hello I am working with a friend of mine who has a small cattery. she only has abandoned animals there and since she is doing this on her own time with her own dime we work with them on a tight budget. my job is I go everyday and clean the cattery out from top to bottom. I mean I am a virgo so I am a very big detailest. At the moment we have 10 cats. All are healthy and all eat well and drink plenty of water but for some reason they all have runny poos. now I clean every day and after I empty the cat boxes out, I sweep and wash (with watered down bleach and then a sanitizing floor cleaner) and before I put the boxes back in I have a sprayer and I mist the floor with bleach to kill even more germs. I wouldnt say you could eat off the floor (yuck) but it is really really clean! even the vet made a comment about how she had never seen a cleaner cattery in all her life. Now i cannot understand why everyone has runny poos. I have treated everyone for (worms), I use a treatment from Bayer that is every expensive and tries to get all types, I have lowered the amount of food they get per day by 1/2, have them all on 500 mg of L-Lysine daily and they were all treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic and it seems to do no good. would anyone have an idea I could try to harden up their poos? it is not a mess like diarrhea but it certainly isnt nice firm poos like it should be. Next try is pumpkin.. was told it was a good home remedy. have bought the pumpkin and a can of sardines to mix with it to get them to eat it. hehehe....Also I dont use cat sand but I use instead pony food! it is just chopped up corn and I love it. it is clean, absorbs like crazy, has a great fresh smell and is dirt cheap!!!! I have watched the cats to make sure they arent eating it and checked their poos to see if I could find any corn in there and havent. My friend also uses it for her house cats, (she has 9 cats) and has no problem with them. so it has to be something in the cattery...the vet says it is very difficult to try to sort it out as it could be a virus. Any help?
THANKS!!!
Nancy
cattery health
Re: cattery health
Nancy,
What food are you feeding the cats? This very well may have something to do with all the soft stools/diarrhea.
Coccidia and giardia are common problems that can cause diarrhea in cats, especially shelter cats and cattery cats. The vet can get a few samples and test the samples. Specific medication from the vet is required to treat coccidia or giardia.
If the stools are runny and happen to include blood, you could have cause for great concern. This is a common symptom of feline distemper, and in a shelter or cattery situation, disaster could result. Distemper is fatal if not treated immediately, and is communicable, which means an outbreak could occur with these cats and the disease could spread throughout the community. If the cats don't have other symptoms like respiratory problems, lethargy, vomiting, weakness, fever activity, etc, you may not have to worry about distemper. Vaccinating for distemper is good practice for keeping this fatal disease at bay.
Don't use antibiotics in cats unless there is a specific illness that dictates it's use and with a full exam/testing from the vet. Antibiotic use in cats without any indication for the need, is not good practice. Even if there is a diagnosed need, it should be used judiciously because antibiotics can alter the natural flora in the cat's intestine and cause soft stools or diarrhea (in some cats, not all cats).
The cleaning regimin is a bit odd. Don't use bleach with any other sanitizing cleaners, each will negate the other's effectiveness. Don't overdo it on the bleach either because it can cause respiratory problems in cats, and the vapors can get into a cat's mucous membranes and cause light-headedness, nausea and vomiting, reddened and swollen conjunctiva in the eyes, etc. Bleach is also like ammonia, which you should know, is naturally occuring in cat's urine. Used sparingly and without other cleaners, it will be sufficient. Bleach is the only thing on the market that can effectively kill most germs and pathogens, but no cleaner can kill 100% of everything.
Instead, dilute the bleach (1 part bleach to 32 parts water), and do not use any other cleaner unless it's in a different area. NEVER spray or mist a bleach solution or pure bleach and leave it, it must ALWAYS be rinsed, because the cat will walk on it and lick their paws and ingest it. Never let ANY cleaning agent remain on floors, they must be rinsed so no residue remains.
Address the food issue first, if it is a rather cheap, generic brand of food, it may be deficient in nutrients that might cause the diarrhea. Any other foods, milk, or treats could also be culprit.
What food are you feeding the cats? This very well may have something to do with all the soft stools/diarrhea.
