Loose stool / litterbox issues

[Hastings (GA) and Paula]

I had hoped that getting glucose stabilized would calm this issue down, but it hasn't in the month since I adopted Hastings. I figured I'd ask here for advice.

Hastings has had VERY loose stools. He also tends to end up standing in them while in the litterbox. I'm hoping that getting his neuropathy/arthritis under control will help this, he's just not very stable in in his back end when on a squishy surface (like sand). He's not peeing as much as he was when his BG was higher, but this issue is hanging on. My go-to remedy for upset stomach with my previous cat (non-diabetic) was ground flax seed and live-culture yogurt, which worked like a charm on his constipation, but what does one do for the opposite problem?

Also, I'm still looking for a good litterbox system. My guys are large - Hercule is 18 lbs, and Hastings is a similar height/length but weighs less. They barely fit in any of the "extra large" litterboxes I've gotten, and kick the litter out of them. I want a litterbox with high sides but a cut out entrance for Hastings. I use microcrystal litter because I'm allergic to most clay based ones and pine scent. Basically I need something that is big enough for my boys and can handle the volume of waste from two big cats one of whom still drinks/pees/passes stool more than normal. I was looking at the TidyCats breeze, but the large pellets give me pause because I don't know if Hastings would like it, and I worry about it being able to handle the volume, both of the waste and my cats.

 

[ittybitty]

I'm a newbie so I have no advice about his stools. But I noticed he is about the size of my Tuko, who is 17.5lbs. A few years ago, I found the idea online to use a Rubbermaid large storage container, it's nothing fancy but it works for us. I'm not sure of the exact size of mine, but some online look like 36 gal. It came with a lid. I cut out an entrance in the front and placed a large litterbox inside of it. This allows him plenty of room inside the box and it is all contained so he can't kick litter out. And I can take the lid off and clean out his box from the top. It looks like some people use an even bigger storage container and have the litter box and litter collecting mat inside the storage container. If you're interested - google "diy rubbermaid litter box" for similar ideas/pictures. I also only have one cat, so you may need something larger for two.

 

[JL and Chip]

Quite a few people use storage totes or concrete mixing pans with a hole cut in the side as a litter box. My cats definitely prefer them over commercial litter boxes.

Dr Lisa Pierson talks quite a bit about the topic on her website. https://catinfo.org/the-litter-box-from-your-cats-point-of-view/

As for soft stools ... it really depends on the root cause. A bit of plain canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) can sometimes help. I assume you’ve ruled out parasites and such? Charlie often had stool changes based on how his BG was running, but he also had IBD and possible GI lymphoma, as well as chronic pancreatitis, so there were a lot of variables (soft stool was a long-term battle with him). Sometimes it’s a food sensitivity. If it continues, you might want to do some additional diagnostics.

 

[Hastings (GA) and Paula]

Quite a few people use storage totes or concrete mixing pans with a hole cut in the side as a litter box. My cats definitely prefer them over commercial litter boxes.

Dr Lisa Pierson talks quite a bit about the topic on her website. https://catinfo.org/the-litter-box-from-your-cats-point-of-view/

As for soft stools ... it really depends on the root cause. A bit of plain canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) can sometimes help. I assume you’ve ruled out parasites and such? Charlie often had stool changes based on how his BG was running, but he also had IBD and possible GI lymphoma, as well as chronic pancreatitis, so there were a lot of variables (soft stool was a long-term battle with him). Sometimes it’s a food sensitivity. If it continues, you might want to do some additional diagnostics.

I haven't ruled out parasites, but they were wormed at the shelter shortly before I got them, and I haven't seen any eggs/segments/bodies in the stool or in his favorite sleeping spots...and I have been keeping an eye out specifically for that. I might email the vet and ask for an Rx for a wormer for both of them just to rule it out. I do have some organic plain pumpkin in my cupboard, I'll try that for right now.

