|
Title: |
Dietary Management of Chronic Feline Diarrhea |
| Contact
Person: |
Dr.
Sally Purcell or Dr. Deb Zoran |
|
Species: |
Cats |
|
Inclusion Criteria and General Background Information: |
This
is a 4 week long clinical trial studying the effectiveness of two
different diets for treatment of chronic diarrhea in cats.
Eligibility for inclusion in this trial is otherwise healthy, adult
(> 1 yr old) cats with diarrhea for more than 4 weeks. To
determine inclusion in the trial, all cats will be evaluated for
general health and assessed for specific causes of diarrhea that
would be treated directly by running several blood tests, fecal
exams, a GI panel, Abdominal ultrasound, and GI endoscopy with
biopsies to rule specific causes of diarrhea (Lymphoma, giardia or
other parasites, or any other specific causes). |
|
Exclusion Criteria: |
Cats
with specific diseases causing diarrhea such as lymphoma, giardia,
tritrichomonas, or other identifiable diseases that would not be
responsive to dietary therapy are not eligible. Cats currently on
prednisone therapy must be off drug therapy for a minimum of 2
weeks to be included. Cats with other health problems, such as
kidney or heart disease will not be included. |
| Owner
Commitments: |
Owners
will be required to keep a log of their cats response to therapy -
food intake, feces character, and general condition for four weeks,
and then return to TAMU for a follow up examination at the end of
the trial. |
|
Financial Incentives: |
For
owners with cats completing the trial, all costs associated with
the initial evaluation (an estimated $1800 value) and final
evaluation, and the food supplied for the trial will be paid by the
trial sponsor. Owner of cats that do not complete the trial will
not be eligible for payment. |