Kitty tummy troubles

[FurballsMom]

Akira's vet told me she will have to take Metronidazole indefinitely.  It helps, since she vomits a lot less with it, but she still vomits at least once during the night.  She actually tried to make it to vomit in her litter box last night, as I found it near the litter box in the bathroom.  It's mainly bile, so at least she is getting the most out of her food.  Before starting the medication, in just one morning I found so many dried up spots of stomach bile from just the night before that it was shocking.  So, the Metronidazole does help reduce the severity.  During the day she doesn't vomit.  And, she doesn't act sick.  She also has not lost weight too fast or anything like that either.  She is still a nice healthy weight.  I did post another picture, but it's possible no one was able to see the notification, since there was technical trouble on the site recently.  When you see it, you'll understand why I shared that one.  I sure would like to figure out why kitty is still vomiting at least once during the night just about every night, and if anyone has any ideas.  In the past she was diagnosed with gastritis, and she does have the grain allergy.  Is it possible that even though I feed her grain free food that the two issues are related?  I mean, people with Celiac or other gluten intolerance very often have GERD and/or gastritis themselves, so I have a good reason to wonder if this is connected.  If you saw the way Akira behaves, you would not think she had any health problems at all, because she doesn't act like a sick kitty.

[FurballsMom]

Thanks.  When I checked that link, I noticed that my extension on Google Chrome said that Amazon had a cheaper price.  It's even cheaper if you subscribe to have it delivered regularly.  You can even ask that it's delivered more than six months between deliveries.  I didn't check to see how much later yet.  I would have to wait until I use what I have on hand, because it's not wise to keep probiotics too long, as they are a living product.  I have quite a bit of the Swanson brand.  The Swanson brand is fine.  I have the same issues that one needs to avoid giving to the cat, so I know that the Swanson brand is a clean brand.  My vet wouldn't have accepted this brand if it had all those horrid fillers in it.  She knows Akira is allergic to grains.  She likes the brand of food I feed Akira, Wellness.  Yes, I checked the latest pet food recalls.  I was relieved that only the dog food was recalled but not the cat food, because Akira has enough problems as it is.

[opus88]

hi...she is so darn cute as always...how they love the sun.

there are other 'recommended' brands of probiotics I will give you the link to the one my boyz use, its in powder form and I just sprinkle on their food. It contains 12 strains.
Culterelle is a good one too. but expensive.
just be sure the Swanson brand has no wheat/gluten/soy/sugar/salt/artificial colors or preservatives etc...than it should be ok.

http://www.iherb.com/Garden-of-Life-Primal-Defense-Powder-HSO-Probiotic-Formula-81-g/3159

[FurballsMom]

I just uploaded a cute picture of Akira.  The caption explains what she is doing.  She seems to be feeling a little bit better, because I'm not noticing dried up puddles of vomit.  Probiotics with her breakfast seems to be doing the trick.  I checked with her vet to see if the brand I already had on hand for myself would be alright.  This is one Akira doesn't object to, because all that is necessary is to open one capsule and pour out the contents on her wet food then mix it in well.  There is clearly no taste or smell to the probiotics, or she wouldn't accept it.  The vet's assistant wasn't sure if the brand I had on hand was alright or not, but she eventually heard back from the vet herself, who said that the Swanson Vitamins brand was fine.  I thought it should be, but I was checking to make sure.  If you don't use this brand, they were talking about Culterelle and one other kind that you can buy most places.  Regardless of which probiotics brand you get for yourself or for your pets, buy it from a refrigerated section and not off of a shelf where it isn't refrigerated.  You get more benefit from it, since refrigeration extends the lifespan of the product.  It is a live product after all.

[opus88]

it has to thicken up to a gruel FbMom. ....so use whatever amount with the water that gets it too thicken up, than rather than giving 5cc's 2x a day give only 3 to start with., I use the NOW brand as well and find it won't thicken at 1/8 teas. so I need to add closer to the 1/4.....good luck♥

[FurballsMom]

Yes.  That's the one.  I did get the Now SEB powder here locally at the discount place.  The powder will prove easier to give to Akira, as I won't have to take apart capsules to give her.  Since I know less is more with cats, I'm starting with the 1/8 teaspoon first to see how she does.  I will know if I don't see any surprises in the morning when I wake up.  She still wanted her treats a little more than half an hour after giving her the SEB, so that is a hopeful sign.  I will increase to 1/4 teaspoon if 1/8 teaspoon isn't enough.  

[opus88]

the Natures Way SEB appears to be fine, the magnesium stearate is just a vegetable source and fine for cats...it appears to be free of any harmful additives. is this the one?

http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Slippery-Elm-Bark-370-mg-100-Capsules/2074

[FurballsMom]

Oh, I did find a local place that costs only a bit more.  I can get it sooner rather than later if I buy it locally.  I won't have to pay for shipping and I can use the bit of cash on hand to get it.  That would work out better for getting it now.

[FurballsMom]

I just checked the one I have is Nature's Way, and it's in capsule form.  I checked the ingredients' fine print.  It uses magnesium stearate, which is fine for humans, but I don't know about kitties, so I won't use this one I have.  Unfortunately, I can't get the SEB powder you're talking about until the first part of June.  I hate having to wait that long, but I don't see as how I have any choice in the matter if I don't have the money to buy even the least expensive things at the moment.  I will get it as soon as I possibly can, though.

[opus88]

sorry I did mean to add the link to the one I use, however if you are able to find some locally that contains NO other ingredients fine too.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Slippery-Elm-Powder-4-oz-113-g/788

[opus88]

I buy it in powder form, and there are a few brands that are best for kitty's...or if you can find one locally that has NO other binders/fillers etc than ok too.
for a cat this is the mixing method.
boil some water.in a jar mix 1/8-1/4 teaspoon SEB to each 2 tablespoons boiled water.(this varies depending on the brand and consistency differs with each, you want it to thicken to a gruel thickness)...
stir lightly than sit for 30 mins. give it a good shake and it should mix and thicken up well..
DO NOT GIVE WITH FOOD, this will affect absorption....give at least 1/2hr before or after any food or MEDICATIONS..
I give via a dropper..the taste is quite bitter I think, I know they sure make a fuss abt getting it :(

[FurballsMom]

I give the medication to Akira before I feed her first thing in the morning, so it can't be because of giving it to her at night.  What's the right way to use the dried slippery elm bark in capsule again?

[opus88]

I mean the Flagyl causing the same s/e's as whats its supposed to be treating...don't always explain myself very well -(

heres some info on gastritis...if the Vet was correct in his dx??
could also be IBD

http://www.petplace.com/cats/gastritis-in-cats/page1.aspx

[opus88]

    One of Slippery Elm Bark's oldest uses has been as a digestive tonic. Again, its high mucilage content soothes the inflamed mucous membranes of the stomach and neutralizes excess stomach acids, making it an excellent remedy for the entire digestive system. It is said to soothe stomach irritation and the sore feeling that often follows vomiting. Old time herbalists use it as a remedy for ulcers and gastritis."

exactly Jade...this med can cause the same side effects as it was supposed to be treating!!!

[Jade59]

Oh, poor baby trying to make it to her litter box to vomit.  I had to google this med - I see it's Flagyl, an antib.  FM, the common side effects are Nausea, Gagging, Regurgitation, and Vomiting.  Being mainly bile, sounds like it's making her nauseated, huh?  When do you dose Akira?  At night by chance?