8/5 Ivy Amps 189 Contour, +6 59 L, +9 108, Pmps 211, +3 182 Libre (Worse Poops!)

[Staci & Ivy]

8/4/26
Amps 189 Contour meter

Poops are even worse today, more runny than yesterday. Sigh.

Why is it getting worse???

I’m feeling very very anxious and stressed. I’ve changed some of her supplements around increased her although I think maybe she’s not absorbing it cause maybe her B12 levels are off.
They can’t see her at the vet until tomorrow to do lab work around 4 PM.
I need to fast her for six hours since I would like to do labs testing her B12, which will be sent to TAMU lab.
I will test all of her regular stuff too, her kidneys, HCT, T4 etc just to see what’s going on. Will take a urine and stool sample if I can get them.

The good news is she ate her dinner last night and this morning, eating her regular food. But, if it’s just running through her, that’s not good.

Does anyone know if there’s any downside to me giving her fluids today if I’m going to have labs done tomorrow?
Is there any reason fluids would dilute the blood and affect the results?
Does that sound crazy? I just made that up

I really don’t want to put her on Mitronidazole, that’s what the vet is pushing for.
It’s just going to decimate her G.I. system that we’ve been working on for so long to try to strengthen it as much as possible.

I ordered Dr. Tobias Prefor Pro probiotics, which is arriving today. Marje suggested using a quarter of a capsule, I’m not sure if that’s once or twice a day, does anyone know?

Safe surfs everyone

 

[Connie & Parker & Moonie]

I’m so sorry that Ivy is still fighting this nasty bout of p-titis, Staci. I really hope the lab work tomorrow helps point her treatment in the right direction. You’re an amazing mom to Ivy and I know she’s fighting as hard to kick this p-titis to the curb as you are for her

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I’m so sorry that Ivy is still fighting this nasty bout of p-titis, Staci. I really hope the lab work tomorrow helps point her treatment in the right direction. You’re an amazing mom to Ivy and I know she’s fighting as hard to kick this p-titis to the curb as you are for her

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers

Thanks Connie

 

[Elaine and Ember]

So frustrating and stressful!!! Cut this out, Ivy! Hopefully things will turn around soon.

 

[Karolina & Nestle]

Oh no I'm sorry Staci that she's not improving Hopefully the labs will give you some answers. I know how anxious and stressed you must be. But you're doing everything you can and you're always on top of stuff. Boys and I are sending truck loads of vines your way.
And please be kind to yourself, you're a purrrrrfect mama!
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[Wendy&Neko]

From the ibdkitties.net section on probiotics:

PLEASE NOTE when S boulardii will NOT work:

– If your cat’s B12 levels are low (31) (common when there is intestinal lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease), S. boulardii will not resolve the diarrhea. B12 must be supplemented to bring blood serum levels back to normal.

I think you should be fine giving fluids today as that'll be 24 hours till the blood taken. Neko's vet never said anything about withholding fluids before b/w.

Sending good poop vines for Ivy.

 

[JoM]

Ive given fluids the day of blood work. No vet has ever told me to withhold them. Im so sorry about the Its so frustrating when you cant get it resolved. I had a cat with severe IBD a few years ago. We tried EVERYTHING! She would just eat everything in sight and poo out the awfullest . She probably had lymphoma in the end. I went to a holistic vet and we did those fecal transplants, mild success, plus a bunch of other stuff. Stuff would work, and then it wouldnt. It really is heartbreaking to watch when you cant do anything.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I gave fluids to try to help her feel better. Sigh. Always scary she likes to squirm. I could never imagine doing it without help!

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Ive given fluids the day of blood work. No vet has ever told me to withhold them. Im so sorry about the Its so frustrating when you cant get it resolved. I had a cat with severe IBD a few years ago. We tried EVERYTHING! She would just eat everything in sight and poo out the awfullest . She probably had lymphoma in the end. I went to a holistic vet and we did those fecal transplants, mild success, plus a bunch of other stuff. Stuff would work, and then it wouldnt. It really is heartbreaking to watch when you cant do anything.

Oh I’m sorry Jo. How heartbreaking
I’m sure you did everything possible.

