MY SPHYNX CAT FEMALE HAS HAD LOOSE STOOLS FOR A LONG TIME IS THIS A CONCERN ? SHE IS OTHERWISE HAPPY AND SPRY

Copilot said:
Copilot
I’m glad she’s otherwise feeling good — that’s reassuring — but long?term loose stools are still something to take seriously, especially in cats. Based on current veterinary guidance, here’s how to think about it.

Short answer
Yes, it’s a concern if it’s been going on for weeks or longer, even if your Sphynx is happy, playful, and eating well. Chronic loose stool usually means something underlying is irritating the gut, and cats are very good at hiding illness until later stages.
petmd
+1

What counts as “chronic”?
Veterinarians define chronic diarrhea as stools that stay soft, mushy, or watery for ~3 weeks or more, or keep recurring.
petmd

Why Sphynx cats are relevant here
Sphynx cats are more prone than many breeds to digestive sensitivity, including:

Food intolerances or allergies
Chronic intestinal inflammation (IBD / chronic enteropathy)
Parasites like Giardia or Tritrichomonas
Gut microbiome imbalance
This doesn’t mean it’s always serious, but it does mean persistent loose stools aren’t something to ignore in this breed.
petshun
+2

Common causes when the cat seems “otherwise fine”

Cats can appear energetic and normal while still having chronic gut issues. Common possibilities include:

Food intolerance or protein sensitivity (very common in Sphynx cats)

Parasites (can persist for months without other obvious signs)

Chronic inflammation (IBD)

Stress related colitis

Imbalanced gut bacteria

Chronic diarrhea is not considered normal, even in cats that act well.
petmd
+1

When it becomes more urgent
You should seek veterinary care promptly if you notice any of the following:

Weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight..YES

Blood or mucus in stool..NO

Very foul?smelling stools…NO

Vomiting…NO

Increased thirst or dehydration…YES RELATED TO DIABETES AND CONTROLLED WITH MEDS

Litter box urgency or accidents…YES BUT NOT SINCE I STARTED METRONIDAZOLE

These are red flags that the condition may be progressing or becoming systemic.
southwestjournal
+1

What a vet will usually do (and why it helps)
For a cat like yours, vets typically start with:

Fecal testing (parasites can be missed without specific tests)…YES

Diet history and possibly a prescription diet trial…BREEDER SAYS THERE IS A ROYAL CANIN FOR SPHYNX CATS

Basic bloodwork to rule out metabolic or inflammatory disease…YES

Chronic loose stool means nutrients and water aren’t being absorbed properly, even if she looks okay right now.
petmd

Bottom line
Since this has been going on a long time, the safest and most responsible next step is a non?urgent but definite vet visit. Many causes are very manageable once identified, especially diet?related ones — and the earlier you address it, the easier it usually is to resolve.

If you’d like, tell me:

Roughly how long this has been happening
What food(s) she’s eating (brand/protein)
Whether her stools are just soft vs. watery, smelly, or urgent
I can help you prepare smart questions for your vet or think through likely next steps.

You said:
ITS BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT GOT WORSE WHEN WE SWITCHED TO ROYAL CANIN DIABETIC .I SWITCHED BACK TO THE PREVIOUS FANCY FEAST GRILLED AND ITS MARGINALLY BETTER AND WE TOOK A STOOL SAMPLE PENDING RESULT THE VET PUT HER ON METRONIDAZOLE ( SHE HAS BEEN ON IT 4 DAYS WITH SLIGHT THICKENING OF THE STOOLS SO FAR ALSO SHE WAS ON DIABETINC MEDS WHICH I HAVE TEMPORARILY STOPPED. SHE HAS A GOOD APPATITE BUT HAS LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS

Copilot said:
Copilot
Thank you for laying all of that out — that context actually makes the situation much clearer, and I want to be very direct but calm with you here.

Bottom line first (important)
Chronic loose stools + recent significant weight loss + diabetes = this is no longer a “mild GI issue.”
Your vet is absolutely on the right track, but this now needs active follow?up and possibly a change in direction, not just “wait and see.”

You’re doing the right things so far.

