I am very scared, Please HELP!!!

[TanyaMeaw]

I haven't been here in quite a while... And I'm sorry that I haven't been contributing to this wonderful community, i feel awful... I really need your help, advise, suggestions, anything! I think my cat might die...
If you have a minute, please read my story, sorry its kinda long...

My Nacho is 4 years old and has always had soft stool, no matter what he ate his stool would be kinda like McDonald's ice-cream consistency. We took him to the vets and did all sorts of tests when he was little. And the doctors just kept telling us to switch food and that all his tests are ok... When he was about 8 months old I moved in with my mom, who has two hairy kitties. She feeds her cats cheap MeowMix brand. Surprisingly it helped Nacho a little... His stools became a little harder but still not quite what i would call normal, but it was better that anything he's tried before. Also I gotta mention, sometimes when he would poop, even when he was eating MeowMix, he'd strain so much that his butt would turn inside out creating a thin tiny red ring around his anus, and then would go back to normal right away when he was finished.

About a year and a half ago I moved overseas to Israel. And the nightmare began...

I couldn't find MeowMix here so I tried every expensive and then not so expensive brand in the store. Nothing worked. I tried feeding him raw chicken, raw beef, then cooked chicken with rice, cooked beef with rice, added eggs to the raw food, even tried hotdogs... Nothing helped and it kept getting worse. He started having mucus come out after almost every poo... Finally I found the MeowMix but that too didn't make things better this time... Desperate to help my cat, i went and bought anti-diarrhea medicine for babies... that didn't help either...

About 6 months ago I noticed blood in his stool and rushed him to the vet. Spent hundreds of dollars on every test possible only to be told that there is nothing wrong with him except a little hemorrhoid. That tests show he's in perfect health, and that i need to switch food and treat his hemorrhoid with human cream making sure he doesn't lick it off... Please keep in mind I live in Israel, not America. It seems like vets here are not very qualified, and are not too caring... He also suggested that maybe its a gluten allergy... Its not, I've tried every possible non gluten brand i could find.

Then Nacho began losing weight, rapidly... He started to poop 5-6 times a day, McDonald's consistency with mucus and sometimes a little blood. He's a small cat, about 8 lbs, he went down to 5.5lbs in a matter of two weeks. His eating habits didn't change, he was still eating the same amount of food and always had great appetite... I took him to a different vet, he said the same thing as before. Nacho is in good health except for a hemorrhoid and a few things on his blood test tested a little low but still in the normal range...

Nacho kept getting worse... He became so skinny that i could see his ribs and spine. I didn't know what to do... I didn't know what to feed him... It broke my heart. I was desperate, and still am...

Then one day while going through all the things I've tried to feed him in my head, I realized I haven't tried tuna. I went out and got him a few cans of Starkest... And what do you know, he started to gain weight and began to poop only 1-2 times a day. The catch? His stools became so liquidy, it was basically brown water. But there was no more blood or mucus. He gained all his weight back, and then some, even faster than he lost it. But i was still facing a problem, his poops were horrible diarrhea... But it was better than going 5 times a day and losing weight like he did... So i kept feeding him tuna while trying to figure out my next steps.

Vets here are super expensive and I don't have the funds to keep taking him to hear the same thing I've already heard so many times before... Plus they don't care about cats here, there are so many homeless felines here that they are looked upon as rodents... Its terrible...

A few days ago, my husband's coworker mentioned that he feeds his dog raw food he purchases from a local online company. We couldn't find brand raw food anywhere in Israel before, so we got super excited. Its packed with vitamins, protein, fiber, everything a cat needs. Yesterday it arrived...

Nacho chowed it down like there is no tomorrow... We waited to examine his poop. When it came i almost jumped up, it was normal! First time in his life it was more or less normal. At the end there was a little drop of blood... Its ok i thought, after all he does have a little hemorrhoid...