 

[Sandi and Toby]

There is good information about probiotics, B12 and S. Boulardii on https://www.ibdkitties.net/supplements/probiotics/ (even if your kitty doesn't actually nave IBD). But of course as @JL and Chip mentioned, this assumes you have ruled out parasites, worms, etc.

Best of luck in getting it under control. When we adopted Whispy (also already diabetic), we had the same issue for a couple of months. We did B-12 cobalamine injections per our vet based on information at https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information/ and tried a lot of these same recommendations, diet changes, etc, but never really pinpointed anything as making a difference, it just slowly resolved on its own, or maybe everything we did was making a difference and we just couldn't tell! We had to just assume stress (he was elderly, had lived in rescue for 3 years with 15-20 other cats free-roaming in a room) and a total change in his life and home.

 

[George and Bert]

Change litter to "World's Best" litter. By comparison. it is very light and hides odors and is all natural. Second, use Sulfasalazine for a couple of days and see what happens. Use 1/4 tab mixed with their wet food 2x a day. What food are you feeding? Have your local pet shop order you the gigantic hide side boxes I use for my big boy litter kickers. Please list food.

 

[JL and Chip]

I haven't ruled out parasites, but they were wormed at the shelter shortly before I got them, and I haven't seen any eggs/segments/bodies in the stool or in his favorite sleeping spots...and I have been keeping an eye out specifically for that. I might email the vet and ask for an Rx for a wormer for both of them just to rule it out. I do have some organic plain pumpkin in my cupboard, I'll try that for right now.

Sometimes it takes multiple dewormings to completely knock out all of the creepy crawlies, and even fecal exams can miss them. The likelihood of that being the culprit is probably based on Hastings’ history (was he a stray? An outside cat? Exposed to other infected animals? etc) as well as how thorough the shelter was with their deworming and cleaning protocols. Even if they’re not likely the cause, it’s easy to drop off a stool sample at the vet clinic or do a couple of dewormings with a broad spectrum dewormer for good measure. You might also want to check with the shelter to see if Hastings had soft stool while he was there to determine whether this is a new finding or has been going on for awhile.

I agree with @Sandi & Whisper (GA) regarding probiotics and B12 cobalamin shots. Charlie, too, had to be on B-12 shots using the TAMU protocol.

What does Hastings’ stool look like (color, consistency, frequency, etc)? Sometimes that’s a clue as well.

edited to add: If Hastings didn’t have soft stool at the shelter, I’d also look closely at any exposures at home, such as plants, chemicals, and even possibly the crystal litter.

 

[Howiesmom]

There is good information about probiotics, B12 and S. Boulardii on https://www.ibdkitties.net/supplements/probiotics/ (even if your kitty doesn't actually nave IBD). But of course as @JL and Chip mentioned, this assumes you have ruled out parasites, worms, etc.

Best of luck in getting it under control. When we adopted Whispy (also already diabetic), we had the same issue for a couple of months. We did B-12 cobalamine injections per our vet based on information at https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information/ and tried a lot of these same recommendations, diet changes, etc, but never really pinpointed anything as making a difference, it just slowly resolved on its own, or maybe everything we did was making a difference and we just couldn't tell! We had to just assume stress (he was elderly, had lived in rescue for 3 years with 15-20 other cats free-roaming in a room) and a total change in his life and home.

I echo using S Boulardii for loose stools. I bought it from Jarrow and it worked great. This site gave good directions on how to use it for diarrhea and then for maintenance once you get it under control. https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/ I used it for a few months until I no longer thought Howie needed it. I’m sorry you’re having to give extra mini baths as well. That was dreadful to have to do for both of us. Big hugs you can find a litter box and treatment that will work!

 

[Hastings (GA) and Paula]

Change litter to "World's Best" litter. By comparison. it is very light and hides odors and is all natural. Second, use Sulfasalazine for a couple of days and see what happens. Use 1/4 tab mixed with their wet food 2x a day. What food are you feeding? Have your local pet shop order you the gigantic hide side boxes I use for my big boy litter kickers. Please list food.

