running out of options... HELP!!!

[Lynae]

my almost two year old sphynx has had diarrhea for about a month now, ive tried every food you can think of and the vet has done everything to help, she is on prescription science diet for sensitive stomach Z/D for the past two weeks and nothing is getting better! she is eating and drinking water fine and playing with her brother like crazy.. im running out of options !! someone please me!!

 

[Kate]

Just simple changes in their food can cause upset stomach and diarrhea. If any medical issues have been ruled out, I would think it's probably a food allergy. It seems that many sphynx are allergic to chicken. I would suggest you try a different protein sourced food and keep the ingredients as limited as possible. Also, look for something without grains. You can also try adding a little pure pumpkin to the food (not the pie filler, but pure pumpkin). You also might have better luck switching to a raw diet.

Good luck, it's so hard when they have litter box issues!

 

[GoldHazel]

@Lynae so for the first two years she didn't have diarrhea? Just all of a sudden for the last month or so this suddenly occurred?
If so, were there any food changes around that time? Or anything else that is different? Has she lost any weight?

Did the vet test her stool for parasites, etc.?

 

[Lynae]

No food changes at all! I've been feeding her blue buffalo red meat(dry food) for as long as I've had her ! Then all of a sudden it started happening and it's bad like explosive ! So I ended up taking her to the vet and they did a stool sample everything came back negative so they put her on the mezto something for dairdia that's didn't work so they gave me anti diarrhea meds that didn't work either so I took her back to the same vet and put her on science diet feline Id that didn't work so I thought screw this vet and I ended up taking her to an actual cat vet and she gave me a different anti diarrhea med and different food called z/d or something and that's working either she told me blue buffalo is the worst food for cats and they should never eat dry food only wet food I'm like wth is going on! I've let them free feed for as long as I've had them an never had any issues !!! I heard something about a raw food diet the brand is natures instinct ? @GoldHazel

 

[Lynae]

@Lynae so for the first two years she didn't have diarrhea? Just all of a sudden for the last month or so this suddenly occurred?
If so, were there any food changes around that time? Or anything else that is different? Has she lost any weight?

Did the vet test her stool for parasites, etc.?

 

[admin]

my almost two year old sphynx has had diarrhea for about a month now, ive tried every food you can think of and the vet has done everything to help, she is on prescription science diet for sensitive stomach Z/D for the past two weeks and nothing is getting better! she is eating and drinking water fine and playing with her brother like crazy.. im running out of options !! someone please me!!

Sorry to hear of this issue. Was there any chance of contact with another cat? Negative test results for parasites can be false negatives. Was the med Metronidazole (Flagyl)? Did you finish the meds? Also a bit of pumpkin (not the pier filler type) may help with the runny poop temporarily until you find the issue. As someone mentioned above, switching foods can cause poo issues for sure.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Lynae, sending healing vibes
Glad you reached out as poo issues do seem to be a topic here with Sphynx butt
Here is a link duscussion -
10 month old with chronic diarrhea. It's ruining my apartment and mental health

*****Has the vet done a stool sample test ? To rule out Giardia and a lesser known mention parasite " tritrichomonas " known as "TF"
That has bee a culprit before amd cleared up with ronidazole as mentioned in several threads

Have they done a PCR test as Patti had mentioned in some other threads?

I know others will chime in with good results with Raw amd brands etc
We just want you and your baby to get answers and relief!
Chicken food allergies seem popular too with sphynx amd other kitties and can crop up any time -

I would withhold any treats too

Food changes should be slow .. Or they can cause issues in itself..but I had to do a hard switch and have good results with chicken free grain free
Acana Grasslands others have good results with Natural Balance Duck and pea -
A protein source they haven't had -
And some members have posted about using Natural psyllium (brand mentioned in thread )

I would call both vets offices , get copies of the chart notes for your files and ask specifically what parasites they tested for to rule out

Any other symptoms?

Fwiw, my first sphynx came to me on Blue Buffalo and had nothing but poo issues too - got her off Blue -
I gave 1/4 teaspoon of Libby's 100% pure pumpkin - canned - no other ingredients listed on label

 

[GoldHazel]

@Lynae I've heard horrible things about Blue Buffalo especially for the sphynx breed...maybe for cats in general, maybe for all pets! I've always stayed away from it. Sales people in the pet shops are always pushing Blue Buffalo and telling me how wonderful this food is. I personally have heard horror stories about loose stools and bleeding from people with cats. And that had been using Blue Buffalo for a long time before issues began.

I hope that nothing is seriously wrong with your cat and that a diet change and some medicines can get everything back to normal in a short period of time.

