Hi Holistic Community,
Advice please:
10 1/2 year-old female spayed tabby cat, 8-9 lbs (11# when healthy)
current BEAM:
Behavor: sleeping, resting, and running around as usual; will engage in some play but loses interest quickly
Energy: active; will go after food and asking for what she wants
Appetite: very good
Mood: sometimes irritable
Diet: In the middle of a gradual transition from feeding canned sardines in water to Fancy Feast beef/liver pate mixed with filtered water; 4 small meals a day. Began adding in enzyme powder to help with digestion. --- History: fed kibble until 3 years old, then transitioned easily to cooked, then fully raw meat/grains/supplements (Pitcairn) until present. Began having food sensitivities several years ago. Had rotated food proteins for years until she refused to change several years ago. Have kept her on fresh and raw diet though did try vegan for a few weeks (recent Pitcairn) and used some kibble (Rx, conventional) for a short time. Seems allergic/sensitive to egg, turkey, and chicken and even small amounts of nutritional supplements.
Vaccinations/Medications/Other toxin exposure:
For vaccinations, followed yearly protocol and flea treatments (x3), ear mite treatments (x4) with standard mainstream veterinary practices until sick.
Primary problem:
Food allergies/sensitivities/gastric issue:
- adverse reactions to food right after eating - gets warm/hot ears, sometimes dry nose to many proteins eaten in past (turkey, chicken, eggs, tofu, lentils) and maybe some new proteins (ground lamb, venison: did not do gradual transition---maybe this was an issue?) with other ongoing and temporary symptoms: itching, scratching, chewing, gnawing on paws, fur thinning above eyes, increased grooming of belly, rear-end, and ears; occasional vomiting/diarrhea, irritability, miliary dermatitis, licking blankets, chronically constipated (used to go after every meal when healthier) and stool is often hard, dry, and dark. Environmental stressors may have been happening (increased stray cat population outdoors) at time problems began? Increased urination also compared to when healthier.
DX Tests:
Vet did not note anything of concern from last year. Recent fecal sample tested for gut bacteria showed that level of Clostridiodes difficile was slightly elevated along with some high levels of a few other harmful bacterial, and an overall imbalanced gut biome.
CURRENT and PREVIOUS TREATMENTS:
- Current: Enzyme powder sprinkled on food. Prepping to use pre- and probiotic and biome supplements.
- Previous: Some alternative treatments unsuccessful due to allergies/sensitivities and other logistical issues (ie, syringing).
QUESTIONS:
My kitty is showing new sensitivity to her most recent protein so am trying to find a safe new protein/food(s) for her until she can get into a better balance. Prefer natural, fresh, and raw, if possible, but still affordable and accessible In the interim, I am feeding her canned sardines in water (soaked and rinsed in water to minimize sodium), but know from reading Dr. Jean's comments that it is best not to feed fish regularly, if at all. In searching through the forum questions and answers, I saw that Dr. Jean had recommended Fancy Feast and Wysong powder (PDG?) as good options, so am transitioning her over to Fancy Feast now. Are these healthy clean options to use as food sources only temporarily or permanently? If yes for either, which canned Fancy Feast should I be getting for her? Given her sensitivities with certain raw proteins, I assume we should avoid those flavors? And also all the fish flavors as well? It seems important to rotate the different flavors. How do I do that if I need to gradually transition with a 1 1/2 to 2-week period between different foods?
Are there any other fresh raw proteins you all recommend trying? She vomited 5-10 minutes after eating/licking a small amount of sardine/juice with a small amount of rabbit in it. Is this a food allergy? Want food sources that are nutritious and safe for her so her body can best heal. Thank you for all member and vet ideas and feedback. @Dr. Jean Hofve, @Dr. Christina, @Dr. Jeff
Advice please:
10 1/2 year-old female spayed tabby cat, 8-9 lbs (11# when healthy)
current BEAM:
Behavor: sleeping, resting, and running around as usual; will engage in some play but loses interest quickly
Energy: active; will go after food and asking for what she wants
Appetite: very good
Mood: sometimes irritable
Diet: In the middle of a gradual transition from feeding canned sardines in water to Fancy Feast beef/liver pate mixed with filtered water; 4 small meals a day. Began adding in enzyme powder to help with digestion. --- History: fed kibble until 3 years old, then transitioned easily to cooked, then fully raw meat/grains/supplements (Pitcairn) until present. Began having food sensitivities several years ago. Had rotated food proteins for years until she refused to change several years ago. Have kept her on fresh and raw diet though did try vegan for a few weeks (recent Pitcairn) and used some kibble (Rx, conventional) for a short time. Seems allergic/sensitive to egg, turkey, and chicken and even small amounts of nutritional supplements.
Vaccinations/Medications/Other toxin exposure:
For vaccinations, followed yearly protocol and flea treatments (x3), ear mite treatments (x4) with standard mainstream veterinary practices until sick.
Primary problem:
Food allergies/sensitivities/gastric issue:
- adverse reactions to food right after eating - gets warm/hot ears, sometimes dry nose to many proteins eaten in past (turkey, chicken, eggs, tofu, lentils) and maybe some new proteins (ground lamb, venison: did not do gradual transition---maybe this was an issue?) with other ongoing and temporary symptoms: itching, scratching, chewing, gnawing on paws, fur thinning above eyes, increased grooming of belly, rear-end, and ears; occasional vomiting/diarrhea, irritability, miliary dermatitis, licking blankets, chronically constipated (used to go after every meal when healthier) and stool is often hard, dry, and dark. Environmental stressors may have been happening (increased stray cat population outdoors) at time problems began? Increased urination also compared to when healthier.
DX Tests:
Vet did not note anything of concern from last year. Recent fecal sample tested for gut bacteria showed that level of Clostridiodes difficile was slightly elevated along with some high levels of a few other harmful bacterial, and an overall imbalanced gut biome.
CURRENT and PREVIOUS TREATMENTS:
- Current: Enzyme powder sprinkled on food. Prepping to use pre- and probiotic and biome supplements.
- Previous: Some alternative treatments unsuccessful due to allergies/sensitivities and other logistical issues (ie, syringing).
QUESTIONS:
My kitty is showing new sensitivity to her most recent protein so am trying to find a safe new protein/food(s) for her until she can get into a better balance. Prefer natural, fresh, and raw, if possible, but still affordable and accessible In the interim, I am feeding her canned sardines in water (soaked and rinsed in water to minimize sodium), but know from reading Dr. Jean's comments that it is best not to feed fish regularly, if at all. In searching through the forum questions and answers, I saw that Dr. Jean had recommended Fancy Feast and Wysong powder (PDG?) as good options, so am transitioning her over to Fancy Feast now. Are these healthy clean options to use as food sources only temporarily or permanently? If yes for either, which canned Fancy Feast should I be getting for her? Given her sensitivities with certain raw proteins, I assume we should avoid those flavors? And also all the fish flavors as well? It seems important to rotate the different flavors. How do I do that if I need to gradually transition with a 1 1/2 to 2-week period between different foods?
Are there any other fresh raw proteins you all recommend trying? She vomited 5-10 minutes after eating/licking a small amount of sardine/juice with a small amount of rabbit in it. Is this a food allergy? Want food sources that are nutritious and safe for her so her body can best heal. Thank you for all member and vet ideas and feedback. @Dr. Jean Hofve, @Dr. Christina, @Dr. Jeff
