We have a 12-year-old cat who I've raised from a kitten, and she has had diarrhea for about 2 months now. Our problem is it's "uncontrollable," so she's dropping wherever she can. I wake up every morning and have to search the whole house to clean up the puddles, which are usually 3-4 a day (sometimes more). Sometimes they are in horrible places (in my daughter's shoe, on a diaper bag, on my husband's jacket, in my plant), so this is getting frustrating. I have a toddler and a 7-month-old who is now crawling, so I'm paranoid about one of them finding a pile I missed and getting in it. (My toddler found a pile once and said, "It's peanut butter!" Thank God she didn't try to pick it up and eat it!)
I have a friend who is a vet in another state and she said it could be anything - allergy to food, irritable bowel, kidney or liver failure, etc. She said we could change her pet food, but most likely it wouldn't be a quick fix and it would stick around no matter what we tried. The cat is still eating, drinking, and acting normally, but I'm really tired of cleaning up puddles of poo. What would you do? My husband and I are at a loss - we don't want to just isolate her to the basement for the rest of her life, but I can't think of any other option to avoid the poo piles. Since she's still actin normally, we certainly would feel guilty putting her down. Are there any other options that we're just overlooking?
*We haven't actually taken her to the vet, since my friend said they'd probably just check for parasites (which she shouldn't have since she's always been an inside cat), and then suggest a new cat food.
We switched the kitty's food to a "Sensitive Systems" food, and she's all better. :) Thanks to the few vets who replied and saved us some money.
Please take her to a vet - a change in bowel habits can be a sign of serious illness and 12 is not that old for a cat. I don't think they will just tell you to change foods. Besides there is a worry of deydration, too with diarrhea that has gone on this long. They can tell a lot from bloodwork and it's not that expensive to have a blood panel done.
Have you actually taken the cat to see a vet? There may be something really wrong that needs to be treated.
I would start by making a vet appt immediately. Until you figure it out, isolate her in te basement. I know it seems cruel, but if she "drops" anywhere near that crawling baby, it could be a really bad scene.
I would take her in to a local vet, tell them it is an on going issue and you can mention you have talked to a friend that is a vet out of state. I would have a fecal checked to rule out parasites, but also let them know due to her age and the diarrhea you would like to have a full panel of blood work done. They will be more than willing I am sure to run the blood work if you ask. I have worked at two vet's offices and a senior pet with chronic diarrhea would be recommended to have bloodwork and a fecal checked at both clinics. Some may start off with treatment first, but if you ask for diagonstics they will do it and it will let you know you are checking everything. You can ask about x-rays too if needed, but is seems like step one is taking her into the vet and letting them know you want to go ahead and run some tests to see if you can figure out what is going on.
The four things you mentioned there is treatment for many of them and they can all be very different. Letting a vet actually get a look and feel for your girl can help. Hope you can get to the bottom of her issues and have her feeling better and with normal stool soon.
Without taking the cat to the vet to see what diagnostics need to be done to find out what is wrong I think it would be done in haste to consider putting an animal down.
Take her to a vet and start there. You do not have to pay for any services that you refuse to have done. You should at least try and find out the cause and not just guess what it is.
Diarrhea for two months is a very long time for a cat that age. I'm feel pretty sure that she is dehydrated and not feeling well.
Best Regards,
C.
I would take her to a vet. You're vet may have a different approach than your friend and to me it seems worth a second look.
My ex is a vet and he would say the same thing as your friend -- except for the part about the vet not doing much. You really do need to see a vet. This isn't normal, and she's probably suffering and in pain. Even if she seems ok she's probably not. Cats hide their suffering. It could be a number of things, and we aren't vets here (well most of us aren't) so we can't really help you. But if I were you I wouldn't want my cat to suffer any more. Please go get her some help.
I have not read the other responses yet but I am a vet and I would say that you do need to take your cat in for an exam. If she is indoors, at 12 years old, intestinal parasites are highly unlikely. More likely would be something like inflammatory bowel disease, food allergy/intolerance, or even cancer involving the GI tract (such as lymphoma). The vet can talk to you about your options and if a potentially expensive work-up is not something you wish to pursue, they can talk to you about medications that might help (though for how long will be hard to say without a diagnosis).
I just had to put my cat of 18 years to a peaceful sleep in October. He was in full kidney failure: he stopped eating, vomiting a lot, never had diarrhea, his fur lost its shine and began to look very matted, even his meow sounded strange. And he was having seizures. I don't think your cat has a kidney problem based on what I experienced with my cat who did.
With that said, this problem you have is obviously very stressful. The only way to know for sure what is the problem is to take your cat to the vet. The fact that you have endured this for the past 2 months makes me wonder why you haven't taken him sooner. It could be an easy fix....or it could be something serious. A blood test will reveal what is wrong. I don't believe your "friend" is correct in saying that they will only check for parasites. IF that is all your vet does then it's time to find a different veterinarian.
I sense an aversion to consulting a vet... maybe you had a bad experience with a vet in the past but I assure you that the majority of veterinary professionals are not just looking to make a quick buck. As your friend told you, the diarrhea could be from any number of things and in order to avoid trying a bunch of unnecessary steps at home, you should find out what the underlying cause is so it can be promptly and properly treated. Don't assume that because she's an indoor cat that it won't be valuable to have a stool sample evaluated. I've been in the veterinary field for 10yrs and I've seen plenty of 'indoor only' cats with chronic diarrhea that were found to have a parasitic or bacterial infection. Considering her age, I would also be concerned about hyperthyroidism or a problem with her liver or kidneys.
YES, she should be isolated to minimize contamination of your home. As you described, you have young children that could possibly have accidental contact with the feces. Personally, I'm always baffled by how it is that pet owners 'deal with' things like this for such lengthy periods of time and then come to the conclusion that the pet should just be put down. It just doesn't seem like a fair choice. I strongly urge you to consider taking her to a vet before making any brash decisions. You've had her for 12 years... give her a chance!
Get one of those see through wire kennels and keep it in a prominent place. You can get her out and hold her whenever possible. But you can clean up her little messes in the Kennel. I think putting her in the basement is cruel and it would still STINK like crazy. Either kennel her or put her down. While she is kenneled, you can work on her food.
First off - I am so happy to hear that you and your husband want to find a solution together. My cat had a similar problem, and OMG - to this day (2 years later) he stills holds this cat's behavior against me.
Anyhoo - yeah - try the vet - it really could be a parasite or liver problems ( you will have to bring a stool sample to the vet - yuck). There are animal probiotics that can treat the poopy problem and there is special food to assist digestion and potential liver problems. My cat got tot he point where I had to force feed him - please check your cat before it comes to that. It's very difficult and the weight loss was extreme. My cat was an inside cat as well - the parasites could come from the loose stools - stepping in them and then when the cat cleans itself, well, that's not a pleasant thought.
I dont think you have a choice but to take her to the vet or make her stay outside. Catsh*t stinks so much, omg... I'm grossed out.
I'd have to agree with everyone else, (past) time to take the ole girl to the docs.
:)
Bring a 'puddle' sample
