| Diarrhea |
julieo |
2007-05-27 09:10:41 |
| Okay, I'm new here, so this may be old hat to most of you. I have had an Exotic Long-Hair (Persian) for maybe five years who lately has had recurrent bouts of diarrhea. I have not changed dry food, but have changed the canned from time to time (but am not giving large amounts). I at first thought it was due to his eating a stray leaf from a plant that had blown to the floor, as he is inclined to do this, but I don't think that's what's going on. I'm at wits end because I have three other cats and need to monitor the box and clean it as soon as he's been in there (which is a problem overnight). In addition, he tracks it in from the box, it's on him, and there are spots on the floor. What do I do to get this under control? I've even felt desperate enough to let go of him, which I don't think is fair to him, but don't know what to do to get a handle on this. I have stopped giving him canned food at all for a day or two, but when I restart, it's tending to come back. Help! |
| maibee |
2007-05-27 10:23:59 |
| Julia, stop giving your kitty the canned food and try a hypoallergenic dry cat food. I know Medi Cal has one, Royal Canin has one (was recalled and should be back on the market in about 3-4 weeks). You can purchase it from a vet clinic. Do not give up. Jinxi Boo had diarrhea for 6 months until I did some research and pinpointed her as having an inflammatroy bowel syndrome. She is doing great since I switched her to this type of food. Have you taken him to the vet? Nadine |
| julieo |
2007-05-27 10:42:25 |
| I took him to the vet last year for this problem. I think she gave me prednisone or perhaps just an antibiotic. Usually I feed exclusively Fancy Feast, and it isn't a problem, but I've lately given Avo and a couple of other new ones, though in small portions. The other cats are fine. The Long-Hair is more susceptible, by far. Royal Canin hypoallergenic, then? (If back on the shelf). Thanks for your reply. I'm becoming exasperated and tied to the home myself. I may quarantine him to a bathroom, but hate to do this. |
| Cooper |
2007-05-27 10:54:15 |
Changing foods will give an upset stomach if not done slowly. Start with just a tiny portion of the new mixed with the old. Gradually mix in more of the new and less of the old over a period of days. If the new food is higher in protein but the digestive tract is used to foods with grains, this could be causing the problem. That is why you need to proceed slowly, giving the digestive tract time to adjust. It sounds to me that if he has had the problem since last year there might be something besides the food causing the problem. Did the vet run any tests to diagnose the problem?
Lynda |
| julieo |
2007-05-27 14:35:31 |
| No, frankly, the vet did not. She just gave me meds for an infection. He badly needs a dental, and I wonder if this could be causing the other to flare periodically. Interesting, too, because this vet stated that she was raised with Persians, so you'd think she'd have a handle on their particular issues. Maybe it was trying new canned food. I thought I had it licked, though. Guess not. |
| celeste55 |
2007-05-27 14:51:08 |
Julia,
You do not need to be confined to your home during this period. See if you can or have a groomer give him a sanitary clip (bum area). Also include extra litter boxes so the others can use the clean ones.
I do not understand why you changed diets if he wasn't having a problem before. None of Fancy Feast entrees were recalled.
Regardless of how little can food he eats, if it doesn't agree with him, he can end up with diarrhea or vomit from it.
I had the same problem with 2 of my boys. Both were resolved with diet changes. As a matter of fact, one of the boys was switched to sliced turkey or chicken Fancy Feast since he is a big can food eater and has not had a problem since.
The other eats a holistic kibble and since I was unable to find another can food he liked, he now eats some raw beef also. His problems have also ended.
If he has long draping fur, do check into the sanitary clips. Even with regular formed bowel movements, the one that has this type of fur and also has shorter legs than the others, will occasionally get his entire bowel movement stuck to his behind! LOL And naturally this happens at the worse times, whereas, I need to drop everything, clean him and then give him a bath. Good luck, I'm sure this will resolve. |
| julieo |
2007-05-27 15:19:27 |
| Hi Celeste, thanks for your input. Quite honestly, sometimes I think I should give them something besides Fancy Feast, so I try other foods. I was pretty clear as far as the recall goes. I fed canned Max Cat Nutro (which they also like), and also have not had problems (I don't feed the fish selections, and they seemed to be the tainted ones as far as what I've been purchasing. Honestly, with him, he has tolerated both the Nutro and the Fancy (and seemingly others). Maybe it was just this Avo stuff that got to him. As for the cut, thankfully he had a lion cut a couple of months ago for this very problem, so things weren't as complicated in the rear. I think I will get another box going, thanks for the suggestion. |
| oneldybug |
2007-05-29 18:20:03 |
my vet recommended 1/2 of a Pepcid to calm the tummy & the bowels(the small pill, not the chewable one). Gave twice a day at first, then only once a day, then every other day. Worked wonders! They tend to have those issues when you change their food. If there's one he likes, it works & it's not on the contaminated list - go by the old addage - if it's not broken, don't fix it! LOL!
Seriously! Hope he feels better! |
| julieo |
2007-06-07 20:20:14 |
| Thanks to all of you. I've been cutting the canned food way down, even the Fancy Feast, which he loves. It still seems to be an intermittent problem. I am beginning to wonder if it is the IBS because one time after he used the box (and it was soft, but not quite diarrhea), there was blood in the stool. An allergy or irritable bowel syndrome? Should I try a totally different food, such as one mentioned in one of your notes? I feed Max Cat dry and Avoderm dry, as well as the Fancy Feast, but he has not had the intermittent diarrhea as frequently as he has lately. Right now, it's under control, but I noticed the blood a couple of days ago. |
| kelliche |
2007-08-09 16:38:05 |
Hi
I can really sympathise with you, i had a high white blue persian at 14 weeks old, from the first weekend she had chronic diarrhea, which went on and on for months, she was always in the bath,at the vets and generally poo poo, a breeder recomended, dorwest herbal tree bark, im sure you can get it in the states, it was a miracle and touch wood she hasnt had it since, i sprinkle about half a teaspoon on her food everyday, id highly recommend it.
Kes Uk |
| julieo |
2007-09-07 21:53:13 |
I'm posting here again to give feedback and an update on this problem, which I had first posted a couple of mos or so ago. I solved this problem by stopping the Nutro Max Cat Roasted Chicken dry food and changing to Royal Canin Special 33, allegedly with "extra-strengthened digestive safety". It definitely solved the problem if anyone else has it and wants to go this route. I have another problem with this cat, though, and will either post a new thread or find a solution that already exists here.
Thanks again everyone. |
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