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Kitten Diarrhea

This forum is for cat lovers seeking everyday advice and suggestions on health-related issues. Remember, however, that advice on a public forum simply can't be a substitute for proper medical attention. Only your vet can say assuredly what is best for your cat.

  
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Member Since
04/22/2012
 
 
Purred: Sun Apr 22, '12 8:21pm PST 
I have 4 Maine Coon kittens - 2 at 6 months old and 2 at 4 months old.

They've had diarrhea for about 3 weeks now... explosive at times, but liquid or pasty all the time.

They've been to the vet twice for it... they were put on something, I can't even remember the name of, but took twice a day for 5 days - twice. And are on fortiflora. Neither of which has helped. The Vet only did blood work on one of the older kittens.

They were on Royal Canin kitten 36 - from the breeder - and I continued on ... until 2 weeks ago, I transitioned them to Taste of the Wild. That hasn't helped either. I ordered some Blue Buffalo Kitten chicken and rice that I may start mixing with the TOTW. I don't really know. I feel like changing their food around like this will make things worse.

They're still eating and drinking well. They play some, but sleep a lot. The older two played more at 4 months old than they slept - although I wouldn't say they were lethargic. At least, not yet.

The Vet doesn't seem worried about it in the least. Meanwhile, I'm pulling my hair out. I'm thinking of calling the Vet in the next town over to see if they wont take a look at them.

This isn't normal, right? Any suggestions or anything?
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Maizy

I may meow to- you if you're- worthy
 
 
Purred: Mon Apr 23, '12 6:57am PST 
Some of it could be changing foods. Have they been wormed recently? I know that can cause this issue. Honestly I would consult with another vet to be sure - they could have a parasite, or worms. Something you can try though that would not hurt them, is a tiny bit of pumpkin puree. Not the kind that has spices in it for pie, just plain ol pumpkin. It does help to "firm" things up. Kittens can get dehydrated very quickly, so it is very important to get to the ahem...bottom of this issue & get it under control. Welcome to Catster! welcome
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Pandemonium

I'm in your- puter stealing- your RAM
 
 
Purred: Mon Apr 23, '12 8:26am PST 
They all have been tested for parasites a few times - always negative. They've had the blood work done for heart worm, feline HIV and leukemia. They're indoor only cats... I do have two dogs that go out regularly. But they're always negative for parasites as well. I have been using Revolution on all of them, which I've been reading lately may not actually be all that great.

I didn't start switching their food until after the first week of the diarrhea. The vet said it might be too rich for them and suggested switching. Which we did, but it hasn't helped. I ordered the Blue Buffalo mainly because it has grain in it, and I've been googling the heck out of this, a lot of what I read suggested that they might need small amounts of grain to help with their digestive system.

I called the Vet in the next town over and she agreed to see them, but can't until Wednesday. I've already stopped at our regular vet and signed the release thing so a copy of their records can be sent over.

I will try the pumpkin puree today. Thanks for the tip!
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Bumpurr

RESPECT The- Star!
 
 
Purred: Tue Apr 24, '12 4:05am PST 
This is not at all normal, and any vet who feels, its not something to worry about, you should run, not walk, away from, especially in young kittens.

Kittens do have very sensative little systems, and the wrong food, or changing food, can set off diarea and/or throwing up. That they are eating and drinking, is a huge positive.

I suspect the culprit is the Royal Canin, most show people won't touch it with a 10 ft pole. Its full of grains, glutens and by products, which is what you want to avoid. Grains and glutens cause tummy upset. Kitties are not horses, horses eat grains.

What you want to avoid is corn, wheat, corn gluten, wheat gluten, maize, maize is corn, corn flour, wheat flour, corn meal, wheat meal, soy, by products.

Tell the vet you want an x-ray, that will show if they have inflammed intestines, it will show up as dark, on the x-ray, make sure they show you the x-ray. It will also show, if there is something else going on inside.

You also want to ask for a CBC and Wellness blood panel, that shows, if any values are not normal, too high or too low, and something else might be going on, ***insist*** it be sent to Antech or Idexx, tell them, you *do not* want it done, in house (at the vets), turn around is 24 hrs from the lab.

They should be put on metronidazole, for 10 days, it comes in a liquid or pills. DO NOT let them be given Centrine.

Mine are show cats, they are fed Blue Wilderness, its by Blue Buffalo. Its grain free, gluten free, soy free, by product free. It also has the omega 3 and 6, very good for the skin and coat, and it has antioxidants in it. It eliminated Bump's tummy issues and Prowler's crystals. Boy kitties are prone to crystals, and grains is one of many causes of it, its the biggest one.