Coccidia and giardia are common problems that can cause diarrhea in cats, especially shelter cats and cattery cats. The vet can get a few samples and test the samples. Specific medication from the vet is required to treat coccidia or giardia.
If the stools are runny and happen to include blood, you could have cause for great concern. This is a common symptom of feline distemper, and in a shelter or cattery situation, disaster could result. Distemper is fatal if not treated immediately, and is communicable, which means an outbreak could occur with these cats and the disease could spread throughout the community. If the cats don't have other symptoms like respiratory problems, lethargy, vomiting, weakness, fever activity, etc, you may not have to worry about distemper. Vaccinating for distemper is good practice for keeping this fatal disease at bay.
Don't use antibiotics in cats unless there is a specific illness that dictates it's use and with a full exam/testing from the vet. Antibiotic use in cats without any indication for the need, is not good practice. Even if there is a diagnosed need, it should be used judiciously because antibiotics can alter the natural flora in the cat's intestine and cause soft stools or diarrhea (in some cats, not all cats).
The cleaning regimin is a bit odd. Don't use bleach with any other sanitizing cleaners, each will negate the other's effectiveness. Don't overdo it on the bleach either because it can cause respiratory problems in cats, and the vapors can get into a cat's mucous membranes and cause light-headedness, nausea and vomiting, reddened and swollen conjunctiva in the eyes, etc. Bleach is also like ammonia, which you should know, is naturally occuring in cat's urine. Used sparingly and without other cleaners, it will be sufficient. Bleach is the only thing on the market that can effectively kill most germs and pathogens, but no cleaner can kill 100% of everything.
Instead, dilute the bleach (1 part bleach to 32 parts water), and do not use any other cleaner unless it's in a different area. NEVER spray or mist a bleach solution or pure bleach and leave it, it must ALWAYS be rinsed, because the cat will walk on it and lick their paws and ingest it. Never let ANY cleaning agent remain on floors, they must be rinsed so no residue remains.
Address the food issue first, if it is a rather cheap, generic brand of food, it may be deficient in nutrients that might cause the diarrhea. Any other foods, milk, or treats could also be culprit.
..........Traci
Re: cattery health
the cats eat purina cat chow which they love. First i will check for coccidia and giardia. this may be the problem. there is no blood in the stools.I do not believe distemper is at fault. they have no other symptoms. just the runny stools.sorry i do dilute the bleach when i clean. and now will cut out the sanitizing cleaner.first i will try the stool samples and see what they vet says. thanks for your help! will let you know.
Nancy
Nancy
Re: cattery health
HI Traci, well I took the stool samples to the vet and you were right it is giardia. they are on Flaygl, 2ml per day for the kits and 3 for the few adults. lots of fun making 10 cats drink medicine everyday! 
Now if it will help them all out. I have changed my cleaning tactics. I am just cleaning out daily with a good disinfectant. Everyone it taking their meds pretty good. it is all about how to do it and they all love me. 
I am also cleaning out their boxes with soap and (hot boiling)water everyday instead of just scooping. hoping this will help as well. everyone is eating and drinking well so lets hope for the best. I have even managed to get the two wildest (semi-feral) ones to take the medicine. that was a great feat! Wish me luck. will keep ya updated. once again THANKS for your ear and your recommendations.
cheers
Nancy
Now if it will help them all out. I have changed my cleaning tactics. I am just cleaning out daily with a good disinfectant. Everyone it taking their meds pretty good. it is all about how to do it and they all love me. I am also cleaning out their boxes with soap and (hot boiling)water everyday instead of just scooping. hoping this will help as well. everyone is eating and drinking well so lets hope for the best. I have even managed to get the two wildest (semi-feral) ones to take the medicine. that was a great feat! Wish me luck. will keep ya updated. once again THANKS for your ear and your recommendations.cheers
Nancy
Re: cattery health
Good to hear the the vet found out what it was. The Flagyl should help eradicate it, post an update when you can.
