Seems weak and difficulty walking

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Thank you Marje! Glad we have you to clarify those lab results for us. I wish we had the BUN/SDMA/Creatinine from Feb. for comparison to see to what degree those values have changed but as you say, it's unlikely the current symptoms are a result of kidney function issues.
 
Thanks for the reply. She had the diarrhea, gas, bowel noise and bowel pain which is why IBS was diagnosed. I tried human probiotics at the beginning for a few months with no success. It was not easy to get into her at all. The only local version of the one you recommended is Align. I have never seen blood in her feces but that does not mean it isn't there. If there is internal bleeding that would be my educated guess where it is. She has had many incidents of Diarhhea today even straining and producing nothing. I gave her prednisolone and flagyl tonight to hopefully ease any discomfort.

This has been going on for months now and of course I am willing to try something else but I do not want her to suffer. I have tried many different things, foods, meds, probiotics etc and nothing has helped so far. The pred and flagyl seem to alleviate her discomfort but do not stop the diarrhea. If the probiotic helps stop her diarrhea will the mobility issues disappear? Will I just be prolonging an inevitable end? I unfortunately have very limited funds to treat this with as well. She is in her mid to late teens also.
It's a very hard decision to make with a beloved pet I would do anything to help.
 
CassWTribby said:
Thanks for the reply. She had the diarrhea, gas, bowel noise and bowel pain which is why IBS was diagnosed. I tried human probiotics at the beginning for a few months with no success. It was not easy to get into her at all. The only local version of the one you recommended is Align. I have never seen blood in her feces but that does not mean it isn't there. If there is internal bleeding that would be my educated guess where it is. She has had many incidents of Diarhhea today even straining and producing nothing. I gave her prednisolone and flagyl tonight to hopefully ease any discomfort.

This has been going on for months now and of course I am willing to try something else but I do not want her to suffer. I have tried many different things, foods, meds, probiotics etc and nothing has helped so far. The pred and flagyl seem to alleviate her discomfort but do not stop the diarrhea. If the probiotic helps stop her diarrhea will the mobility issues disappear? Will I just be prolonging an inevitable end? I unfortunately have very limited funds to treat this with as well. She is in her mid to late teens also.
It's a very hard decision to make with a beloved pet I would do anything to help.
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I think that the priority here is determining why she is anemic and what is causing her symptoms. She can't stay like she is.

Not all human probiotics are created equally. Some are much better than others and it depends on how many CFUs you are giving. If you are feeding foods with carrageenan and/or gums, you are likely exacerbating her issues.

I'm confused because when I think of a cat with motility issues, I think of one that has constipation. Personally, I'm not a fan of flagyl and you ha to be very careful with how you use it (dose) and for how long. It can cause neurological issues and while it is not the culprit with the anemia, it could cause her to have some of the symptoms she's having.

I'm not a vet so I can't tell you if you are prolonging an inevitable end. I don't know if she has something that is eminently fatal but IBD can be treated. You just haven't found the correct treatment for her yet. You might want to check out IBD Kitties and if you are on FB, there is a corresponding IBD Kitties group.
 
CassWTribby said:
Thanks for the reply. She had the diarrhea, gas, bowel noise and bowel pain which is why IBS was diagnosed. I tried human probiotics at the beginning for a few months with no success. It was not easy to get into her at all. The only local version of the one you recommended is Align. I have never seen blood in her feces but that does not mean it isn't there. If there is internal bleeding that would be my educated guess where it is. She has had many incidents of Diarhhea today even straining and producing nothing. I gave her prednisolone and flagyl tonight to hopefully ease any discomfort.

This has been going on for months now and of course I am willing to try something else but I do not want her to suffer. I have tried many different things, foods, meds, probiotics etc and nothing has helped so far. The pred and flagyl seem to alleviate her discomfort but do not stop the diarrhea. If the probiotic helps stop her diarrhea will the mobility issues disappear? Will I just be prolonging an inevitable end? I unfortunately have very limited funds to treat this with as well. She is in her mid to late teens also.
It's a very hard decision to make with a beloved pet I would do anything to help.
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Have you tried FortiFlora?
 
