Dear forum readers,
I found this forum as I was searching for a solution to my beloved cat`s recent problem with Diarrhea.As quickly as I can, here is her medical history and the current issue.
Kitty is a 12 YO 18 pound indoor ASH cat.I`ve had her since a kitten.For an overweight girl she has been healthy aside from having kidney stones which needed surgery about 7 years ago.She also has always had a heart murmur.
I feed her Innova Lite dry food and sometimes mix in the " Innova Evo" raw dry food as well.
I had to go away for from July 11-the 16th and needed to have a friend keep her (at her house) as she`s done for years when I`ve need a sitter.This friend has 3 indoor(vaccinated) cats of her own as well (Kitty is not good w other cats at all.)
I brought her food along but I`m sure the "house cat food" which is also a quality dry food was given along with the Innova mixed in.
2 days after getting her home,she developed a bad case of diarrhea and vomiting.I turned in to Mr. cat nurse,wiping her after she pooped etc.It got so bad that I brought her to my new Vet a few days later.
After leaving her overnight with an IV drip and a battery of tests, they determined that they still did not know the problem.Here is a list of what they had done.The bloodwork was fine.
Gastro exam (Checked for pancreatitus etc,) fecal cytology,stool exam,blood chemistry/thyroid test,complete blood count,HCT electrolytes,Depo Medrol injection,Vit B injection,IV fluids for dehydration,Polyflex injection.They also gave me a package of Hills W/D prescription dry food.
Upon coming home she didn`t poop at all for the next day.The day after that her stool began to look normal.Then to my surprise on the 3rd day she began to get the runs again.
I did some research online and began giving her little bits of yogurt as well as a small dropper full of Imodium 2 to 3 times per day.Once again,a full day of no poop and now as of today she is back to the full diarrhea as well as vomited once so far.
I am scared for her and frustrated that no diagnosis can be given so far.
ANY advice would be helpful..
Diarrhea Problem With Kitty
Re: Diarrhea Problem With Kitty
I do not have any suggestions....hopefully when Traci comes on, she will...she is our vet tech....
I just wanted to let you know I read your post and wanted to let you know I hope all goes okay
I just wanted to let you know I read your post and wanted to let you know I hope all goes okay
Was anything unusual on any of the tests? Was an xray done? When was her total heart function last evaluated? (i.e., ECG, blood pressure check, xrays etc). What grade is the heart murmur?
Stop feeding the Innova, and the EVO, do not EVER feed raw food, especially to an ill cat. Ask your vet to start your kitty on a bland, gastrointestinal prescription diet, like Hill's kitty I/D, or D/D (or even M/D for metabolism) or Purina EN. Offer plenty of fresh water and monitor her to make sure she's drinking sufficiently.
Did the vet offer to do a fPLI? This is a very specific test for feline pancreatitis and should be used instead of relying on the pancreatic enzymes in the blood profile, since those two enzymes should never be relied upon to rule in or out pancreatitis. The fPLI must be sent to an outside lab and usually takes 4 days or so to get results but your vet can call the lab and try to expedite the results.
It's entirely possible that the "visit" to your friend's was so stressful that it brought on a bout of diarrhea and vomiting. You also need to find out what food he/she was feeding and if kitty could have gotten into anything in his/her home, like a toxin, chewed a string etc.
Having said that, it is absolutely crucial you and your vet continue to rule out pancreatitis (as well as IBD), and since the symptoms do not appear to be resolving, I would seriously consider hospitalizing her with continuous IV fluid therapy, and medications to curb nausea, vomiting and anti-emetics. During this time, the vet can retest the pancreatic enzymes and other markers that may indicate acute pancreatitis or IBD and treat accordingly. He can also restest other enzymes to make darn sure no secondary illnesses are occuring.
DO NOT give Immodium, Kaopectate or any other over-the-counter product, they contain sub-salicylates that are toxic to cats, and these kinds of OTC medications are generally ineffective for cats. Your vet has safe and effective anti-emetics for cats that can be dosed and administered properly with IV fluids. If your current vet isn't telling you anything or offering treatment/hospitalization, then see a NEW VET immediately!
Stop feeding the Innova, and the EVO, do not EVER feed raw food, especially to an ill cat. Ask your vet to start your kitty on a bland, gastrointestinal prescription diet, like Hill's kitty I/D, or D/D (or even M/D for metabolism) or Purina EN. Offer plenty of fresh water and monitor her to make sure she's drinking sufficiently.
Did the vet offer to do a fPLI? This is a very specific test for feline pancreatitis and should be used instead of relying on the pancreatic enzymes in the blood profile, since those two enzymes should never be relied upon to rule in or out pancreatitis. The fPLI must be sent to an outside lab and usually takes 4 days or so to get results but your vet can call the lab and try to expedite the results.
It's entirely possible that the "visit" to your friend's was so stressful that it brought on a bout of diarrhea and vomiting. You also need to find out what food he/she was feeding and if kitty could have gotten into anything in his/her home, like a toxin, chewed a string etc.
Having said that, it is absolutely crucial you and your vet continue to rule out pancreatitis (as well as IBD), and since the symptoms do not appear to be resolving, I would seriously consider hospitalizing her with continuous IV fluid therapy, and medications to curb nausea, vomiting and anti-emetics. During this time, the vet can retest the pancreatic enzymes and other markers that may indicate acute pancreatitis or IBD and treat accordingly. He can also restest other enzymes to make darn sure no secondary illnesses are occuring.
DO NOT give Immodium, Kaopectate or any other over-the-counter product, they contain sub-salicylates that are toxic to cats, and these kinds of OTC medications are generally ineffective for cats. Your vet has safe and effective anti-emetics for cats that can be dosed and administered properly with IV fluids. If your current vet isn't telling you anything or offering treatment/hospitalization, then see a NEW VET immediately!
..........Traci
Re: Diarrhea Problem With Kitty
Tracy,thank you for your response.
In the morning I will ask my vet if they did pFLI test as well as considering your other suggestions.
Part of the problem for me is that with all of this mega information available online and elsewhere,determining a course of action can be confusing.There are so many differing opinions about treatments that it can overwhelm.
PS,her murmur as I recall was always about a 5 to 6 out of 10.
In the morning I will ask my vet if they did pFLI test as well as considering your other suggestions.
Part of the problem for me is that with all of this mega information available online and elsewhere,determining a course of action can be confusing.There are so many differing opinions about treatments that it can overwhelm.
PS,her murmur as I recall was always about a 5 to 6 out of 10.
Re: Diarrhea Problem With Kitty
Heart murmurs are graded I-VI, with VI being the most severe, often accompanied with heart disease.
Don't rely on information on the net, you don't always know where it comes from, and only your vet can examine, diagnose and treat your kitty.
Again, since the symptoms are not resolving, I'd strongly encourage you to get kitty back to your vet (or an emergency vet who oftentimes have more experience in acute disease problems), re-evaluate her, check her hydration status, get an xray done, and discuss her nutritional needs, preferrably getting her on a bland prescription diet at this point. Your vet can then draw blood for an fPLI and get it sent out promptly.
Don't rely on information on the net, you don't always know where it comes from, and only your vet can examine, diagnose and treat your kitty.
Again, since the symptoms are not resolving, I'd strongly encourage you to get kitty back to your vet (or an emergency vet who oftentimes have more experience in acute disease problems), re-evaluate her, check her hydration status, get an xray done, and discuss her nutritional needs, preferrably getting her on a bland prescription diet at this point. Your vet can then draw blood for an fPLI and get it sent out promptly.
..........Traci