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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3023.0. "Help with the Big "D"" by WAGON::ST_ONGE () Thu Nov 09 1989 08:15

    Any good ideas for treating diarrhea?  My cat has been afflicted with
    it for 4 days straight.  I think it may have something to do with a
    change in diet.  Three weeks ago, I started giving her dry food
    for the first time in about 8 years.  (At that time she had a bout
    with F.U.S. and we were advised to cut out the dry food.)
    
    I am trying to get her used to dry food again, as I'm getting married
    to a guy whose cat eats ONLY dry food.  My cat has been eating ONLY wet
    food, but loves the dry stuff.  Three weeks ago, I started giving her
    both types at meals.  She was absolutely thrilled!  She was also fine
    until this week, when rampant diarrhea set in.  She is decorating her
    litter box and my bathtub with it.  I feel badly for her and I'm tired
    of cleaning up the messes.  
    
    Could there be a relationship between her change in diet and this
    affliction?   She does go out, so there is the possibility that she got
    into something.  She is also nearly thirteen years old.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Diane  
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3023.1NRADM::CONGERWhat's ONE more cat????Thu Nov 09 1989 08:319
    
    	It is very probable that the diet change is causing this.
    	Sometimes the dry foods have dyes that upset them, too. My
    	cats will eat friskies fish or chicken, but the beef dry is
    	really red and seems to upset their stomachs...Keep an eye
    	on your kittie, diarrhea can cause dehydration....
    
    	Sherry (and the I_only_want_fishy_crunchies crew)
    
3023.2CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Thu Nov 09 1989 09:348
    I've heard that tender vittles will help with diahrea.  Can
    anyone verify this.  
    
    I would at least talk to the vet about this.  Its not good for
    anyone to have diahrea for a prolonged period.
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. You could also try a little kaopectate.
3023.3BAGELS::MATSISThu Nov 09 1989 10:013
    I was told by my vet that Tender Vittles helps diahrea too.
    
    Pam
3023.4ASABET::CUNNIFFThu Nov 09 1989 10:426
    Yogurt helps too, at least if your cat likes it. 
    
    We've used just plain yogurt, but Flame goes nuts for raspberry yogurt
    too.
    
    jack
3023.5Diarrhea can be seriousGLINKA::GREENECatmax = Catmax + 1Thu Nov 09 1989 10:5116
    Please!  Check with your vet if your cat has had severe diarrhea
    for 4 days.  The most serious problem to worry about is dehydration
    (as mentioned previously), and it can be difficult to detect the
    early symptoms unless you are shown what to look for (sticky rather
    than moist gums, skin that does not snap back when pinched up, etc.)
    
    Also, there are TWO different varieties of Kaopectate now on the
    market:  
    		Regular, which contains kaolin and pectin
    
    		"New" which contains attapulgite.
    
    BOTH ARE SUITABLE FOR CATS, but you should check with vet for dosage.
    
    	good luck,
    			Pennie
3023.6WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityThu Nov 09 1989 12:447
    I wouldn't give her Tender Vittles for two reasons.  First, it would
    be another change of diet, and that would be inadvisable under the
    circumstances.  And secondly, the Winn Foundation just had a report
    out that indicated that soft moist foods can cause some blood problems.
    I entered a note on it a few months back.
    
    Jo
3023.7vet's answerWAGON::ST_ONGEThu Nov 09 1989 12:5719
    Hi All,
    
    I did finally call the veterinarian and was told that the diarrhea is
    most likely related to the change in diet (especially since she does
    not seem otherwise sick, and is not vomiting).
    
    They advised feeding boiled chicken and white rice for a few days until
    the diarrhea stops.  Then I should put her on her old diet (wet food
    only) and GRADUALLY re-introduce dry food into her diet.  I may have
    caused her problem by changing her diet too quickly.
    
    Thank you all for the advice!
    
    Diane 
    
    
    
    
    
3023.8CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Thu Nov 09 1989 13:354
    Hey Jack - the yogurt only works if the diahrea is the result of
    killing the normal flora in the intestine - which happens when the
    cat is on antibiotics.  The yogurt replaces that bacteria.
      Nancy
3023.9SANFAN::FOSSATJUThu Nov 09 1989 17:445
    My vet has always recommended boiled chicken or turkey as it almost
    100% digestible.
    
    
    Giudi in S.F.
3023.10CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Fri Nov 10 1989 07:512
    My vet said not turkey because its more difficult to digest.
      N
3023.11Big "D" UpdateWAGON::ST_ONGEWed Dec 13 1989 14:4513
    Hi All
    
    I followed the vet's advice (see .7) and cat is fine.  She is now
    eating both dry and wet food with no problems.  
    
    I also bought her dye-free dry food (at the health food store) just in
    case.    
    
    So, for anyone thinking of altering your pet's diet, for any reason, do
    it slowly and gradually!  
    
    
    Diane