I've looked through a lot of the posts here about Metronidazole but so far haven't found anything like this.
My 6-year old Kiki had diarrhea for a few days, so the vet suggested putting her on Metronidazole. This was in mid-October. The diarrhea resolved quickly, and she felt ok. Then, about 2 or 3 days after she completed the meds, she suddenly got bloated. The vet had suggested Fortiflora while taking the meds but having hardly worked this year due to COVID I held off. But after, with the bloating he advised it again, along with a prebiotic food (Hills GI Biome.) I know I take probiotics with/after Metronidazole so that made sense to me and did both.
For a month the bloating continued and he then suggested stopping the Fortiflora but continuing the GI Biome, However, since I hadn't heard back from him right away, I also consulted with the senior vet/owner, whom I know for many years. His suggestion was the opposite -- continue the Fortiflora, feed her whatever she'll eat, and said it could take 2 months for things to resolve.
I know that doctors often use a "let's try and see" approach since one size doesn't fit all. The problem was my consulting two of them and letting myself get indecisive and confused (also because of COVID I know they are losing a lot of staff and are under a lot of stress.) I stopped the Fortiflora but she continues to be boated so perhaps I should try it again.
What I'd like to know is -- has anyone else here seen such a reaction of bloating after Metronidazole? She was a slim, panther-y shape before, but now sometimes looks like she's got tennis balls in there... other days it looks like it's starting to resolve. She's a bit less playful than usual but will still run after fishing rod toys, will shimmy up to her cat tree top (a tad less elegantly) and is cuddly and purry as ever. Stools are normal but very smelly (and she won't now cover!
) I would greatly appreciate knowing if anyone's seen this reaction (if indeed it's a reaction.) Sorry this was so long, and thank you.
My 6-year old Kiki had diarrhea for a few days, so the vet suggested putting her on Metronidazole. This was in mid-October. The diarrhea resolved quickly, and she felt ok. Then, about 2 or 3 days after she completed the meds, she suddenly got bloated. The vet had suggested Fortiflora while taking the meds but having hardly worked this year due to COVID I held off. But after, with the bloating he advised it again, along with a prebiotic food (Hills GI Biome.) I know I take probiotics with/after Metronidazole so that made sense to me and did both.
For a month the bloating continued and he then suggested stopping the Fortiflora but continuing the GI Biome, However, since I hadn't heard back from him right away, I also consulted with the senior vet/owner, whom I know for many years. His suggestion was the opposite -- continue the Fortiflora, feed her whatever she'll eat, and said it could take 2 months for things to resolve.
I know that doctors often use a "let's try and see" approach since one size doesn't fit all. The problem was my consulting two of them and letting myself get indecisive and confused (also because of COVID I know they are losing a lot of staff and are under a lot of stress.) I stopped the Fortiflora but she continues to be boated so perhaps I should try it again.
What I'd like to know is -- has anyone else here seen such a reaction of bloating after Metronidazole? She was a slim, panther-y shape before, but now sometimes looks like she's got tennis balls in there... other days it looks like it's starting to resolve. She's a bit less playful than usual but will still run after fishing rod toys, will shimmy up to her cat tree top (a tad less elegantly) and is cuddly and purry as ever. Stools are normal but very smelly (and she won't now cover!
) I would greatly appreciate knowing if anyone's seen this reaction (if indeed it's a reaction.) Sorry this was so long, and thank you.