Why this is concerning now (even though it’s been years)
Several things you mentioned change the risk level:

1. Weight loss over the last 4 months
This is the biggest red flag.

Chronic diarrhea without weight loss can sometimes be managed conservatively.
Chronic diarrhea with weight loss strongly suggests malabsorption, chronic intestinal disease (IBD/chronic enteropathy), pancreatic disease, or uncontrolled diabetes, rather than simple food sensitivity.
petmd
+1
Cats can seem bright, hungry, and energetic while still losing muscle and fat.

2. Worsening on Royal Canin Diabetic
This is a key clue.

Diabetic diets are often high fiber and very different protein profiles
Many Sphynx cats do poorly on certain fibers or proteins and develop osmotic diarrhea
The fact that stools worsened on RC Diabetic and improved (even slightly) when you switched back strongly supports a diet?sensitive or inflammatory gut component.
petshun
+1
So this was not just coincidence.

3. Metronidazole response = partial but not complete
Metronidazole can:

Reduce certain bacteria
Calm intestinal inflammation
Temporarily firm stools
Slight thickening after 4 days is expected, but:

If this were only bacterial diarrhea, improvement would usually be more dramatic
Partial response often points to IBD, dysbiosis, or parasites that require specific treatment (e.g., Giardia, Tritrichomonas).
petmd

+1
So metronidazole helping “a bit” is informative, but not a diagnosis.

About stopping the diabetic medication (important nuance)
I’m glad you mentioned this.

Temporarily stopping diabetic meds is sometimes appropriate when:

A cat is losing weight
Appetite and intake are changing
GI disease may be interfering with absorption
However, prolonged uncontrolled diabetes can:

Cause further weight loss
Worsen muscle wasting
Contribute to diarrhea itself
? This needs very close coordination with your vet, especially if she is still polyphagic (very hungry) and thin.

What this combination most commonly means
Based on veterinary literature and your cat’s exact pattern, the most likely categories are:

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD / chronic enteropathy)

Very common in Sphynx cats
Causes diarrhea + weight loss + good appetite
Often diet?responsive but not to grocery?store foods
petmd
+1
Malabsorption ± pancreatic involvement

Can coexist with diabetes
Causes weight loss despite eating
Chronic parasitic infection

Giardia and Tritrichomonas can persist for years
Often require specific PCR tests, not basic fecals
bing

What should happen next (practical, realistic steps)
While waiting for stool results
? Continue metronidazole as prescribed unless your vet says otherwise

? Keep diet stable (no switching back and forth right now)

? Monitor weight weekly if possible

Very likely next steps with your vet

If stool is negative

That does not rule out IBD or food?responsive disease
Discuss:

Prescription novel?protein or hydrolyzed diet (not Fancy Feast, not RC Diabetic)

Possibly B12 (cobalamin) testing or supplementation
If weight loss continues

Bloodwork (if not already done) to assess:
Diabetes control
Protein levels
Pancreatic markers

Abdominal ultrasound is often the next diagnostic step

This is a very typical Sphynx + GI + endocrine pattern, and it often takes time to declare itself clearly.

How to frame the next vet conversation (clear, concise, effective)
You can read or paraphrase this — it’s medically appropriate and not confrontational.

“She’s had loose stools for years, but in the last 4 months she’s had significant weight loss despite a good appetite, and the diarrhea worsened on Royal Canin Diabetic. Metronidazole has helped a little but not fully. I’m concerned about malabsorption or chronic intestinal disease, not just diet upset.”

This immediately signals:

Chronicity
Weight loss (key red flag)
Partial antibiotic response (important diagnostic clue)
Key points to make sure are addressed

? Ask to discuss these specifically:

Chronic enteropathy / IBD

Food responsive disease

Malabsorption ± B12 deficiency

Interaction between GI disease and diabetes control

You are not asking for all tests at once — you’re asking for a direction.

If stool tests come back negative

“If the fecal results are negative, I’d like to move forward assuming this is either food responsive or inflammatory bowel disease and try a prescription elimination diet rather than continuing trial?and?error foods.”

That is textbook veterinary logic.

