Tritrichamonas?

[Trish Allearz]

I'd hike my butt over to a different vet. My vet and I see eye-to-eye on most things. To me- if the cat has had chronic diarrhea, SOMETHING has to change. The meds aren't the nicest for a kitty, BUT a lot of the intestinal bugs will not show up on repeated fecal slides/smears. PCRs- I'm assuming they are pretty fool proof, but then again- staff error and everything else can always occur too. My vet is willing to work hand-in-hand with me on anything. But we've been together for... 6 or 7 years? And I trust her and she trusts my opinion on things.

 

[Breheart]

That is great Trish.. I have yet to find just the right vet I haven't made a decision yet, but perhaps searching around vet to vet is an idea. I would love having a vet that can work with me, rather than avoid. My current vet actually was a classmate with Dr. Gookin, they were classmates 4 years ago. Just dumb markups from her clinic to send it over makes it $160 rather than the initial $77.. I think I would want to test to know for sure about this underlying cause, I am not sure how easy it would be to find a vet who would give treatment without testing first.

 

[admin]

I would just do it, Breanna. Get the test done...your vet is in a great position to help you, but make sure he/she explains how to do the TriTrich PCR correctly. it is not the same as a fecal test.

And then maybe look for a new vet.

 

[Lori Greer]

OK, first of all, this may or may not show up on the PCR. If it were ME, I would get the tablets and medicate him. Period. Here is the link http://www.mikesfalconry.com/product.asp?specific=1245

Letting this go on and on unresolved can and will cause long term and permanent bowel issues. Either find a vet that is going to do the test and work with you to treat it or treat the cat yourself. There is little doubt he has it. All the scary crap posted about this medicine is the worst case scenario. You need to be very aware and diligent in monitoring him, but simply decreasing or stopping the medication will immediately resolve any neurological issues IF they develop. Note that metronidazole is also know to cause the same issues, so the fear surrounding Ronidizole is no more hazardous than what your vet already prescribed. Albon and probiotics are NOT going to clear him of this protozoa, and your other cats will catch it if they haven't already. You also need to dump and bleach your boxes daily while treating.

If you need help email me directly: lorigreer@cahabacats.com

 

[admin]

I agree that the test should be done and he should be treated...and I also agree he has it, which is what I said in the very beginning...good info, Lori! Thanks for sharing...

 

[Per Lausund]

Lori, that is in my opinion good advice you give there.

 

[Lori Greer]

Thanks Per & Paige. I generally don't like to encourage someone to treat without their vet's involvement but in this case, it sounds like the vet either doesn't want to be bothered or is uninformed & afraid to prescribe the necessary meds.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Thanks Per & Paige. I generally don't like to encourage someone to treat without their vet's involvement but in this case, it sounds like the vet either doesn't want to be bothered or is uninformed & afraid to prescribe the necessary meds.

It seems like so many vets refuse to look into the tritrich diagnosis...

 

[Breheart]

OK, first of all, this may or may not show up on the PCR. If it were ME, I would get the tablets and medicate him. Period. Here is the link http://www.mikesfalconry.com/product.asp?specific=1245

Letting this go on and on unresolved can and will cause long term and permanent bowel issues. Either find a vet that is going to do the test and work with you to treat it or treat the cat yourself. There is little doubt he has it. All the scary crap posted about this medicine is the worst case scenario. You need to be very aware and diligent in monitoring him, but simply decreasing or stopping the medication will immediately resolve any neurological issues IF they develop. Note that metronidazole is also know to cause the same issues, so the fear surrounding Ronidizole is no more hazardous than what your vet already prescribed. Albon and probiotics are NOT going to clear him of this protozoa, and your other cats will catch it if they haven't already. You also need to dump and bleach your boxes daily while treating.

If you need help email me directly: lorigreer@cahabacats.com

That link is currently out of stock Also one concern I have is the dosage, that is a falconry site and the medication is for pigeons. How do I know it is the correct amount for my cat if not too much or too little? I am worried about Keljin having unresolved and permanent bowel damage, the last 3 months has seemed way too long and my vet is too slow and too expensive to make me want to continue.. I have been beating myself up over what to do now. Thanks for the info though Lori, very helpful!

 

[Breheart]

It seems like so many vets refuse to look into the tritrich diagnosis...

Yes! Absolutely.. it has been such trouble getting a vet to agree with me or even consider it a possibility.