topic Re: advice needed in Pet Lovers

advice needed

wagirl — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:08:12 GMT

I have a 6 year old striped tabby named Echo is going thru digestive issues and hairballs and the upchucking of said hairballs. Also having skin issues too, prob from allergies. Been to the vet and all is well orgainically, no blockages. Had x-rays done and saw that slowly, the stool is passing thru, the way it supposed to so hopefully any hour now, it will show up in the cat box. My question---I need catfood that is allergy friendly, no fish, beef, milk, or additives And that doesn't cost $10 a can. Also need something for hairballs. I think I have spent prob $50 on canned food that she turns up her nose. And altho I love this vet, she will want to put Echo on steroids maybe for the allergies and I would just as soon try something else first,. She gave me a list of OTC allergy meds for people that I can try but need to know if anyone has done this with their cat. Man alive------any help would be great!

Dogs have masters, cats have staff!!! No kidding!!!!!

thanks!!!

Re: advice needed

Mz iMac — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:29:33 GMT

My cat for a year suffered from throwing up his food as well as hairballs for a whole year!

Cat lost weight but otherwise, healthy. Still running around acting crazy & never in distress except when throwing up. Strange thing is, only threw up in the middle of the night and only on newspaper that I laid down in the bathroom. Never during the daytime.

The following is what worked for my cat......

Capilax for the hairballs. It's a 30 day tx program. You can only purchase this from a vet. Not sold in stores or online.

Petromalt after the 30 day tx w/Capilax.

Iams cat food for sensitive stomach and/or digestive issues.

Took 3-4 months for the throwing up the food to stop completely and 2 weeks for throwing up hairballs back to it's normal occurrance. My cats threw up hairballs once a month during the summer months. Never during the winter even though he sheds all year round. 100% house cat.

Re: advice needed

RainyDayGal — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:50:23 GMT

Does your cat only eat canned food, or can she have dry also?

If you have a pet store around that has someone knowledgeable I would ask. And every pet store I know, will take the food back if your cat won't eat it.

Re: advice needed

Sammycat1 — Wed, 25 May 2016 01:34:00 GMT

Wagirl, we had a cat with allergies/food intolerances/gut issues, too. We fed her Natural Balance duck and pea (canned or dry). She had to ultimately go the steroid route, but not on prednisolone. Our vet used a steroid called budesonide, which has far less side effects and it worked like a charm.

Another cat we had with heart failure who developed gut issues also went on budesonide (cats with heart disease should not be on prednisolone; it pushed the heart too much) and he responded very well to it. It did not bother his heart or kidneys.

Food for thought! Good luck with your baby.

Re: advice needed

GCR18 — Wed, 25 May 2016 02:39:44 GMT

Pam, Rick never had that problem. Thought I'd add my comment about the natural balance cat food, if you go that route. My mother's dog just started eating that brand. It was duck and something else, but a dry food. My mother paid $21 for a 4.2 oz bag. I found the same bag on jet for $12. New members get 15% off their first three orders and free shipping with a $35 purchase. Something to keep in mind.

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Wed, 25 May 2016 14:55:04 GMT

Red convert--yes she does eat canned food in the a.m. then dry food.

GCR---hey you!!!! just having a devil of a time with this cat!! Today she ate a whole slice of deli turkey and finally got her to slurp up some milk with pumpkin---now I know milk is NOT for cats but she hasn't eaten or drank anything in days. And still no poop and thats been days too. Had 2 subcutaneous fluids at vet and had xrays done yesterday. No fever. All organs look find just this huge solid thing in her bowels. Kinda of quiet but still alert. Suppose I'll call the vet today---again. Will need to find some sort of food that will ease her delicate digestion.

Re: advice needed

Sammycat1 — Wed, 25 May 2016 15:15:58 GMT

If she's that obstructed, why hasn't the vet tried something like lactulose to get her moving? Or an enema to get this "installment" cleared out to make her comfortable and start from a baseline? Cats that obstructed have no appetite, no matter what you wave in front of them.

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Wed, 25 May 2016 16:06:34 GMT

@Sammycat1 wrote:
If she's that obstructed, why hasn't the vet tried something like lactulose to get her moving? Or an enema to get this "installment" cleared out to make her comfortable and start from a baseline? Cats that obstructed have no appetite, no matter what you wave in front of them.
Sammy---

First things first. Trying to get vomiting under control. She had 2 injections of cerenia to try to relieve the vomiting and barrium to make sure there are no blockages in the intestinal tract. Now there is a thickening in the intestine that can indicate inflammation and possible IBD which would lead to all these issues. Going back today for a steroid shot to treat inflammation. Vets not worried about the stool as it is soft and she is well hydrated from subcutaneous fluids. Enemas are the last thing they want to do cuzz it can cause more vomiting. And the lactulose was discussed too. Thanks for your input. I like to know what to ask about. I love the "installment" description!!!

