Problem with civvie

[Olive & Paula]

@Critter Mom The pads the vet gave me were Chlorohex Pads. I looked up Chlorohex, here's the link to what I found about it in relation to cats:

http://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/library/over-the-counter/chlorhexidine

Don't know whether or not it's something that might be worth trying for Saoirse, but I figure it's good to know about it, anyway.

In the past my vet prescribed the blue pads stuff for abscess my civvie would get. Many years ago ( approx 13 yrs) I found a single bottle in a pet store. Looked like the one my vet used. I bought it. Then read the bottle. Mostly used for horses but said can be used on dogs and cats. Took it to my vet, he thought it was theirs and put it in the cabinet. I said no it's mine I got it from the store I want to know if it's okay. He thought it was strange since he said it was by prescription but it was the same thing they used. It was hexachlor. ...... something. Wish I kept it. But after years I threw it out. It's great antiseptic for cleaning any scratches, sores etc.

 

[Critter Mom]

The pads the vet gave me were Chlorohex Pads. I looked up Chlorohex, here's the link to what I found about it in relation to cats:

Thanks for the link, Lucy.

I got some Vetericyn for Saoirse to cleanse her hot spots. It arrived this morning. I wonder whether it's something similar (active ingredient hypochlorous acid). Based on the names I assume that both contain chlorine. She grumbled a lot when I applied it so I know it's sore. (Have bupe to help with that but I'd prefer to solve the problem, not just mask the symptoms. )

In answer to your question about the vitamin E, Lucy, I haven't applied it yet because of the oil base. Saoirse's coat's still icky from the coconut oil because she can't clean herself so at the moment I'm loathe to apply anything else oily to her coat for fear of it making things worse, not better. Also, I think she needs a treatment with somewhat astringent properties because the coconut oil seemed to delay scab formation in the first hot spot. I am hoping the shampooing will help me to help her to keep nice and clean again, in which case I will then be in a better position to try something else without making Saoirse more uncomfortable as a consequence.


Mogs
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[Sharon14]

Good luck with the vetrericyn- it's wonderful for healing. I use it on all my animals and even on myself. Good stuff!

 

[BJM]

If she'll tolerate brushing, applying a dry shampoo and brushing it out may reduce some of the oiliness.
Use a natural bristle brush (boar bristle), these seem to work best.

 

[Critter Mom]

Good luck with the vetrericyn- it's wonderful for healing. I use it on all my animals and even on myself. Good stuff!

Thanks for the positive testimonial, Sharon.


Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

If she'll tolerate brushing, applying a dry shampoo and brushing it out may reduce some of the oiliness.
Use a natural bristle brush (boar bristle), these seem to work best.

Thanks for the tip, BJ. I've got a natural bristle brush somewhere for her but I never got round to unpacking it after moving here. I'll dig it out.


Mogs
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[Carol & Murphy (GA)]

Hi Lucy Murphy has IBD & cypro is a pretty common Rx for the inappetance associated with IBD It is an antihistamine I give Murphy 1/4 tablet so I guess that's 1 mgm

 

[Squalliesmom]

Hi Lucy Murphy has IBD & cypro is a pretty common Rx for the inappetance associated with IBD It is an antihistamine I give Murphy 1/4 tablet so I guess that's 1 mgm

Thanks, Carol! That's what I was thinking about giving her, 1mg. Squallie gets 2mg, but he's twice her size. Her vet will be open again tomorrow so I can at least make her an appointment, but I still need to get food into her until he can see her! Your info is very much appreciated!

 

[Carol & Murphy (GA)]

I think cypro is quite safe - hope her appetite improves
With Murphy, as soon as I see he is not going to eat his am or pm meal, I pop in a cypro and zolfran (anti nausea) and he is usually eating within 30 minutes

 

[Squalliesmom]

I think cypro is quite safe - hope her appetite improves
With Murphy, as soon as I see he is not going to eat his am or pm meal, I pop in a cypro and zolfran (anti nausea) and he is usually eating within 30 minutes

I have to give it to Squallie at least an hour before mealtime! However, I think he is the exception to the rule, lol. I'm trying it for Candy tonight, fingers crossed it helps!

