Leaky Bottom

[Courtneya]

My 11 year old Kitty has had a leaky bottom. Some days it will be perfectly fine, other days, it's horrible and smells. I am constantly grooming and cleaning his bottom to try and help. I had his anal glands emptied, and they said they were full, but his bottom still continues to leak. I've also had numerous tests done on him and everything comes back fine. He has an increased appetite, but has lost weight. I thought maybe he had worms, so I've treated him. He acts great. Still plays, talks, cuddles. Just leaky bottom and weight loss.

 

[ArchyCat]

How is his stool? Normal? or loose and/or liquid?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
Can you try a different vet?

Have you tried different foods? He's losing weight, - can you supplement with unflavored Pedialyte, and kitten glop?

 

[Courtneya]

I changed him to band wet food and kitten food (to help him gain weight). I live in a small town with limited options. Also took him to ER vet and they had no idea what was wrong with him either. His entire life, his stools have been semisolid. No change in stools. Just leaking

 

[Courtneya]

Sorry, bland wet food. That was the only advice the vets gave. I also give him probiotics once a day. I asked vet how to help him gain weight, they said wet kitten food. So he gets that once-twice a day

 

[Furballsmom]

Along with your vets advice, try goat milk, and there are recipes for kitten glop and Pedialyte

Kitten-Rescue.com

How To Get A Cat To Gain Weight

 

[white shadow]

.
Hi Courtneya and welcome to the forum !

I would never suggest goat milk nor any 'glops' for an 11 year-old cat with chronic loose stool/bowel issues.

The awful smell might suggest that there's one of the nasty intestinal bacteria at work.

You mentioned "numerous tests"......do you know exactly what these were?

Was his stool tested? (details?)

Was any medication ever given targeting his gut/bowel?

It's likely that the anal glands were "full" because the stool was/has not been firm enough to naturally empty them with bowel movements. That, then, is likely to recur unless his stool firms up.

Let's see what you can find about the tests that have been done.
.

 

[Courtneya]

We had a CBC, thyroid test (she thought this was causing weight loss), diabetes (also weight loss), and stool sample. All came back with nothing. They thought he had a bacterial infection and prescribed amoxicillin (which did make his stools loose and is expected with antibiotics). She also prescribed Prednisolone. Both were completed. This is the same time she gave us probiotics. Since those were "flushing" the bad bacteria out, and wanted to replace with good bacteria. She told me to continue this for daily use. So he gets that once a day. His bowels are not loose. Nor are they formed. He has been like this ever since he was a kitten and vet said it's fine as long as he has always been like this. So no to kitten glop. How about Pedialyte? This cat used to be a big 15 pound cat and is now 8 pounds. I want my chubby boy back with a clean tushy!

 

[white shadow]

.
When was the last record of his weight at 15 pounds?

Did the beginning of his weight loss - the beginning of the weight decline - coincide with any food change?

That kind of weight loss (to me, at least) could also be indicative of something very serious that has developed alongside the ongoing soft stool issue. (that's an enormous weight loss!)

You mentioned "stool sample"......the sample is just the actual stool. What's important is the type of testing that was used to analyze it. There are 'off-the-shelf'/standard/run-of-the-mill tests that are commonly done in-house - but, these do not identify all the currently known 'bugs'. If the in-house tests do not identify the problem and the problem persists, a stool sample is then sent out to a pathology lab for 'advanced' analysis. (Amoxil, btw, isn't the type of drug usually used for intestinal issues.)

The comment about chronic soft stool being fine if it's always been present is, to me, really odd. It certainly is not natural nor normal.

Pedialyte is used for hydration and to add electrolytes when diarrhea is causing a loss of these. If he is well hydrated, there's no benefit/need for it. (As for those other suggestions, I would be concerned about their effect on the already soft stool.)

When you say "His bowels are not loose. Nor are they formed", do you mean that the stool is much like the consistency of soft-serve ice cream?

Are there any other clinics in the area? I'd be looking for a 'second opinion', preferably from someone who's good with cats and has a lengthy practice history. Is there a larger center/city anywhere nearby?
.

 

[Courtneya]

Trying to answer all questions above!
He weighed 15 pounds in March. He was eating the same food. No change in anything. I always called him a yo-yo dieter because he gains weight in winter and sheds it (plus some in summer). So I shook off the weight loss for awhile until it became extreme. The weight loss and sickness, and food change was recent within the past 2 months. I had never changed his food prior to the vet appointments. Leaky bottom has been going on for about a month.
The vet got a stool sample from his actual bowels. It was not something that he passed and they then tested it. They inserted a scoop into his bottom to get a sample. His stool does replicate soft serve ice cream.
I first took him to the ER vet because one evening he wasnt acting right. They did assessment and tests. All came back great. The next day, I went to my original vet, she started from scratch and did an assessment and the tests listed previously. So I technically have had two opinions. Not that I shouldn't get 3. But I am a college student with limited money and trying to get as much care for him and advice as I possibly can. I've already spent $600 on him in the past month.

 

[Furballsmom]

Just in case something here is of help;

(apologies for any dead links you may encounter);
Financial Assistance – Day By Day Caregiver Support Inc.