I’ve read the fmt capsules aren’t very effective on older cats (I mean the oral capsules).

It’s so strange how she’s been chugging along and all of a sudden this whole thing came out of nowhere, of course as it does.

It looked like Ivy was heading toward recovery and then she started sliding backwards. And it just seems to get worse with the poops

She’s eating her regular food right now and sometimes I have to substitute some baby food just to keep her eating.
I just don’t know how long this could go on. I suppose indefinitely and that would really suck.
Keeping her on all of the medications… Zofran, Mirataz, Cerenia, and all of her supplements. Nothing seems to be improving it
Obviously, we need lab work to tell us something and possibly we will need to do an ultrasound which would be really an issue for her.
But, we’ve done it before so I guess somehow we will manage to do it again.

But that was before she had diabetes and feeding an insulin restrictions with eating and fasting and all that kind of stuff it just makes it so much harder.
I just hate all the sedation she requires because she’s so feisty.

 

[JoM]

Oh I’m sorry Jo. How heartbreaking
I’m sure you did everything possible.

I’ve read the fmt capsules aren’t very effective on older cats (I mean the oral capsules).

It’s so strange how she’s been chugging along and all of a sudden this whole thing came out of nowhere, of course as it does.

It looked like Ivy was heading toward recovery and then she started sliding backwards. And it just seems to get worse with the poops

She’s eating her regular food right now and sometimes I have to substitute some baby food just to keep her eating.
I just don’t know how long this could go on. I suppose indefinitely and that would really suck.
Keeping her on all of the medications… Zofran, Mirataz, Cerenia, and all of her supplements. Nothing seems to be improving it
Obviously, we need lab work to tell us something and possibly we will need to do an ultrasound which would be really an issue for her.
But, we’ve done it before so I guess somehow we will manage to do it again.

But that was before she had diabetes and feeding an insulin restrictions with eating and fasting and all that kind of stuff it just makes it so much harder.
I just hate all the sedation she requires because she’s so feisty.

I really feel for you. It must be hard when Ivy isnt all that cooperative. I do think an ultrasound would be a good next step.
As far as the FMT, we did the rectal fecal transplant and also one that was done using blood (I cant remember what that one was.)

 

[Staci & Ivy]

So frustrating and stressful!!! Cut this out, Ivy! Hopefully things will turn around soon.

Thank you Elaine, I appreciate your support
I hope so too. My poor baby girl

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Oh no I'm sorry Staci that she's not improving Hopefully the labs will give you some answers. I know how anxious and stressed you must be. But you're doing everything you can and you're always on top of stuff. Boys and I are sending truck loads of vines your way.
And please be kind to yourself, you're a purrrrrfect mama!
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You’re the sweetest, we appreciate all of the sweet vines and love!
I’m trying over here.
We send back thr live to you and those seeet boys

 

[Staci & Ivy]

From the ibdkitties.net section on probiotics:

I think you should be fine giving fluids today as that'll be 24 hours till the blood taken. Neko's vet never said anything about withholding fluids before b/w.

Sending good poop vines for Ivy.

Thank you Wendy. I guess we shall see what her B12 shows us.
I asked if we can do B12 shots. I haven’t gotten an answer from the vets office. I wonder if they can give the injection without yet knowing what her level is.
Do you know if they would likely give her a shot tomorrow without the results of the blood test?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I really feel for you. It must be hard when Ivy isnt all that cooperative. I do think an ultrasound would be a good next step.
As far as the FMT, we did the rectal fecal transplant and also one that was done using blood (I cant remember what that one was.)

Thanks, Jo
She’s tough but I’m doing the best I can got her
I think you’re probably right for a next step. I’d have to take her to the Blue Pearl Hospital about 45 minutes away.
It’s tough since she needs sedation just to see a vet and then they usually want to further sedate her with injections. It totally whacks her whole system for several days

I know with the rectal transplant they need to sedate them too. How was that procedure for your kitty?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I wonder if they can give the injection without yet knowing what her level is.

Get the blood taken first, so they can find her natural levels, then you can have the B12 shot given right after.