..........Traci
Re: cattery health
Hi Traci,
the cats finished their 7 days of Flagyl.(they did 7 days as they were taking pediatric flagyl) they all seem to be much better, they are playing and cleaning themselves again. however even though they are now having soft stools instead of the runs I contacted the vet and now I am going to give them a probiotic to get their little intestines back into good working order. It is called Biocanis. Have used it before and they actually seem to not mind the flavor. thank goodness. hehehe you can have a look: http://www.ourofino.com/portal_en/anima ... news/16398
the page is in some really badly translated portuguese to english. hahaha thanks!!!
Nancy
the cats finished their 7 days of Flagyl.(they did 7 days as they were taking pediatric flagyl) they all seem to be much better, they are playing and cleaning themselves again. however even though they are now having soft stools instead of the runs I contacted the vet and now I am going to give them a probiotic to get their little intestines back into good working order. It is called Biocanis. Have used it before and they actually seem to not mind the flavor. thank goodness. hehehe you can have a look: http://www.ourofino.com/portal_en/anima ... news/16398
the page is in some really badly translated portuguese to english. hahaha thanks!!!
Nancy
Re: cattery health
Nancy,
Can you get any other brand of probiotic that doesn't contain ethoxyquin?
Ethoxyquin is a preservative in some foods that in micro amounts is probably not detrimental, but it is an unfavorable preservative to use in animal feeds or products, particularly if you might already be feeding a type of cat food that already contains ethoxyquin. Regardless, at least here in the US, we have various brands of probiotic pastes that NEVER contain ethoxyquin. A good probiotic for pets will only contain the cultures.
Can you get any other brand of probiotic that doesn't contain ethoxyquin?
Ethoxyquin is a preservative in some foods that in micro amounts is probably not detrimental, but it is an unfavorable preservative to use in animal feeds or products, particularly if you might already be feeding a type of cat food that already contains ethoxyquin. Regardless, at least here in the US, we have various brands of probiotic pastes that NEVER contain ethoxyquin. A good probiotic for pets will only contain the cultures.
..........Traci
Re: cattery health
well I´ll have to have a look as it is something the vet recommended. I have another vet I can check at and today we made them some tea from pomegrantes. they drank it and it is supposed to stop runny poos. hopefully it works...we´ll see tomorrow. nice thing about brasil as there are many herbs and plants you can make teas from. remember that vet stuff here is not the best in the world. sometimes it is diffcult to work with their stuff. that is why most people use herbs and native plants to cure things or help health reasons along. anyway everyone was super happy today runing and playing. havent seen that in a few weeks. it was great! I have also checked their foods and it contains no "ethoxyquin" thank goodness. thanks for your ear and recommendations.
cheers,
Nancy
cheers,
Nancy
Re: cattery health
Don't use Pomegranate-anything for pets. It might cause even more gastrointestinal upset.
As a matter of fact, don't use any herbal or plant teas at all. Very few herbs have ever been studied or classified as safe for pets.
Just so you know, folk medicine as you described often do not cure anything, and sometimes it is just delaying proper medical attention. Never give human "folk" cures to pets, ever, since even though humans might be able to tolerate some herbs etc, there is very little evidence of safety in pets.
It would be better to use NOTHING at all, unless you can find a safe probiotic for cats, even then, it probably is not even necessary.
Giving them a quality food with plenty of fresh water is probably enough at this point. (as long as you've finished the course of flagyl).
As a matter of fact, don't use any herbal or plant teas at all. Very few herbs have ever been studied or classified as safe for pets.
Just so you know, folk medicine as you described often do not cure anything, and sometimes it is just delaying proper medical attention. Never give human "folk" cures to pets, ever, since even though humans might be able to tolerate some herbs etc, there is very little evidence of safety in pets.
It would be better to use NOTHING at all, unless you can find a safe probiotic for cats, even then, it probably is not even necessary.
Giving them a quality food with plenty of fresh water is probably enough at this point. (as long as you've finished the course of flagyl).
..........Traci
Re: cattery health
well too bad we already gave them some so we´ll see tomorrow how it affects them. two of them took the probiotic and the rest just had some tea. so we´ll see the difference tomorrow. I´ll let ya know.
cheers,
Nancy
cheers,
Nancy