Starr's A Very Sick Little Boy

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks everyone. I just found out the Petsmart carries a very good allergen food called Natural Balance Venison & Green Pea Allergy Formula For Cats. I think I'm going to try this for about a week before I call my vet. I really don't want to have to put Starr on steroids either because this will compromise his immune system which is already a weak one. Here's the link:Natural Balance Venison & Green Pea Allergy Formula. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

[rg_girlca]

Tracey I am so sorry to hear that Starr is back to square one. Poor baby and poor you.

Prayers and positive thoughts on the way that the new food will help him.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} for you.

[jennielynn1970]

Poor Starr! I hope that the venison and green pea works. I know we used it at the one shelter for a certain kitty. We also have another kitty that is on the raw diet. She was pooping outside the box and having issues before the switch. She seems to be doing much better on the raw diet.

I hope you'll find something to make Starr feel better soon!! My pooper just poops because of emotional stuff I believe. Even when I moved the box to where he was pooping, he pooped outside of it. Sometimes it's formed, sometimes it's runny. He is supposed to go to the vet... had an appt. the other day but he hid from me for 45mins, and then the power went out for 3hrs, so needless to say, we didn't make it to the vet!

[Kirsten]

Poor Starr! The black, tarry stool got me concerned, too! I'd rather tell the vet about it on Monday.

Hopefully Starr will improve with the new diet! Poor boy!!

Best wishes to him,

Kirsten

[smokey the elder]

For two weeks I have been petsitting for a 13 year old cat with IBD. She was already under control when I got her, on Wellness wet only. I have no clue how long it took to get under control. Her purrents are visiting today, and I can find out her history. Good luck with your Starr baby! He's had more than his share of issues, poor thing.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks again everyone. He seems to like his new food but it's a litter bit crunchier than his old food so it makes it a little harder for him to eat. I'm supposed to mix in some of his old food with it for 3-5 days so I really won't know much until he's on the new food exclusively.

Yesterday was a good day with no accidents but sometime between 8-10am this morning he pooped all over the place again. It was mushy poo but not black and tarry looking like before so it looked more normal. I had just cleaned out all of the litterboxes at around 7:45am so they weren't dirty. I just don't know if some of this is still due to behavioral problems or health related. Nancy e-mailed me and she'll be talking to Starr in a few days. I hope he's able to let her know what's going on.

I've also noticed that when I give Starr the bene-bac that he seems much better the next day. When I gave it to him 2 days in a row though, this is when he had the black tarry stools so it may have been related to this. I know it may take some time for his system to get under control so I'm trying to stay positive about this new food. Thanks again.

[jazzcat]

Just checking in for an update. Hope the new food helps.

[rosethecopycat]

I've also noticed that when I give Starr the bene-bac that he seems much better the next day. When I gave it to him 2 days in a row though,

Follow the package directions for Bene-bac, I think it call for one tube, then another 3 days later.

I hope he feels better and the vet can find the cause of this.

[jennielynn1970]

Awe... poor Starr!! That little guy must have a tummy ache! I hope you can figure something out at the vet! Gentle hugs for the little guy!

[krazyaboutkatz]

The vet called me at home again and I wasn't home yet. He said to call him tomorrow because he'll be there. I have to be at Kaiser at 8am for my surgery tomorrow and will hopefully be home by 10:30am or so but I'll probably be too sleepy to call him. The only thing I can do is call at 7am and leave another message about Starr and let them know exactly what's been going on.

He said Starr should probably be put on another round of metronidizale or however it's spelled and some probiotics and maybe a diet change. I know he needs a diet change because he's having problems with his current diet. I think his tummy needs to calm down before he starts a new diet. I've read that in cases like this that you should fast the cat for 24-48 hours and then feed them some rice and then slowly start to feed them their diet again. This is what I'm going to try to do. Because I need to rest the next couple of days and I don't need the extra stress of cleaning up diarrhea.

I put Starr in my bedroom tonight while I fed the others. When I let him out he started searching for food. It was so sad to watch him. He seems fine now though. Thanks again for all of your advice and well wishes.

Jen, Starr isn't on any medication right now. Even before all of these episodes, he's always had mushy stools. It's just gotten much worse lately.