Tritrichamonas (TF)

[Brigitte Cowell]

Wow, you guys have made me feel so much better because i thought i was bordering on animal abuse when i gave her flagyl, and then every once in a while when I have to wash her hiney.

With Flagyl I had to hold her down wrapped in a towel, she would let out a scream straight from the bowels of hell, and then Isis would circle me and meow at me like I was killing her sister. One time she broke free, and as I instinctively tried to hold on to her, because in the commotion I forgot that she'll land on her feet - she went at me like a shredder. I still have a scar on my wrist to remember that darn Flagyl by, not to mention having to explain to people why I have a crooked scar on my wrist.

Flagyl is an awful very very bitter drug, so most kittens and cats HATE it! I've had best results when they are large enough to be able to have a pill (or at least pill quarter) and be able to cover it in part of a pill pocket to disguise the horrible taste...

 

[AlphaZ]

I called two more vets today, and none have ever treated TF, although willing to run the PCR test, which they are quoting at $100-120 . I'm a bit apprehensive about the test though, she's been regular(ish) for some time, and by that I mean formed or semi-formed poopies for roughly a month, and to throw her back into that is not something I (or she) would be looking forward to. But I guess we'll start "preparing", and shoot for next week sample.

 

[AlphaZ]

I also forgot to mention, another one of her symptoms is dull, sometimes pale (?) looking coat, and really bad shedding. I always have to use a lint brush after she sits on me, meanwhile Isis sheds very minimally.

 

[Tab]

I also forgot to mention, another one of her symptoms is dull, sometimes pale (?) looking coat, and really bad shedding. I always have to use a lint brush after she sits on me, meanwhile Isis sheds very minimally.

My cat Buddy has (yes HAS) TF. When he came to me he had it. But he had classic TF symptoms - - stinky stools so bad to gag many, "spotting" when he sat, yet not acting sick and continued to grow, hair & eyes looked good, etc. The vet at first misdiagnosed BUT he did know there was the possibility of TF when the Albon, followed by Metronidosol had no effect. I had read all the literature I could about TF including e-mails from NC State. We started treating with the recommended med Rondi... that came from Arizona. It was surprisingly affordable. The problem was we under treated the first 2 weeks because Buddy was growing so fast. A week later symptoms were back so I was back at the vets. Weighed the kitten again to get the dose right and I was on my way. Same result. The vet was willing to do the meds for me and suggested reordering the med to get the capsule form for more accurate dosing. So one last time we did 2 weeks worth of THE med. 3 weeks aafter the treatment I took a 'perfect' sample to the vet. It was sent to Texas A & M for the PCR test. He still had TF. He is now14 months old, 13 pounds and seems fine EXCEPT the diarhea still shows up some. Up until a month ago he basically still had diarhea. This follows exactly the research about TF. Many cats outgrow the symptoms on their own after about 9 months. In my case it was 9 months after his last round of meds. The vet suggests retesting after he's been symptom free for at least a year. This is only because I'd love to have another cat but won't while he has this. I think Dr. Gookin has something too when she says a TF cat should be fed day food. It took awhile to get him off the meat but his "symptom" didn't get better until I got him on nothing but dry (it is a grain free and not one for digestion issues).

 

[Trish Allearz]

My cat Buddy has (yes HAS) TF. When he came to me he had it. But he had classic TF symptoms - - stinky stools so bad to gag many, "spotting" when he sat, yet not acting sick and continued to grow, hair & eyes looked good, etc. The vet at first misdiagnosed BUT he did know there was the possibility of TF when the Albon, followed by Metronidosol had no effect. I had read all the literature I could about TF including e-mails from NC State. We started treating with the recommended med Rondi... that came from Arizona. It was surprisingly affordable. The problem was we under treated the first 2 weeks because Buddy was growing so fast. A week later symptoms were back so I was back at the vets. Weighed the kitten again to get the dose right and I was on my way. Same result. The vet was willing to do the meds for me and suggested reordering the med to get the capsule form for more accurate dosing. So one last time we did 2 weeks worth of THE med. 3 weeks aafter the treatment I took a 'perfect' sample to the vet. It was sent to Texas A & M for the PCR test. He still had TF. He is now14 months old, 13 pounds and seems fine EXCEPT the diarhea still shows up some. Up until a month ago he basically still had diarhea. This follows exactly the research about TF. Many cats outgrow the symptoms on their own after about 9 months. In my case it was 9 months after his last round of meds. The vet suggests retesting after he's been symptom free for at least a year. This is only because I'd love to have another cat but won't while he has this. I think Dr. Gookin has something too when she says a TF cat should be fed day food. It took awhile to get him off the meat but his "symptom" didn't get better until I got him on nothing but dry (it is a grain free and not one for digestion issues).

I think it's really admirable that you won't bring another cat home until you get your kitty free of TF!

 

[Tab]

Thanks. I actually had another kitten for a while. An F5 male. Who now is happy and healthy with my sister's family and he has a kitty playmate there too. I made sure he stayed parasite free but since I felt such guilt for keeping them separated most of the time and I was so worried he'd catch this I just had to give him up. I told my sister not to expect another Savannah as a gift next year;-)

I guess Ishould point out I had a typo in my post. Dr. Gookin recommends "dry" food - don't know how I came up with day. Getting away from the raw diet helped and then getting away from canned helped more. Doesn't get rid of it but it makes it seem more normal.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Interesting that Dr Gookin recommends kibble for cats with persistent TF when most of what I've read to date recommends raw. Not having dealt with this (knock on wood) I don't know, but am always interested in learning more in case it happens here.

I applaud you for rehoming your other kitten with your sister (and very lucky she is!) as you are right, if you had to keep them separated and worry over him it wasn't a good situation and better to do what you have and know that the kitten is parasite free and now has a new kitty friend

 

[AlphaZ]

UPDATE

So, I was finally able to submit a stool sample to Juliet's vet for a PCR wide spectrum test. The results are negative for Tritricomonas, which I find unfortunate, because if it were positive the medicine would have potentially cleared it up. The results did test positive for Clostridium and Corona virus. The vet said corona virus is common in cats, and Clostredium is normally found in dogs, the medicine for it however is daunting - 3 week course of horrible tasting medicine. He suggested we wait and see if she can outgrow it and/or try switching her chicken-based diet to rabbit or duck. He also said her high strung personality may be a cause for her inability to fight off these diseases, and to try to work with her to try and lower her stress level. So that's where we're at right now, I will continue perusing a treatment in any possible way for her, research etc. If anyone has any experience with the mentioned viruses, please let me know. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[AlphaZ]

Has anyone ever used Grape Seed Extract for their cats? I use it myself a lot for cleaning and sometimes when I have an upset stomach or beginning stages of a cold I mix 10 or so drops in juice, and it clears it up like nothing else. It has incredible antimicrobial properties, but I'm hesitant to give it to my kitties. Any experiences?

 

[Glamouresque]

I have a cat that was clostridium positive. It was passive and was not reacting to it according to the vet.
He had an acute pancreatitis attack at the time and had an explorative surgery (couldn't find what was wrong, was dying).
Took almost 4 month to get back to almost himself.

Months later, another vet saw the past exams. She as me if we where sick around that time ?? I was surprised, my baby was. She told me we could catch it from him... so extra careful.

But there are different kinds of clostridium, I don't remember witch one exactly.

Hoping he feels better soon.