Chronic Diarrhea in a Cat: A Journey with Lilly

As a lifelong cat lover and someone who grew up surrounded by Turkish Vans bred by my mother, I thought I had seen it all when it came to feline care. Cats are famously clean animals, often using their litter boxes diligently and maintaining a pleasant natural scent—even in old age. However, my experience with Lilly, a remarkable yet troubled feline companion, taught me how challenging and complex cat health issues can be, particularly when it comes to chronic diarrhea.

This condition, while relatively uncommon, is deeply challenging not only for the cat but also for the caregiver. Unfortunately, it became clear to me that even experienced veterinarians often lack the specialized knowledge required to manage such cases effectively. If you are facing a similar challenge, be prepared to take the lead in your pet's care—it is a difficult road, but not without hope.

Lilly’s Story
Since my mom had been a breeder, we felt lucky that a breeding cat was now up for adoption after her cat sadly passed away. The new breeder sold her to us to be a therapy cat for my ailing mother. Lilly into our lives in September 2017, only to discover that she was already 9.5 years old. Lilly was no ordinary cat—she was a quadruple European champion and the recipient of four "Cat of the Show" awards from various countries. She had even appeared on the television show Absolutely Fabulous with Joanna Lumley, though we’ve yet to track down the episode!

However, when Lilly arrived, she was far from glamorous. She was smelly, distressed, and suffering from a severe bout of diarrhea. Her condition worsened as we learned she also had feline herpesvirus (FHV). While we eventually received this diagnosis from the third veterinarian we consulted, it took seven long years before we were told she also had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

At first, we attributed her diarrhea to the stress of traveling—she had been flown in a large box from Johannesburg. Yet as time passed, it became clear this was a chronic issue. Despite countless consultations and treatments, including expensive diets, deworming protocols, and various medications, nothing worked. The first six veterinarians we consulted provided inconsistent, misleading, or outright incorrect advice, leaving us disheartened and frustrated. They charged full fees despite their lack of solutions, which added insult to injury.

The Turning Point
Finally, we met a locum veterinarian who was knowledgeable and open-minded. She suggested Lilly might have IBD, a complex condition involving chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and referred us to Dr. Adi, a compassionate and skilled vet who had previously saved a cat abandoned because of this very disease. Dr. Adi’s expertise marked a turning point in Lilly’s treatment and our journey.

Treating IBD
Managing IBD in cats is no small feat. Most veterinarians begin with the basics: dietary adjustments and deworming. If these fail, the next step often involves comprehensive blood tests and a costly intestinal biopsy, which can confirm the diagnosis. However, these procedures can be financially and emotionally taxing for pet owners, especially when the cat’s quality of life is already compromised.

In our case, after weighing the costs and Lilly’s deteriorating condition, we opted to bypass the biopsy and proceed directly with treatment. This approach was controversial, as most veterinarians advocate for a definitive diagnosis before starting aggressive treatments. However, Dr. Adi agreed to try strong medications to save Lilly’s life.

Lilly’s treatment regimen included Vitamin B injections, high-dose corticosteroids, and chemotherapy using chlorambucil (Leukeran). To our relief, after three months—shorter than the anticipated five to six months—we began to see significant improvements. Lilly’s stools became firmer, her absorption improved, and she began to thrive.

Today, Lilly is a healthy, happy cat who requires lifelong cortisone therapy. While managing IBD is an ongoing commitment, the transformation in her quality of life has been nothing short of miraculous.

Reflections
Lilly’s journey has been a lesson in perseverance, advocacy, and the importance of finding the right veterinary support. Chronic diarrhea and IBD in cats are challenging conditions that require patience, determination, and sometimes unconventional solutions. My advice to others facing similar struggles is to trust your instincts, seek out knowledgeable professionals, and never hesitate to ask questions or explore alternative options.

If you are dealing with a cat suffering from chronic diarrhea, know that there is hope. With the right care and treatment, even the most severe cases can improve dramatically.

For those interested in learning more about IBD in cats, I recommend reading this comprehensive academic resource: https://www.vin.com/doc/?id=3846200.

FNB Platinum - best in Credit Card in SA for now

After my frustrations with Easypay I paid once for my telephone and electricity at Checkers (my local supermarket) and then realised that I could just add them both to my FNB platinum card via their internet banking list of recipients. Duh! What a pleasure, I must also thank FNB for the time they took to confirm how simple it is to get a platinum card and the benefits of the SLOW lounge at the airports. I also send kudos for a flawless Android App which makes banking (using my credit card account) a cinch.

It really saves to fly Mango (or Kulula) and hang out in better luxury than the SAA lounges. There are a number of other benefits like free card delivery and secondary cards, petrol cards with benefits, and some less useful ones like the platinum support but overall this is IMHO the best credit card in SA today by far.