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I give Cypro and Ondansetron to Harvey almost daily. Works every time. Cats don't show a lot of signs of nausea. Walking away from their food dish without even touching the food is one of them. It would be a good idea to give the Ondansetron and Cypro at the same time - if she is nauseated, the last thing you want to do is give her an appetite stimulant. I hope she will eat for you. Hepatic lipidosis can set in very quickly. Even if they are eating a little, if they aren't getting enough it will start. Sending appy vines.

 

[Squalliesmom]

I give Cypro and Ondansetron to Harvey almost daily. Works every time. Cats don't show a lot of signs of nausea. Walking away from their food dish without even touching the food is one of them. It would be a good idea to give the Ondansetron and Cypro at the same time - if she is nauseated, the last thing you want to do is give her an appetite stimulant. I hope she will eat for you. Hepatic lipidosis can set in very quickly. Even if they are eating a little, if they aren't getting enough it will start. Sending appy vines.

Thanks, I will do that, I have a little bit of Ondansetron still. She seems to want to eat any time but mealtime, now, but she still isn't eating anywhere near enough.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Well, I'd make mealtime whenever she wants to eat for now! You can worry about getting her back on schedule once she's more stable. I lost a kitty to Hepatic Lipidosis because I didn't realize how critical it was to get enough food into them until it's too late, so I'm a bit obsessive about making sure kitties eat enough.

 

[Olive & Paula]

Well, I'd make mealtime whenever she wants to eat for now! You can worry about getting her back on schedule once she's more stable. I lost a kitty to Hepatic Lipidosis because I didn't realize how critical it was to get enough food into them until it's too late, so I'm a bit obsessive about making sure kitties eat enough.

I know the feeling. I lost one to HP with pancreatitis because of a bumbling vet and I didn't know anything about either. So I'm paranoid regarding pancreatitis and kitties not eating.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Well, I'd make mealtime whenever she wants to eat for now! You can worry about getting her back on schedule once she's more stable. I lost a kitty to Hepatic Lipidosis because I didn't realize how critical it was to get enough food into them until it's too late, so I'm a bit obsessive about making sure kitties eat enough.

I know the feeling. I lost one to HP with pancreatitis because of a bumbling vet and I didn't know anything about either. So I'm paranoid regarding pancreatitis and kitties not eating.

I'm so sorry for both your losses. How awful. Yes, she eats whenever I can get food into her, at this point. I know hepatic lipidosis can set in very quickly, I'm pretty sure a kitty of mine died of it, years ago, it just wasn't diagnosed as such by her vet at the time. Candy is eating bits here and there and I am offering food constantly to her.

I tried the Cypro and Ondansetron tonight, and I can't say I think it did much good.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I tried the Cypro and Ondansetron tonight, and I can't say I think it did much good

The dose might not be right. Have you talked about this with your vet at all? Some find that giving both Ondansetron and Cerenia works well - you can give both at the same time, as well as Cypro. I would talk to your vet about the appropriate dose for Candy.

Did she eat the baby food?

 

[Squalliesmom]

The dose might not be right. Have you talked about this with your vet at all? Some find that giving both Ondansetron and Cerenia works well - you can give both at the same time, as well as Cypro. I would talk to your vet about the appropriate dose for Candy.

Did she eat the baby food?

Yes, her vet and I had a long conversation about her today. I am giving her 2mg, as per his suggestion. I had high hopes for the baby food - only to discover she loathes it, lol. She wouldn't go near her dinner dish until I removed the baby food. It has taken her a couple of hours, but she has finally eaten all but a couple of bites of her dinner (3oz FFClassic). Honestly, it's like she just doesn't like any of the foods I've offered. She'll happily eat all the treats she can get.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

Luckily she's not diabetic, so that gives you more options to try. Maybe try something totally different from one she usually gets? If she normally eats pate, try flaked, etc. Will she eat dry food? I know none of us like giving it to any of our cats, but if she'll eat it....

