Question:
My cats have had inconsistent stools for about 4-5 months now. It started with the adoption of a new kitten that had Coccidia (intestinal Parasite) which he then gave to my resident cat. They were both treated for it and took about a month to clear up. Since then their stools have been on the soft side and extremely smelly.
We have tried all sorts of things including Science Diet ID canned and dry food which is a bland diet, Benebac, probios powder, digestive enzymes, Flagyl etc and nothing seems to help. The latest thing is the vet switched them to a Venison and Pea diet and maybe it was just the switch in the food but they have both had bad diahrrea for a couple of days now. They had stopped the flagyl and are still getting the Benebac.
The vet wants me to bring them back in on Tuesday and get another fecal exam. She also wants to put them on predisone.
I am just sooo frustrated. I have spent sooo much that they have me on a "Regular Clientele" discount. I have just had horrible luck with cats.
~ Kris ~
Proud mother of 2 furry children - Willis and Chester.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-Mark Twain
www.democracynow.org
Answer:
It's not just the money either obviously. I am really worried for their health.
~ Kris ~
Proud mother of 2 furry children - Willis and Chester.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-Mark Twain
www.democracynow.org
Answer:
How long have they been on the Venison and Pea, and have you switched them over slowly? I am switching my IBD cat to the dry Natural Balance version of Venison and Pea very slowly...I know you are supposed to take about a week or so to switch, but I am taking more like 2, because I know his stool is going to be loose in the beginning, no matter what. My vet told me to give the diet some time, though...I always tend to jump on the "it's not working" bandwagon pretty quickly! Is your cat on Natural Balance? The ingrediants are a LOT better than Hills Prescription diet, IMO. Also, Prescription ID didn't work for my cat, either....neither did Eukanuba Low Residue. I take it that prednisone worked for your kitties in the past? I can totally understand your frustration and concern, especially with two of them!!
I have bad luck with cats, too...every cat I have ever had has SOME kind of chronic something, so I can completely relate...
Good luck with your kitties!
Karie and crew
Answer:
I probably didn't go as slow as I should have with the switch...just because my vet seemed anxious to see how the venison and pea would work. Unfortunately it is the Royal Canin prescription venison and pea. They just started it so I figure the diahrrea is just due to the switch in diet. I just feel like over time their situation has gotten worse and not better. They have not be on prednisone yet and am reluctant to go that route just because it is a steroid. I have done some research and I just have mixed feelings about it. I wonder if with time if the venison and pea diet will help. I am wondering though in the meantime if there is anything I can do to firm up their stools?
I am wondering if they have IBD but it just seems weird for a young kitten to have IBD and for them both to have it. It seems like something else is going on..just wish I knew.
~ Kris ~
Proud mother of 2 furry children - Willis and Chester.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-Mark Twain
www.democracynow.org
Answer:
What are your concerns over prednisone? Every once in a while someone comes here with worries about it, but I never understand it. It is extremely common among both animals and humans. It may have some minor impact to long term health to take it indefinitely but if your vet believes it is necessary in the short term then it probably is.
Answer:
I doubt very much that both your cats have IBD.
Personally, I would not opt for the pred at this time. Although it has it's place, it supresses the immune system and, again IMO, is WAY over used.
Were your cats also treated for giardia? If not, that would be my next step. It can also cause unexplained (very stinky!) diahrrea.
Since they've been on Flagyl I think it would be a good idea to give them a little acidopholus for a couple of weeks to help balance out their digestive systems again.
Hope that helps.
Answer:
I guess I just have never had personal experience with it and that since my vet has waited this long to try it that I figured she was holding off for a reason. Medications can have side effects and with the luck I have been having I just worry that the medicine will make them worse. After 5 months of no luck, traveling back and forth to my vet who is 40 min away numerous times having to leave work (this is a fairly new job for me too), and spending close to $1,500 I guess I do worry a bit.
~ Kris ~
Proud mother of 2 furry children - Willis and Chester.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-Mark Twain
www.democracynow.org
Answer:
Nanook,
They were tested for giardia and even treated for it anyways and the test came back negative. I would be shocked too if they had IBD. Some part of me thinks there must be some parasite still going on....they are going to do a few more tests on Tuesday. They have been taking Benebac which I believe has acidophilus on it along with the Flagyl although they were out for a few days but now they are back on the Benebac again. I just wonder that since we have switched their treatment plan so many times if it is not making them worse. ugh....
~ Kris ~
Proud mother of 2 furry children - Willis and Chester.
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it's what we know for sure that just ain't so."
-Mark Twain
www.democracynow.org
Answer:
I have acute ulcerative colitis that has been unresponsive to traditional treatments. It wasn't until I was put on a massive dose of prednisone (60mg) that I saw any positive lasting results to my condition in the past 6 years.
I've been on large doses of pred for the past 22 months. Each time we would wean me off, the symptoms would come back worse than ever. We have tried chemo, some relief but again as we came off the pred the symptoms would return. We are now trying remicade.
I have gained a lot of weight (50#) am puffy and my ankles/feet swell and I have trouble breathing during humid times and excess exercise. It is getting better as we are trying to wean off the pred again. I am at 20mg right now, going down 5mg every two weeks until I am at 0.
I would think that short term use (under 6 months) for kitties w/ IBD, the prednisone could be invaluable for them. It would give their digestive tracts time to heal and normalize as they are weaned off the pred. I would not expect their symptoms to return as mine did, your kitties' and my problem, while similar, are still vastly different. BUT, the relief the pred could give them is very real.
Reconsider and speak more in depth with your vet about your concerns.
Heidi
I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey look, a cat!
Answer:
Quote: I just wonder that since we have switched their treatment plan so many times if it is not making them worse.
I think you may be onto something there.
Here's the thing with pred. If a kitty has IBD, it is usually the only thing (although there are exceptions) that can manage it but it is not a cure. There is none.
In this case, it's extremely unlikely that it's IBD so using pred, although it will temporarily quell the symptoms, it will not cure the problem and, more than likely, the symptoms will return once the pred. is stopped because whatever is causing the diahrrea is still happening. Except, now their little immune systems will have been further weakened.
How long have they had diahrrea now? How long ago did you last switch foods?
Since both cats are young, and both have diahrrea, I'd still suspect some sort of parasite. (Especially since it all started with the arrival of the new kitty?) They don't always show up in tests. Or that they are getting into something they shouldn't. Or something like e-coli...All seem much more likely to me than something that would actually respond to pred.
Have you tried pumpkin and/or slippery elm? They won't solve it if there's an actual cause, but if it's just from all the treatments and diet changes, it may help.
All that being said, Pred. may end up being the only alternative and a short term treatment of it isn't going to kill your cats, but I'd just try everything else first.