Blood in Stool

[Brigitte Cowell]

I'm not suggesting you switch, just that the hairball formula contains high fiber (that's what helps with the hairballs)... and can also help with cats with chronic loose stools caused by the above conditions.

If the hairball formula is what is really keeping his stools firmer, then any change you make to the diet may lead you to loose stools. Just something to keep in mind if you do intend to transition him to another diet.

 

[Paul B]

I'm not suggesting you switch, just that the hairball formula contains high fiber (that's what helps with the hairballs)... and can also help with cats with chronic loose stools caused by the above conditions.

If the hairball formula is what is really keeping his stools firmer, then any change you make to the diet may lead you to loose stools. Just something to keep in mind if you do intend to transition him to another diet.

Ah, I get what you're saying now B. That would make sense if it is masking an underlying condition. But he had a bit of loose stool after his plane trip for a couple days too on the same diet (nothing like the other night though, that was almost watery). I think that could have been just him transitioning for the transfer too.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

A plane trip can be a huge stress so not surprising that a cat might have loose stool from an air cargo experience!

 

[Per Lausund]

I agree with Brigitte here. If you are using 'people quality' chicken then it is meant to be cooked, meaning that there could be bacteria on the raw. I think at the least it needs to be washed thoroughly. Freezing can help kill some bacteria, but not all, so if you are purchasing it raw, freezing it after washing thoroughly might add to the 'decontamination' process.

Actually, washing may add to the problem. It does not remove any bacteria to speak of, at it leaves a nice, wet surface. Safest way to go is using heat to decontaminate surface, ie drop in boiling water for half a minute. But raw chicken is a health risk, lots of coliforms and campylobacter there!
Also, at the lab, guess how we store interesting bacterial isolates? Right! In the freezer (at -70 C)...

 

[admin]

Blanching, which is what I assume you are referring to Per, is what many people who feed raw do...just in case...we will have to agree to disagree on the feeding raw issue

 

[Per Lausund]

Blanching, which is what I assume you are referring to Per, is what many people who feed raw do...just in case...we will have to agree to disagree on the feeding raw issue

I know, I know...
Sometimes I buy duck breast, French Berber duck. Quite good. On the package I have found the only honest description of how to handle raw duck or poultry: use aseptic procedures, surface is contaminated.

And that is sound advice, or it may leave your kitchen "flowering" on the surfaces.
I still feed raw once in a while, though, even if I´m against it in principle...

 

[admin]

But people should be very mindful of using raw and contamination...I feed Zuri whole prey and even though it never touches any surfaces, I still make sure the counters are wiped down antiseptically. I don't touch them either, I use prongs, but I wash my hands and use sanitizer.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Actually, washing may add to the problem. It does not remove any bacteria to speak of, at it leaves a nice, wet surface. Safest way to go is using heat to decontaminate surface, ie drop in boiling water for half a minute. But raw chicken is a health risk, lots of coliforms and campylobacter there!
Also, at the lab, guess how we store interesting bacterial isolates? Right! In the freezer (at -70 C)...

When we store bacteria in the lab it is in a specialized liquid to protect from ice crystals forming though, Per! I spent many a year in a research laboratory doing exactly that.

It is not true that washing doesn't remove any bacteria...physical rubbing under water can remove bacteria...washing your hands vigorously in water can be as effective in removing bacteria as washing with antibacterial soap. One of the first "experiments" we did as students of Microbiology...

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

But people should be very mindful of using raw and contamination...I feed Zuri whole prey and even though it never touches any surfaces, I still make sure the counters are wiped down antiseptically. I don't touch them either, I use prongs, but I wash my hands and use sanitizer.

Absolutely! Always clean before and after managing raw meat for kitty consumption. And I keep stressing that anything we do only REDUCES bacteria but doesn't sterilize the meat. Autoclaving would but then I know my cats wouldn't eat it! LOL!