I passed on Friday April 13th, I had heart issues, but I love helping other kitties, so I will continue to post, I was only 5 yrs old.
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Maizy

I may meow to- you if you're- worthy
 
 
Purred: Tue Apr 24, '12 2:34pm PST 
Bump is wise, guiding from up at The Bridge. Things can accelerate quick with kittens. Did you try the pumpkin yet?
ps love ya Bump - glad to see you watching over us all. purrs - Tigger
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Pandemonium

I'm in your- puter stealing- your RAM
 
 
Purred: Thu Apr 26, '12 8:41am PST 
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about Bumpurr! And at such a young age. Now I wish I hadn't started them on the new food yesterday - I would have gotten the wilderness kind instead. But I thank you for your help!

I tried pumpkin puree for 2 days. It didn't have any effect... it might not have been long enough?

We went to a different vet yesterday - she said to stop the pumpkin and go ahead and start switching them to the blue buffalo food as the TOTW isn't a specific kitten formula. Which I knew - but small town, small pet store with very limited options.

They got Metronidazole 50mg (Tiny Tabs) - twice. It didn't do anything for them anyways.

Yesterday, the new vet said they seemed happy and healthy - they look good, temps, weight, etc were all good - not dehydrated. Stool was negative, but she gave them Drontal feline. Because the Metronidazole didn't work for them before, she didn't want to give it to them again. She said it wasn't uncommon for kittens to have diarrhea for a few weeks when food changes are made.

Okay, but the whole reason I changed the food was because the diarrhea had already started. Now I'm changing it again! But, I'm to keep an eye on them and if nothing clears up in two weeks, bring them back in - sooner of course, if someone starts acting 'not right'. I asked her if she understood that they've already had diarrhea for over 3 weeks now... and you want to wait another two? Does one of them have to die before anyone does something about it? But, if it doesn't clear up in two weeks, they'll do the blood thing and xrays then. I pushed for them to do it yesterday - but she just flat our refused. She's sure it's the food and it'll clear up on it's own now.

They did blood work on Pia - "Catalyst DX" ... but after looking at the papers I got, it looks like that is just a Pre-Anesthetic Profile? I'm not sure, I might be looking at the wrong thing. I know I had the profile done when she was spayed - but the dates are different. It says IDEXX Laboratories on the bottom of the page - so I'm assuming that it's sent out already? The only thing that's listed as not normal is ALKP is high. I asked about that and they said it was because she is growing?

Maybe I am over-reacting - I have two separate vets telling me that now. It just doesn't feel like it. I feel horrible for being snappy and pushy with the vets - but at the same time, if it helps the kitties, I just don't care, really.
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Hunter- *Dreamboat- #82*

Master of- Disaster!
 
 
Purred: Thu Apr 26, '12 9:22am PST 
Try pure pumpkin. Not pumpkin puree. Has to have no spices in it. Not pumpkin filling either. My Hunter had issues like this when he was a kitten. He would sleep a lot!! He also had diarrhea for a while. Hunter was on metronidazole, and a proviable. Wasn't really helping. Then my vet suggested Benefiber. Yep that stuff people use for fiber. He told me to put a pinch of it, in his wet food every morning. I swear that stuff worked instantly! I used it for a month I think while I was switching his food to the good stuff.

I actually gave some to Hunter today, as he is having bad poops.

I'd get a 3rd opinion if I were you. See if you can find a feline only specialist. Just my opinion.

Good Luck with your kittens!
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Hunter- *Dreamboat- #82*

Master of- Disaster!
 
 
Purred: Thu Apr 26, '12 9:26am PST 
Also, I see you're in NH. I am too. I don't know how close you are to Nashua, but look up The Cat Doctor. Thats where I bring Hunter. Excellent vets there!
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Pandemonium

I'm in your- puter stealing- your RAM
 
 
Purred: Thu Apr 26, '12 10:57am PST 
Yeah, I got the part about pumpkin filling - spices - whatever. We have a health food store a bit away that I was able to get some pure pumpkin from. I stopped giving it to them yesterday - per the new vet. She didn't think I should give it to them while transitioning their food... again. But honestly, I'm up for trying anything. I can start them back on it tonight.

Nashua is pretty far - though it doesn't seem like any place in NH would be. I just looked it up - is it the Banfield Pet Hospital? It's 85 miles and 2.5 hrs away. I don't mind driving it. I'm just not sure how the kitties would do being locked up like that for over 5 hours round trip.

I'm going to call and ask about the benefiber thing, though. I almost feel like I'm going around to all the vets until one gives me the answer I want to hear. Not that I'm looking to hear anything really. I just want someone to do something other than say 'they look happy & healthy'.
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Hunter- *Dreamboat- #82*

Master of- Disaster!
 
 
Purred: Thu Apr 26, '12 11:13am PST 
85 miles? geez. No, Hunter sees: The Cat Doctor

I just found out that Benefiber has some yucky ingredients in it. I never knew that. So you might want to ask your vet before giving it to your kittens. I'm stopping it for Hunter. Learn something new every day!

you can try emailing the doctors. from that link, go to "our Staff" and where it says "Our Vets" you can click on that and they have the link to each and every vet. I'd recommend Dr. Carlson. Hes fantastic!
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