Have you tried novel proteins, like lamb, rabbit, venison and duck? That could help with the IBD, too (but maybe the vet already had you go that route?).

 

[Squalliesmom]

Luckily she's not diabetic, so that gives you more options to try. Maybe try something totally different from one she usually gets? If she normally eats pate, try flaked, etc. Will she eat dry food? I know none of us like giving it to any of our cats, but if she'll eat it....

Have you tried novel proteins, like lamb, rabbit, venison and duck? That could help with the IBD, too (but maybe the vet already had you go that route?).

Today the Cypro seemed to work, she was hungry for breakfast and pretty much polished her bowl, yay!!! Yes, we have tried a whole bunch of novel proteins. I think the only one we haven't tried yet is kangaroo. She is incredibly picky and doesn't like most of them; she will eat the occasional bowl of lamb but turns her nose up at the others. That's one of the reasons I was so delighted when she decided she liked the FF, and it didn't give her diarrhea (it did when I first got her, so I had taken everybody off it and started trying other foods, figuring I could find something else low carb that was also lower in phosphorus). So we have come full circle. And now I'm back to trying other foods again, that all my guys will eat. I have resorted to giving her some YAZC that I had left over, and she will eat a bit of that, not much at a time but that's okay as it is very dense. I just have to watch Squallie like a hawk or he will find her dish and eat anything she leaves!

 

[AbyResq]

Have you had her tested for Tritrichomonas foetus? It's a parasite that isn't on the routine fecal tests. Common in catteries and affects young cats.

I run a small rescue and we took in 3 with IBD last year within a few weeks. One of my fosters was 5 and had been suffering with IBD symptoms since he was 7 months old. The owner was an older lady and she just couldn't deal with it anymore. One of the other foster mom's got a terrific protocol from a holistic per store. The protocol worked wonders for all 3 cats. I figured the 5 year old was headed for a life of steroids but I was able to get him on a diet and supplement that really work for him.

The diet started with 3-5 days of boiled ground buffalo (or bison) and baked sweet potato. Equal parts meat and sweet potato. To this we added a small amount of bentonite clay. Bentonite clay is made for internal and external use so you have to make sure you get the right kind. Multiple small meals a day. All of the cats in my house wanted this concoction.

Then I transitioned him to canned buffalo food. I used Wild Calling and to the best of my knowledge they are the only company who makes a limited ingredient buffalo food for cats. I also began using Perfect Form which is a supplement from The Honest Kitchen. If this protein worked for her you could eventually try other novel proteins.

As others have said the priority right now is that you get her eating anything. It's so frustrating and stressful when they go off food! The symptoms you described sound like nausea to me. Hang in there, I hope she starts eating normally soon.

 

[Jan Radar (GA)]

Sending lots of good eating wishes your way, Lucy. These are for you Because I know how stressed you are about getting something into her system.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

I'm so glad she ate for you today! Sending mega appy vines that it continues.

I do understand the frustration of a kitty that won't eat. My Minka had p-titis the last few months of her life and getting her to eat was a major challenge. I did have to syringe feed her most days. She was very good about it, but I know not all cats are.

 

[Photorecon]

When Small Kitty went into starvation mode and eventually stopped eating here is what I did (witch worked) :

1 : Took commercial food, mixed it with hot water to make it kind of soupy, put it in a syringe with a curved pipe and
very, very very slowly fed him manually.

2 : Turned commercial cat food into soup and bring the bowl under his nose. Eventually he started to lick, a little.
3 : Did the same thing but with little water ; he didn't react so I washed my hands, put the food at the bottom of it and bring it under his nose.
He would eventually eat, slowly.

When the ball started rolling I used regular commercial food and added dried chicken set to dust on top of the food, he would jump into it
until there was no more dried chicken (you can buy at pet food stores). When there was just food, he would take off, I would put
some more until he started eating again.

