12/11 Ruby PMPS 126/+2 60/+2.5 45/+3 60/+3.5 58/+4 48/+4.5 61

[Katherine&Ruby]

Yesterday Ruby was still surfing on the edge, dipping down into the 50s in each part of the cycle. She's been really active and cuddly, and it seems our eating issues have gone away as have her poopie problems. Would love to see her be flatter today, though a start in the blues is no guarantee of anything from Miss Ruby.

Healing thoughts to all the sick kitties and hugs to you beans who love 'em so. It's FRIDAY everybody!

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Couldn't have asked for a better update! This is wonderful to read.
Have a good day, Katherine.

 

[JaxBenji]

I agree with Lyla - what a wonderful update! Surf safely Ruby

Are you giving the s boulardii? I think I may have to try it for my kitties.

Have a wonderful day, Katherine

 

[Cheryl & Jazzy]

Glad Ruby is doing good in the food and poop department. She's gotta be more comfortable now Looking good, Ruby Have a great day
​

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Morning Katherine ,happy to hear that Ruby doing well , I hope she surfs safely
Have a good day Katherine

 

[Colio]

Great update Katherine! Hope you have a lovely Friday

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Are you giving the s boulardii? I think I may have to try it for my kitties.

Yes! I bought the Jarrows capsules and I'm opening the capsule and sort of eyeballing a ¼ capsule sprinkled into Ruby's AM and PS preshot meals. It doesn't seem to cause gas or diarrhea which is always a concern with introducing probiotics. I bought the slippery elm, too, but I smelled and then tasted it and it's pretty bitter so I highly doubt my finicky princess would go for it if she won't touch pumpkin. I was very concerned about using Miralax long term because it's so dehydrating and I found Ruby was still sitting in the litterbox, crying before her BM, and generally fussing and digging around in the litter a lot. That behavior seems to have gone away with the S. boulardii.

 

[JaxBenji]

Yes! I bought the Jarrows capsules and I'm opening the capsule and sort of eyeballing a ¼ capsule sprinkled into Ruby's AM and PS preshot meals. It doesn't seem to cause gas or diarrhea which is always a concern with introducing probiotics. I bought the slippery elm, too, but I smelled and then tasted it and it's pretty bitter so I highly doubt my finicky princess would go for it if she won't touch pumpkin. I was very concerned about using Miralax long term because it's so dehydrating and I found Ruby was still sitting in the litterbox, crying before her BM, and generally fussing and digging around in the litter a lot. That behavior seems to have gone away with the S. boulardii.

Thanks! I found a few old posts saying to buy human grade for higher CFUs - here's just one in case you're interested. I found the Renew Life on Amazon and may give it a go.

And, FWIW, felineconstipation.org points out the following (Tanya's CKD site also refers back to this page too) regarding dehydration and osmotic laxatives (miralax) -

Concerns are often expressed about cats with chronic constipation, such as cats with kidney disease, that use of an osmotic laxative will dehydrate the cat because these products draw water to the bowel or hold it in the stool. If producing a normal stool puts a cat at risk of dehydration, more is wrong than constipation and sometimes what is wrong is the human reasoning. Dehydration is not a recommended treatment for constipation! The amount of water needed to normalize the stool in response to an osmotic laxative is the same amount of water by any other method including diet and dietary fiber. This does not mean that these osmotic laxatives should not be treated with respect, of course they should be used conservatively and appropriately. But producing a normal stool by use of an osmotic laxative should not dehydrate a cat.

Thanks again

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Thanks! I found a few old posts saying to buy human grade for higher CFUs - here's just one in case you're interested. I found the Renew Life on Amazon and may give it a go.

And, FWIW, felineconstipation.org points out the following (Tanya's CKD site also refers back to this page too) regarding dehydration and osmotic laxatives (miralax) -



Thanks again

This might be TMI, but I tried the Miralax on myself. Feeling a bit stressed with my move and my body is not working the way it normally does, and I found it to be very dehydrating. Had to drink a liter of water afterwards to replenish!

I figured using the probiotics with the MOS that acts like a prebiotic would be better overall for Ruby's gut biome in the long run, sort of like eating yogurt and an apple every day. I think the Jarrow brand is for humans while there are indeed other S. boulardiis out there for pets.

 

[JaxBenji]

I found it to be very dehydrating. Had to drink a liter of water afterwards to replenish!

If I had to put money on it, you were likely dehydrated to start with - so not only did you need water to start with but you then needed extra water to offset the miralax. In any case, that link to felineconstipation.org goes through the concerns you are worried about BUT if you've found something else to help Ruby then who cares I just was trying not to perpetuate misinformation

And I did see that Jarrow was for humans and actually a better price than renew - that specific brand was recommended on the ibd site too - the site lists recommended maintenance dose too in case you hadn't seen it.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

If I had to put money on it, you were likely dehydrated to start with - so not only did you need water to start with but you then needed extra water to offset the miralax. In any case, that link to felineconstipation.org goes through the concerns you are worried about BUT if you've found something else to help Ruby then who cares I just was trying not to perpetuate misinformation

And I did see that Jarrow was for humans and actually a better price than renew - that specific brand was recommended on the ibd site too - the site lists recommended maintenance dose too in case you hadn't seen it.

Ha! Yes, no need for more misinformation on the internet! Just putting forth my entirely lay perspective and experience, not meant to be advice from a medical professional! And yes, I got the idea for Jarrows from the IBD site and I’m giving Ruby the suggested maintenance dose of half a capsule rather than the therapeutic dose of a whole one which would be for diarrhea or if she was on antibiotics.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Great update for Ruby. I hope you see more green soon.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

+2 = 60. Way to drop 66 points in two hours! Ruby the Deep Sea Diver.
Fed 1 tbs MC 17%.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

+2.5 = 45. I don’t understand why she is dropping like this. I let my guard down, didn't feed her MC like I have been for the past few days. Just fed 1 tsp HC 28%.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Yes on the reduction. The larger depots influences 4-6 cycles after a reduction. You've been long enough at 1 unit that this 45 is saying 1 unit is too much.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Yes on the reduction. The larger depots influences 4-6 cycles after a reduction. You've been long enough at 1 unit that this 45 is saying 1 unit is too much.

Thank you, Wendy. Some day I will come to understand how the depot works and when it's good to increase or decrease. In the meantime, Ruby and I are beyond grateful for you!

 

[tiffmaxee]

Congrats on the reduction.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

+4 = 48. She's really resisting coming back up tonight. Fed her another tsp. 28% HC.

 

[tiffmaxee]

She is being difficult tonight, isn’t she? Point made Ruby. Up please.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Some day I will come to understand how the depot works and when it's good to increase or decrease.

It's not an easy concept. I'm also embarrassed to admit how many times I had "dose increase?" in my subject line when I started. With Neko getting to higher doses, I had plenty of time to learn.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

+4.5 = 61 and she's done eating. I am hoping she will be coming up without food. Left a tbs of MC in her bowl in case she's inspired.