Tritrichamonas (TF)

[admin]

This will be a new thread for Tritrich to avoid confusion....so start any new questions here please.

 

[AlphaZ]

So here's our story (I'll try to keep it short and to the point):
Juliet and Isis (F3) 9 month old litter mates, came home with me at 10 weeks of age. From the get go they were tested positive for coccidia, which after the normal course of albon was cleared by the Vet. However Juliet's problems persisted. Her personality didn't help either, she's very shy and sensitive, jumping at the slightest noise and spooked by her own shadow, her sister Isis is the complete opposite - limelight queen, outgoing and in-your-face type. So, that, coupled with what I now realize to possibly be constant discomfort and stomach cramps of Tritrichamonas, and unintended anal leakage, has been really hard on her.

After the initial course of albon cleared her up she was regular for maybe a month, and then we left on a 3 day vacation. Although they were cared for by my dad while we were away, the stress of us being gone made Juliet's problems come back with a vengeance. After a week of poo that turned to baby food consistency slimy diarrhea with blood in it I took her to another vet, because the first one was ridiculously expensive and completely apathetic to her problems, dismissing it as something she'll grow out of, "because it's just a sphincter incontinence due to earlier bouts with diarrhea."

The next vet wasn't any better, after yet another painfully stressful exam for poor Juliet, the vet said she'll just give her a 10 day course of Flagyl, which seemed to firm her up a bit, only to get so much worse once she was off of it. I took a sample 2 weeks later, and was told she was all clear. However, the problem was still there!

I'm big on natural methods for... well everything, for my self and my family, so I aggressively began to "treat" her myself, because I was tired of spending hundreds of dollars and not arriving at a definitive answer. I put them on a strict raw chicken and high fiber dry food diet, with a weekly dose of pro-biotic and enzymes. As a result her stools firmed up significantly, in fact it's almost the same as Isis', although the smell has me running and cleaning her litter box as soon as she goes. She still drips when she plays, and from time to time seems to be in pain, she'll crouch in a semi-curled up pose, that looks as if she's about to pounce or run away.The worst thing is, she's so smart that when she realizes she "dripped" she feels guilty and gets really worked up about it.

I feel horrible, because it's my responsibility to care for her and give her what she cannot get from nature (because obviously she's not allowed outside). I also think her anxiety will lessen if she can get rid of whatever is ailing her, because she's so beautiful and incredibly smart, and my intention was to breed her. But at this point I'm just looking for answers.

 

[admin]

Sounds like there is still an issue and while you have changed her diet and are using enzymes and probiotics, seems like she may need to be retested...if the PCR test is not done correctly, you will not get the correct results. it is recommended by the leading authority, Dr. Gookin, that lactulose be given prior to the test, and the sample be taken from runny, wet stools.

See here: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/docs/documents/ownersguide_tfoetus_revised_122009_final.pdf

 

[Sue]

The expert on TF is Dr. Jodi Gookin NC State Vet school. Symptoms are a foul odor that will drive you out of a room and cowpie stools. It can come. And go. I got Tink Aug 30, 2010 and she displayed the symptoms but the vet I had taken her to gave her a clean bill of health. In Feb 2011 I heard of TF and started researching it. I was sure she had it. The first vet did not know what TF was and wanted to run a series of 7 tests ($250). I started looking for a different vet that was familiar with it. I found a vet that knew what it was. I waited for a cowpie stool and when I finally saw one on a Sat . Morning in June, 2011 , I called and had an appointment that afternoon. I brought in research from the Internet and picture of cow pie stool. Fecal sample was placed on a saline solution slide and she was loaded with TF. All vets and techs looked at slide and copies of my research were made for office to learn about TF. 30 percent of cats at a cat show tested positive for TF. If I ever get the TICA paperwork that I have been promised, I plan to breed Tink and new vet says it is ok to breed her. I can post the picture if anyone thinks it would be helpful. Sue

 

[admin]

The expert on TF is Dr. Jodi Gookin NC State Vet school. Symptoms are a foul odor that will drive you out of a room and cowpie stools. It can come. And go. I got Tink Aug 30, 2010 and she displayed the symptoms but the vet I had taken her to gave her a clean bill of health. In Feb 2011 I heard of TF and started researching it. I was sure she had it. The first vet did not know what TF was and wanted to run a series of 7 tests ($250). I started looking for a different vet that was familiar with it. I found a vet that knew what it was. I waited for a cowpie stool and when I finally saw one on a Sat . Morning in June, 2011 , I called and had an appointment that afternoon. I brought in research from the Internet and picture of cow pie stool. Fecal sample was placed on a saline solution slide and she was loaded with TF. All vets and techs looked at slide and copies of my research were made for office to learn about TF. 30 percent of cats at a cat show tested positive for TF. If I ever get the TICA paperwork that I have been promised, I plan to breed Tink and new vet says it is ok to breed her. I can post the picture if anyone thinks it would be helpful. Sue

It probably would be helpful, Sue.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

If I were you, I would get the IDEXX PCR Feline Diarrhea Panel done for Juliet. The PCR panel will look for Tritrich as well as other pathogens. I think it worth finding out if there are any other causes... although Tritrich may be the most likely culprit.

I think you are right, if you can find out what the problem is and be able to treat it then you will see a very different Juliet. I hope to read good news soon!

 

[Sue]

here is a photo of the cowpie stool that I took to the vet to help in the diagnosis of TF. Sue

 

[admin]

Thanks Sue.

 

[MK Anderson]

Poor girl! hope you can get it under control soon, how frustrating!! I would of suggested enzymes and probiotics also.

 

[AlphaZ]

The expert on TF is Dr. Jodi Gookin NC State Vet school. Symptoms are a foul odor that will drive you out of a room and cowpie stools. It can come. And go. I got Tink Aug 30, 2010 and she displayed the symptoms but the vet I had taken her to gave her a clean bill of health. In Feb 2011 I heard of TF and started researching it. I was sure she had it. The first vet did not know what TF was and wanted to run a series of 7 tests ($250). I started looking for a different vet that was familiar with it. I found a vet that knew what it was. I waited for a cowpie stool and when I finally saw one on a Sat . Morning in June, 2011 , I called and had an appointment that afternoon. I brought in research from the Internet and picture of cow pie stool. Fecal sample was placed on a saline solution slide and she was loaded with TF. All vets and techs looked at slide and copies of my research were made for office to learn about TF. 30 percent of cats at a cat show tested positive for TF. If I ever get the TICA paperwork that I have been promised, I plan to breed Tink and new vet says it is ok to breed her. I can post the picture if anyone thinks it would be helpful. Sue

Hi Sue,
I had just called Juliet's last vet, and they told me although they don't normally treat for TF. But can run a PFC for $100, however the drug is not generally accessible to them, and they may need to order it from Europe for an unknown and possibly very high price (they're words). The vet assistant said the doctor suggests I let it run its course and it may be gone once they're out of the kitten stage.

She hasn't had diarrhea for a while, and the flareups seem to be directly triggered by stress. Granted the seriousness of possible neurotoxisity from the drug, would it be better to wait it out until she's 12 months? Is TF similar to coccidia with stress being a trigger? Considering that Isis (the sister) is asymptomatic, and I almost never let their poop sit in the litter boxes longer than an hour, is it possible the TF count is low and she may beat it?