Cat Lovers

It has been years since I had a cat with a case of diarrhea. It was always recommended by all the vets whose services I used, to administor a dose of Kaopectate.  This product was always considered safe for cats....well...NO MORE.

Recently, when I noticed one of the ferals had diarrhea, I was about to go out and buy a bottle of Kaopectate. Luckily, I contacted my vet first and discussed the situation with him.  During the conversation, I had asked how much Kaopectate I should give the cat (since it had been years, I could not remember the dosage) This is when he told me the formula had changed and he advised me not to no longer use Kaopectate.

I did not know (like I said, it has literally been years) that the Kaopectate formula has been changed and now contains salicylates (an aspirin-derivative) and could result in toxicosis. According to the AVMA,

"Kaopectate, the over-the-counter diarrhea treatment for humans, recently has been reformulated to contain an aspirin derivative that is toxic to cats in high doses.

Kaopectate's new formula contains bismuth subsalicylate (the same stuff in Pepto Bismol BTW), which may cause salicylate toxicosis in cats if they are overdosed. Previously, the product contained attapulgite, an inert clay aluminum. The original kaolin pectin formula of Kaopectate was replaced by the attapulgite formula in caplets in 1984, and liquid attapulgite formulations were first introduced in 1989.

According to a Pfizer Animal Health spokesman, the new formulation of all liquid forms of Kaopectate began shipping in December 2002. Reformulated caplets begin shipping no later than April 2004.

A tablespoon of reformulated children's or regular-strength Kaopectate contains 130 mg aspirin equivalent, and extra-strength Kaopectate contains 230 mg aspirin equivalent. A tablespoon of extra-strength Kaopectate given to a 5-pound cat would yield 120 mg/kg aspirin equivalent and would likely result in toxicosis. Cats typically don't metabolize and excrete many compounds, including aspirin, efficiently, which means we're much more likely to have effects"

Whew! Good thing I called the vet first! I remember the old formula Kaopectate worked wonders, usually correcting the diarrhea within 24 hours. So, I went and searched for products which contain the ingredients of the old formula. I found two products which are relatively inexpensive. Below are the links. One product contains kaolin and pectin, both have been used safely for the treatment of noninfectious diarrhea in animals, including cats. The other product contains activated attapulgite clay, a specially treated mineral clay that adsorbs toxins and toxic materials present in the gut of animals with symptoms of diarrhea. Attapulgite clay was the main ingredient of the old formula Kaopectate. Neither of these products contains bismuth or salicylates.

Kaolin Pectin

http://revivalanimal.com/product.asp?pn=14-450&sid=GOOGLE&EID=GL200000042&bhcd2=1106173549

Attapulgite clay

http://www.calvetsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=176

(However, if symptoms persist for more than a few days, it is best to get a specific diagnosis to determine the cause of the peristent diarrhea. There may be the presence of parasites, or a serious underlying problem such as liver disease, kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, pancreatic disease, panleukopenia, or cancer, that is contributing to the diarrhea. Persistent or severe diarrhea requires veterinary attention.)

A good thing to know!

Sugar

I worked at a vets office 22 years ago and am glad to know the update on that medication!

*thankyou*

Thanks for the info Sharon. As a pharmacist I knew about the reformulation, but never thought to think of animal usage!

BTW, anyone who has a cat with diarrhea might want to try one of the "low-carb" cat foods. My cat was diagnosed with IBD a year ago and went through several different medications to treat it (and almost didn't survive!). The vet for our shelter recommended trying her on Purina DM. Most people know this is used in diabetic cats, but it is also indicated for cats with "chronic diarrhea". My cat Edina and I went through 6 months of hell, trips to a specialst, etc, etc, only to switch to this food and have her diarrhea completely resolve within 24 hours. It was amazing. Some other "low carb" cat foods are Hill's MD, Solid Gold, and Azmira. The last two do not require a vet's prescription.

Just a thought for anyone who is an a similar situation to mine.

Michael, Patsy and Edina

With all my kitties, especially the older ones, it is good information to know. 

Larry

Thats a really good thing to know. when something like that happens they should broadcast it over the radio and T.V.

Thank you for that info ,Sharon. I am a Catmom of a large group of kitters and used to give Kaopectate for any diarrhea problems. So will make sure I talk to my vet next time I am in. I know they sell a Petpectate formula there. Imagine it's like the old Kaopectate of sorts, without the reformulation.

So thanks again for the heads up!!

Katzen

Thank you so much for the info!

Donna, have you tried stirring it into some wet food? That might do the trick for the kitters. But the dogs just really like pumpkin. My elderly Dachsie used to get it in her food all the time to help her not feel so hungry. The fiber made her feel full. She was a little fatty, eating machine and I read about that tip in a natural vet book. So pumpkin is really a nice thing for a variety of stuff.     Let me know if you can trick them into eating some by disguising it.

Katzen

Hi Wendy,

Try cooking up some chicken, and add some rice to that. Make sure the chicken is cut up real small for them. This might help with the diarrhea.

If you don't have chicken or turkey, use some ground beef. Lean ground beef with rice. You will have to give it until you see improvement. Kittens can get diarrhea from being over fed too, but from books I have read, it says to feed them as many as 10 small meals per day.

Round worms can also cause diarrhea, but I'm not sure off hand when the round worm pill can be given. My new ones have round worms, and probably the Mother too. I saw them in some vomit. Great. They won't even come near me yet.

100% pure pumpkin is a great use for this because of the high fiber content.

I was as surprised as you are to read that about the Kaopectate. It was an old stand by here too, and I guess it was ok at one time, but since they changed it it isn't. I do have pet pectillan I think it is called that I got from petsmart or from Omaha vaccine, not sure. That is how old it is now.

You are probably right to boil up a bunch of it, and then cook the rice, and add it to the chicken. No skins of course. Cut it or flake it enough that they won't pick out the chicken and not eat the rice. I think brown rice would be better, but I always used white.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my oldest cat a couple of weeks ago. I find it hardest when I lose a young one, as I am not mentally prepared for that, and the younger ones tend to be a bigger part of my every day life as they get into things, while the older ones are more reserved by then.

By the way, if their little bottoms get sore or raw, use some corn starch on them. It is very soft and silky smooth and soothing.

PS, If your kittens are fussy like my cats are, use the boneless chicken, and pan fry it adding enough water that it doesn't dry up and burn. Make some rice on the side, and add it to the pan when you are done, and cut up the chicken with a pair of scissors to make it very small.

Put some into containers or baggies for later, and warm to room temp or a little warmer.

Hi

I haven't posted here before but noticed the topic and thought I would share that I bought some Lambert Kay Pet-Pectillin from NationalPetPharmacy.com which contains nothing but Pectin and kaolin (no aspirin or artifial colors like the new kaopectate). Just thought this might be helpful.

Joy

to the cat lovers board, and thank you for letting everyone know about the pet pectillan. I use it here. I thought I bought it at petsmart, but it is possible that I ordered off of the internet. I have made orders from Omaha vaccine and Drs Foster and Smith though, and I think one more place, not sure.