kitten diarrhea- so frustrating!

[sirrahbed]

My Lizzie and Robbie are now 12 weeks old and I have had them since they were 7 weeks old and still cannot get them well from their bacterial diarrhea. I know it is not serious but it is sooooo frustrating and $$$ as well. They started out with two types of unusual rod bacteria and were treated with a combo of biosol and panocur. Robbie got better and Liz still had it. It is NOT Coccidia or Guardia. Then they got Gentamycin and a week later Liz was better and Rob was loaded with it so they both got another antibiotic - Clavamox or Neomycin I think. Last week Liz was bad again but this time with some sort of spirochete so there were treated with Albon. Today I took them back, knowing that Liz was having liquid bloody diarrhea and I think ALL my cats have it now At least there are no tootsie rolls in the box. Sure enough, both babies have it and had to have IV's and two antibiotic injections of Gentamycin and Procaine Penicillin plus some Potassium. I am just feeling so frustrated! The vet said the older cats will probably get well on their own and that the babies just have weak immune systems. I keep throwing out litter and using disposable pans, washing hands, etc. Poor lil things have sore behinds. I am getting sooooo frustrated. Anyone go through this with small kittens?? They appear healthy and are eating well and still gaining so I know it is not that serious - just aggravating!!! They have cost well over $400 at this point. I know they are well worth it but still!! Today, the vet did not even charge me for all the IV's and shots - guess he is frustrated too!! Poor babies are now sore and sleeping. They have to go back again tomorrow

[Logan]

I'm so sorry, Debbie. I have nothing to add in the way of help, but I'm sorry that you and the kittens are having to go through this.

[Craftlady]

I truely believe it these two things. It worked for Skinny's bad coccida. A gal at PetSmart who raises lambs/sheeps told me about these two items.

Give them some plain yogart it promotes good bacteria.
Pumpkin (100% Pure Libbys brand) pie filling. Binds potty the potty. Spoonful couple times a day. I even put dab of yogart on top it looks like pumpkin pie with whip cream

[chrangharris]

Poor babies! I'm sorry they aren't getting any better!

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by Craftlady
I truely believe it these two things. It worked for Skinny's bad coccida. A gal at PetSmart who raises lambs/sheeps told me about these two items.

Give them some plain yogart it promotes good bacteria.
Pumpkin (100% Pure Libbys brand) pie filling. Binds potty the potty. Spoonful couple times a day. I even put dab of yogart on top it looks like pumpkin pie with whip cream

Thanks Becky! I will buy these two items and try them. I remember you had suggested some foods but could not remember what they were. It will be good to feel I am DOING something for them besides the medication!

Thanks Chris....Liz has lost a bit of weight but Rob is still gaining. I hate seeing them look puny today from the shots!! I think the penicillin is pretty rough on the muscle.

[K & L]

Have they checked them for parasites? We had a problem with this awhile back and it took some time for them to get over it. They gave ours Flagyl and we fed them small amounts of food several times a day. Be sure they stay hydrated and maybe keep them secluded in a bathroom, spare room, until they're over this. We kept ours in the spare bath away from the other cats. Wish I could be of more help here. I can sure relate to the $$$.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by K & L
Have they checked them for parasites? We had a problem with this awhile back and it took some time for them to get over it. They gave ours Flagyl and we fed them small amounts of food several times a day. Be sure they stay hydrated and maybe keep them secluded in a bathroom, spare room, until they're over this. We kept ours in the spare bath away from the other cats. Wish I could be of more help here. I can sure relate to the $$$.

Yes to the parasite checks. They are free of coccidia, guardia rounds, hook and tape worms and they do a fecal direct smear at every appointment - the bacteria has changed as one organism overgrows another as it clears up. They have not tried Flagyl yet - maybe tomorrow. We kept them in the bathroom for the first two weeks but they have had free run the past 3-4 weeks. Maybe I should isolate them again I notice that they are drinking lots of water but they were still dehydrated at the vet today and needed the IV. I am going to try the pumpkin and togurt as Becky suggested - hubby just returned from the grocery with it - I am not sure the yogurt has real bacteria - though it says "natural" so maybe it does. Thanks Lisa!!!