Financial Aid for Pets

No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life

 

[lavishsqualor]

Have you tried feeding him nothing but boiled chicken? One of my vets suggests doing this for no more than a week to see if an allergy to something in the food is causing the diarrhea. Obviously you don't want any salt or seasoning--just plain boiled chicken breast. Some will suggest white rice with this but my vet always vetoed that due to possible grain allergies. It's worth a try and couldn't hurt, as long as you don't continue it for more than a week.

 

[jen]

The comment about chronic soft stool being fine if it's always been present is, to me, really odd. It certainly is not natural nor normal.

I agree!! What vet would say this is ok?? SOMETHING is going on here. What about a specialist or like, an ultrasound of his intestines, something more needs to be done. Metronidazole can be used for the loose stool. Has your vet prescribed this at all?

 

[jen]

Also a 7 lb weight loss in 6 months is HUUUUGE. I am really sorry to ask but have they ruled out cancer? Something big is happening here, this is not normal. Maybe an abdominal xray? Or more in depth internal parasite tests?

 

[lavishsqualor]

I am really sorry to ask but have they ruled out cancer?

That was the first thing that came to mind, sadly.

 

[Courtneya]

"]Have you tried feeding him nothing but boiled chicken?"
This is pretty much what the bland food is that I am feeding him.

 

[Courtneya]

Cancer was never brought up. Not that it isn't possible, but when I look up side effects of so many cancers, he doesn't have any of them. Yes weight loss is a sign of cancer, but "not eating/anorexia" go hand in hand. This cat eats all. The. Time!!! And also a leaky bottom has never come up as a side effect of cancer. I've had a pet with cancer and friends whos cats had leukemia. He doesn't show any of the same signs. The vet offered to do an x-ray, but like I said before, I couldn't pay out of pocket for it. And they don't have payment plans.

 

[MissClouseau]

He weighed 15 pounds in March. He was eating the same food. No change in anything. I always called him a yo-yo dieter because he gains weight in winter and sheds it (plus some in summer). So I shook off the weight loss for awhile until it became extreme. The weight loss and sickness, and food change was recent within the past 2 months.

Could you call the vet clinic and ask them what kind of intestinal worms they tested? I know you said you treated him for worms but no dewormer is effective against all worms.

Also, when you say the CBC result was great, was it ALL great? Honestly especially at 11 I doubt everything would be perfect. If they didn't see what they consider "slight elevations" a big deal, those numbers might still give a clue. I would be really, really surprised a cat who recently lost so much weight AND has had loose stools would have all the numbers perfect.

Is he indoor-only? Does he throw up if yes how frequently? Has he been stressed about anything?

 

[Courtneya]

I understand what you're saying about the labs being perfect. I personally have not seen the labs but she looked at them and her co-worker veterinary looked at them. when we were in the room she really just stood there like she was at a loss of what could be wrong with him. That is why she just kind of threw those meds as to see if they would be any help at all. He was throwing up prior to the amoxicillin. But ever since we had finished these meds he has not thrown up at all. He is mostly an indoor cat. Probably about 85% of the time he is indoors. But he also goes outdoors. Believe it or not his health has improved. Prior to these vet appointments he was throwing up lethargic at times, having diarrhea frequently, and not eating or drinking. he hasn't had any of these since I taking him to the vet and he acts so much more like himself.

 

[MissClouseau]

I understand what you're saying about the labs being perfect. I personally have not seen the labs but she looked at them and her co-worker veterinary looked at them. when we were in the room she really just stood there like she was at a loss of what could be wrong with him. That is why she just kind of threw those meds as to see if they would be any help at all. He was throwing up prior to the amoxicillin. But ever since we had finished these meds he has not thrown up at all. He is mostly an indoor cat. Probably about 85% of the time he is indoors. But he also goes outdoors. Believe it or not his health has improved. Prior to these vet appointments he was throwing up lethargic at times, having diarrhea frequently, and not eating or drinking. he hasn't had any of these since I taking him to the vet and he acts so much more like himself.

I would absolutely call the vet clinic and ask for a copy of the all the tests they have done. Honestly they should have given them to you no matter what but especially if they couldn't find the cause of the problems. If they say they don't have the results saved and if you have any other clinic option for the future, I would ask for a refund at the cost of burning down the bridges. You paid for an exam and tests and you don't have the tests (results) nor a right diagnosis. That's less service than what you have paid for. Not trying to turn this into a money thing but you will need money to take the cat to another vet because this one failed to do their job properly.

IBD might also cause stool problems and/or vomiting. There are users more experienced on IBD than me but I know that decreases the body absorbing nutrition and might cause weight loss. If you don't get endoscopy right now, if possible get him a B12 shot.

I think it's fair to say there was a bacteria that antibiotics took care of and that's why he is doing better now but my personal guess is there was/is more than one thing because there usually is. I would highly suspect of food intolerance since you say his stools haven't been normall all his life. My cat goes outside daily too and they already burn more calories than indoor-only cats but also, in the summer especially with the hot weather and fleas and eggs being around, worms are not unlikely at all. And he might be throwing up outside more than you see. In which case "increased appetite" might be an attempt at putting back on what he lost and he might even be getting underfed.

For now until further tests done I would personally feed with the highest calorie wet foods you find that DOESN'T have what you've been feeding him in the ingredients, at least not as one of the firsts. (Like if he's been eating chicken-based food, switch to a different meat.) And free feed or hand feed with some grain-free kibbles - mostly because we can't leave wet food outside.