maxie's on meds again :(

well...we got the fecal back...that my vet sent out for a special culture, and it is postive for clostridium still. high levels.

i am sad. a month ago i i took max off his meds (metronidazole) after weaning him for about a month. he had been on meds...without interruption from 3 mos of age to 11 mos of age. now...he has to go back on. the clostridium produces an enterotoxin that can ultimately be fatal in some animals. he has the toxins....that are created by so much bacteria.

so he is on azithromax (antibiotic) and budesinide...which is a steriod that is absorbed only through the intestine. that is to get the inflammation down.

my vet wanted to put mikey and chris on an antibiotic too...but the foster volunteer didnt agree. why treat an animal with an antibiotic if they dont have symptoms? im not sure...anyone have any advice for the other two? i would like to get a second opinion. im gonna do some research on the web. i think the rationale is that if max is infected with the bacteria, the other two could be too...and he doesnt want max to continue to be reinfected if the other two develop it.

im gonna call my vet today to talk to him again. we talked yesterday...but i still have more questions. :0011:

 

I'm sorry, Lynn. It must be very hard to go through this again. At least Max is easy to medicate (I think you've said that, anyway). Best wishes to both of you! We're all here for you.

 

I'm sorry to hear that. I can only guess how stressful this may be. I hope that everything works out. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts.

 

Sorry to hear that Lynn...........I wish you and your babies peace and health. Good vibes and prayers for you all.

 

I'm so sorry Lynn. I wouldn't want to put Mikey and Chris on uncecessary meds unless they are definitely infected as well. Max should be able to fight off the infection since he's on meds again without being concerned about reinfection from the other two. Ask different vets on their opinions and practices. *HUGS*

 

hope he's feeling better soon

 

best wishes n i hope he gets well soon :love_y_t_much: *hugs for you both*

 

I'm sorry lynn.
Can't the other cats have their stool tested for this as well?

 

:cry: oh lynn! i'm sooo sorry to hear this.
dont worry... \/ grey skies are gonna clear up! put on a happy face.... \/

i'm sure things will be fine

*hugs and luvins*

 

I'm so sorry to hear about max

Good luck to you and your little men!

 

I'm really sorry to hear Max is poorly again, I hope he gets better very soon. Give him a hug from me.

I don't think Mikey and Chris should be given antibiotics unless they are infected. Could you get them tested? When Pudcat had giardia, Fudgie managed to stay free of the parasite, despite them sharing litter trays and being as affectionate to each other as always. It doesn't always follow that cats living together get the same things. A second opinion sounds like a great idea.

 

=P~ thanks you guys for the feedback. two vets have told me to put the other two on antibiotics for seven to ten days. i am going to talk to dr. grant tomorrow. i scheduled a consultation.

i took mikeys fecal in at the same time...they didnt see anything, but they did it at the clinic...but the fecal that max had costs 150.00 because it is sent out to a lab for special testing. its the eliysa test that tests specifically for the enterotoxin that is produced by so much bacteria. even if they found clostridium in their stools...it is present in all animals and humans. max just has toxic levels of it.

so...i am also giving max acidophilus sprinkled on a little wet food to help restore some good bacteria in there. i am going to talk to dr. grant about diet...there are some studies that suggest fibre in diet can aid the intestional track...move things through a little more quickly, so that bacteria doesnt build up in there. im still learning about the food issue and how it plays a part. i will let you know what dr. grant says.

thanks everybody for the support and posts...it really means alot to me. :love_y_t_much:

 

Any updates? :0011:

 

yes...i talked to dr. grant yesterday and had tons of questions. ultimately, we decided to take him off the zithromax and budesinide and put him back on metronidazole....then change his diet to a canned hypoallergenic diet, if he will eat it. good luck i say!!! chris and mikey love the rabbit and peas...max....fuhgitaboudit!!!! lols :roll: so i have duck, and venison to try. if he wont eat that...plan b....whatever that is. :0011:

then...sunday night to monday morning he is going to fast for 8-10 hours, and i am taking him in for a blood test that my doctor is sending out to texas a & m for testing...which is the best place in the country to determine gastrointestional disease/problems.

so keep your fingers crossed everybody. [-o< im glad he is off zithromax. his diarrhea was worse on it. :-& total liquid. multiple times a day. and...i am not giving mikey any more antiobiotic. he explained his rationale...but he also understood mine. its not like max just came up with this problem. if mikey was going to get it...he probably already would have.

thanks for the support everybody!! :kiss_heart:

 

Good luck Max!