Say this clearly:

“I paused the diabetic medication because of the weight loss and diarrhea, but I want guidance on when and how to safely restart once the GI issue is stabilizing.”

This shows responsibility and keeps you aligned with your vet.

2?? Prescription diet direction (this matters a lot)
Given everything you’ve told me, Fancy Feast and Royal Canin Diabetic are both wrong tools for this situation — for different reasons.

You want a diet that:

Is diagnostic, not just nutritional
Reduces immune stimulation in the gut
Is consistent enough to judge response
Below are the most appropriate options, in order.

? BEST FIRST CHOICE (most likely to help)

Hydrolyzed protein diet
These proteins are broken down so the immune system doesn’t “see” them.

Common vet options:

Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein (HP)
Hill’s z/d
Purina HA

Why this fits your cat:

Chronic diarrhea + weight loss
Partial response to metronidazole
Sphynx breed (high IBD prevalence)
History of diet sensitivity
These diets often firm stools within 2–4 weeks if food?responsive disease is present.

? SECOND CHOICE (if hydrolyzed isn’t tolerated)
Novel single?protein diet
Only one protein the cat has never eaten before.

Examples:

Rabbit
Venison
Duck (true single?protein, prescription-grade)
These are still prescription, not boutique.

?? Important feeding rules (non?negotiable)
For the diet trial to mean anything:

? No treats
? No flavored meds
? No toppers
? No switching flavors
? Same food, every meal, every day
Even one cheat per week can invalidate the trial.

Diabetes + GI disease (key reassurance)
Many cats:

Digest hydrolyzed diets better
Gain weight back
Then can be re?regulated for diabetes more safely
GI stabilization often makes diabetes easier, not harder, to manage.

What improvement should look like (realistic expectations)
Within 1–2 weeks

Less urgency
Slightly firmer stools
By 4–6 weeks

Clearly formed stools OR consistent improvement
Stabilized or improving weight
If this happens ? strong evidence of food?responsive or inflammatory disease.

If it doesn’t ? next step is usually ultrasound ± medication (often steroids or B12), not more food changes.

One final reassurance
Nothing you’ve described suggests you’re “too late.”
This is very typical of Sphynx cats with chronic GI disease — it often takes years before weight loss forces the issue into focus.

You’re doing the right things now, and that matters.

If you want, next I can:

Help you choose between hydrolyzed vs novel protein based on what she’s already eaten
Help you plan how to reintroduce diabetes meds safely once stools improve
Help interpret stool or blood results line?by?line
Just tell me what you want next.

You said:
ONE MORE THING SHE IS 12 I GOT AT AGE 10 FROM A FRIEND WHO WAS BREEDING HER THEN NEUTETRED HER SHE WAS VERY FAT I WAS USING THE BREEDERS HARD KIBLE FOOD THEN SWITCHED AND SHE STARTED TO LOSE WEIGHT RAPIDLY …WAS AROUND 12 POUNDS NOW 8 AND LOSIN .8 PER MONTH OR SO

Copilot said:
Copilot
Thank you for adding this — this detail is extremely important, and I’m going to be very clear but steady with you.

This changes the urgency level
A 12?year?old cat who has gone from ~12 lb to ~8 lb, and is still losing ~0.8 lb per month, is not experiencing normal aging or diet transition.

That rate of loss is clinically significant and dangerous, even though she’s still eating and acting bright.

Cats can look “okay” right up until they don’t — especially seniors.

Why the early history matters (obesity ? rapid loss)
When you got her at 10:

She was overweight, likely from breeder kibble
Switching off that food revealed an underlying disease, not caused one
This pattern is classic for conditions that were masked by excess calories and then declared themselves once intake normalized.

What this pattern most strongly suggests now
Based on age + chronic diarrhea + rapid weight loss + diabetes, the top concerns are:

1?? Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progressing
Very common in Sphynx cats
Causes malabsorption
Cats eat well but cannot absorb nutrients
Often slowly progressive, then accelerates
2?? Intestinal lymphoma (low?grade)
I need to say this clearly — not to alarm you, but to be honest.