Unfortunately our happiness was very short lived... Today, when he went, there was lots of blood, he never had that much before... It was always only about a drop, but now he was really bleeding. His poop was solid like the time before but it was covered in red. I know it didn't come from the stomach, otherwise it would be black... Then 5 minutes later he went in his litter box and his butt swelled up really big and he squeezed out a few drops of blood with no fecal matter at all. He did that 3 times, just blood...

Its been about an hour since, he's asleep now... And I again feel desperate and hopeless... I feel like I'm a horrible mother who's failed her child... I feel like I'm killing him... I feel guilt... I can't take him to the vet until the paycheck on the 10th of next month... I know i will be told the same thing as before, "switch food, treat his hemorrhoid with human stuff"...

What do I do? How can i help my child??? Should i go back to tuna and let him have liquid poops?... at least tuna helped him gain weight back and there was never any blood from it... Should i keep giving him the new raw food that makes his stool solid but bloody, and try to treat his hemorrhoid instead? PLEASE give me some advise... I am very scared and very confused as to what i should do next... I don't want to lose him...

Thank you for reading... I will appreciate any... ANY suggestions! Please help...

 

[Lickleone]

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles have you tried feeding him pumpkin? (Not the pie filler) that may help firm up his poop beyond that I'm sorry I'm not much help besides saying I hope you find out soon he may have a sensitive tummy I'm sure some of the old timers with more experience will pipe in

 

[MelissaAlice]

I am sorry you and Nacho are going through this; there is nothing worse then feeling helpless.

I know that with Elfie I had a very long journey to having healthy normal poops.
I like had tried and tried and tried, all her test always came back clear and no one could help me. Every time the vet tried something new it only seemed to get worse. The last round with the vet caused liquid poop that was more blood then anything.
That was when I tried the switch to raw; it took about 2 weeks for the effects to take hold, and another 2 after that for the full turn around.
I still add pumpkin to the mix as an added precaution but in the end it all seemed to work out.

How long have you been feeding raw?

Is there anyway to video call a vet from the US? or have the local vet video call with one to try and work it out?

 

[TanyaMeaw]

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles have you tried feeding him pumpkin? (Not the pie filler) that may help firm up his poop beyond that I'm sorry I'm not much help besides saying I hope you find out soon he may have a sensitive tummy I'm sure some of the old timers with more experience will pipe in

Thank you so much for your advise... I really need it right now. I will definitely try that

 

[TanyaMeaw]

I am sorry you and Nacho are going through this; there is nothing worse then feeling helpless.

I know that with Elfie I had a very long journey to having healthy normal poops.
I like had tried and tried and tried, all her test always came back clear and no one could help me. Every time the vet tried something new it only seemed to get worse. The last round with the vet caused liquid poop that was more blood then anything.
That was when I tried the switch to raw; it took about 2 weeks for the effects to take hold, and another 2 after that for the full turn around.
I still add pumpkin to the mix as an added precaution but in the end it all seemed to work out.

How long have you been feeding raw?

Is there anyway to video call a vet from the US? or have the local vet video call with one to try and work it out?

Thank you for responding I only fed raw for about one day, but it caused so much blood to come out that i don't know whether to keep giving it to him or not... The poop seemed pretty solid but covered in red, then he went three more time where it was only the blood that came out.

 

[MelissaAlice]

It's not an easy spot your in that's for sure.

If he has a sensitive tummy or even IBS then it's hard to tell after just one day if the food is going to work.
Elfie's IBS took weeks to calm down when we switched to raw.

The pumpkin is a miracle worker though, and if you know that the tuna works for him without any bad side effects it may be easier for you and for Nacho to just stick with tuna and add some pumpkin to help ease things for him ..


I would seriously consider a call to an American vet and ask for their help in dealing with your local vets.

 

[Princesse Peche]

Your cat need medication. My mother's cat (a sphynx too) was sold to a very cheap price when he was 8 month old. Now we understand why.... He would have serious diarrhea, sometimes with blood, throw up a lot, sore butt... etc. Really not cool. We love him very much but he is lucky to have a family like ours because he needs quite a lot of care. He had some sort of an irritable digestive system, and it is a chronic disease.

