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Cat has diarrhea and/or soft stool for multiple weeks.

Sent to Cat Experts April 05 07:22 PM

Male Burmese, 8 years. Some history if GI issues. Last 4 years, mostly on Science Diet ID (wet & dry). Over last 6 mos. been giving occassional bits of cooked chicken and mixed in different dry food. Last 6 weeks, some vomiting (twice), but stool is very soft/diarrhea. Generally his perky self, but less interest in his food. Gave some Science Diet WD; loved it. Wormed him (second round last evening). Also 5 days of anti-biotic. Still soft stool. Indoor cat, but I walk him on leash.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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April 5 7:32 PM (9 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
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Did the diarrhea start when you started changing the food around, trying new things?
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Tammy F. -- Cat Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 812 Cat Accepts
15+ years-Cat care, Veterinary shelter medicine/infectious disease, feral colony mgmt, cat rescue
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April 5 8:01 PM (29 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Short answer is no. Made the few food tweeks over at least 6 mos just to give some interest. Also, stool test was negative. Last time we went through this few years back, stool was negative as well. But we wormed him, and he got better. Never can say exactly if that is what got him straight the last time. But it was the most direct connection (after putzing around with antibiotics and prednisone). Just gave him Science Diet ID with some WD mixed in (wet), and he liked it. Like I said, he is generally a happy boy. Just soft stool and not as interested in his food. So, of course, his weight is down a pound or so.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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April 5 8:35 PM (33 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
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can you please tell me a couple of things so I can try to help?
what is the name of the wormer and what worm is it supposed to treat?
what was the chicken cooked with? any onion or garlic?
What antibiotic was he on?
how long did it take for him to lose that pound?
what is the condition of his teeth and gums?
Are gums pale?

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Terri Riba -- Feline Healthcare Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 9238 Cat Accepts
20 years in vet care: general medicine/ Emergencies/critical care/ behavior/ nutrition/ holistics
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April 5 9:09 PM (34 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         
Reply to Terri Riba's Post: Wormer was strongid. Not targeting any specific worm. Really just trying what seemed to work before. Chicken was prepared at a deli, so unclear. It was sauted (I guess) and did have a breading. We gave him just a little of the meat. Stopped this at least 6 weeks ago. And this was just occassional. I really suspect that the chicken is not a significant issue (?). I forget the name of antibiotic; "metra something" perhaps. (Could call the vet tomorrow.) Was a refrigerated liquid given orally for 5 days. Weight loss timing tough to say. Not real fast; say 6-8 weeks (guessing); maybe longer. A year ago, he was 11.2lbs; now his is 10.2lbs. Teeth and gums pretty good. Gums might be a little pale.
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April 5 10:38 PM (1 hour and 29 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
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It seems likely that your cat has a malabsorbion problem where he is not adequetely digesting his food.
your vet probaly had him on flagyl (metronidazole) as this is broad spectum and clears up coccidia, giardia and some intestinal distress.
I feel the wormer helping was just a coincidence unless he had roundworm at the time.
The bst thing to do is to start at act one/scene one to get his digestive system back on track.
Get some powdered acidophholis at a health food store. Mix it in water. Give him one dropper daily fo 30 days.
At the same time boil skinless chcken in unseasoned water til soft -add a pinch or salt and sugar to the broth - add an ounce of cooked white rice. blend to baby food consistancy. feed him nothing but this for two weeks straight.after that time his bowels should be normal.You can then gradually reintroduce his cat food.
Please let me know if you have any more questions. I will be more than happy to help.

Edited by purrfectkitty on April 5 2006 at 10:39 PM

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri
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Terri Riba -- Feline Healthcare Expert -- 100% Positive Feedback on 9238 Cat Accepts
20 years in vet care: general medicine/ Emergencies/critical care/ behavior/ nutrition/ holistics
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