I feed Friskies classic pates. I'm in the process of switching them from the fish pates to the poultry ones. When I first brought them home they wouldn't touch anything other than fish but they're happily eating almost 100% chicken or turkey food now. Unfortunately I'm allergic to clay litter - what type of litter is World's Best? I can only find pictures of the bags. I already have the largest box with a low-enough entrance for Hastings from PetSmart - I think I'm just going to get some large chux pads from a medical supply store and basically line the floor and walls of my closet where the box is with them - at least then cleanup will be easier!

Fortunately his stool has become a lot more formed since I started Zobaline a few days ago. He's more energetic and mobile too.

 

[Hastings (GA) and Paula]

Sometimes it takes multiple dewormings to completely knock out all of the creepy crawlies, and even fecal exams can miss them. The likelihood of that being the culprit is probably based on Hastings’ history (was he a stray? An outside cat? Exposed to other infected animals? etc) as well as how thorough the shelter was with their deworming and cleaning protocols. Even if they’re not likely the cause, it’s easy to drop off a stool sample at the vet clinic or do a couple of dewormings with a broad spectrum dewormer for good measure. You might also want to check with the shelter to see if Hastings had soft stool while he was there to determine whether this is a new finding or has been going on for awhile.

I agree with @Sandi & Whisper (GA) regarding probiotics and B12 cobalamin shots. Charlie, too, had to be on B-12 shots using the TAMU protocol.

What does Hastings’ stool look like (color, consistency, frequency, etc)? Sometimes that’s a clue as well.

edited to add: If Hastings didn’t have soft stool at the shelter, I’d also look closely at any exposures at home, such as plants, chemicals, and even possibly the crystal litter.

He and his brother were kept at a foster home (and the shelter hospital for Hastings since he had a few bouts of hypo) as the only cats for a few months before Hastings was released from his medical hold and I adopted them. They were indoor cats before that, and were surrendered by their owner when they could no longer afford to treat Hastings' diabetes. I'll email the vet for a dewormer for both of them tomorrow (I see a mobile vet, so she's very open to me doing treatments myself at home!)

One good thing, is since I last posted Hastings has been on Zobaline for a few days now, and I have noticed a marked change. His stools are still soft but they are much more formed, with very few "pudding plops" as I call them. When I wrote the op he was mostly liquid 4-6 x a day with maaaaybe 1 pudding plop. He still needs his feet cleaned. How can he not feel that he's standing in his mess but can immediately feel me trying to sneak in with a washcloth between his toes while he's sleeping?? XD

His BG are getting waaaaay more steady now too. For the first few weeks I had them he was draining the water bowl a few times a day, and I even caught him sleeping curled up next to it a few times. SO MUCH PEE. But now it's a much more normal volume. Yesterday is the first day I feel like I could say he had what I'd consider a "normal" amount of urine/feces production.

 

[Hastings (GA) and Paula]

I echo using S Boulardii for loose stools. I bought it from Jarrow and it worked great. This site gave good directions on how to use it for diarrhea and then for maintenance once you get it under control. https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/ I used it for a few months until I no longer thought Howie needed it. I’m sorry you’re having to give extra mini baths as well. That was dreadful to have to do for both of us. Big hugs you can find a litter box and treatment that will work!

I will definitely keep the Saccaromyces options on deck in case I need them! I'm really hoping it's that he just needed more B12 and with the Zobaline I started a few days ago he'll keep improving.

Right now he has Old Cat Dumpster Fire syndrome - in addition to the diabetes and loose stools, he's got no teeth, arthritis, lots of hard gross cerumen build up in his ears, and really bad acne on his chin. I'm slowly working away at getting it all taken care of. I'm amazed he's still willing to come up and cuddle with me what with getting SOME sort goop applied to various bits or some other goop cleaned off of various bits every time he's in range, ha ha. At least he doesn't wake up when I trim his claws.