Calcium and Magnesium deficiency

[reando]

After another trip to the emergency room this past weekend come to find out that my little Mu now has calcium and magnesium deficiency. Because of her short bowel syndrome she has a hard time with absorbing the necessary vitamins and nutrients. She was put on 1/4 tab of Tums and 1ml of Milk of Magnesia. Does anyone have any thoughts of a very good vitamin supplement instead?

[YayHappens]

Hi reando,

Oh my goodness. Sorry to hear she hasn't been doing well. I hope things will get better for her and send good thoughts for her health. I have a couple of things here that will hopefully be helpful for you.

I had posted something similar to this just recently. The supplements that will best help the cat in your case would be egg shell meal (Calcium) and a "green" such as spirulina, chlorella, some type of other kelp or dried spinach (Magnesium).

The egg shell meal you can make on your own or buy a powder. If possible, make sure somewhere on the labeling it says it includes the membrane.

How to Make Calcium Using Egg Shells

How to Make Your Own Ground Egg Shell Calcium Supplement for Dogs and Cats

2x Calcium to 1x Magnesium is standard for the Ca:Mg ratio. The proper ratio of calcium needed to balance the magnesium and phosphorous is 2.5 to 1. What people don't realize is that these three minerals especially, work interdependently. All three need to be balanced, not just one with the other. So with any calcium intake to balance magnesium, you will also have to keep an eye on the phosphorous, especially for cats to keep kidney function and urinary tract health in order.

Did the vet suggest digestive enzymes for her short bowel? Please ask the DVM his/her thoughts about it. The enzymes will allow for maximum absorption of nutrients when uptake is poor. Healthy Pets Digestive Enzymes

I hope things will have some improvement quickly at your end. Heading to the ER is a scary situation. Hang in there! <3

[reando]

Since she only weighs 5lbs she is on 1/2 packet of FortiFlora a day. She has been on potassium tab Tumil-K 1/2 tab per day but that raised her to 5.2 with blood test last Monday. She has been dropped down to 1/4 tab per day now. She was in ER on Saturday night til Sunday and I had to take her back yesterday morning because she was not eating and having spasms. Found out that the spasms were coming from the low calcium and magnesium. Thanks so much for the eggshell idea. They also told me that she as a low grade heart murmur.

[reando]

Mu is back in the hospital now having seizures. Each time I take her in they seem to have a different diagnosis. They are painting a grave picture for her but I am keeping my faith in her that she is a fighter and will come back from this stronger than even before

[October]

I'm so sorry to hear that. My first cat had seizures too, so I know how upsetting it is. My fingers are crossed for a quick recovery for Mu. She sure is adorable.

[YayHappens]

Hi Reando,

It is so heart-wrenching for me to read this. Any word on how she is doing?

Between the heart murmur and short bowel you have mentioned, it sounds like there are quite a bit of genetic factors in play. I can see how it has been difficult for the vets to come up with a definitive diagnosis. I hope that she will pull through and enjoy a healthy quality of life. I am sending good, healing thoughts out in your direction.

[reando]

Thank you so much for sending your healing thoughts her way. I picked her up from hospital on Sunday. They told me that she no longer had any seizures but then again she is on the Phenobarbital. They also said that she was having diarrhea but she has had this since her short bowel surgery. When I got her home I was overwhelmed with the amount of diarrhea she had. It was just coming out of her when she is just standing. Find out that they were feeding her just about anything to have her eat which totally upset her entire system. Yesterday was a tough day and I even thought am I doing the right thing. It came to a point where it was almost clear. I was going to take her back but decided maybe I have put her through enough. This morning she seemed to feel better and didn’t have that bad of a night. She is a fighter for sure.

[Auntie Crazy]

Reando, have you considered putting your girl on a raw diet? It is the most easily digested and nutritious diet for a cat, since it's precisely what their systems evolved to thrive on.

I just recently helped a woman transition her three cats to commercial raw; within just a few days on the new diet, her IBD kitty had a solid stool for the first time in eighteen months. Now, a month after the transition, he no longer needs any of his IBD medications.

Something to think about. <<<<hugs>>>>>

AC

[reando]

I had asked about raw diet a while ago and told because she is missing about 80% of her small bowel they are afraid of the bacteria possibility. She is on FortiFlora right now. The one vet at the emergency room contacted University of Pennsylvania and consulted with the Nutritionist there. They have suggested a Hydrolized diet where the proteins are already partially broken down for her. Thats her problem, her body cannot break down complex proteins so therefore she is not absorbing the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Thank you so much for your suggestion.

[Auntie Crazy]

There are several commercial raw diets that use HPP to kill bacteria. Like Nature's Variety, which has a pathogen-free guarantee - something you won't find on any can or kibble bag - and Primal.

With a kitty in such straights as yours, maybe it would be worth bringing the subject up again? No diet will be as easy to process as the one the cat is specifically designed to digest.

Good luck, sweetie.

AC