[QueenScoopalot]

Many times coccidea won't show up on the fecal float..I hear it's one out of ten it might show up. I don't think it would hurt them to give them Albon for a week or two to see if things clear up. Also accidophillus (sp?) capsules sprinkled onto wet food may go down easier than yogurt. Same beneficial ingrediant. Does your vet carry Amphorol by chance? I had a litter of kittens some years back that had non-stop horrible diarrhea, and they'd had every wormer/protozoan treatment etc. out there. The only thing that finally cleared it up for them was Amphorol! Three times a day X three days, and they had formed stools. Poor sore little tushes..give the babies kisses for me (on the head)!

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by QueenScoopalot
Many times coccidea won't show up on the fecal float..I hear it's one out of ten it might show up. I don't think it would hurt them to give them Albon for a week or two to see if things clear up. Also accidophillus (sp?) capsules sprinkled onto wet food may go down easier than yogurt. Same beneficial ingrediant. Does your vet carry Amphorol by chance? I had a litter of kittens some years back that had non-stop horrible diarrhea, and they'd had every wormer/protozoan treatment etc. out there. The only thing that finally cleared it up for them was Amphorol! Three times a day X three days, and they had formed stools. Poor sore little tushes..give the babies kisses for me (on the head)!

Thanks QSA - vet is not using the fecal float - also says it is not accurate for stubborn diarrhea so does the direct smear plus some sort of fluorescent test and microscopic cytology. I will ask about the Amphorol tomorrow!! I still have a whole bottle of Albon to use. I gave them the yogurt and they loved it - it was the live culture w/acidophilus. I asked hubby to check because I don't think many brands are live cultures anymore but Dannon "Natural" had it. They will not even touch the pumpkin. Maybe later or I will try mixing it with the yogurt. Where do you find the acidophilus capsules?? Yes, this is a protozoa that they have right now - a spirochete. The poo no longer stinks like it did. Maybe this is something good?

[QueenScoopalot]

Good news that their poop is less stinky, and hope the yogurt's helping them to replenish their probably depleted little systems. Acidophilus capsules can be found in any health food store, and probably many pharmacies as well. I keep a bottle in the fridge for those poor babies that go through parasite problems seemingly endlessly. Hope you get their systems under control soon.

[catcrazylady]

I am going to be of little help here. You have the experts on board now and I can't offer anything more. I was going to suggest the yogurt and I do remember Craftlady saying the the pumpkin really helped do the trick. She had a horrible time with Skinny as I remember.
Thank goodness they like the yogurt so you don't have to force it on them. Hopefully when you mix the pumpkin with the yogurt and they will eat it. It is really supposed to help bind the poo. Hopefully the good bacteria in the yogurt will take over and kill all those nasty bugs!
I wish I had more to offer but all I can give you is my support. I'm sorry you are having to go through all of this. I know how much you love the babies and are doing everything possible to make this go away.
Prayers, good thoughts, and my sympathy are with you! If there is anything I can do just let me know and be sure to give kissies to the sweeties for me. Poor little things!

[Craftlady]

Originally posted by sirrahbed
I asked hubby to check because I don't think many brands are live cultures anymore but Dannon "Natural" had it. They will not even touch the pumpkin. Maybe later or I will try mixing it with the yogurt.

I just bought the Dannon (Fat Free) Yogart. Kitties think the yogart is milk. Try mixing the pumpkin with yogart. Skinny really liked it that way. That's the diet tip of the day.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear about Robbie and Lizzie. I don't have any advice to give you but prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Hopefully something will help them soon. Poor babies. Please take care.

[shais_mom]

I am with Logan, Debbie. I don't have any help - just thoughts and prayers.....poor babies....

[PayItForward]

I went though the same thing with our Bramble. We tried all sorts but as the vet suggested she grew out of it for the main part.

She still had attacks which are stress related if leave her alone (with either Steve or a petsitter and 7 other cats )

Every poo attack we do the same routine, starve her for 24 hours with just drinking water and then feed her light food boiled rice & chicken and back to a normal diet.

The 24 hour without food rests her guts to allow good bacteia to build up again.

Good Luck (I know it is not pleasant dealing with these problems)