I think a very detailed conversation with your vet is in order. I'd want to know why he was suggesting the kidney values were the cause for the current inability to jump and poor balance and why he offered no suggestions other than sub q fluids which might help ease fluid loss from the diarrhea and any resulting dehydration but is unlikely to do anything for the new and currently most concerning symptoms. Tribby is not in end stage kidney failure according to those lab reports. How did the vet arrive at the diagnosis of IBS? In human terms, IBS and IBD are not one and the same even though they share many of the same symptoms. IBS tends to be idiopathic meaning there is no known cause while IBD refers to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, Behcet's and a few others, all of which are auto-immune conditions. Her CBC was out of whack back in Feb and now suggests anemia. What does he think about those labs and what should be done to determine the cause?

I agree with Marje. IBS/IBD are treatable and whether there is something more ominous going on or not remains to be determined. Only the vet can shed more light on whether you are prolonging an inevitable end or not.
 
JanetNJ said:
Have you tried FortiFlora?
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Fortiflora is not really a probiotic. It also has ingredients (animal digest) that can make intestinal issues worse. And it is made by Purina who has a terrible reputation for using bad ingredients. It’s one thing to use it for a topper to entice but there are sooooooo many better probiotics out there.

@Red & Rover (GA) Here is our video that we did for FDMB members on How to Give Subq Fluids at Home. Based on the comments we’ve gotten on YouTube, I believe it is probably one of the best, if not the best :p:smuggrin::smuggrin::smuggrin: Hope you are starting to feel better, my dear. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Fortiflora is not really a probiotic. It also has ingredients (animal digest) that can make intestinal issues worse. And it is made by Purina who has a terrible reputation for using bad ingredients. It’s one thing to use it for a topper to entice but there are sooooooo many better probiotics out there.

@Red & Rover (GA) Here is our video that we did for FDMB members on How to Give Subq Fluids at Home. Based on the comments we’ve gotten on YouTube, I believe it is probably one of the best, if not the best :p:smuggrin::smuggrin::smuggrin: Hope you are starting to feel better, my dear. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thanks Marje. I didn't have a quick link for the video. I can now relate to and have great sympathy for panc cats.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Fortiflora is not really a probiotic. It also has ingredients (animal digest) that can make intestinal issues worse. And it is made by Purina who has a terrible reputation for using bad ingredients. It’s one thing to use it for a topper to entice but there are sooooooo many better probiotics out there.

@Red & Rover (GA) Here is our video that we did for FDMB members on How to Give Subq Fluids at Home. Based on the comments we’ve gotten on YouTube, I believe it is probably one of the best, if not the best :p:smuggrin::smuggrin::smuggrin: Hope you are starting to feel better, my dear. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Ok.... I just know that it worked for my cat Julie who had diarrhea for two months. It stopped after 1 packet. If sure there are stronger ones.
 
What a horrible night! I bathed and put my daughter to bed at 8 pm then spent over 2.5 hours trying to find Tribby. I checked our entire house over and over again and outside as well in case she snuck out somehow while my husband was letting our dogs out. Just as I was about to give up and dissolve into panic there she was. Upstairs the whole time and wondering what all the fuss was about.

She did seem a bit perkier today after about 50 mls of pedialyte and a few doses of b12 mixed in her food. She's eating and drinking well and only had one incident of diarhhea overnight. She is now enclosed in her favourite rooms with food, water and a litter box and is safe from falls.

I am going to try sub q fluids - 100 ml at a time hopefully, and stopping the flagyl completely in hopes that it was the cause of her neurological issues. I'm going to continue with the b12 and try to get some s boulardi probiotic to start her on as well. If she's not improving at all or seems to be in distress after a few days then at least I tried. I'll continue BGT and insulin of course. I'm hoping to wean her off the prednisolone as I know it is hard on the kidneys.

Thanks for all the support. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions please post!
 
CassWTribby said:
What a horrible night! I bathed and put my daughter to bed at 8 pm then spent over 2.5 hours trying to find Tribby. I checked our entire house over and over again and outside as well in case she snuck out somehow while my husband was letting our dogs out. Just as I was about to give up and dissolve into panic there she was. Upstairs the whole time and wondering what all the fuss was about.

