As some of you may know I adopted a "Ragdoll mix" kitten about a month ago, that I later found out from the people I adopted from is a siamese mix instead, but anyways I hope that won't ban me from this board just b/c he isn't a ragdoll.
Bondi has recently developed some diarrhea, it started a week ago and that was the only symptom, just very uncontrollable diarrhea he couldn't even make it to the litter box most times. So we took him to the vet b/c we had thought he had swallowed a coin cause there was some change laying in the floor that I didn't know I had left laying out, but several x-rays later we found out that he hadn't swallowed any(thank god). So the vet treated him for worms and put him on a bland diet (hills i/d I think) for the next day or so and he improved, he had solid stool 24 hours later and after his recheck the next day she sent him home with albon to rule out coccidia. So after he had solid stool and was feeling alot better and reintroduced him to his food (mix of half Blue Buffalo adult indoor and indoor kitten, he shares with 2 adults) and Good Bye Odor waste odor eliminator that I introduced 2 weeks prior to the diarrhea. Everything was fine until yesterday, he had diarrhea again and so I had to lock him up in the laundry room and left him with his food and plain water, not using the additive anymore and he still has diarrhea 24 hours later so now I am taking away his food. So this is where I am absolutely confused with what is going on with him, there are no other symptoms just the loose stools. Could it be the water additive? which is what I am leaning towards. Or could it be the Blue Buffalo is too rich for him? Even though he's been on it for a month and had no problems. And it's not an allergy cause there is no dry/itchy skin or anything like that. I am just confused and I have to wait til tuesday to see the vet again b/c they only have a vet present tues-sat. and it's not serious enough right now to go the emergency clinic ( he doesn't have any blood in the stools or fever or vomiting). If after 24 hours of no food his stools are solid again what is the best non-prescription food to put him on? Like a bland type of a food.. your replies are appreciated.
Jessica
hmm.... I would go back to whatever you were doing before it started again. I think it can take a while for them to adjust to new food and new environments. How long have you had him for? With an adoptee ( which I am very glad you did no matter what he is) the first thing I would go to is worms. Good for you for for going to the vet! Was there anything in his stool? It could be nerves... how is he getting along with the other cats?
Good Luck!
He has had absolutely no problems until a week ago, he has been on this food for a month now and no problems with it at all. I have had him for a month, I started doing the Good Bye Odor 2 weeks ago and he had no problems with it. And he gets along great with the other cats. Also, no there was nothing in his stool and as I said in my post the vet treated him for worms just in case even though none were present and she is also treating him for coccidia just in case.
Hi Jessica
What was he eating before he came to you? I think I would be inclined to put him back on that as soon as possible. Can you approach the previous owner and find out? I'm not an expert with Siamese, but my guess is that most pedigrees have delicate tummies when different foods are introduced. I'd also skip the additives: the less 'new' stuff introduced the better. Once you've got it stabilised, you can try introducing another type of food very gradually.
If the diarrhoea continues, or Bondi stops eating / drinking you will need to go back to your vet as I understand that they can dehydrate very quickly. I'm sure other more knowlegable forum members will be able to give you further advice on this.
Hope he recovers quickly. Give him hugs from me.
I agree with Jen... I have heard the same thing. I would call the rescue and find out what he was on before he came to you. Mix it according to your vet and feed alone for a bit.
Hi Jessica,
I belong to a Yahoo group called Feline Fanciers Health (it was recommended by the breeder I got Teddy from).
I've noticed this is a fairly common problem with kittens and cats (unfortunately), and have seen a lot of information shared back and forth on diarrhea issues. If you're interested, you can subscribe to the Yahoo group and either search their posts for information, or ask a question to the group. Most of the people in the group are breeders with a variety of different breeds - Siamese, Himalayan, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, etc. There are also one or two vets who respond to questions. To subscribe, you just need to already have or create a new Yahoo account and go from there.
Here's the link:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/fanciershealth/
I hope that's helpful.
Coral
JenC Wrote:Hi Jessica
What was he eating before he came to you? I think I would be inclined to put him back on that as soon as possible. Can you approach the previous owner and find out? I'm not an expert with Siamese, but my guess is that most pedigrees have delicate tummies when different foods are introduced. I'd also skip the additives: the less 'new' stuff introduced the better. Once you've got it stabilised, you can try introducing another type of food very gradually.
If the diarrhoea continues, or Bondi stops eating / drinking you will need to go back to your vet as I understand that they can dehydrate very quickly. I'm sure other more knowlegable forum members will be able to give you further advice on this.
Hope he recovers quickly. Give him hugs from me.
I don't know what they fed him before I got him it was probably kitten chow, I got him from a friend of mine. And I looked back on my calendar to see when I got him and it was June 20th. So I've actually had him for a month and 1/2. He adjusted to the Blue Buffalo a week after he came home and I had no problems at all, I haven't changed anything at all. Just the Good bye odor stuff which was 2 weeks ago and he had no reaction to it when I started that. That is just the most recent change so I thought that could be it. But the food hasn't been changed recently he just all of a sudden had horrible diarrhea with no other symptoms, his energy level is the same. I just was wondering if anyone thought he could have developed an intolerance to the blue buffalo or if it could be the good bye odor? It's not worms or an infection and he didn't swallow anything foreign, we had all that checked. It's just odd that he recovered while at the vets and while on the diet she prescribed then after he was back home it started again...
If he had no problem before he Goodbye Odor - then go backwards and stop using that immediately. I would put him on one food (Hill I/D) and water (plain) and give his digestive tract a while to straighten out again. YOu did say that was what the vet put him on to straighten him out? Let his stomach straighten out again, then add ONE food back with the Hills I/D for a while and see how it goes. Make sure in the meantime he is drinking and not dehydrating. I found out recently how quickly that can happen!! That's just my opinion though.
You're absolutely still welcome here!!!
I couldn't find the active ingredient for the "Good Bye Odor" stuff, but I would be wary of it based on the description, "An internal waste deodorizer that deodorizes your cat's stool, urine and body odors." Urine and feces smell because they contain waste products like ammonia that kitty's body can't use. The safest way to minimize urine and feces smells (apart from regular litterbox care) is having kitty be well hydrated and on high quality foods (but food switches should be done very gradually).
Especially with his diarrhea, I'd remove the water additive immediately. He may be drinking less that normal if there is a taste or odor that he can detect, and it's so important for him to stay well-hydrated.
Hi,
I have been having the same problems ... the vet told me to stick to a good quality dry mix/kibble/biscuit I use Royal Canin Kitten and Hill's Kitten mixed together and was giving them a variety of wet foods. The vet told me to stop and go back to the basics Since I then I have had less problems and the stool seem to be much firmer.
The vet also mentioned that dry mix and water is really all they need and wet food is to be given as a bit of 'treat' and for a bit of variety so that the kitten doesn't get to fussy. She also mentioned to me that wet mix is pretty much 80% water/liquid therefore it really is not needed, especially with issues that you and I are dealing with.
I hope this helps - when in doubt keep it simple