Paypal integration also good as you may expect as they own Paypal in SA. And their CEO is a young practical approachable guy who spoke at the Silicon Cape event last year.
Much more than that I must also admit that I've owned an FNB credit card since my Bar Mitzvah so it's realy my oldest bank account (even when I was out the country for four years I managed to maintain it thanks to my late fathers help).
This leaves much to be desired for my other bank ABSA. As opposed to eBucks which I consider the premium loyalty banking service in the country (linked to dozens of online and offline services including most notably Engen and Kalahari as well as Woolworths, Makro, Kulula, Dischem, etc.) ABSAs Leisurelink closed down over 2 years ago. At the time we thought it was just ABSA insourcing. 18 months later I was sorry to say that had become the biggest thorn in ABSAs side. The promise was: "If you are an Absa Rewards member, earn Cash Rewards and qualify for great specials and discounts every time you use your Absa debit, cheque or credit card to pay at any of our participating Rewards Partners". Going to www.absarewards.co.za site one got: "The site's security certificate has expired!: and "The Absa Rewards programme has terminated with effect from 1st April 2009 however after paying a nominal fee (of a few hundred rand a year) one got absolutely nothing. Apparently the rules changed at the beginning of this year and the ±1% in 'ABSA rewards' was re-instated for all credit card purchases (for the 18 months prior it was only purchses from 'selected' partners that one earned rewards. I have yet to see what benefits can come about from these rewards and I'm aware ABSA is operating the Woolworths credit card which I considered getting for our domestic recently until I saw something better... see my next post....
Had to slot in an info graphic made by Scott Mooney a connection of a connection old family friend:

Eczema in the ear - especially sufferers of plugged ears

I'm writing this to share my new experiences with what was diagnosed in February as eczema in the ear. Although my mother tells me that I had infant eczema I don't recall experiencing it or any other eczema and getting it in the ear at my age is not something that I had ever heard of before. There are so many resources on the Internet but none seem to stress what I think is the important and simple mechanism to control it.

Symptoms
I've been suffering with a symptomatic plugged ear since last May (2008 - just over a year now). My ear gets plugged because the wax doesn't find a natural way to drain from the ear. Most sufferers complain of the dry skin only or severe itchiness and sore canals. I have these symptoms too and they are uncomfortable but I don't find anything as debilitating as the plugged ear.


Initial diagnosis and initial treatment
My family doctor told me it looked like dermatitis and syringed the ear (using cool water), sent me home with drops and told me to come back in a couple weeks. He looked then and said it was much better. Three months later the same again. Less than six months later it was plugged again and I decided to visit the ENT (specialist). The ENT said that as we get older (I'm 40 now) so our ears can become less efficient at processing wax so basically I will need to come have my ears cleaned our (with their special suction instrument) and what I was experiencing was effectively a natural build up of wax.

Four months later I started smelling a rat. Literally... it started on occasion but then for about three hours a day in random situations, I would start smelling a dead rat. After searching the areas I started asking others and soon realised it was only me smelling the rat. It was an infection in the tube that links the ear to the nose. I went back to the ENT and spoke to the head of the practice who finally diagnosed the problem as eczema in the ear. It finally all made sense because the 'crispy' stuff I thought was wax, was really just skin and this mixed with the wax was caused the plugged ears.

He cleaned the ears out again and it is so relieving. You go in feeling miserable and come out like a new person but when one adds up the bills it's hard to digest a 3-6 monthly visit to a specialist physician. He gave me drops and suggested that eczema in the ears is related to dandruff, and I should wash my hair and ears with a strong anti-dandruff shampoo.

Four months later I was plugged again. The ENT was busy so I tried a new one (the third ENT so far). She was great, cleaned out the ears and confirmed the diagnosis. Confirmed it was common. And... advised that I should make sure the ear stays dry. So much so that for the first ten days I must not even wash my hair. She also gave me some new ointment and yet another type of drops but they were definitely secondary to the main change that the ear must be dry.

I've now met a couple of other people who have the condition although both have had it since birth. I'm still puzzled how it only started onset at the age of 40. I am more convinced now that by keeping the ear dry one can manage the problem better.

I hope that others that experience any similar symptoms or diagnosis will share their comments at the end, so please feel free to contribute to this and maybe we can even establish or join a more specialised community.

Open Standards in SA - know the law

I'm sure you've reached a SA government site that breaks in your firefox browser. In 2002 I participated in a workshop at SITA to discuss the regulations on interoperability and I've recently got a bee telling me that it's time for an upate... Any champions out there, please get involved.

Here's some background...Published in the Regulation Gazette No. 7491 Vol. 449 of 2002, Ammendments to the Public Service Act states:
PART III. INTEROPERABILITY
A. PRINCIPLES
Building and continuously adapting minimum interoperability standards is necessitated by the quick obsolescence of information communication technologies, expensive nature of information communications technology products and services, and a myriad of non-compatible information communications technology products in the market. If interoperability is not carefully managed these factors can result in the public service investing in obsolete, expensive and non-compatible information communications technology products and services that impede effective service delivery. Mandatory compliance by all departments with minimum interoperability standards for the public service is essential for seamless and integrated service delivery.

B. MINIMUM lNTEROPERABlLITY STANDARDS
8.1 The Minister shall, after consultation with the Government Information Technology Officer Council (herein referred to as the “GITO Council”), issue Minimum Interoperability Standards (herein referred to as’ the “MIOS”) for the public service in the form of a handbook called the Handbook on Minimum lnteroperability Standards.
8.2 The MlOS shall include provision for standards and specifications for-
(a) interconnectivity;
(b) data integration; and
(c) information access regarding browsers and viewers.

Subsequent to the amendments to the Act the MIOS was developed. I attended a SITA workshop in 2002 where it was discussed and agreed.

Most recently an e-primer was released 29 june 2006 by IOSN, introducing readers to what and why they are important and explaining setting processes provides examples of policies (excl SA), initiatives and formats. It also addresses the challenges faced in implementing open standards.

At the establishment of the MIOS it was agreed that it needs to be extended and revised on a regular basis. I suggest that it's something that will have strong support from the GITOC and I am sure that SITA will be glad to facilitate the process again. If you want, I'm happy to assist by suggesting it through the GITOC OSS WG and/or through other individuals. Note: The MIOS is also mentioned in the FOSS policy docs (i.e. from the conference).