Lucas and diarrhea.

[jenluckenbach]

Well, sadly the 2nd steroid shot did nothing to help his loose stools. :(

My vet is out of ideas. :( All the normal anti diarrhea medications have not work.

I tried slippery elm bark powder and adding rice to the diet. No luck. (does anyone know how long it should take to actually SEE results from such things?)

I am going to try pumpkin. He LOVES it. Licked it right off the spoon. It can't hurt him, anyway.

He is still seemingly healthy except for the LIQUID poops. At least 3 times a day now, and never in the box. He is however, hitting the plastic tarps I have laid down 80% of the time.

does ANYONE know of any food/suppliment/miracle to firm up diarrhea??

[AbbyMom]

Jen,

I'm sorry that I can't remember all Lucas's previous vet visits..but did the vet test him for several different parasites?

Trichomoniosas
Spirochaetes
Tritrichomonas Foetus (see Sasvermont's post earlier in this forum)

My little RB Quasar had diarrhea for years and then it cleared up by itself.

Good luck.

[jenluckenbach]

He has had fecal tests (probably not the TF as per SAS's post) but since his cancer (in pancreas, lymph nodes AND small intestine) has been found, the thoughts are THIS is the main cause. He has actually taken rounds of almost ALL the known medications for various parasites even though none were seen.

[Lizzie]

It sounds like the tumor in his small intestine is causing a lot of fluid to be released in that area, just as the cat I had with lung cancer had to have his chest tapped frequently. My vet recommended pumpkin pie filling in the past for cats with diarrhoea. Have you tried Metamucil? Also, I think cats can take some human medicines for diarrhoea as long as they don't contain tylenol - but I could be wrong.

I know what you mean about spreading tarps around. The isolation rooms for my kitten with C.H. (pretty much confirmed by my vet tonight) have most of the floor covered with plastic, though she still finds the small areas of carpet to pee on. I don't blame her, I think the carpet makes her feel more secure because she gets better traction on it. I'm so sorry about what you and Miles are going through.

[Catty1]

If he loves the pumpkin, keep it up...it might help, and get to the trouble spot in a way a hard pill can't!

Hugs and prayers to you and Lucas!

Catty1

[emily_the_spoiled]

Hi Jen,

I am in the same position as you. Tanner was diagnosed with IBD last week. He had a shot of Depo-Medrol that didn't even last a week. The vet has recommended prescription food for me (I know that won't do it for Lucas). But I have also decided to investigate the use of a raw diet and see if that would have any effect...

[jenluckenbach]

The pumpkin may be working. NO poops on the floor when I got home from work. This usually means he was either able to hold it longer and not go yet OR was able to make it to a litter box. We shall see. I heard Metamusil (psyllium) might also work. I am going to buy some to have on hand.

We too tried special prescription food made especially for intestinal problems. Not much luck.

I think Lizzie hit the nail on the head when she said the tumors are probably causing excess mucas production. I just need to find something to "soak" it up with.

[jenluckenbach]

OK, it is now a few hours later and we have poop. And it's a bit stiffer. Now, mind you, when you orignally have flat, liquid puddles of poop it does not take a whole lot to look better. :rolleyes:
Tonight I added a fiber capsule. Will it make it even better?

[lizbud]

I've heard of pumkin helping with diarrhea discussed on PT before.(don't
remember who recommended it) I sure hope this continues to help Lucas.
Seems like you've tried just about everything else.Best of luck. :)

[Catty1]

Glad to hear there is improvement. Maybe wait another 12 hours or so before adding anything else to the mix? Less is better....

HUGS to you and Lucas!

Catty1

[catmandu]

The Sad Thing Is Taht Lucas Does Not Like Being A Dirty Cat, Anymore Than You Like It.
Cats Are So Clean That They Just Hate Messing On Themeselves And This Is Hurting Lucas As Much As It Is You, Jen.
We Are Praying That These Pills Do The Trick.

[jazzcat]

Poor Lucas, and you. I'm glad to hear the pumpkin may be helping!!!! Lets hear it for fiber! Makes me think of a skit I saw on Saturday Night Live in the 80s. It was a parody of the song "Give me Fever" instead it was "Give Me Fiber". It went, "Give me fiber, bulk and ruffage, fiber cause I want to feel right". The back up singers were sweeping with brooms. It was hysterical.

Sorry to get off topic! Now that is going to be stuck in my head. :rolleyes:

[Kirsten]

Poor Lucas! I hope the pumpkin will help a bit. Good that he likes it.

And it's a good thing that apart from the loose stool, he seems to be doing fine.

(((HUGS))) to you and Lucas,

Kirsten

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Jen, I was wondering how the pumpkin and fiber diet was working for Lucas now that it's been a few days?

Ever since we moved CJ is back to the liquid diarrhea, even with his $30.00 a bag food. :rolleyes: If I give him pred it stiffens up a little, but I'd have to go back to 1 every other day to make it consistently good, and I'd really rather not do that unless absolutely necessary.

The problem with CJ and the pumpkin/fiber diet is he is extremely hard to pill and he doesn't like pumpkin. :( His being hard to pill makes it hard to get the pred. in him also. :( Poor little guy, I just wish there was something I could do for him that wouldn't traumatize him in the process.

[sasvermont]

I started putting Metamucil in their wet food and it is improving Miley's stool issue. I am still going forward with the testing for TF, but until then, she has some relief. So do I. My cats don't mind a little Metamucil mixed in.....goof balls.

I just got off the phone with the vet and we will test Miley the cat, on 6/30/06, for TF. I am going to drop her off for the day so that they might have at her, all day long, if necessary.

In a way, I am hoping that her stool issues are related to TF, then there would be a good reason. Ruling TF out is fine too, but then there is still no answer.

But thanks for the information Jen, about feeding sweet Lucas the Metamucil and pumpkin. I might try the pumpkin later. I just don't think my cats will like it, but hey, I've not tried giving it to them just yet.

(((((((((((((((((((Lucas)))))))))))))))))))

[jenluckenbach]

The metamucil works the best, but he has stopped voluntarily eating the food with it mixed in. :( As a matter of fact, I think his appetite is diminishing. I am preparing myself for the dreaded decision. :(

As for CJ, mix the metamucil in with a favorite wet food, I bet he will eat it (if you don't use too much.....you know how DRY high fiber foods can taste) :p

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Thanks for the tip, Jen. I mixed some in with his wet food this morning and he gobbled it right up! Hopefully it will do some good, and hopefully he'll continue to eat it. ;)

As a matter of fact, I think his appetite is diminishing. I am preparing myself for the dreaded decision. Oh gosh, I sure hope it's not this soon! :(