Is there not a travelling ultrasound vet that visits local clinics? That's what we have here, so you don't have to go to the specialist.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Get the blood taken first, so they can find her natural levels, then you can have the B12 shot given right after.

Is there not a travelling ultrasound vet that visits local clinics? That's what we have here, so you don't have to go to the specialist.

They will send the B12 GI panel out to TAMU so they won’t have immediate results to know her level.

No they don’t have traveling ultrasound
I have to take her there. It’s a whole ordeal. And expensive too.

 

[cecile & bella]

I'm sorry to read that she's not doing great yet, Staci! Hopefully the labs tomorrow will give you answers. I don't see why fluids would mess with the blood work, to the contrary, at least she won't be dehydrated.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

It's fine if they give a B12 shot after taking the blood. One extra shot of B12 should be OK.

 

[Briana + Binx]

Thanks Briana, I was going to ask you how long Binx had his loose stools recently? I get the PTSD!!
Yes, she takes 1/8 teaspoon 2x daily (always as maintenance).
I haven't tested her B12 since Jan 2026 and we were due to test again in Sept - but I am working to retest it this week. Trying to get a lab appointment now, waiting for a call.
It has to be in the later afternoon since she's to be fasted around 6 hours.

Was there anything they determined with Binx and did anything help? I know it was a bad run for you, too

Responding here for your last post and your question on my latest Binx update.

Good luck with getting the pushed up labs! I felt like Binx and I were at the vet every 4 weeks for like 3 months at some point, but glad you were almost due for some with Ivy.

Checking the dates, it was just over 3 weeks the poor guy was having liquid poops We were testing so many things and introducing so many variables, it's hard to say 100% but I think it was the diet change. Within 24 hours of switching it (and also starting his B12 shots), his poops started to firm up. The diet and his B12 are the two things that we're still doing, so I have to think it's attributed to one or both. He was getting probiotics and psyllium husk for a bit, but I slowly took those away individually and no diarrhea returned. I know it's hard for diet with Ivy because you make it all, so not sure if switching is even possible or how difficult it is. Has she ever had issues with a protein before? Lamb is already pretty novel.

 

[Briana + Binx]

Get the blood taken first, so they can find her natural levels, then you can have the B12 shot given right after.

Confirming this is what we did for Binx too!

 

[Briana + Binx]

So sorry today was even worse, Staci Hopefully the labs will help give some insight and in the meantime, glad she's eating and got some fluids. You're such a good mom!!! Sending more healing vines

 

[Staci & Ivy]

It's fine if they give a B12 shot after taking the blood. One extra shot of B12 should be OK.

I mean can they give the shot not knowing what her level is?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Confirming this is what we did for Binx too!

Did they give the B12 shot without having the lab work results?
How often did he get shots (at home??) is he still getting them?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

So sorry today was even worse, Staci Hopefully the labs will help give some insight and in the meantime, glad she's eating and got some fluids. You're such a good mom!!! Sending more healing vines

Thank you so much Briana, I know you understand how difficult this is.
I’m soooo glad Binx is recovered.
Did he need an ultrasound?

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Sending prayers.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Responding here for your last post and your question on my latest Binx update.

Good luck with getting the pushed up labs! I felt like Binx and I were at the vet every 4 weeks for like 3 months at some point, but glad you were almost due for some with Ivy.

Checking the dates, it was just over 3 weeks the poor guy was having liquid poops We were testing so many things and introducing so many variables, it's hard to say 100% but I think it was the diet change. Within 24 hours of switching it (and also starting his B12 shots), his poops started to firm up. The diet and his B12 are the two things that we're still doing, so I have to think it's attributed to one or both. He was getting probiotics and psyllium husk for a bit, but I slowly took those away individually and no diarrhea returned. I know it's hard for diet with Ivy because you make it all, so not sure if switching is even possible or how difficult it is. Has she ever had issues with a protein before? Lamb is already pretty novel.

She’s been fine with the lamb. When she had an ultrasound done and they indicated probable IBD, some thickening, my vet at the time suggested a novel protein. We then went to lamb. She’s been eating it for years now.

