5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496, +6 422, PMPS 496, +4.5 354 (AT)

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Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513

Don't panic. Sometimes numbers go up for a few cycles before coming down w/ an increase. We call it New Dose Wonkiness (NDW).

It may be a food allergy, beef is a common one and most Merrick have beef. A unique single protein may be the answer,try duck, rabbit, venison. Sorry, i can't remember, have you tried the probiotics for the loose stools? Psyllium isn't that good for cats and even in humans it is for constipation not diarrhea.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513

Ann & Tess said:
Psyllium isn't that good for cats and even in humans it is for constipation not diarrhea.
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Wondering where you read this? Psyllium is both an insoluble and soluble fiber, and is often used to bulk loose stools. I've never read anything stating that it's harmful--in fact, it's often included in recipes for home made cat food, including Dr. Pierson's on catinfo.org.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513 (AT)

Hi Ann, I've been talking to Julia (Bandit) and she seems to think it's a reaction to the beef as well. I started him on Wellness Chicken last night but am still seeing loose stools so I'm going to give him Wellness Turkey later. I'd very much appreciate any food recommendations from you as well.

Regarding the psyllium, Julia mentioned that she knows of members who've had luck clearing up loose stools with the pysllium. When you say it isn't that good for cats; do you think it's ineffective or bad for them?

I was using Fortiflora for a week but it didn't clear up the loose stools so I just put 1/4 tsp of Pet Dophilus in his food this morning. Thanks for checking in on us. I hope you have a great day!
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513 (AT)

It sounds like Julia is on top of the use of psyllium. I would trust Dr. Lisa's website.

I haven't used PetDophilus. When Gabby was having a bad bout of diarrhea, one of the former members here who was very knowledgeable about feline health issues suggested a probiotic called ReNew Ultimate. You use about 1/3 of a capsule twice a day mixed into food. It's available in the refrigerated supplement section at Whole Foods or you can order on-line.

It looks like Jinx is either experiencing a bit of New Dose Wonkiness (NDW) or bouncing off of the numbers last night (or both).
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513 (AT)

I used the high potency probiotic once before with Bandit when Fortiflora wasn't working, and it did the trick. I completely forgot about it until Sienne mentioned the Ultimate Flora (I believe that's where I got the suggestion from :smile: ) We don't have a Whole Foods in Ithaca, but I found a different brand of the same thing at Wegman's.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513 (AT)

This is from Dr. Lisa's page on making catfood:
When I first started feeding my cats a meat and bones diet over 9 years ago, 2 of my cats did experience a few episodes of minor constipation (cried one time in the litter box but were able to pass the stool within one minute) over the course of the first 2 years. I played around with the psyllium by increasing it, decreasing it, and then finally omitting it. All of my fooling around with the psyllium amount did not seem to make any difference in the moisture content of the stools.
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Tess has had more the opposite than jinx, except when on antibiotics. That's when our vet recommended Pet Dophilus, which is also a live culture like the ReNew Ultimate, but formulated for animals. You probably don't need both.

A good site to understand cat digestive system is http://www.felineconstipation.org/prevention.html#FiberorPrebiotics Psyllium absorbs water and swells, so I suppose it could help diarrhea, but the main purpose of fibre is as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are used to feed the beneficial bacteria and
Some fiber sources such as cellulose and psyllium starve the beneficial bacteria.
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Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496 (AT)

Morning Joe

I see Jinx tipped his toes in yellow last night!! This could be a bit of a bounce from that or it could be NDW as the others have said.

I use slippery elm bark powder for constipation and loose stools. It is a nutritive and calms the intestines. It's always worked for my kitties. I buy the pure powder at a health food store. Mix 1 tsp of the powder with 1/2 cup of spring (or bottled) water. Warm gently over low heat in a glass or porcelain pan. Store in a glass jar in frig. Administer 5 mls bid orally with a syringe either 1 hour before any meds or two hours after.

Hope you get this sorted out. It does take a couple days to get things sorted out so I wouldn't rule out the WN Chicken entirely yet.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513 (AT)

Ann & Tess said:
This is from Dr. Lisa's page on making catfood:
When I first started feeding my cats a meat and bones diet over 9 years ago, 2 of my cats did experience a few episodes of minor constipation (cried one time in the litter box but were able to pass the stool within one minute) over the course of the first 2 years. I played around with the psyllium by increasing it, decreasing it, and then finally omitting it. All of my fooling around with the psyllium amount did not seem to make any difference in the moisture content of the stools.
Click to expand...

Tess has had more the opposite than jinx, except when on antibiotics. That's when our vet recommended Pet Dophilus, which is also a live culture like the ReNew Ultimate, but formulated for animals. You probably don't need both.

A good site to understand cat digestive system is http://www.felineconstipation.org/prevention.html#FiberorPrebiotics Psyllium absorbs water and swells, so I suppose it could help diarrhea, but the main purpose of fibre is as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are used to feed the beneficial bacteria and
Some fiber sources such as cellulose and psyllium starve the beneficial bacteria.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I don't see where she says it's not good for cats, or that it can't be used for loose stools. I can find no studies that support the statement that psyllium "starves the beneficial bacteria." This is also from Dr. Lisa's page on making catfood:

There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. Psyllium is a combination of both types. Guar gum is strictly soluble. I use this source of fiber because it does not seem to add as much bulk to the stool when compared to insoluble fiber but it does increase the water content of the feces, thereby softening it.

Soluble fiber also has some properties that promote intestinal (colon) health.

If you want to use psyllium, add 2 tsp if using psyllium husk powder. If using whole psyllium husks, use 4 tsp.
Click to expand...

Fiber can help both constipation and loose stools. Constipation is actually is better dealt with by an osmotic laxative or soluble fiber, which adds water to the stool without bulking it like insoluble fiber does. You want to try to avoid bulking the stool with a constipation problem because large stools can be counterproductive. On the other hand, fiber is good for loose stools because it absorbs water and adding bulk can firm the stool. It can also help with IBD.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1303+1459&aid=1473

http://www.blakkatz.com/psyllium.html
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496, +6 422 (AT)

Been gone for the past couple hours and need to get caught up on messages.

On another note, today was the first day I wasn't 100% confident that I got all the insulin in Jinx. I could be wrong but the AM shot was possibly a fur shot which may account for the high numbers.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496, +6 422 (AT)

Just caught up on the messages and I appreciate the info, everyone.

Jinx had his 4th Wellness Chicken meal this afternoon and the loose stools persist. I'm actually out of chicken so I'm giving him Wellness Turkey tonight. If someone thinks that's a mistake, please let me know.

Marjorie, there was a girl working at my local Natural Grocers who also recommended Slippery Elm for loose stools. I've been reluctant to use it though b/c I read that it contains carbs including starches with mucilage being the primary component. Do you think that considering the dosage, the amount of carbs are negligible? Also, do you see any issues with squirting the 5 mls into the food, or does the taste seem bad?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/33108 ... ppery-elm/
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496, +6 422, PMPS 496 (AT)

Well..I'm not sure, Joe. It is from a tree....it's tree bark so I don't know about the starches.

You can put the plain powder sprinkled on the food. The syrup is tasteless but My cats wouldn't eat it on their food...the powder, yes. The syrup, no..but they don't mind it from a syringe.
 
Re: 5/18 Jinx AMPS 513, +3 496, +6 422, PMPS 496, +4.5 354 (

Thanks, Marjorie. If it helps clear up Jinx's loose stools, I think the benefits will outweigh what seems to be a minimal amount of carbs.
 
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