[shlanon]

As some of you know, I took Justin and Stormy into the vet about a week ago. They found tinsel in Stormy's stool, which was causing her bloody poop. Justin had been having some mild diarrhea and also had a temperature. They gave him Centrine and Flagyl but he did not get most of the Flagyl since he wouldn't take his pills!
Since then, things seem better but I still had a couple of concerns. I saw a little blood in Stormy's poop the other night and it seems like that should be gone by now. However, it was much less blood than was in it a week ago. Justin's stools are a little better, they are not watery, but they also seem to be somewhat soft and mushy, more so than they should be.
So here are my questions:
1. Could Stormy still have blood in her stool because her colon and rectum are still healing from that tinsel going through?
2. Should I take Justin to the vet again or wait and see if his stool gets better? Does it even matter that it is mushy, so long as he doesn't have diarrhea?
3. Can you buy thermometers for cats and if so how much are they? Does anyone have one? Was it a good investment?
The cats are both eating, drinking and playing normally. Justin does seem to be shedding a lot more than usual, which is strange since it is winter. He also had an accident today when we were driving back to Austin. He has never had a problem holding it for the 5 hour drive before but this time he pooped in his carrier. I felt bad because he had been meowing at me for about 5 minutes before this, but I thought he was just upset about being in the car! So I cleaned up as best I could and all seemed well after that.

 

[shlanon]

Anyone?

 

[Clao]

For taking my cat's temperature I have a baby "ear" thermometer - it gives the reading in just one second - you insert it into the ear canal - The vet told me the ear thermometer will read a few degrees on the low side (so add a few to get the actual temperature)

In cats, the normal healthy temperature should be 100.4'F-102.5'F

I got my baby thermometer at the local convenience store.. It was expensive, maybe $30 - I can't remember - however it is very convenient and only takes a second to do, and does not cause any discomfort to the cat if you are able to be sure he can stay still for a couple seconds. I am glad I have it and can monitor my cat's temperature if needed.

They actually do sell ear thermometers that are for cats not babies but I think they are also even more expensive.

 

[drjean]

thermometer

Once my clinic bought one of those fancy ear thermometers ($50!). We tried it out on a few subjects (ourselves included) and found that its accuracy varied by +/- 4 degrees. That made it pretty useless and we returned it. You can use any digital thermometer for a cat to take rectal temperature. Cats aren't fond of this procedure but most tolerate it okay, and it's the most accurate in my experience.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

 

[shlanon]

That makes me wonder, because the vet used an ear thermometer to measure his temp. I wonder if it was accurate? I may try to get a digital and do it rectally but I'm not sure how well that will work. Justin is a strong cat and I'm having a hard time getting him to do things that he has a mind not to do (like take a pill or get in a carrier).
I work in a hospital lab and the microbiology supervisor gave me a thing to fill with his stool so that we can check it for any parasites. Even though the vet did a fecal, I'd feel good about checking it myself just to make sure. Everyone cross your fingers that he poops tonight, I get a sample and I get it checked out tomorrow!

 

[2sillycats]

Justin's accident is probably due to having loose stools. Harder to hold, you know.

My guts are telling that at the very least you should call your vet and let him know that Stormy still has a little blood in her stools. The vet will let you know if you need to bring them both in. I don't know whether a week is long enough for a problem like that to heal up.

As for taking a cats temperature, I just let the vet do it. I don't want to lose any limbs. :wink:

How scary for you! Let us know what you find out.

 

[shlanon]

Stormy hasn't had any blood in her stools since the day I first posted this. I will keep checking. If it turns out that Justin has an contagious disease or some sort of parasite, she will need to be checked too of course.
I am excited that I may have found a vet! I was talking to some people at work about it today and they recommended someone to me. AND he is open Saturdays...yay!

 

[shlanon]

I got the stool this morning and we will be checking it under the microscope tomorrow for parasites. If I find something, it's off to the vet! If not, I don't know whether I should just go ahead and take him to the vet anyway. I just hope I don't go off on a wild goose chase running up tons of bills for tests and not finding out what is wrong with him.
He really needs his shots, which I need to take him to the low cost clinic for. But I don't know if I should be doing that if he is still having poop problems. It just sucks because he is pretty overdue for his shots and I'd like to get them done now. What do you guys think? Try to give him shots or hold off for now? Take him to the vet for the occasional mushy poop?

 

[shlanon]

Well, Justin's poop didn't appear to have any parasites in it.
So now I'm trying to figure out what could be causing his problem. :? I noticed him hanging out by my houseplant today. I don't know if he has chewed on it or not or even what kind of plant it is. I think I'll move it out on the balcony just in case.
Other than that, I'm racking my brain to think of what could be causing his poop problems.

 

[shlanon]

Justin accidentally overshot the litter pan this morning. As I picking it up with toilet paper, I was like hey what's the green thing in there. IT WAS A LEAF! FROM MY PLANT! AH-HAH! I'm hoping maybe this is what has been causing the poop fluctuation. The plant is outside now so we'll see if it clears up. I feel dumb that I didn't realize before he was eating the plant, but good that I may have finally figured out what the problem is.
It's weird because Stormy has never been interested in the plant and wouldn't eat kitty grass when I got some for her. Maybe I will buy some kitty grass for Justin.