If her B12 is low I’ll be so surprised. Because she had very high levels, as recent as January this year (I had been over supplementing her with Vitacost Methycobalamin for a long time for her hind neuropathy (It never resolved it).

It will be interesting to see if b12 is now low.

Will Binx need to stay on B12? Is it a shot? Are you giving that home and how often. (What am I in for here, lol).

Thanks Briana

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I'm sorry to read that she's not doing great yet, Staci! Hopefully the labs tomorrow will give you answers. I don't see why fluids would mess with the blood work, to the contrary, at least she won't be dehydrated.

Thank you Cecile, I hope so too

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I mean can they give the shot not knowing what her level is?

Yes, if course. It won’t matter as long as they do it after the blood draw. You can do them at home.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Yes, if course. It won’t matter as long as they do it after the blood draw. You can do them at home.

Ok thank you

 

[Seth&Bell]

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Awwwww thank you Seth

 

[Wendy&Neko]

We then went to lamb. She’s been eating it for years now.

Just throwing out ideas. My vet said she'd seen cases where the cat's body builds up a resistance to a protein over time. Lamb may no longer be a novel protein for Ivy.

 

[Mary & Jude]

Does that sound crazy? I just made that up

Ohhhh...Staci!!! I wish I knew something. I'm glad there are people more experienced here. And your comment, "does that sound crazy? I just made that up" made me LOL--sorry--not laughing at you; laughing with you. It DOES NOT sound crazy, and I think it's a great question. I'm glad you're getting some good feedback. Listen, you and that little pumpkin are on the top of my care/concern/special healing vines list

 

[tiffmaxee]

If you do need to change protein, venison is a good one. I hope you get some answers this week.

 

[JL and Chip]

I was thinking the same as Wendy regarding the lamb — sometimes they develop sensitivities to foods they could previously tolerate.

I might have missed it, but what color is her stool? Consistency? Any unusual odor, mucous, oiliness, anything?

The B-12 for GI issues is cyanocobalamin (not the methylcobalamin we use for neuropathy), but technically they’re both forms of B-12. Cyano is usually given by injection and there’s a whole TAMU protocol for the shots if supplementation is needed. It’s also water soluable, so not a problem if you give it before you get the test results (they just pee out the excess). I like that it’s injectable because GI cases can have absorption issues anyway, so one doesn’t have to worry about whether they’re getting full benefit from it. And the TAMU tests include folate — I have one cat who had low folate and I think that can cause soft stools as well.

I’m glad you’re getting thyroid levels checked. My hyperT kitties sometimes “told” me their levels were off via soft stool.

It seems that her illness (pancreatitis?) caused the soft stool, but I wonder if it’s possible that whatever was brewing in the GI system triggered the other symptoms rather than the other way around. Perhaps unlikely, but it’s hard not to ponder the possibilities. It’s would also be good to rule out Triaditis.

I’ve been following along quietly and am sending positive thoughts your way. I have a couple of mystery GI cases going on right now here too so I sympathize. Ugh.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Just throwing out ideas. My vet said she'd seen cases where the cat's body builds up a resistance to a protein over time. Lamb may no longer be a novel protein for Ivy.

Oh boy. That would suck. Interesting thought.
Not sure how to figure that out.
I have also fed her turkey as an alternative, but she doesn’t like it as much

 

[JL and Chip]

Also meant to mention … is the Lamburgini part of her normal diet? If not, I wonder if that could be part of the problem. I recently added some of the Weruva line, including Lamburgini, to what I feed my crew and was surprised to find that the first two ingredients are fish broth and tuna. And that it’s a product of Thailand. Fish is a no-go for some of my crew yet it’s getting harder and harder to find foods that don’t sneak it in.

 

[squeem3]

The poop chart: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/fdlibrary/the-scoop-on-poop-t10.html

 

[Briana + Binx]

Did they give the B12 shot without having the lab work results?
How often did he get shots (at home??) is he still getting them?

Yea, they gave the shot without the labs and said “even if his B12 wasn’t low, it wouldn’t hurt to give the shot just in case” - at the time, I really wanted him to get the meds and was suspicious of his B12 so I went for it but didn’t look into it after. I’ll see if I can do some digging today.