Small Kitty was very damaged when this happened, now he's asking for food after eating his morning and night cans of Fancy Feast low carb.
I have to stop him or he would eat none stop.

Hope everything will turn right.

.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Have you had her tested for Tritrichomonas foetus? It's a parasite that isn't on the routine fecal tests. Common in catteries and affects young cats.

I run a small rescue and we took in 3 with IBD last year within a few weeks. One of my fosters was 5 and had been suffering with IBD symptoms since he was 7 months old. The owner was an older lady and she just couldn't deal with it anymore. One of the other foster mom's got a terrific protocol from a holistic per store. The protocol worked wonders for all 3 cats. I figured the 5 year old was headed for a life of steroids but I was able to get him on a diet and supplement that really work for him.

The diet started with 3-5 days of boiled ground buffalo (or bison) and baked sweet potato. Equal parts meat and sweet potato. To this we added a small amount of bentonite clay. Bentonite clay is made for internal and external use so you have to make sure you get the right kind. Multiple small meals a day. All of the cats in my house wanted this concoction.

Then I transitioned him to canned buffalo food. I used Wild Calling and to the best of my knowledge they are the only company who makes a limited ingredient buffalo food for cats. I also began using Perfect Form which is a supplement from The Honest Kitchen. If this protein worked for her you could eventually try other novel proteins.

As others have said the priority right now is that you get her eating anything. It's so frustrating and stressful when they go off food! The symptoms you described sound like nausea to me. Hang in there, I hope she starts eating normally soon.

Thank you for the ideas! She has never been tested for Tritrichomonas foetus, I will discuss this with her vet as her symptoms certainly fit the description. I have tried buffalo with her before and she didn't seem to care for it, but it might be worth trying again, her tastes can change on a whim (she's a cat, after all, lol!). How much clay did you add to your buffalo/sweet potato mixture?

 

[Squalliesmom]

I'm so glad she ate for you today! Sending mega appy vines that it continues.

I do understand the frustration of a kitty that won't eat. My Minka had p-titis the last few months of her life and getting her to eat was a major challenge. I did have to syringe feed her most days. She was very good about it, but I know not all cats are.

We have had to syringe feed her before, it doesn't go well at all. She seems to be eating pretty well now, with the Cypro, thankfully!

 

[Squalliesmom]

When Small Kitty went into starvation mode and eventually stopped eating here is what I did (witch worked) :

1 : Took commercial food, mixed it with hot water to make it kind of soupy, put it in a syringe with a curved pipe and
very, very very slowly fed him manually.

2 : Turned commercial cat food into soup and bring the bowl under his nose. Eventually he started to lick, a little.
3 : Did the same thing but with little water ; he didn't react so I washed my hands, put the food at the bottom of it and bring it under his nose.
He would eventually eat, slowly.

When the ball started rolling I used regular commercial food and added dried chicken set to dust on top of the food, he would jump into it
until there was no more dried chicken (you can buy at pet food stores). When there was just food, he would take off, I would put
some more until he started eating again.

Small Kitty was very damaged when this happened, now he's asking for food after eating his morning and night cans of Fancy Feast low carb.
I have to stop him or he would eat none stop.

Hope everything will turn right.

.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me, it's great to have knowledge to fall back on! Thankfully, the appetite stimulant seems to be helping her at the moment.

 

[AbyResq]

Thank you for the ideas! She has never been tested for Tritrichomonas foetus, I will discuss this with her vet as her symptoms certainly fit the description. I have tried buffalo with her before and she didn't seem to care for it, but it might be worth trying again, her tastes can change on a whim (she's a cat, after all, lol!). How much clay did you add to your buffalo/sweet potato mixture?

IBD is so frustrating. Each cat is so different. Some vets are familiar with Tritrich and some aren't. You might need to point your vet towards some information. You really want the PCR test for tritrich. I believe both Antech and IDEXX have a GI panel which includes the PCR test for Tritrich.