First of all, we bought a automated feeder that feeds him 3 times a day at specific time, and with a regular and steady portion everyday so that he is never too hungry and eats a regular amount of food throughout the day.

Second, we found a type of food that works alright for him. It's a food we buy from the veterinarian that does not contain any chicken of wheat, it is rabbit and other animal protein that are less allergen. Maybe you can try that kind of food.

Third, and this is the most important, our cat takes medication and will have to take it for the rest of his life. We know it may reduce his lifespan but it is better that the pain and hell he would be going trough without it. I'll try to check the name for you.

Hope this help. For us it did. He almost never throw up now, and he does not bleed. His stool are not a nice consistency but they are alright. It is the best we can do.

 

[Princesse Peche]

Oh, and Belenos (that's his name) is at a healthy weight

 

[TanyaMeaw]

Your cat need medication. My mother's cat (a sphynx too) was sold to a very cheap price when he was 8 month old. Now we understand why.... He would have serious diarrhea, sometimes with blood, throw up a lot, sore butt... etc. Really not cool. We love him very much but he is lucky to have a family like ours because he needs quite a lot of care. He had some sort of an irritable digestive system, and it is a chronic disease.

First of all, we bought a automated feeder that feeds him 3 times a day at specific time, and with a regular and steady portion everyday so that he is never too hungry and eats a regular amount of food throughout the day.

Second, we found a type of food that works alright for him. It's a food we buy from the veterinarian that does not contain any chicken of wheat, it is rabbit and other animal protein that are less allergen. Maybe you can try that kind of food.

Third, and this is the most important, our cat takes medication and will have to take it for the rest of his life. We know it may reduce his lifespan but it is better that the pain and hell he would be going trough without it. I'll try to check the name for you.

Hope this help. For us it did. He almost never throw up now, and he does not bleed. His stool are not a nice consistency but they are alright. It is the best we can do.

Please do check the name of that medication, i will be forever grateful! maybe i can order it online

 

[TanyaMeaw]

It's not an easy spot your in that's for sure.

If he has a sensitive tummy or even IBS then it's hard to tell after just one day if the food is going to work.
Elfie's IBS took weeks to calm down when we switched to raw.

The pumpkin is a miracle worker though, and if you know that the tuna works for him without any bad side effects it may be easier for you and for Nacho to just stick with tuna and add some pumpkin to help ease things for him ..


I would seriously consider a call to an American vet and ask for their help in dealing with your local vets.

how much blood would Elfie have come out when she was at her worst?
i don't know whether i should give it a few weeks or go back to the tuna right away... he was bleeding pretty bad but the poops were solid with this raw food... He had about three big drops of blood when he went, and then he went another 3 times with just blood about 3-4 large size drops each time... I will try calling a american vet... i doubt vets here will want to deal with it tho, they don't care about cats here... Cats are considered a nuisance here, they are treated like rodents because there are thousands of homeless kitties roam the streets...

 

[MelissaAlice]

This is kind of a gross picture but ...

This is one of Elfies "normal" poops, when she having flair ups. She's had worse then this and she's had better.

Now she has pretty much perfect poops but it took about a month on raw for it to really clear up.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

I am sorry to hear of the predicament you are in @MelissaAlice it is great you got to share the pic with @TanyaMeaw I am hoping it will be very similar and make it a bit less worrisome. Great idea about seeing if you can conference in with a vet in the US. You are not a failure, you are still trying to come up with answers to the best of your ability in the area in which you live. Please keep us updated.

Patti

 

[TanyaMeaw]

Thank you @MelissaAlice you have made my day! That is exactly what Nacho's poop looked like today! About the same amount of blood... And thank you @Catzzzmeow for your kind words... That picture definitely made me feel better, not as freaked out... I guess i will keep giving him raw and hopefully it will get better in two weeks. I will also try to find a vet in the states...