Re: advice needed

Sammycat1 — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:43:19 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@Sammycat1 wrote:
If she's that obstructed, why hasn't the vet tried something like lactulose to get her moving? Or an enema to get this "installment" cleared out to make her comfortable and start from a baseline? Cats that obstructed have no appetite, no matter what you wave in front of them.
Sammy---

First things first. Trying to get vomiting under control. She had 2 injections of cerenia to try to relieve the vomiting and barrium to make sure there are no blockages in the intestinal tract. Now there is a thickening in the intestine that can indicate inflammation and possible IBD which would lead to all these issues. Going back today for a steroid shot to treat inflammation. Vets not worried about the stool as it is soft and she is well hydrated from subcutaneous fluids. Enemas are the last thing they want to do cuzz it can cause more vomiting. And the lactulose was discussed too. Thanks for your input. I like to know what to ask about. I love the "installment" description!!!

My cat with similar issues went on a rollercoaster of vomiting and constipation -- with the vet swatting at everything. That's when we ended up on budesonide (oral). I wish we would have started it sooner because it calmed the whole thing down and she lived a far more comfortable life (she had developed IBD). Good luck -- hope your kitty feels better soon!

Re: advice needed

beach-mom — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:57:52 GMT

Hi @wagirl - It sounds like Echo is not having any serious problems except for this. DH would recommend Blue Wilderness food, and one specifically for sensitive stomach. There is also a holistic compound medicine you can put on food - I can't remember the name, but I know it's chicken flavored and most cats love it. I will ask him later when I see him!

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:39:59 GMT

I took Echo in again to the vet and she was given a steroid shot,as on the x-ray was found a thickening of the small intestine that could indicate IBD but surely inflammation. So now she is eating a tiny amount . Got her some good natural food with no junk in it. Also gave her a hairball remedy that has petroleum in it as that doesn't absorb into the tissue, just lubes around the rather copious "installment"( thanks Sammy). Hasn't done the job yet and if she is still heavy with poo----she'll get an enema tomorrow. Also went into a Natural Pet Store in my town to talk cat and of course, the person told me I shouldn't give her that hairball stuff but you know, if it will get this thing out of her system after a few mouthfuls and I can get her back to normal, I'm going to follow what my vet says. Also am thinking of nixing the dry food and going strictly canned. Will address the skin issues later.

thanks everyone!!

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:43:57 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
Hi @wagirl - It sounds like Echo is not having any serious problems except for this. DH would recommend Blue Wilderness food, and one specifically for sensitive stomach. There is also a holistic compound medicine you can put on food - I can't remember the name, but I know it's chicken flavored and most cats love it. I will ask him later when I see him!

Yes I was told about something similar that I will check out tomorrow. I bought the brand Wellness grain free for cats, and some from Blue Wilderness wet food. She ate a little bit of the wellness.But I would like to know what you are talking about.

thanks

Re: advice needed

jaxs mom — Wed, 25 May 2016 21:59:45 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I took Echo in again to the vet and she was given a steroid shot,as on the x-ray was found a thickening of the small intestine that could indicate IBD but surely inflammation. So now she is eating a tiny amount . Got her some good natural food with no junk in it. Also gave her a hairball remedy that has petroleum in it as that doesn't absorb into the tissue, just lubes around the rather copious "installment"( thanks Sammy). Hasn't done the job yet and if she is still heavy with poo----she'll get an enema tomorrow. Also went into a Natural Pet Store in my town to talk cat and of course, the person told me I shouldn't give her that hairball stuff but you know, if it will get this thing out of her system after a few mouthfuls and I can get her back to normal, I'm going to follow what my vet says. Also am thinking of nixing the dry food and going strictly canned. Will address the skin issues later.

thanks everyone!!

I think you are right to stop the dry food and just feed canned.

Re: advice needed

NickNack — Wed, 25 May 2016 22:04:47 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@beach-mom wrote:
Hi @wagirl - It sounds like Echo is not having any serious problems except for this. DH would recommend Blue Wilderness food, and one specifically for sensitive stomach. There is also a holistic compound medicine you can put on food - I can't remember the name, but I know it's chicken flavored and most cats love it. I will ask him later when I see him!
Yes I was told about something similar that I will check out tomorrow. I bought the brand Wellness grain free for cats, and some from Blue Wilderness wet food. She ate a little bit of the wellness.But I would like to know what you are talking about.

thanks

Wellness is an excellent brand of cat food. I hope your cat will end up liking it.

Re: advice needed

Sammycat1 — Wed, 25 May 2016 23:48:56 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@beach-mom wrote:
Hi @wagirl - It sounds like Echo is not having any serious problems except for this. DH would recommend Blue Wilderness food, and one specifically for sensitive stomach. There is also a holistic compound medicine you can put on food - I can't remember the name, but I know it's chicken flavored and most cats love it. I will ask him later when I see him!
Yes I was told about something similar that I will check out tomorrow. I bought the brand Wellness grain free for cats, and some from Blue Wilderness wet food. She ate a little bit of the wellness.But I would like to know what you are talking about.

thanks

We used this too -- the brand we had was purina veterinary feline fortiflora (if that's what you're thinking of). Helped a lot.

