Most of those financial assistance prorgrams just don’t apply to this situation or there is a wait list and I honestly don’t know how long we can safely wait without complications. Richard could have had this for 5 months or more at this point and we have a 14 week old kitten being exposed. It’s a sticky situation and I’m just uncertain how to proceed!
Ouch on that price.
Oh yes I hope my posts did not sound like I was ungrateful because I am beyond happy!! An actual diagnosis is sometimes the best thing that can happen in these situations. Richard is perfectly healthy with no other clinical signs of distress. He is currently chasing his brothers around the house as I type this. Fur is soft as silk and his appetite is perfectly normal. He purrs like crazy and craves attention. After further research and careful thought and consideration, my girlfriend and I have decided not to treat it at all. The majority of veterinary journals state that this type of infection can resolve itself over time and all diarrhea can go away with therapeutic methods like probiotics and high quality diet. Unfortunately the only effective treatment is Ronidazole and this is only 68% effective. It is also toxic and not an approved therapy for cats so it can have harmful side effects. The cost and effectiveness is certainly concerning for something considered clinically mild and no negative outlook even without treatment at all. Since we have 4 cats and Richard has likely been carrying this infection for at least 5 months while sharing litter boxes, the only effective way to get rid of this completely would be to treat all 4 cats. The likelihood of successful treatment on all 4 cats at a 68% success rate is actually not favorable at all. So treatment would then have to be repeated. Further increasing chances of toxicity poisoning especially since one of the kittens is 14 weeks old and 6.3 pounds. We may again consider treating this issue in the future of other clinical signs are present but the majority of our cats have firm stool and good litter box usage.Ouch on that price.
My credibility if any will go down the toilet for this but if I were in your shoes I would treat Richard now, since he's having such a bad time, and wait on the others. If they are only having this issue on occasion, I would watch it but wait to do a fecal until the funds were there to do it unless an emergency came up.
Furthering the risk at sounding like a jerk, I am actually glad there's a reason for this madness and it can be treated, even if it's expensive.
It's irritating to be in this position and have everything check out perfect only to be left with no answers and no options, so at least there's that
OK so I contacted my European friend who deals with T.foetus on a- unfortunately - frequent basis and she says that it is very common to use Ronidazole products for birds. It is exactly the same drug but possibly in bigger strength. It's less convenient as they come in either pills or powder form and they need to be portioned by someone experienced. They can be bought for less than 30$ on bird sites or on e-bay.The vet is prescribing liquid Ronidazole which is compounded and then syringed each day for 14 days. I agree and I want this infection out of my house and away from my babies! I’m sick of the diarrhea also
posiepurrs
will?
I know you'll keep an eye on this and I do respect your decision, if the infection can resolve, that's great!
He sounds like a fun, and funny little stinker. They're the best ones, aren't they? 
In case you need a probiotic recommendation, I’m currently using the below and it’s seems really great and has excellent reviews when it comes to managing diarrhea:
Good thinking!
While in theory this sounds good, it would just prolong the problem, unless you separate each cat so they only have access to their own litterbox and no one elses. No sharing of boxes or mutual grooming. While the first cat MAY be cleared by treating, if he is allowed to mingle he would be reinfected. As for using bird rondiazole, unless the vet figures the dose I would not suggest it. This is a potentially dangerous drug, although much safer now that they have figured out correct doses. This is not a problem that the owners can medicate by themselves. Most cats outgrow the symptoms - but are STILL infected. They do not spontaneously cure themselves, the body just figures out a way to deal with it. In times of stress or illness the loose stools can come back.
Yeah I think the dealbreaker got me was when the vet refused to prescribe this treatment for all 4 cats and suggested to just give the treatment to Richard who is symptomatic. Since TF can be carried even if a cat doesn’t have symptoms, this didn’t make sense to me. Also this is the same vet who just prescribed doxycycline for all 4 of my cats after Richard tested positive for Chlamydophila 2 months ago. The only reason I can think of for the differing approach is that TF is not as severe or urgent to treat and there is not a single drug on the market that is very effective in treating the issue. The only drug that has worked to any degree has lots of risk associated in causing other health issues. This tells me the vet is aware of the risks and does not want to increase the chances of something happening by medicating all 4 cats. $450 for a 68% chance at treating the issue on the first try (more money to treat a second time) and a chance at poisoning one of my babies seems like more risk than reward at this point.
Richard2121
We adopted a cat from the pet store. He had no symptoms other than the diarrhea. I put him on a limited ingredient diet and it totally took care of his problem. I used Natural Balance Green Pea and Duck dried food to begin with. Since then, I had added the wet food. He gets his morning meal of dry and his afternoon meal of 1/2 cat of the wet. I read that you are trying to feed all your cats the same food. Can you feed all the cats at the same time and not leave any cat food out after they eat. You could put Richard in a cat cage with his bowl, or even in another room until he is finished eating. I did this many years ago when I had one cat who had to eat special food with a kidney issue. It was just a way of life for us and it worked to separate them and feed two different foods.
Unfortunately Richard is the problem
Got him for free from a breeder who had a "woops" litter when her Siamese got out of its room before she was spayed and got pregnant from the most BEAUTIFUL snow bengal. I have met the parents, the most friendly and loving two cats ever
You know, when my rescues had soo many health problems (some of them turned out to be chronic) I was having similar but opposite (lol) thought- that if I decided to buy an expensive kitten from the breeder, it would cost me much less than my free catsGot him for free from a breeder who had a "woops" litter when her Siamese got out of its room before she was spayed and got pregnant from the most BEAUTIFUL snow bengal. I have met the parents, the most friendly and loving two cats ever
But lesson learned that sometimes these designer cats come with more issues and have some infections from living in close quarters with numerous other animals. Our "free" kitty has turned into quite the investment of cash!
We adore him though and he is my loyal little companion. I try not to play favorites!
Luckily I was mostly treating them in Europe when some diagnostics cost so much less. And I knew what I got myself into, I deliberately adopted a kitten with some issues.
