10/20 Jimmy: Acros: from constipation to the gates wide open

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

Long post - but not graphic:

For those who don't believe their BG numbers are tied to their bowel movments - I can tell you for sure they are! Jimmy went in Tuesday Oct 3 for an enema. After that visit his numbers dropped drastically and earned a good size reduction (from 26 to 10 to 16 to 14). He was making good healthy deposits in the litter daily. Which he had never done. It's always been every other day or every two days.

2 days after his enema I started him on Nutrivee Prebiotics and three days later his stools were normal sized raw fed poos. Prior to that they were very large and bulky and hard. The prebiotic shrunk the size and made them softer - so he had no problems getting them out. Silly me, thought "hey, i can cut back on the Lactulose now" WRONG. I saw his numbers starting to creep up and then since Wednesday was straining in the box with nothing coming out. I called to make an appt for this afternoon since he hadn't gone in two days. Yesterday I increased the lactulose and gave him gabapentin to help ease his discomfort. This morning I woke up to a small round rock-like poo outside the litter box - I gave him his usual morning poop regiment (cisapride, lactulose, miralax, CBD, prebiotic, egg yolk, and another gabapentin). A few hours later he made several soft deposits in the box - and was still continuing to leak out for the next hour or so. So once again, I had to muzzle and burrito him (with no help) and clean up his bum. But again, his numbers are going down nicely this afternoon. Long story short - if your acro has mega colon or chronic obstination - DO NOT DISCONTINUE THOSE MEDS. I believe it was the gabapentin along with the extra dose of lactulose that helped him along...

The miralax is not something I want him on long term (destroys gut flora and is counterproductive when trying to aid his gut/digestion,which in turn aids better stools) and heard others have had good success with Smooth BM Gold-Cat Constipation Support from petwellbeing. It's natural and made with fruit extracted from various plants/trees. Not sure how this will effect his numbers. Time will tell. Poor guy - as if I weren't stalking his litter habits before...I now know to really pay attention to the broader cycle of his numbers and how it relates to his litter use. And that's the poop.

 

[Beenie (GA)]

So glad you found relief for Jimmy and great BG results from resolving the poop issues. Its a delicate balance with some of these furbabies and their poop. It's tough to find the right combination sometimes and it looks like you've got it down. Glad his numbers have improved and insulin needs reduced.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Poor Jimmy, poor you. I hope you find the magic formula. Fortunately that was one thing I didn't have to deal with.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

So glad you found relief for Jimmy and great BG results from resolving the poop issues. Its a delicate balance with some of these furbabies and their poop. It's tough to find the right combination sometimes and it looks like you've got it down. Glad his numbers have improved and insulin needs reduced.

Thanks Michelle. It’s amazing how resilient cats are. He’s a tough boy and has come so far since I rescued him. He used to he scared of his own shadow and to be able to pick him up and clean him down is something I never imagined I’d be able to do - he was never one for wanting petting sessions or being held. Since this DX he’s become really accepting and is easy to test, shoot etc. He let’s me do what I need to do (except pilling). Thankfully everything he needs can go in to his food.

Hope Beenie is feeling better...

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

The poop dance is as frustrating as the Feline Diabetes dance but, it seems as though you are on the right track.

Since I started the EY and the George's AVJ, Bubba has been better but, it seems like he is only going to go every other day. I was reading on website that said for some raw fed cats that will be their norm. I am going by the looks of them being moist ( litter sticking to them) and size not to large. I hope you'll get to the right balance with him.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

Poor Jimmy, poor you. I hope you find the magic formula. Fortunately that was one thing I didn't have to deal with.

Thanks Wendy. Me too. Switching to raw was the best thing I did for him and his sister. I don’t think he’d be doing as well as he is if he were not eating a species appropriate diet. Plus I’d be broke buying all that canned food. Lol. Had I known raw is cheaper And results in no litter smells I would have switched long ago. Lol

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

The poop dance is as frustrating as the Feline Diabetes dance but, it seems as though you are on the right track.

Since I started the EY and the George's AVJ, Bubba has been better but, it seems like he is only going to go every other day. I was reading on website that said for some raw fed cats that will be their norm. I am going by the looks of them being moist ( litter sticking to them) and size not to large. I hope you'll get to the right balance with him.

Yea - the funny thing is after the enema two weeks ago he was going everyday. Then boom. One day he started straining. I now know I can’t let up on any of the supplements that help regulate him. Marley, his civvie sister goes every other day too. She is raw fed as well. Her output is normal size etc. thank god. I can clearly tell whose is whose in the box lol.

I receive George’s AVJ today but plan to hold off a few days on that until he forms a more solid stool. I am working on getting his GI in a healthier state. The Nutrivee prebiotic was the first step. Amazing results after a few days of use. Next up are digestive enzymes. Not sure if I’m dealing more with IBD than megacolon at this pt. But it seems the treatments for IBD in result will help with the MG as well. It all starts in the gut. I have learned so much from Laurie and the fact that all her suggestions are for general health. So that even Marley can benefit from Jimmys supplements.

Howz Bubba doing??

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I receive George’s AVJ today but plan to hold off a few days on that until he forms a more solid stool

I think it will only help the digestive tract. Below is taking from a website about aloe vera juice for dogs and cats and some of the benefits.

Digestive Health

• Aloe Vera contains nutrient compounds that help in the healing and soothing of:
  • The digestive tract...
    • Helps enable healing and repair of ulcers in both the stomach and the intestines;
    • Decreases inflammation resulting from:
    • Asthma;
    • Arthritis;
    • Colitis;
    • Diabetes;
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and;
    • Other inflammatory GI tract conditions;
    • Treating side effects of some radiation treatments.

Bubba is doing well. No more hairballs, vomiting, or diarrheas fingers crossed! He just earned another reduction this AM so hoping it holds.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

I think it will only help the digestive tract. Below is taking from a website about aloe vera juice for dogs and cats and some of the benefits.

Digestive Health

• Aloe Vera contains nutrient compounds that help in the healing and soothing of:
  • The digestive tract...
    • Helps enable healing and repair of ulcers in both the stomach and the intestines;
    • Decreases inflammation resulting from:
    • Asthma;
    • Arthritis;
    • Colitis;
    • Diabetes;
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and;
    • Other inflammatory GI tract conditions;
    • Treating side effects of some radiation treatments.

Bubba is doing well. No more hairballs, vomiting, or diarrheas fingers crossed! He just earned another reduction this AM so hoping it holds.

Wow! Go Bubba!! Hmmm maybe I will try the AVJ tomorrow then. Do you put it in his food? How much do you use?

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Wow! Go Bubba!! Hmmm maybe I will try the AVJ tomorrow then. Do you put it in his food? How much do you use?

I put it right in the food and it is undetectable. It taste like water. I use 1/2 tbsp. twice a day.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

The other thing I wanted to say is that Carolina from FoodFurLife told me I didn't need to give any additional digestive enzymes like I was doing because their EZ complete all ready included some. So, I did discontinue the enzymes and now only give them to the droolers.

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

The other thing I wanted to say is that Carolina from FoodFurLife told me I didn't need to give any additional digestive enzymes like I was doing because their EZ complete all ready included some. So, I did discontinue the enzymes and now only give them to the droolers.

Oh that’s right!! Ok. Thanks.