Flagyl is something that I'd highly recommend to help and a probiotic (FortiFlora) and a little pumpkin. I use Science Diet Grain-Free canned and dry food now. I used to use Royal Canin which is a great food, just not for my naked kids. I never did the raw diet and can't recommend it as my vet is totally against it for a number of reasons and my friend's cat that is on the raw diet since he was a kitten is now very, very ill. He vet said to get him off the raw ASAP. I know that people swear by the raw diet and highly recommend it though. The only thing I can advise is to get your kitty off the Blue Buffalo.

 

[Lynae]

Sorry to hear of this issue. Was there any chance of contact with another cat? Negative test results for parasites can be false negatives. Was the med Metronidazole (Flagyl)? Did you finish the meds? Also a bit of pumpkin (not the pier filler type) may help with the runny poop temporarily until you find the issue. As someone mentioned above, switching foods can cause poo issues for sure.

Yes they tried both of those meds and nothing worked ! I tried the pumpkin and she won't touch it they did give me a probiotic and still nothing ! The ran a stool test and still nothing. I also heard of trying something called Brewers yeast? She's has been off blue buffalo for about a month now and I never fed her the chicken flavor it was called red meat, the only thing I've been feeding her is the prescription food the vet gave her and boiled chicken And STILL NOTHING I've spent like almost 1000$ on her and the vets can't tell me anything ! It's really crazy because she still the happy crazy cat I brought home she drinks water she's eating she's playing but it's just her diarrhea !! Maybe I should just try the science diet grain free like everyone is telling me ! I haven't tried that yet

 

[Yoda mom]

@Lynae , ((hugs))) we will comtinue to brain storm and chime in! its obvious how much love amd care she has with you -
I would ask specifically if they ruled out tritrichomonas
Amd see if they did a PCR test ?

If you can get a copy of her chart notes from both vets ..
And give a list of the tests she had ...so we don't drive you nuts repeating all you have done with a whopping 1k

I can't believe they can't give you any answers - how darn frustrating for you her amd wallets
Hopeful other can chime in and you can get this figured out

 

[Lynae]

@Lynae , ((hugs))) we will comtinue to brain storm and chime in! its obvious how much love amd care she has with you -
I would ask specifically if they ruled out tritrichomonas
Amd see if they did a PCR test ?

If you can get a copy of her chart notes from both vets ..
And give a list of the tests she had ...so we don't drive you nuts repeating all you have done with a whopping 1k

I can't believe they can't give you any answers - how darn frustrating for you her amd wallets
Hopeful other can chime in and you can get this figured out

Ok I'll get the notes asap! Thank you and everyone for your help!!!

 

[admin]

Yes they tried both of those meds and nothing worked ! I tried the pumpkin and she won't touch it they did give me a probiotic and still nothing ! The ran a stool test and still nothing. I also heard of trying something called Brewers yeast? She's has been off blue buffalo for about a month now and I never fed her the chicken flavor it was called red meat, the only thing I've been feeding her is the prescription food the vet gave her and boiled chicken And STILL NOTHING I've spent like almost 1000$ on her and the vets can't tell me anything ! It's really crazy because she still the happy crazy cat I brought home she drinks water she's eating she's playing but it's just her diarrhea !! Maybe I should just try the science diet grain free like everyone is telling me ! I haven't tried that yet

Did you mix the pumpkin in with the wet food? just a tablespoon is all thats needed, mix it right in the wet food. A grain free food is best if its an allergy issue, something like L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Green Pea & Duck Dry Cat Formula | Natural Balance Pet Foods

 

[GoldHazel]

@Lynae I suggest you get Pedialyte in the meantime until everything is figured out. It won't stop the problem and it won't make it any worse. It's just to put back some electrolytes which is extremely important. Get the unflavored one for human children and you can save money by getting the CVS Brand as well. It's perfectly safe for your kitty.

 

[Lynae]

Did you mix the pumpkin in with the wet food? just a tablespoon is all thats needed, mix it right in the wet food. A grain free food is best if its an allergy issue, something like L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Green Pea & Duck Dry Cat Formula | Natural Balance Pet Foods

Should I just give her the dry food only? Or wet to?

 

[Lynae]

@Lynae I suggest you get Pedialyte in the meantime until everything is figured out. It won't stop the problem and it won't make it any worse. It's just to put back some electrolytes which is extremely important. Get the unflavored one for human children and you can save money by getting the CVS Brand as well. It's perfectly safe for your kitty.

