Antibiotics making cat stool soft

[candie]

I got probiotics but my cat is still having mushy stool. She is on antibiotics called cephalexin
What can I do. This is annoying because she's pooping on the carpet.

What can I do??

 

[rubysmama]

Sorry this is happening. Below are links to a couple older threads on the topic. One thing I saw suggested was ensuring you give the probiotics a couple hours before or after the antibiotics. If that doesn't help, then probably check with your vet for advice. Good luck. I hope your cat feels better soon.

Diarrhea And Going Out Of The Box (related To Antibiotics)
Diarrhea and antibiotics

 

[candie]

I noticed they mentioned L . acidophilus probiotic.
What is this and what brand?

 

[FeebysOwner]

I don't know what probiotic you are currently using, but if it is not s. boulardii, try that. It is yeast-based and not as affected by antibiotics. Antibiotics can actually nullify the benefits of many probiotics since they are given to kill bacteria - both bad and good.
Jarrow Formulas, Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS, 5 Billion, 90 Veggie Caps
Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS 5 Billion CFU | Jarrow Formulas

I've included a link below that discusses dosing - never mind the source, as this information pertains to any cat with diarrhea.
How to Use S boulardii for diarrhea - Raw Feeding for IBD Cats

 

[Alldara]

Are you giving probiotics and antibiotics separately? (Not at the same time)

 

[candie]

Are you giving probiotics and antibiotics separately? (Not at the same time)

No was I doing it wrong?

 

[white shadow]

No was I doing it wrong?

Well, that depends on what you were doing! The idea is to keep the probiotic as far away as you can from the antibiotic.

As an example, if you're giving the antibiotic at 1 and 6 o'clock, give the probiotic right in the middle there, at 3 o'clock.
.

 

[FeebysOwner]

The problem with most probiotics that are impacted by antibiotics, is that while it might aid with producing good bacteria, the antibiotic as long as it is being given, continues to kill the bacteria over and over. Antibiotics are cumulative, meaning it doesn't matter too much about how long of a time frame there is between when you take the antibiotic and the probiotic, the antibiotic is likely going to kill whatever the probiotic produces.

Probiotics that are commonly recommended are the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, or LGG, and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Since the strain S. boulardii is yeast based it is the most ideal one to take during a course of antibiotics since antibiotics kill bacteria and not yeasts.
Best Probiotics to Take with Antibiotics | U.S. News (usnews.com)

 

[stephanietx]

Call the vet and let them know your kitty cannot tolerate the medication and ask for something else. Keep giving her the probiotic and add in some slippery elm bark syrup to her wet food. Just bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder (available at health food stores) and whisk together until it's the consistency of a raw egg white. It only takes a minute or 2. Give 1/4 teaspoon of the syrup twice a day with wet food. Store in fridge for up to 7 days. Back off to once a day when stool firms up, then you can stop when stool is consistently firm.

 

[candie]

Call the vet and let them know your kitty cannot tolerate the medication and ask for something else. Keep giving her the probiotic and add in some slippery elm bark syrup to her wet food. Just bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder (available at health food stores) and whisk together until it's the consistency of a raw egg white. It only takes a minute or 2. Give 1/4 teaspoon of the syrup twice a day with wet food. Store in fridge for up to 7 days. Back off to once a day when stool firms up, then you can stop when stool is consistently firm.

They change her meds yesterday. But no idea how each antibiotics effects a car.

 

[candie]

Can you recommend a brand that is safe? I don't know what brand is safe for cats.

The problem with most probiotics that are impacted by antibiotics, is that while it might aid with producing good bacteria, the antibiotic as long as it is being given, continues to kill the bacteria over and over. Antibiotics are cumulative, meaning it doesn't matter too much about how long of a time frame there is between when you take the antibiotic and the probiotic, the antibiotic is likely going to kill whatever the probiotic produces.

Probiotics that are commonly recommended are the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, or LGG, and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. Since the strain S. boulardii is yeast based it is the most ideal one to take during a course of antibiotics since antibiotics kill bacteria and not yeasts.
Best Probiotics to Take with Antibiotics | U.S. News (usnews.com)

 

[FeebysOwner]

Can you recommend a brand that is safe? I don't know what brand is safe for cats.

I included a brand and related dosing information in Post #4 above - here it is again.

I don't know what probiotic you are currently using, but if it is not s. boulardii, try that. It is yeast-based and not as affected by antibiotics. Antibiotics can actually nullify the benefits of many probiotics since they are given to kill bacteria - both bad and good.
Jarrow Formulas, Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS, 5 Billion, 90 Veggie Caps
Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS 5 Billion CFU | Jarrow Formulas

I've included a link below that discusses dosing - never mind the source, as this information pertains to any cat with diarrhea.
How to Use S boulardii for diarrhea - Raw Feeding for IBD Cats

 

[candie]

Thanks!

 

[candie]

How long will it take for probiotics to work?
She's still having runny stool and gas and can never make it to the litter box on time. I had to clean my carpet over and over

 

[FeebysOwner]

The time can vary, two days may not be enough. Did you follow the 'emergency' instructions for using s. boulardii? If not, try that.

 

[candie]

How long will it take for probiotics to work?
She's still having runny stool and gas and can never make it to the litter box on time. I had to clean my carpet over and over

 

[candie]

Yeah I did the emergency one. I was hoping her previous meds will be out of her system. I'm using new meds not unless it's giving her problems too

 

[FeebysOwner]

The previous meds might not be out of her system, but there are many antibiotics that can cause the same problem.

 

[candie]

Well she has 4 more meds to go so almost done

 

[FeebysOwner]

Keep at the s. bourlardii. Antibiotics usually don't get out of the system immediately after the final dose. I know when my cat has taken antibiotics for a UTI the vet doesn't want testing done for at least a week afterward.