Kitty Colitis

[Cleo]

It appears my Molly who has been a scooter for some time because of impacted anal glands has colitis; or at least that's what is suspected. She had an appointment today for a 2 year old wellness exam which coincided with the fact that she had vomited three times within the last seven days. None of it bile, just alot of brown liquid and some regurgitated food. She has her normal appetite and play schedule.

Last night she scooted after a visit to the litter box and tracked poop and a little bit of blood. It was regular red in color, not dark or black. When the vet did a rectal temp on her today, there was blood present on the thermometer and he said it wasn't from her anal glands but in the poop. She was also running a temperature of 103.5 which was a surprise to the both of us.

He gave her some fluids so he can get a shot of amoxicillian in her for today and sent me home with liquid drops to give her for the next 10 days. He also gave her a shot of something else to calm her tummy down but I can't remember what it was. He talks fast and the whole blood issue through me for a loop and I had a hard time keeping up. He said at her age he didn't think it was anything as severe as cancer. He also threw out allot of words but the only one I caught was colitis. I asked if he should do blood work on her but he said it wasn't necessary and to bring her back in 10 days.

He didn't mention changing her diet but suggested I give her some Laxatone hairball remedy. They already eat Nutro Hairball Dry Food. Does anyone have any insight they can share with me on this?

Thanks! I hope you and yours are all well!!
Cleo

[Traci]

Hi Cleo,

The problem is your vet doesnt know for certain if this is dietary allergies, a bacteria, or inflammatory in nature. You could have started by introducing a hypoallergenic diet, which would rule out a protein allergen (not sure the hairball diet is sufficient in fiber source either, ask your vet about that)

If bacterial in nature, it might clear up on it's own within the course of the amoxicillin, but if it doesn't, your vet will then need to do a fecal culture to rule out possibilities of salmonella, campylobacter, clostridium, giardia, etc and consider bloodwork at that time. Also, an x-ray of the abdomen might reveal a foreign material in the colon.

I'd say do as your vet advises and get the recheck in 10 days. If Molly develops further blood in the stool or develops diarrhea or severe diarrhea, don't wait for the 10 days, call your vet back immediately to get her seen should that occur, or if she appears painful in the abdomen in any way, is lethargic, dehydrated, continues to vomit, etc.

Hoping it is nothing more than bacterial in nature, but please keep a close eye on her.

[Mona]

Of course follow Traci's advice.

My cat vomits, and seems to have dry stools at times. I give her laxatone, and canned plain pumpkin with her wet food. The pumpkin works very well.

Honeybun does not have blood present in her stool, but her anus has been irriated and red. I sometimes wash her and apply Ky jelly to soothe her.

It seems to be a battle for some to have normal stools, and I think that regular use of the Laxatone and a lot of brushing help things move along with the hair inside, and the pumpkin as well.

Mona

[Cleo]

Thanks. She is due in for a recheck Monday morning, meds are still twice a day and I haven't been able to take her temperature without coming away with battle scars! She hasn't vomitted and only scooted once since last week, no blood. I spoke with the vet and asked if I should be doing something different with her diet, do fecal tests, xrays ... his response was if I wanted to handover my paycheck to him he'd gladly take it He also said this is the first time it's occurred (yeah that we've caught it) and unless and until it progresses into something that is repetitive, it's not necessary to proceed with the above actions. We shall see....

Thanks again!
Cleo