He got 1 shot once a week for 6 weeks and now we’ve transitioned to 1 shot once a month and that’ll be permanent. I do them at home, also sub-q. The needle is definitely bigger than the insulin, but doable.

 

[Briana + Binx]

Thank you so much Briana, I know you understand how difficult this is.
I’m soooo glad Binx is recovered.
Did he need an ultrasound?

No ultrasound in the end!

 

[Briana + Binx]

She’s been fine with the lamb. When she had an ultrasound done and they indicated probable IBD, some thickening, my vet at the time suggested a novel protein. We then went to lamb. She’s been eating it for years now.

If her B12 is low I’ll be so surprised. Because she had very high levels, as recent as January this year (I had been over supplementing her with Vitacost Methycobalamin for a long time for her hind neuropathy (It never resolved it).

It will be interesting to see if b12 is now low.

Will Binx need to stay on B12? Is it a shot? Are you giving that home and how often. (What am I in for here, lol).

Thanks Briana

Seeing others may be commenting about a resistance to lamb. So tough because it’s been working for her so well, but I do wonder the same. Especially because diet change was a big one for Binx’s recovery. Let us know if you decide to try something else.

And agreed, if Ivy’s B12 was so high before, might be weird if it’s now too low. Interested to see her results! And answered your other questions is a previous response - luckily, the B12 injections aren’t too bad and just another part of our routine now!

 

[JL and Chip]

The needle is definitely bigger than the insulin, but doable.

Just FYI, you can use insulin syringes to give the cyanocobalamin shots. I’ve done it for years (as have others around here).

 

[Briana + Binx]

Just FYI, you can use insulin syringes to give the cyanocobalamin shots. I’ve done it for years (as have others around here).

Omg! No way!! How do the units translate... I need to review both needles but I know his B12 dose is 0.25mL, so is that 25 units? I can look when I have both in front of me later.

 

[JL and Chip]

Omg! No way!! How do the units translate... I need to review both needles but I know his B12 dose is 0.25mL, so is that 25 units? I can look when I have both in front of me later.

Since your cyanocobalamin dose is 0.25 ml and a u-100 insulin syringe has 100 units per ml, then yes, drawing to the “25” mark on the syringe is equal to 0.25 ml.

Note that that’s only true for u-100 insulin syringes. You’d need to draw to a different mark on a u-40 insulin syringe.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Since your cyanocobalamin dose is 0.25 ml and a u-100 insulin syringe has 100 units per ml, then yes, drawing to the “25” mark on the syringe is equal to 0.25 ml.

Note that that’s only true for u-100 insulin syringes. You’d need to draw to a different mark on a u-40 insulin syringe.

Are the insulin syringes thinner?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

If you do need to change protein, venison is a good one. I hope you get some answers this week.

Where do you even get that???

 

[Connie & Parker & Moonie]

Where do you even get that???

You might want to check out local butchers or specialty stores. I also found a place called Broken Arrow Ranch that does wild game meat when I was searching for novel proteins. I think they ship online.

 

[squeem3]

Home Page | Hare Today has lots of proteins for pet food use.

 

[JL and Chip]

Where do you even get that???

Do you know anyone who hunts? (Assuming you want to make your own food)

Otherwise, I’ve had good luck with ZiwiPeak canned venison. It has a relatively limited ingredient list and has been a salvation for a couple of my difficult-to-manage GI cats. It’s pricey, though. And not all cats like it.
https://www.chewy.com/ziwi-peak-venison-recipe-canned-cat/dp/141895

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Do you know anyone who hunts? (Assuming you want to make your own food)

Otherwise, I’ve had good luck with ZiwiPeak canned venison. It has a relatively limited ingredient list and has been a salvation for a couple of my difficult-to-manage GI cats. It’s pricey, though. And not all cats like it.
https://www.chewy.com/ziwi-peak-venison-recipe-canned-cat/dp/141895

No hunters.

I like making my own food since I know it's much cleaner than canned food. But I am not sure if I have a choice.
I will look at the Ziwi, thanks!