She did seem a bit perkier today after about 50 mls of pedialyte and a few doses of b12 mixed in her food. She's eating and drinking well and only had one incident of diarhhea overnight. She is now enclosed in her favourite rooms with food, water and a litter box and is safe from falls.

I am going to try sub q fluids - 100 ml at a time hopefully, and stopping the flagyl completely in hopes that it was the cause of her neurological issues. I'm going to continue with the b12 and try to get some s boulardi probiotic to start her on as well. If she's not improving at all or seems to be in distress after a few days then at least I tried. I'll continue BGT and insulin of course. I'm hoping to wean her off the prednisolone as I know it is hard on the kidneys.

Thanks for all the support. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions please post!
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Sounds like a plan... Keep us updated!
 
I haven't read this thread through, so apologies if this has been covered. One of my old civvie cats had balance issues. he couldn't stand to pee and fell through the bannisters down the stairs as he couldn't walk straight. It turns out he had a huge ear infection. Is Tribby shaking his head a lot or pawing at his ears?
 
CassWTribby said:
Just as I was about to give up and dissolve into panic there she was. Upstairs the whole time and wondering what all the fuss was about.
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Don't you just hate it when they do that! Been there a number of times with my crew!

I really hope Tribby's mobility issues improve but if they don't I hope you will speak with your vet to discuss the problem in more detail. :)
 
CassWTribby said:
Just as I was about to give up and dissolve into panic there she was. Upstairs the whole time and wondering what all the fuss was about.
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My kitten, Livia, is blue and she is little so she has all kinds of snuggy places where we can't find her. We call her the Ninja Kitten:joyful:

@MrWorfMen's Mom I bet Menace has given you a scare or two!!

A couple things:
  • If you don't know what you are treating (why she is anemic), you are shooting in the dark and could be wasting time, money, and giving her treatments that don't help. I know $ are tight but perhaps you can have the discussion about anemia with the vet and see what he thinks. Don't let him brush you off and say she isn't anemic. The hematocrit of a healthy cat should be above 36% and anything below 30% is anemic.
  • I am not a proponent of giving subq fluids unless your vet has indicated they are required or would help; 100 mls daily is what some cats in Stage 3/4 CKD get. There are several different kinds of fluids and it's not one size fits all. You must be very, very careful. Please check with your vet first.
  • If it feels me, I would ask my vet about B12 injections for intestinal issues.
  • I have had to give pred before; not my favorite but I don't worry about it being as hard on the kidneys as other organs. The thing is, if it hasn't stopped the diarrhea, maybe it's time to discuss something different with your vet. There is a different steroid called budesonide which is less systemic than pred and can help cats with diagnosed IBD. But, again, these things need to be done with your vet.
I hope she continues to feel better.
 
I read that you say there are no fleas. What about ticks? I don't know the area you are in. But all the vets in my area have put out notices that ticks are heavy this year and they are seeing animals daily with Lyme Disease. It's a far out possibility but possible.
 
That is a really good point. The tick problem is definitely escalating up here too and whether kitty goes out or not, it's something to consider.
 
The reticulocyte count indicates that the bone marrow is NOT growing new RBCs in response to the anemia. That is can non-regenerative anemia.That can happen with severe kidney degradation but the Creatinine and SDMA values do not point to kidney problems being the cause of the non-regenerative anemia. It could be be due bleeding like internal or flies if it has very recently happened since it take a little time for the bone marrow to respond to anemia
 
Update: Tribby is doing better. Im almost afraid to say shes on the mend. She's eating very well and seems steadier this morning. Fingers crossed it continues!
She's taking the probiotic twice daily. B12 once a day as its slow release. Her BGL have been closer to normal as well. I'm mixing the probiotic in pedialyte so that may be helpful as well. I'm planning on doing sub q fluids daily as soon as I get some Ringers fluid. The sodium chloride stings a bit. Long talk with my vet. He wants to see how this week goes and reasses her on the weekend. Sub q fluids, 100 ml daily, stop the flagyl, wean her off the prednisolone. I asked him to order some bude.
She's an inside cat so I have never seem a tick on her. I groom her regularly so would have noticed one I hope. I'm debating put her on a liquid vitamin by Omega Alpha but may wait a bit. Good b vitamins are in it. She had a thorough exam including her ears on Saturday.