 

[Toa and Ross]

So sorry to hear about the problems you and Nacho have! Can imagine that you feel desperate, specially when you notice the vets don't really care about Nacho.

You say Nacho has blood with his poop after eating the raw. How's he doing now, is he playing? Does he have energy? Or is he only sleeping? And how was this when he was eating tuna? Did he play? Was his reaction okay?

Maybe this kind of questions will help you to sort out what is the best to stick on for a while: raw or tuna.

Maybe the story of one of my boys can help you with Nacho:
One of my boys has had diahrrea also for almost 3 months now. He lost weight, didn't want to play anymore. After a lot of test they find out that he has too much of E.coli bacteria in his body. I have to give him only dry food now, have to stick to 1 brand and have to give him antibiotic (name is Noroclav) in a higher dosis then supposed to be with his weights. It took a few weeks but his poops are firm now and he has more energy.

I hope you find what's best gor Nacho. Don't doubt yourself, you're doing everything you can!

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Praying for your baby. Keep us updated about him.

 

[momdeeze]

See if you can find some Slippery Elm Bark. Here in the US you can find it in Health food stores. Mix 2 teaspoons in 2 cups water, boil for 10 minutes. It will thicken up like jam when cooled. Serve a tablespoon of it on his food at each meal. It really helps with any intestinal discomfort (humans can eat it too) , from vomiting to diarrhea. I have 2 Sphynx with chronic diarrhea unless they eat completely raw diet with Slippery Elm Bark. Good Luck!!

 

[assibassi]

so sorry that Nacho has to go thru such troubles. Dont feel bad, your trying your very best and your not a bad kitty mommy.
I hope you get it all worked out with him and his bum will be better soon.

 

[MelissaAlice]

@TanyaMeaw
I am SO happy that I could help!
I would still add some 100% pure pumpkin (sweet potato would work too) to Nacho's food. It just helps the process.

You have to think that if he does have IBS he is even more sensitive to any food changes and it can cause a "flair up" which means more loose poop and in bad cases blood. IBS can even mean it will take a little longer for a cat to come around on a new food (though with raw it tends to happen faster then with kibble)

@Toa and Ross is right; if he is happy to eat and still his active sphynx like self I would try to stay calm and let the new food settle a little.

Please please keep me posted!

I will be keeping you and Nacho in my prayers.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

I am so sorry you're having such troubles! One question - I know you said he had all kinds of tests and everything was fine, but do you know if they specifically tested for tritrichomonas foetus (Tritrich)? Are his poos horribly stinky? Tritrich can cause chronic diarrhea and won't fully go away until properly treated with ronidazole. We had to go through that with Toothy.

Praying for you and your baby!

 

[TanyaMeaw]

@ZiggyStardust I don't know if they specifically tested for Tritrich... Last time we were at the vet we did an X-ray, tested his blood, and the vet stuck a q-tip in his butt to test for some kind parasite... I will to find the test results we got from the vet and post them today... His poops are pretty stinky usually but this raw food definitely changed the odor as well as consistency.
@MelissaAlice I do think its most likely IBS... This new food doesn't make him feel well though. Yesterday he slept a lot and didn't want to play, his appetite is very good though. His poop became completely solid from this food in just one day of giving it to him, and i think maybe his anus is not used to that and it hurts? I am worried that he doesn't want to play or headbutt me, he headbutts a lot usually... Also, he pooped on the floor yesterday and he never does that... I will try to take pictures today of what it looks like.
At night his butt was leaking clear liquid and stained my bed with pinkish brownish stains. Today his poop was completely solid and had less blood than yesterday... But i know he doesn't feel well, he's not himself... Should i keep giving this food for a few more days and see if he feels better? or go back to tuna (with pumpkin added)? Im worried that he became a little lethargic, this food definitely hurts his tummy/butt... But his poop is normal, and there was less blood today... Im totally confused as to what i should do...

