Diarrhea

[shelby]

My vet has told me that breeds like Savannahs and Bengals sometimes just have loose stool for no apparent reason up until the age of about 12 months. Have any of you guys heard this before?

I have been battling on again and off again loose stool with Kronos for quite some time. Every test we have had done on him comes up negative. For now I have him on a high fiber diet to help keep his poor little rear end happy. Ideally I want to get him either on a raw diet or a grainless dry kibble.

You might like to try switching him over to a grain and gluten free food while adding Forta Flora during the transition. You can get Purina brand Forta Flora from your vet and use it according to the directions.

 

[MK Anderson]

Has he been tested for tritrich? perhaps he has IBD? Raw with some probiotics would probably work well.

That is what I was going to suggest too! probiotics and an enzymes too!

 

[Per Lausund]

I know that *most* vets say they disagree with raw, BUT when Dante had urinary tract issues (still undiagnosed), my vet suggested raw immediately.

I often wonder if some vets are more interested in selling Science Diet than they are in the health of the kits :-/

I think most of the worry is that raw means uncooked means complete with all the parasites and germs that come with uncooked food. Uncooked places demands on cold chain and hygiene that must be understood for this to be safe, and many clients are not up to this. Raw can also mean incomplete, and can be downright dangerous (raw pollock, for instance!). You need to do your homework before you do raw, and so does your vet! Provided you miss out on the parasites and dangerous germs raw is wonderful, and by far the easiest on the digestive system. In my opinion, that is...

 

[Dantes]

I think most of the worry is that raw means uncooked means complete with all the parasites and germs that come with uncooked food. Uncooked places demands on cold chain and hygiene that must be understood for this to be safe, and many clients are not up to this. Raw can also mean incomplete, and can be downright dangerous (raw pollock, for instance!). You need to do your homework before you do raw, and so does your vet! Provided you miss out on the parasites and dangerous germs raw is wonderful, and by far the easiest on the digestive system. In my opinion, that is...

I agree that if you're preparing your own, then you need to be prepared to take extra precautions. The raw that I feed is Primal. The advantage to Primal is that it is a complete food (at least as complete as any dry claiming to be so) and it's not "raw" in the sense that it is treated, it's just not cooked in the traditional sense. I also like that the company is local to me. I also prefer to feed a variety of foods, although I cannot feed dry as it always results in blood in his urine.

 

[Marissa]

My vet said that temporary use of kaopectate (spelling.?) works well, I tried it and it did really help. I just am weary about giving it to them still but sometimes it is needed. Anyone else here about using that in cats?

 

[admin]

It does work well - in humans also...I use Imodium when needed, but of course, we must get to the root of the problem as well...as long as you know what is causing the loose stools, then I don't see anything wrong with using either as something temporary. However, my understanding is that pumpkin works as well...

 

[Pam Flachs]

Kaopectate and Pepto Bismol both contain bismuth subsalicylate as an ingredient, and potentially toxic to cats even in low doses. Subsalicylate is a form of salicylate (aspirin). Immodium does not contain it, but the active ingredient in Immodium can cause side effects, too. I would consult a vet before giving your kitty any of these products....

 

[admin]

Good point, Pam..thank you for clarifying. My vet only recommended Imodium once...I prefer to give pumpkin or something more natural...

 

[Pam Flachs]

I use the canned pumpkin, too, when needed. Most cats love it, but I have mixed in a bit of canned cat food for the ones who turn up their noses at it.

 

[Marissa]

Kaopectate and Pepto Bismol both contain bismuth subsalicylate as an ingredient, and potentially toxic to cats even in low doses. Subsalicylate is a form of salicylate (aspirin). Immodium does not contain it, but the active ingredient in Immodium can cause side effects, too. I would consult a vet before giving your kitty any of these products....

The vet told me to use the kaopectate and not the pepto. He never mentioned the Imodium. Thanks for clarifying though