Re: Dry food/Nina~IBD

[Nina]

Hi Patti, I just found this email, sorry it's taken so long for me to respond.  As far as you and that sign on your back...  Yep, it's there, most humans aren't aware of it, but our furry friends sure do know a kind and open heart when they come across one.  I'm convinced there's some sort of pipeline, they tell their friends where to go!  Go ahead and complain/whine, we all understand.  Bless you for all you do. About Taylor and Moonshadow's stools...  One thing I've found that helps with diarrhea is making sure you're feeding a consistent diet.  I had switched Gypsy to raw and it saved her life.  She had a relapse after getting into Grace's food and then refused raw.  After I finally got her eating again, I put her on cooked turkey and it did help her.  IBD symptoms are so frustrating, I have tried so many things.  You already know about homeopathics, I've seen you post about Bioplasma, that's always a good support rx.  Hideyo has had success with Sulphur, Gypsy responded to Phosphorus, you've tried Ars album, how about China, (Cinchona officinalis)?  I'd start with 6c doses and use a dosing method of one pellet dissolved in 2 to 4 oz amber bottles, 1/2 dropper at a time every hour up to 4 doses, (then evaluate to see if their "mentals"/symptoms seem improved).  There are so many variables, why don't you contact my friend Darla, (homeopathic practitioner), http://www.kitsnk9s.com/Kitsnk9sHome.htm she'll be able to advise you a whole lot better than me.  I would avoid the pred/met route if at all possible.  Sometimes these measures are necessary, but they aren't supportive of the body's "vital force".  I'd also stay away from the prescription diets, we all know what junk they usually are.  Whatever you do, I'd keep up the probiotics, they can only help.  Did you know that you can add the homeopathics to goat's milk, or yogurt?  This is the only way I can get my once feral Gypsy dosed.  I was really concerned about feeding her dairy, but she seems to have adjusted to it, and I'm pleased she's getting another source of calcium.  There was a point that warmed goat's milk was all she'd eat.  My AC said she liked the way it felt "going in and down".  Those poor little sprites of yours are in my thoughts and prayers, they sure have been through a lot.  Thank goodness they found their way to you! Much love to you my dear, hang in there! Nina [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Nina, Speaking about dry food, IBD etc........... I just got back from vets and I am VERY frustrated. Taylor and Moonshade are my 2 "fosters" that came from the kill shelter in August and were the only 2 surviving distemper kittens. They were rescued in August, so it's been some time now and I am anxious to get them adopted. (I did get Thomas (Charity's grey kitten) adopted last week.Yeah!!!!) However, I still have Timothy, Charity's black kitten, Moonshade & Taylor, PLUS a neighborhood stray wandered to the safety of my barn after being HBC. Needless to say, I took her to vets, thinking that she'd have to be euthanized, as her entire back end was twisted and shattered. X-rays revealed a broken pelvis and her right leg was shattered beyond repair, but.........she was so sweet and a real trooper, NEVER crying out in pain or anything....and she was negative for both Felv & FIV. So, after a discussion w/ vet, I opted for amputation of the leg. I just couldn't bear the thought of putting her down after she fought so hard to survive! She's doing quite well,(can even use litter box~a BIG concern I had), in fact, it was she who had her post-sx. check up today. And now, it seems her "sister" has shown up at my house too!  See where I am going with this??? She is also sweet, but now there's another kitty that I'll have to spay, test and do full vetting on. AND ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL NEED A HOME!! I'm up to my eyeballs in cats here!!  Really, I'm not complaining, just whining. LOL! I've moved to a much smaller home and with my 4 dogs and 5 cats, it's really quite "cozy". I also am on a fixed income now and no longer working. It would just be impossible for me to keep all these sweet cats, much as I'd like to.  I must have a sign on my back reading, "ALL STRAYS WELCOME HERE." But what is a person supposed to do when there's an animal in need??  I've even tried locating the owner(s) of the orange girl and the new tiger... Of course nobody is going to admit they threw their cat out like trash.. GRRRR, it makes me so angry!! I'm wandering WAYYYYY OT here...... Sorry, I tend to do that. Getting back on topic.  Taylor & Moonshade have serious issues with stools. They have been de-wormed, using Nemex and Strongid. Also droncit, since they were infested with fleas when rescued. When their first stool sample was brought to vets, I did suspect coccidia or giardia, but was told it was negative. Needless to say, when the problem was unresolved, after treatment w/ metronidizole, I insisted vet do the fecal...and, yes, they DID have coccidia. So, they were treated with albon.......and albon was REPEATED after no major improvements with first round. So here's my dilemma. Fecal negative today and vet and I discussed IBD, which I thought could be part of their problem a while ago. They've been on the raw food diet.  I have used slippery elm, arsenicum albon, acidophyllus, colustrum w/olive, brown rice and other holistic/homeopathic supplements. The vet wants me to try them on Hill's ID food, and I am not really keen on that idea... Now, I did feed that to Felix, my old man w/ IBD, mainly because he was so old and he must have found it to be very palatible, cause he LOVED it. I also used the supplements, and he responded very well. My concern here is these 2 girls are so young and I just don't want to jump into the prescription diet thing with them... With all your experience with IBD Nina, what should I do for them??  I just feel so bad, I want them to get back on track.....they deserve to have a permanent, loving home after all they've been thru. They are such love-muffins!! Oh yeah, vet also said that if they continue with loose stools, to start them on regime of prednisone AND metronidizole!  Believe me, I am NOT crazy about that idea either. I realize in some instances steroids ARE the way to go, but I just want to explore some more natural, less invasive type things.  Know what I mean?? Anyway, now that I've written a mini-novel, PLEASE give me some suggestions and advice. I want to do whatever possible to get these girls healthy..... Thanks in advance Nina!  (And anyone else who has suggestions!!) Hugs, Patti