?
Any an all input would be appreciated. Thanks!