Ok I will pick some up Tomrro! Everyone is saying science diet grain free or natural balance ! What do you suggest

 

[admin]

Should I just give her the dry food only? Or wet to?

We always have fed wet twice a day and left dry kibble out for grazing.

 

[GoldHazel]

Ok I will pick some up Tomrro! Everyone is saying science diet grain free or natural balance ! What do you suggest

@Lynae I can only suggest what my vet highly recommended and what I use and that is Science Diet Grain-Free. I believe it comes in chicken flavor and salmon.

I buy both the wet/canned food and the dry/kibble in the same food, same brand and same flavor. Always feed a cat wet food, not just dry kibble.

 

[user123]

@Lynae I'm with the others on the organic canned pumpkin. Have you tried that yet? It could help firm up her stool while you are changing her diet. It seems like a lot of people also have good luck with Forti Flora. It worked great on my dog after surgery when his pain meds gave him horrible runs. I'm a holistic person and very big on raw. Seems like many in who've exhausted other options seem to find success going this route. Paya was having horrible litter box issues on the 100% kibble diet (Canidae) she was on until I took her in. I started her on raw, the Rad Cat brand, and her stools cleared up immediately. No odor either, and only goes about once every other day. (y)

I heard Natures Instinct is also good. I choose the Rad Cat because it is a small business and committed to using only organic quality meat.

We have some whole food pet shops here, where I was able to snatch up samples for her to try first. Anything like this near you?

Bathroom troubles are so stressful. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

 

[user123]

I just realized the date on this post. I hope your girl is doing better @Lynae! I really sympathize with you. I've been through it.

 

[GoldHazel]

@Lynae how is she doing? Have you made any other food, supplement or Rx changes?

 

[user123]

Yes, I'd like to know too @Lynae. I have to apologize for overlooking a huge part of this thread before originally commenting. I know I am a broken record on the raw diet, but it's just what has worked for me. I know it is not an option for many Sphynx guardians, for many reasons. And it isn't the ONLY option, there are a lot of nutritious foods & medicines out there that remedy situations like yours all the time. Very much looking forward to reading some good news in this post. Hope it's clearing up over there for your and your babe.

 

[Lynae]

@Lynae how is she doing? Have you made any other food, supplement or Rx changes?

She's doing better .. The vet said she might have IBS so she has been on a steroid for like 2 weeks and they put her back on the prescription feline ID food , they said she has to be on it for 3 months ... And she also had a ear infection on top of everything !!!! Idk how she's so sick I do everything I'm supposed to do! I have her for 2 years and all of a sudden she's having all these issues ! I'll will keep you updated !!

 

[GoldHazel]

She's doing better .. The vet said she might have IBS so she has been on a steroid for like 2 weeks and they put her back on the prescription feline ID food , they said she has to be on it for 3 months ... And she also had a ear infection on top of everything !!!! Idk how she's so sick I do everything I'm supposed to do! I have her for 2 years and all of a sudden she's having all these issues ! I'll will keep you updated !!

@Lynae I'm very glad to hear that she's doing better. As far as the Rx feline food for three months, keep in mind that if it contains something like "chicken", many sphynx cats land up having an allergy or sensitivity to chicken. Be aware and go with your gut as you wait and observe.
I know you don't understand how she suddenly got an ear infection and having sever stomach issues. It's not your fault, so please don't blame yourself. You are a terrific sphynx mommy trying your best to get her better. Things happen. How do you sometimes wake up with a stomach issue or a cold? She could have gotten stressed by something which lowered her immune system, etc. You will probably never know. All you can do is do what you are doing .... by trying to get her all better. I know how heart-wrenching it can be. Hang in there, one way or another you will get her back to normal again.

 

[Lynae]

@Lynae I'm very glad to hear that she's doing better. As far as the Rx feline food for three months, keep in mind that if it contains something like "chicken", many sphynx cats land up having an allergy or sensitivity to chicken. Be aware and go with your gut as you wait and observe.
I know you don't understand how she suddenly got an ear infection and having sever stomach issues. It's not your fault, so please don't blame yourself. You are a terrific sphynx mommy trying your best to get her better. Things happen. How do you sometimes wake up with a stomach issue or a cold? She could have gotten stressed by something which lowered her immune system, etc. You will probably never know. All you can do is do what you are doing .... by trying to get her all better. I know how heart-wrenching it can be. Hang in there, one way or another you will get her back to normal again.

Thank you so much! I will keep everyone posted !!!

 

[GoldHazel]

Thank you so much! I will keep everyone posted !!!

@Lynae you are welcome.
I look forward to positive future posts from you.