For the clay I used Sonne's #7 Detoxificant. I put 1 ml in their food twice a day. The other foster mom in my group got powdered clay. If you get the powdered clay ping me and I will ask her how much she was using.

Glad the appetite stimulant is working and I hope things continue to improve.

 

[Squalliesmom]

IBD is so frustrating. Each cat is so different. Some vets are familiar with Tritrich and some aren't. You might need to point your vet towards some information. You really want the PCR test for tritrich. I believe both Antech and IDEXX have a GI panel which includes the PCR test for Tritrich.

For the clay I used Sonne's #7 Detoxificant. I put 1 ml in their food twice a day. The other foster mom in my group got powdered clay. If you get the powdered clay ping me and I will ask her how much she was using.

Glad the appetite stimulant is working and I hope things continue to improve.

Thank you, I appreciate your help! I am going to ask my vet about testing her. Right now she isn't having diarrhea so I probably wont start the clay, yet, but it's good to know what I need for future use. Yes, the Cypro seems to be doing a good job at the moment, she's almost finishing her whole dish in one setting!

 

[Carol & Murphy (GA)]

yay!!! go Candy. Sometimes when the 1/4 cypro doesn't work for Murphy (I had to give him one this morning, sigh), I've increased the dose to 1/2 tablet - that seems to make him ravenous - can also increase the dose of Ondansetron to q8 hrs or 1/2 pill, I believe. I have definitely found that the appy stimulant effect of cypro wanes if I give it several days in a row - if I have to do that, I'll increase the dose to 1/2 a pill or try to hold off giving it for a few days.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Lucy (@Squalliesmom)

I would really recommend you read all the info on the IBD Kitties website and there is also an IBDKitties FB group that is really great. IBD kitties due tend to be picky. Ondansetron and cerenia are both things that you should discuss with your vet about having there and using them in combo. Many vets are not yet aware of the latest info which indicates these two drugs attack nausea from different modalities so using them together will often Eli I ate the need to give cypro but ECID.

Candy also needs a good probiotic and Fortiflora is not one. Yes, they bill it as a probiotic but it has stuff in it which could be contributing to her issues. There is an excellent narrative on probiotics on the page I linked. Human probiotics are a better choice for our kitties because of the quality of the products. We don't really know what species specific gut bacteria cats have and since they respond so well to human probiotics, I think it's a good choice. I like Renew Life Ultimate Flora 15 billion CFU. The dose is 1/2 cap bid for maintenance and 1 cap bid for therapeutic dose.

Also, many studies have shown that homecooked or raw diets are most beneficial for these kitties. It's highly suggested that unless she has been eating raw, that you transition to it slowly first by cooking the meat and then slowly starting the raw. There is a new formula out designed specifically for IBD kitties but it can be fed to all cats and I use it and love it. It is EZ Complete. It has digestive enzymes, glandulars, and omega 3s in it ...all of which are really important for IBD kitties. They have a recipe for homecooking using the powder and ground or chunked meat and they also tell you how to transition her. They also have a FB page where they help members.

I learned something very interesting from these really knowledgable ladies. When I tried to slowly switch Tobey from raw with alnutrin to the raw with EZ Complete, he turned his nose up to it. What Laurie told me was instead of mixing the new in with the old, just put a tiny bit of it on his plate an inch or so away from his existing food and do it every single meal whether he eats it or not. Within one week, he started eating it. She said the toughest kitties usually will start eating the new fuds within two weeks.

I also feed a variety of raw foods (Tobey has been on raw for years). He gets some Primal version, air chilled organic ground chicken breast from Whole Foods with alnutrin, New Zealand organic grass fed lamb from WF with EZ Complete, and NZ organic grass fed venison from my local exotics butcher with EZ Complete.

Tackling IBD takes some work and consistency but if you read through the info and have time to join the FB groups, you might see some real improvement. I think I've seen the most success on the Raw for IBD kitties FB group because all of those people have switched to raw.

I also like the suggestion of a GI Panel. It's likely she might need vitamin B12 injections and that test will give you some great info.