I'm taking her outside every day for a bit to wander and nibble some grass. We have lots of catnip this year too. I can send anyone some if you'd like some!
Thanks everyone!
 
CassWTribby said:
Tribby is doing better.
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Wonderful news! Please do keep us posted! We worry about all the kitties and Beans who join us here!:joyful:

CassWTribby said:
I'm taking her outside every day for a bit to wander and nibble some grass. We have lots of catnip this year too.
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Even if you are just taking her out for a bit of a wander, it's possible she could pick up a tick and those things are so tiny they could be hard to detect even with regular grooming. It may seem a long shot but they are saying the tick problem is getting worse here so something to keep in mind if she hasn't recovered completely very soon. As for the catnip, I'm a bit jealous. I had to get my deck redone last fall and I fear the workmen trampled all mine. Luckily I have a stockpile of dried catnip to use until I get some new plants in the garden. :rolleyes:
 
Good to hear improvement. Although you say she is indoors. You take her outside. Ticks just have to bite, not necessarly attach. If she walks in the grass or dirt, the legs, belly and tail are close to the ground. Just something to keep in mind.
 
How are her poos?

BTW, I would also recommend that you give a "regular" probiotic in addition to the S. boulardii. You will want to keep her on the maintenance probiotic every day twice a day. You might also find that she will need the S. boulardii every day twice a day.

My one cat, Tobey, had giardia as a kitten and that puts him at risk for IBD. So I make sure he gets Renew Life Ultimate Adult 15b CFU twice a day and the S. boulardii at a very small dose twice a day. My kitten also gets the Renew Life Ultimate twice a day.
 
Morning everyone!! Tribby's mobility is much better! She even jumped up on the couch and can manage stairs. Still careful about falls though...
Her Diarhhea is back though. Not as bad but there are still messes beside the litter box. NO blood as far as I can tell. I'm going to get a sample for a fecal test. See what's what. One of our rescued feral kitties has a swollen back leg so we are back to the vet sooner then later anyways.

Tribby is eating very well. Drinking well and sleeping on her regular bed again instead of the tree house bed. (a small house at the bottom). She's doesn't enjoy the pedialyte & s boulardii treatment twice a day but it is helping. Shes still getting b12 as well. I'm going to do some more research on foods and see if I can find something better for her bowel.
Are there any probiotics that are yummy? I've tried a few normal ones and she will not eat them in her food. I have to syringe with fluids or make a capsule. She's getting very fed up with being forced to swallow things!
After her pedialyte treatment she gave me the cold shoulder for over an hour last night.
I got a good supplies of IV fluid and supplies so will do that as well.
Any suggestions of general probiotics?
Any suggestions of food for IBS? (and where you get it please, we are in Ontario, Canada.

Thanks again!
Cass and Tribby
 
Urge! I'm so frustrated. Two days of improvement then arrive home to hear Tribby had explosive diarrhea again. Poor Kitty. I'm trying anything and everything but nothing seems to help. Has anyone tried a fecal transplant with healthy donor feces? Www.animalbiome.com.
The good news is she seems to like getting sub q fluids. I gave her about 50 mls last night and she purred the entire time and lay quietly. She seemed to feel better after. Ate well then slept well. Much perkier this am aas well. I'm going to the vet tomorrow with another of my cats (sore leg) so she is coming along to get a b12 injection. Hope everyone is well.
 
Sorry to hear Tribby had another bout of diarrhea but glad to hear he is otherwise doing better. You asked about food available here in Ontario yesterday and I meant to suggest you post a separate thread entitled "food for IBS" or something similar to get some recommendations as there are a number of folks dealing with IBS who can probably give you some leads but they aren't going to necessarily see/read this post. The products available here are not as plentiful but we can still get a lot of the same foods as the US folks.
 
The S. boulardii may not be as effective if her B12 levels are still low. She will nee B12 injections to correct that. Th B12 you sprinkle in her food will not do anything for low cyanocobalamin....it has to be injections. You usually give them at home once a week for eight weeks and then they check her B12 levels and may go to once a month.

Did you try the emergency stop with th S. boulardii instead of just twice a day?
 
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