 

[TanyaMeaw]

See if you can find some Slippery Elm Bark. Here in the US you can find it in Health food stores. Mix 2 teaspoons in 2 cups water, boil for 10 minutes. It will thicken up like jam when cooled. Serve a tablespoon of it on his food at each meal. It really helps with any intestinal discomfort (humans can eat it too) , from vomiting to diarrhea. I have 2 Sphynx with chronic diarrhea unless they eat completely raw diet with Slippery Elm Bark. Good Luck!!

I will try to find that here! Thank you!

 

[TanyaMeaw]

@Toa and Ross when he was eating tuna he was very active and loving... This raw food made him sleepy... I can see he doesn't feel well... But his poop became normal and today with less blood... Do you think i should go back to tuna or wait it out a little?

 

[Toa and Ross]

@Toa and Ross when he was eating tuna he was very active and loving... This raw food made him sleepy... I can see he doesn't feel well... But his poop became normal and today with less blood... Do you think i should go back to tuna or wait it out a little?

Good to hear today there was less blood. I'm no expert in these thing. My vet told me to not panic about diarrhea as long as the cat doesn't loose weight, keeps playing and doesn't dehydrate. So I would look at these thing for Nacho.
Difficult decisions to make if you don't know what's best for sure, sorry you have to go through this.

A big cuddle from my biys and me!

 

[Pris]

I'm so sorry to hear about nacho. First and foremost do not be hard on yourself for not being around sphinx where recently. We are all busy exotic kitty owners who are doing the best we can to take care of these phenomenal companions and creatures. Unfortunately they'll have wacky stuff happened to them and that's what this forum is for.

My Sam had a very similar problem when he was younger. He never had regular Poohs they were always extremely smelly and the consistency of what you described. Sometimes it would get worse and he would have blood in the stool's like you mentioned. we tested for all sorts of things and he kept coming out negative. He even had a procedure where good fecal matter was taken from another animal and implanted in his colon. This did not work either. It wasn't until my ex-husband took the cat for a month while I was moving so sam wouldn't have to undergo the stress of the move that his number 2s begin to get better -here's what he did.

He made sure Sam could get into absolutely nothing and treated him pretty much like a baby - baby proofing everything in the house this included anything that you cleaned counters with, any kind of chemical, drinking out of the toilet etc. etc. etc.
as far as food goes he slowly change his food over to Hills ID gastrointestinal brand.
All of our sphinx cats have been on this food and it may not be the most natural brand but as far as the stomach goes this food has worked for all five of our sphynx who have all had sensitive stomachs. ( and even more mild or brand that the vet would swear by is Hills ZD )

Sam gets a small portion of dry food for breakfast maybe a small portion for lunch and then wet food for dinner - half a can. In between for treats he only had freeze dried chicken (you can get these in large portions and you can buy the dog or the cat but the only ingredient is freeze-dried chicken) With the wet food he got half a can with some of the freeze-dried chicken sprinkled over-the-top with hot water so it was like a porridge. Sam only had three bad stools the whole time he was at my ex-husband and this was when the cleaning lady came and went and unexpected guest stayed in the home. The result or diagnosis we could come up with was IBS.

Also whenever making changes with the food we always do it gradually which helps not shock the animals belly. Since SAMs been back from my ex his stools have been fine. I think putting him on a routine and making sure he is stable and safe surroundings really helped along with the id hills food and keeping him out of anything that could upset his belly.

Since nacho has been having diarrhea or it may also be a good idea to saturate his food with warm water so he is getting enough liquids. I hope your Sphinx feels better and he is in Our thoughts

 

[TanyaMeaw]

@Pris thank you for sharing your story, i don't feel so alone in this anymore. I will put him on a routine, right now he doesn't really have one... Every one here is so wonderful! Thank you guys so much, you've really helped me a lot to get through this.