 

[Squalliesmom]

Lucy (@Squalliesmom)

I would really recommend you read all the info on the IBD Kitties website and there is also an IBDKitties FB group that is really great. IBD kitties due tend to be picky. Ondansetron and cerenia are both things that you should discuss with your vet about having there and using them in combo. Many vets are not yet aware of the latest info which indicates these two drugs attack nausea from different modalities so using them together will often Eli I ate the need to give cypro but ECID.

Candy also needs a good probiotic and Fortiflora is not one. Yes, they bill it as a probiotic but it has stuff in it which could be contributing to her issues. There is an excellent narrative on probiotics on the page I linked. Human probiotics are a better choice for our kitties because of the quality of the products. We don't really know what species specific gut bacteria cats have and since they respond so well to human probiotics, I think it's a good choice. I like Renew Life Ultimate Flora 15 billion CFU. The dose is 1/2 cap bid for maintenance and 1 cap bid for therapeutic dose.

Also, many studies have shown that homecooked or raw diets are most beneficial for these kitties. It's highly suggested that unless she has been eating raw, that you transition to it slowly first by cooking the meat and then slowly starting the raw. There is a new formula out designed specifically for IBD kitties but it can be fed to all cats and I use it and love it. It is EZ Complete. It has digestive enzymes, glandulars, and omega 3s in it ...all of which are really important for IBD kitties. They have a recipe for homecooking using the powder and ground or chunked meat and they also tell you how to transition her. They also have a FB page where they help members.

I learned something very interesting from these really knowledgable ladies. When I tried to slowly switch Tobey from raw with alnutrin to the raw with EZ Complete, he turned his nose up to it. What Laurie told me was instead of mixing the new in with the old, just put a tiny bit of it on his plate an inch or so away from his existing food and do it every single meal whether he eats it or not. Within one week, he started eating it. She said the toughest kitties usually will start eating the new fuds within two weeks.

I also feed a variety of raw foods (Tobey has been on raw for years). He gets some Primal version, air chilled organic ground chicken breast from Whole Foods with alnutrin, New Zealand organic grass fed lamb from WF with EZ Complete, and NZ organic grass fed venison from my local exotics butcher with EZ Complete.

Tackling IBD takes some work and consistency but if you read through the info and have time to join the FB groups, you might see some real improvement. I think I've seen the most success on the Raw for IBD kitties FB group because all of those people have switched to raw.

I also like the suggestion of a GI Panel. It's likely she might need vitamin B12 injections and that test will give you some great info.

Thank you, Marje! I do belong to an IBD group, not sure whether or not it is the one you mentioned. Unfortunately it seems like I don't get to check it out very often. When I do, I feel like I'm floundering around out of my depth, I don't know why this is. I also have a very limited budget that has to stretch to cover all four of my kitties., so I am frequently unable to run out and get the latest recommended product or do a massive diet overhaul. I do get there eventually but it takes me some time.

I have heard before that the Renew Life Ultimate Flora is excellent for IBD kitties. I have kept her on the Forti Flora because it helps encourage her to eat, but if she is going to be using an appy stimulant she doesn't need it. I have also heard wonderful things about Slippery Elm Bark and will try that as well if her diarrhea comes back. She was getting pumpkin 2x daily but I stopped giving it when she stopped eating, in case it was part of the problem - I stopped the Forti Flora, too, but have since put her back on it.

She has been on raw before and she really likes it, but I was using Nature's Variety and couldn't afford to continue feeding it to four cats! She did reasonably well on it, but her diarrhea did come and go. Right now she is eating FF Classics Turkey and Giblets and has not had diarrhea in almost two months, hurray!!! I am afraid to change anything much in her diet as long as she is maintaining weight and not having diarrhea, but I have looked into the EZ Complete before and that will be my next step if/when her diarrhea resurfaces. That is the perfect food for my crew because Squallie and Candy can both safely eat it, and the others like raw, too.

