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Question
My 10 yr. old female is getting really skinny and is crapping solid on everything, her appetite is good and she seems to be getting better, but the crapping part I'm not sure what to do ????:?
Randy,
I'd like to start off my answer by first letting you know that I am not a veterinarian and this does fall under a medical question. Legally I can't give out medical advice because I'm not a vet, this means that I can't diagnose ailments or prescribe medications to treat them and ethically I can't give you medical advice in this situation because if I did happen to be wrong about your cat's diagnosis and she became sicker or died as a result of the treatment I recommended I'd feel absolutely terrible. I really wish I could do more for you, but what I am able to do is make some basic recommendations about what should happen next for your kitty in order to get a better idea of what's going on and find out what can be done to help correct the situation.
I'm not sure if you mean that your kitty is constipated or has serious diarrea, either way she could probably stand an examination by a veterinarian to see if there's any medical reason for what's going on. The medical exam will likely include blood tests to determine how her internal organ systems are functioning and quite possibly she may have to be tested for intestinal parasites which involves having a fecal sample examined by the vet (do be aware that the poop must be as fresh as possible and contain little or no kitty litter in order for the fecal smear to be as accurate as possible).
If there isn't a medical reason that explains what's happening with this girl then there's a good chance her symptoms are related to the diet that she's getting. My recommendation would be to check out the information provided by Dr. Lisa Pierson DVM on catinfo.org which is a website she created to help pet parents learn more about the unique nutritional needs of their feline companions from a common sense perspective (as opposed to all of the litanies self serving pet food manufacturers like to repeat over and over again in their advertising). If you have any further cat related questions or concerns I'd be more than happy to help you out to the best of my ability so please don't hesitate to contact me again at any time.
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Answers by Expert:
Ali
Expertise
I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.
Experience
I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.
Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.
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