alek0

For the past two days (sat. and sun.) my cat Stefie had soft feces with traces of blood in it, so today (Monday) brought him to the vet. The struggle to get him into carrier was as usual, but at vet's office he seemed a lot more scared than usual. He was so afraid of the vet that he peed on the table during examination, and that insensitive $^#$%#!!! laughed which made Stefie even more afraid.

The vet said it is some kind of infection (which I wonder how he came to that conclusion just by examination by hand and stethoscope, no temperature taken, no blood test) and he prescribed metronidazole and tribrissen (1 pill each, 2 times a day) and gave him one already. I brought my poor terrified baby home and stayed a while until he seemed to be calmed down and then went out to look some flats since my rental contract is near the end, in the meantime rents went down so I'm looking for a bigger place for same amount of money. When I came back home, there was foam like vomit everywhere. He doesn't seem to throw up anymore, but he is drinking lots of water (which he didn't do before the pills). Is he having some reaction to the medication or what? I called vet to ask he said to give him another in the morning and see but I am worried about giving him medicine and going to work if he might have some reaction to it. Any advice, suggestions etc.? Other than finding a new vet which I'll definitely do since one shouldn't laugh at terrified cat, grrrrr

Is it OK to give him plain yoghurt? It might help with his digestion (which was always poor, he is the runt of the litter). No diarrhea this evening, and he just ate well (but still drinking lots of water).

Ensign Morituri

I can't offer any advice other than to take him to a different vet. What I can offer is my sympathy. It's really hard having a sick pet. I hope he recovers. Best wishes for you and Stefie.

EM

seebs

Hmm. I think metronidizole is some kind of digestive-tract thing. The foam-like vomit, well, cats HATE metronidizole; if he's on it, get a pill gun.

As to yogurt, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!

Cats are not good at *ANY* dairy-related thing, in general, and just because *we* can digest something easily doesn't mean *they* can.

Our cat who did that for a while ended up needing to be put on a special diet of "select protein" food.

cheetah

It sounds like you already have a good plan: another vet. I also second the No! to the yogurt. No dairy for kitties!

My best to you and Stefie. Since you caught it quickly and seem so dedicated to his welfare, I am sure it will be resolved quickly with the right vet. I hope you can find a compassionate and thorough vet nearby! Let us know how Stefie does!

Radcliffe Emerson

I agree. I'm horrified at the way that *sshole acted, he or she doesn't deserve to be a vet.
Our cats' vets in general are very very nice gentle caring doctors.
And I'd say yours is having a reaction to the medication. We have to give our mail cat amytryptline (not sure of the spelling) once a day to mellow him out, as he sprays stuff even though he's fixed if we don't.
Sometimes if we can't get him to swallow the little pill right away, he'll start foaming trying to keep it from going down.

alek0

It is a he, and vet gave him first dose and cat swallowed immediately. Foaming started later, not immediately and when I came back it was literally everywhere (floor, cupboard, table, coffee table even computer monitor). Cat now seems fine other than drinking lots of water and I am not going to give him anymore of that stuff and will try to find another vet today.

Ugghhh! I am still mad at that bastard. And he is among better ones in the area and speaks decent english which is hard to find. I still don't see how could he make a diagnosis with practically nothing (and he didn't ask about the diet and there was a change in that). I'll try to find some veterinary clinic with foreign employees, they seem to have different attitude towards animals and there would be no language problems. I never thought I could hear a vet saying "It is just a cat". Grrrrrrrrrrr!

Zora

I have no idea how ANY vet could diagnose "an infection" without taking a temperature. I do believe you need a new vet.

Our one cat gets these little "spells" where she has loose stool and vomiting. Does it for three days, drinks lots of water, then is fine. However, drinking lots of water can also be diabetes. Keep careful watch.

Glass*Soul

Metronidazole is an antibiotic. In humans it causes a nasty metalic taste in the mouth. Perhaps your cat is drinking lots of water in reaction to the taste.

I sympathize with you. My Electra had bloody diarrhea when I got her. It took weeks to get it straigtened out. The vet finally decided she was eating so much food that her digestive system couldn't handle it. We switched her to a dry food that she didn't like as much, to slow her down, and that seemed to do the trick.

For weeks, I lived in the "house of poop" with litter boxes in every room.

I hope your kitty is better soon. It's upsetting, I know.

squiddy

my kitty has recurring bouts of colitis and when she has a flare up she has bloody mucousy stools & has trouble making it to the box in time. My vet put her on Metronidazole also. She told me that it tastes terrible, and if I don't get my cat to swallow the pill on the first try, she starts foaming at the mouth, throws up foam, etc. They make that medication in a chewable form (like a cat treat), but my cat won't eat them, so I usually stick with the pills.

So sorry your vet was such a jerk. It's bad enough having a sick kitty without having to deal with an ass.

alek0

Cat seems now fine without any more pills (foaming happened after vet gave him a pill, correctly and in the first try and it was sooooo much of it all over the place). I am searching for another vet and I've put the cat on hypoallergenic single protein food and so far so good.

I've read that colitis in most cases can be maanged with diet and I'm going to try. When I find a good vet I'll bring Stefie in for a detailed check-up anyway. Anyone has better suggestion?