Yes to work and consistency, lol, I'm real familiar with that! People ask why I never give my cats different flavors or brands of cat foods - when you have two cats with special dietary needs, you stick with what is working, lol!

I will talk to her vet about a GI panel. We discussed it once before but, due to cost, I opted to continue to treat her symptoms without the panel. It may be time to revisit the idea. I am also going to ask about Tritrichomonas foetus.

Thanks again for all the information!

 

[Squalliesmom]

yay!!! go Candy. Sometimes when the 1/4 cypro doesn't work for Murphy (I had to give him one this morning, sigh), I've increased the dose to 1/2 tablet - that seems to make him ravenous - can also increase the dose of Ondansetron to q8 hrs or 1/2 pill, I believe. I have definitely found that the appy stimulant effect of cypro wanes if I give it several days in a row - if I have to do that, I'll increase the dose to 1/2 a pill or try to hold off giving it for a few days.

Thanks for the heads-up, Carol.

Murphy is so cute, every time I see that adorable little face I just want to cover it with kisses!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Thank you, Marje! I do belong to an IBD group, not sure whether or not it is the one you mentioned. Unfortunately it seems like I don't get to check it out very often. When I do, I feel like I'm floundering around out of my depth, I don't know why this is. I also have a very limited budget that has to stretch to cover all four of my kitties., so I am frequently unable to run out and get the latest recommended product or do a massive diet overhaul. I do get there eventually but it takes me some time.

I have heard before that the Renew Life Ultimate Flora is excellent for IBD kitties. I have kept her on the Forti Flora because it helps encourage her to eat, but if she is going to be using an appy stimulant she doesn't need it. I have also heard wonderful things about Slippery Elm Bark and will try that as well if her diarrhea comes back. She was getting pumpkin 2x daily but I stopped giving it when she stopped eating, in case it was part of the problem - I stopped the Forti Flora, too, but have since put her back on it.

She has been on raw before and she really likes it, but I was using Nature's Variety and couldn't afford to continue feeding it to four cats! She did reasonably well on it, but her diarrhea did come and go. Right now she is eating FF Classics Turkey and Giblets and has not had diarrhea in almost two months, hurray!!! I am afraid to change anything much in her diet as long as she is maintaining weight and not having diarrhea, but I have looked into the EZ Complete before and that will be my next step if/when her diarrhea resurfaces. That is the perfect food for my crew because Squallie and Candy can both safely eat it, and the others like raw, too.

Yes to work and consistency, lol, I'm real familiar with that! People ask why I never give my cats different flavors or brands of cat foods - when you have two cats with special dietary needs, you stick with what is working, lol!

I will talk to her vet about a GI panel. We discussed it once before but, due to cost, I opted to continue to treat her symptoms without the panel. It may be time to revisit the idea. I am also going to ask about Tritrichomonas foetus.

Thanks again for all the information!

You're welcome. Yes...slippery elm bark powder is a staple in my cat health toolbox. I've used it for years and years for any intestinal issues including constipation and diarrhea and it has never failed me. Just be sure you get organic, QAI certified.

I have seen on the IBDKitties FB page that some of the members swear by Fancy Feast. So if it works for her and she eats, that is really important. I think NV raw is ok but it has some ingredients I don't like.

I understand that with cats you want to feed them what they will eat...there is nothing more frustrating than a cat that won't eat. But current research is finding that a variety of foods or novel proteins is best. As you said, that is something that likely needs to be approached slowly. As with everything, things constantly change don't they? Used to be they said we shouldn't eat eggs because it raised cholesterol. Now they say eggs don't raise serum cholesterol and they are really good for us...which I always though all along and never stopped eating eggs

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

@Marje and Gracie the link you posted above to EZComplete takes you to Small Kitty's condo....?

HERE is a link to the homepage.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

@Marje and Gracie the link you posted above to EZComplete takes you to Small Kitty's condo....?

HERE is a link to the homepage.

Oops....thank you! Multi tasking, evidently! I also fixed it.