Re: advice needed

beach-mom — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:26:03 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@beach-mom wrote:
Hi @wagirl - It sounds like Echo is not having any serious problems except for this. DH would recommend Blue Wilderness food, and one specifically for sensitive stomach. There is also a holistic compound medicine you can put on food - I can't remember the name, but I know it's chicken flavored and most cats love it. I will ask him later when I see him!
Yes I was told about something similar that I will check out tomorrow. I bought the brand Wellness grain free for cats, and some from Blue Wilderness wet food. She ate a little bit of the wellness.But I would like to know what you are talking about.

thanks

Hi again @wagirl! I asked DH and it turns out the medicine I was thinking about was for hyperthyroidism - sorry! He said for your issues he would probably try the BW canned food specifically for sensitive stomachs. If that doesn't make a difference, ask your own veterinarian about a dosage of mineral oil. Good luck!

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:09:55 GMT

Hi all---the continuing saga of Echo the stopped up cat continues!!!!

No----, she still is not contributing to her cat box the way she needs to.

Yes---and hurray--she is eating more but not much.

Yes--- I think getting rid of the dry cat food is the way to go too.

Yes--that probiotic brand is what I have.

Thanks for all the info you all have given me, it has helped alot.

I take Echo to the vet this a.m. to do the enema. I sure hope this does it for her. And me!!

Re: advice needed

wagirl — Fri, 27 May 2016 14:16:45 GMT

Happy Dance!!! Got my Echo home from vet yesterday--all cleaned out and now things are getting back to normal-----I HOPE!!! She is eating and using her box again, so on to finding her a better diet. We have a natural pet store in town so I think I will go there and chat with those folks about food and the supplements.

Did I mention --------dogs have masters

cats have staff

Yep that's right!!

Thanks everyone!!!

Re: advice needed

1MrsT — Sat, 28 May 2016 03:01:08 GMT

I'm sorry for responding so late on this thread. I highly recommend Nature's Variety Instinct Grain Free (chicken) is what I feed my 19 year old cat, Sera. I buy it at Amazon using their Subscribe and Save system.

A little background on my girl. In Dec 2010, she began throwing up every single day, usually multiple times a day. We took her to the Vet and they couldn't find anything definitive without doing invasive surgery, which I wasn't putting her through. She's frightened and stressed by pretty much everything...and after giving steroids a try (turned her into a zombie and her weight plummeted), I decided to change up her diet. Her entire life she ate premium dry food, because it was what her Vet recommended and I didn't know how bad dry food was for her. So first thing I decided was no more dry food.

Trying to to find a wet food she'd eat was a struggle that went on for well over a year. I tried everything from expensive premium foods to low end foods. I tried cooking chicken and dicing it. She'd nibble on some and ignore others. She'd eat Friskie's for a few weeks and then wouldn't eat it at all. During this time I was also supplementing her food with stage 1 baby food (chicken) that the Vet recommended. I actually continued the baby food for over 3 years.

She went from 9.9 lbs down to 6.4 lbs. She continued to throw up, sometimes a day or two would pass with no puke. Periodically, we'd have luck with a brand that she would eat for a few months and then simply stop eating it. So the search would be on for a new something she'd eat. I'd research and research, trying to find something she and her stomach would tolerate. Her care was a full time job. My husband and I no longer travel back to see our families together...because one of us needs to stay with her.

About a year ago I found the Nature's Variety and not only does she still eat it, her health has vastly improved. In Nov she pretty much stopped puking. Out of the blue. Where she had been throwing up daily, we now get a little bit of puke every 3 weeks or so. Her weight stays steady at 7.2 lbs and she acts like a kitten, more playful...more energetic. Nothing else had changed in her care other than the switch to this food...it took her being on it for 6 months or so before all of these changes kicked into high gear. It's either a miracle from God or this food. Regardless, we're feeling very blessed. She's pretty much deaf at this point, but she still plays a mean game of laser tag.

wagirl, I hope you and your baby find your miracle. ❤️

Re: advice needed

shoprgurl — Sat, 28 May 2016 10:57:38 GMT

We have a pet specialty store. Have you tried Kona canned cat food? It is made for cats with unique protein needs as it is made with kangaroo sourced from New Zealand (very safe product!). The price point is great. It might be worth a try. Also, as someone else mentioned our store does take back food if your pet does not like it, so be sure to ask about a return policy. For the hairballs, Pet Naturals of Vermont makes a wonderful hairball remedy called "Hairball"... but it may be chicken flavored - I don't recall for sure. We have had to use OTC Benadryl for our dog's allergies in the past. I agree - check out knowledgeable stores in your area to see what ideas they might have for you to try. Hope you are able to find some relief for your pet!