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+--- Thread: Poop issues (/showthread.php?tid=241)
RE: Poop issues - Ragstimes1 - 11-26-2019
(11-26-2019, 06:58 PM)NatsFan78 Wrote: Oh my goodness I am sure finding food that works for everyone is a huge struggle! I am not sure what we are going to do. We are waiting for his test results before making a final decision.Seems to me that the vet had told me that it takes at least 6 weeks with their not having anything they are allergic to (chicken) for the symptoms to get out of their system. Jamie seems to be allergic to chicken and salmon. He's never been tested but when he has either one, he has all sort of problems. He is on Blue Buffalo Whitefish/potato. BB has an interesting line of limited ingredient foods.
Does anyone know how long it takes for the symptoms to completely go away if a chicken allergy is his issue? I wish I had thought to ask the vet.
Sue
RE: Poop issues - admin - 11-26-2019
That's the time period that my vet gave me as well.
At this point in his young life I'd be extremely concerned about finding him a kitten specific food, which he requires for optimal growth and development. I cannot seem to find one at all that doesn't contain chicken and an all life stages food is not the same. Has your vet talked about supplementation for him?
Anecdotally, when Eli was young and had a bacterial infection it eluded testing for months. He also had loose stools and gas that peeled paint off the walls. Have they done a PCR panel yet?
RE: Poop issues - NatsFan78 - 11-26-2019
Thank you Sue. I will look at the Blue Buffalo food.
I am having a terrible time trying to find kitten food without chicken! The vet told me we will discuss food options once his test results come back. She has not done a PCR panel yet. She said we would do more tests based on what the results are tomorrow. I will ask for that, thank you.
RE: Poop issues - JanH - 11-27-2019
He is a kitten who do get transient symptoms, particularly at the time of a move. It is also true that no vet visit is a waste. However, he does not sound at risk and I would slow down the effort and esxpense to let this stabilize one way or the other. You are running around and testing as if he is in deep trouble. Give him time and the chance to just get over now that he has been checked and you know he is safe for now. Understand the changes that show some danger, like going off food or becoming dehydrated, but perhaps it would be enough to pick "the best" kitten food for him and watch him. This vet seems a bit test happy. The old saying is true - When you hear hooves in Central Park, think horses not Zebras It seems a bit as if she is testing for Zebras.
RE: Poop issues - NatsFan78 - 11-27-2019
The vet just called and all of Jaxon’s tests were negative. She said she wants to wait on more testing, she does not think it is necessary at the moment unless something changes. I am to give him Bene-Bac once a day for the next couple of weeks and feed him as much as he will eat. He wasn’t eating hardly at all over the weekend but is doing much better now. Thank you!
RE: Poop issues - JanH - 11-27-2019
I am surprised at the bene-bac advice, but I do not know of any risk in giving it. It is a set of bacteria that propogates in the gut. I have never given it more than once. It then increases in the cat.
RE: Poop issues - NatsFan78 - 11-27-2019
I was surprised too. I think part of it is because we will be traveling and she said it will be stressful on him.
RE: Poop issues - Ragstimes1 - 11-27-2019
I've had several cats who have developed a sensitivity to chicken and/or salmon, but it was not when they were kittens. I don't think I'd be looking at allergies at that age as it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The only testing I've had done and it was when they were older was their bloodwork. A great way to find out if there is a sensitivity to the chicken is to just stop feeding it but I'll tell you, there is not much out there that doesn't have chicken in it. I'd be concerned about a well-balanced diet that will promote growth and was when all of my boys were little. I've never used beneback but have been using flora forte (probiotic) with Jamie. But bear in mind that Jamie is 15, not a new kid on the block. I'll have to put on my thinking cap and try to remember what the breeder recommended when they were first here and got diarrhea. I don't know that I'd use the Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredient Food without running it by my vet, etc. They need a lot to grow on. I used a multigenerational food and that way didn't have to switch them when they were a little older. My boys were probably into their teens when they began to have sensitivities probably because what they became sensitive to was in almost all their foods.
Sue
RE: Poop issues - NatsFan78 - 11-27-2019
Thank you Sue. I have been looking at food options all morning. I’m currently thinking of trying Fussie Cat. The protein is over 50%, fat is between 18-27%, with carbohydrates between 0-8% for most of it. It also is rich in DHA.
RE: Poop issues - JanH - 11-27-2019
For kitten food one of the most important differences is higher phosphorous and calcium. These are needed for the rapid bone growth of kittens and the balance among ingredients matters too. So, in order for a kitten, prefer kitten food, then all life phases and only then adult food. I would not feed adult food other than for a short period and with some very good reasons.
Stress should not cause a troubling drop in intestinal microbes. It could cause digestive upset or even some illness to break.
I would be more likely to take along pumpkin (and the Bene Bar in case you wanted to use it). In any event, I do not know a downside of giving "extra" bene-bac. I am just not understanding the basis for the advice you are getting.