Just thought I’d check in w you and see if the solid poop thing is still “holding its own,” so to speak.Update! I'm very very tired but (cautiously) excited!
First of all, his test results came out all negative. This includes parasites and PCR.
**a little warning: the following paragraphs contain discussions on his stool**
Secondly, and the most exciting news of all! He had solid poop today!!! Before that he hasn't pooped for nearly 2 days. I don't think we are completely out of the woods yet, and I want to observe him for at least another week, but this at least gives me some relief.
It's strange because he didn't appear to be doing any better or worse the day before he just completely stopped pooping compared to any other day (of his diarrhea). That day he went to the box to poop 6 or 7 times. While it was better than the worst day, it wasn't much better than any other days when he had diarrhea. Of the 6 or 7 times, there were 2 occasions where he went to the box twice within an hour and was just straining and visibly irritated. His poop texture that day also didn't look any better than any other days (of his diarrhea). Cats are just kind of mysterious
My boy is now on metronidazole & I’m freaking myself out reading about all the possible side effects. But it does seem to help.I was thinking about posting an update earlier today! I’ve recently been trying to catch up a bit on other things in lifeJust thought I’d check in w you and see if the solid poop thing is still “holding its own,” so to speak.
. That lasted until around Wednesday/Thursday I think. Then he stopped pooping for about 36 hours. When he finally pooped again it looks almost completely normal! He’s pooped twice since then and his poop has been looking great. I’ve been giving him his regular probiotics and his GI food but no other medication on top of that. Good luck to your boy!!!
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Prior to owning a cat with suspected IBD I never thought I would talk this much about his poop. My mood really depends on how good his poop looks that day
I literally run to his litterbox the moment he poops (thankfully he is ok with being stared at when doing his business) to see what it looks like when it’s fresh.
I feel like there’s just not as much money in the veterinary industry as there is in the human health industry. In fact I think it’s already a lot better for dogs and cats than for other more “exotic” pets like rats and bunnies. It’s just an unfortunate fact that we have to deal with. I dont know anything about human IBD so all of this is just my speculation. It frustrates me a lot when I was basically told that the only way for me to know what he can/cannot eat is through an 8 week food trial. And after that if it doesn’t work we will need to put him on steroids. My work is quite stressful and honestly waking up 3 or 4 times a night to clean him for 2 weeks is already giving me a tremendous amount of anxiety
. If it lasts for a long time(like 8 weeks for the food trial) I don’t even know how I’m going to deal with it. I try not to think about it too much though.
I feel like there’s just not as much money in the veterinary industry as there is in the human health industry. In fact I think it’s already a lot better for dogs and cats than for other more “exotic” pets like rats and bunnies. It’s just an unfortunate fact that we have to deal with. I dont know anything about human IBD so all of this is just my speculation. It frustrates me a lot when I was basically told that the only way for me to know what he can/cannot eat is through an 8 week food trial. And after that if it doesn’t work we will need to put him on steroids. My work is quite stressful and honestly waking up 3 or 4 times a night to clean him for 2 weeks is already giving me a tremendous amount of anxiety
I feel like there’s just not as much money in the veterinary industry as there is in the human health industry. In fact I think it’s already a lot better for dogs and cats than for other more “exotic” pets like rats and bunnies. It’s just an unfortunate fact that we have to deal with. I dont know anything about human IBD so all of this is just my speculation. It frustrates me a lot when I was basically told that the only way for me to know what he can/cannot eat is through an 8 week food trial. And after that if it doesn’t work we will need to put him on steroids. My work is quite stressful and honestly waking up 3 or 4 times a night to clean him for 2 weeks is already giving me a tremendous amount of anxiety
OH sorry for the hooplah above…TCS seems to be going through some maintenance. If it helps you I have just finished spending 2 joyous diarrhea free years with my cat on prednisolone, with excellent quality of life and solid poops. But it seems to be a trade off. I’m about to put him on probiotics, so will let you know if it helps. Honestly deep down I think the solution is some sort of alternative to conventional medicine, but as our cats can’t tell us exactly, we do our best. Just to say though, pred might give you a reprieve and some rest.
Trying homeopathy was a suggestion. I agree that "natural remedies" are largely unproven and questionably safe. Homeopathy is not a natural remedy, doesn't involve herbs or supplements. Its results are safe, predictable, mild but effective. Many qualified veterinarians actually have web sites offering free information on pet ailments and suggested homeopathic treatments. Again, it was just a suggestion.