In senior cats, IBD and intestinal lymphoma overlap
Symptoms can look identical at first
Weight loss despite appetite is a key warning sign
Many cats remain bright and social early on
This does not mean it’s cancer — but it must be considered and ruled out appropriately

3?? Pancreatic disease / malabsorption
Can coexist with diabetes
Causes failure to maintain weight
Often missed without targeted testing
What does NOT fit anymore
At this point, this is very unlikely to be:

Simple food intolerance alone
Stress colitis
“Just aging”
Just uncontrolled diabetes by itself
Those do not explain this degree and speed of weight loss.

The metronidazole response — how to interpret it
The fact that stools are slightly thicker tells us: ? There is an inflammatory or bacterial component
? It is not sufficient alone

Metronidazole often temporarily improves stool in:

IBD
Intestinal lymphoma
Dysbiosis
So improvement does not rule out serious disease — it just confirms gut inflammation.

This is the key thing to say to your vet (verbatim if needed)

“She has lost about 8 pounds total and is still losing close to a pound a month despite eating well. Given her age, diabetes, and chronic diarrhea, I’m worried about malabsorption or intestinal disease beyond diet alone, and I’d like to escalate diagnostics if appropriate.”

That sentence matters.

What should happen next (realistically)

? IMMEDIATE priorities
Stop further weight loss
Identify whether this is:
Treatable inflammatory disease
Or something more serious that needs different management
? Reasonable next steps your vet may recommend
(These are not extreme — they are appropriate at this stage.)

Full senior bloodwork (if not already done)
Protein levels
Glucose regulation
Organ function
B12 (cobalamin) — deficiency alone can cause severe weight loss
Abdominal ultrasound
Looks at intestinal wall thickness
Lymph nodes
Pancreas
An ultrasound is often the turning point in cases like this.

A very important reassurance
Even if this turns out to be:

IBD
Or even low?grade lymphoma
? Many cats respond very well to treatment and regain weight, especially once the gut inflammation is controlled.

What matters most is not delaying escalation now that the weight loss is clear.

What you are doing right
You noticed the pattern
You didn’t ignore the weight loss
You involved the vet early
You questioned the diet effect (correctly)
You’re advocating now
That absolutely helps her prognosis.

Please tell me next:
Has bloodwork been done recently? If yes, when?
Has anyone palpated abdominal thickening or suggested ultrasound yet?
I can help you interpret results or decide how urgent the next step should be — and I’ll stay grounded and practical with you.

You said:
THE ORIGINAL FOOD WAS ACANA GRASSLANDS
Copilot said:
Copilot
That detail actually connects a lot of dots. Thank you — this is important.

Why Acana Grasslands matters in her story
Acana Grasslands is:

Very high?protein
Multiprotein (lamb, duck, fish, eggs)
Rich and calorie?dense
Grainfree, higher fat
For a breeder cat that was overweight, this kind of food can mask underlying disease by brute force calories.

So what likely happened is not that switching caused the problem — it uncovered it.

The pattern you’re describing is classic and medically meaningful
Let me restate it clearly, because this is exactly how vets think:

Age 10: obese on Acana Grasslands
Switched off breeder kibble ? rapid weight loss
Chronic loose stools emerge
Later develops diabetes
Now at 12:
Chronic diarrhea
Good appetite
Progressive, accelerating weight loss (?0.8 lb/month)
This pattern is not nutritional alone.

High?calorie foods like Acana can temporarily compensate for:

Poor nutrient absorption
Chronic intestinal inflammation
Early intestinal disease
Once removed, the body can’t keep up anymore.

Why “going back to Acana” would be the wrong move now
It’s very tempting to think:

“She did better on Acana — maybe she needs richer food”

But in cats like this:

Rich, multi?protein foods increase gut inflammation
They worsen diarrhea long?term
They speed progression of IBD or lymphoma
So even though she looked better on Acana years ago, it was likely masking, not fixing, the disease.

What this tells us diagnostically
Her response history strongly supports one of these:

1. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD / chronic enteropathy)
Long subclinical phase
Initially controlled by calories
Later progresses malabsorption weight loss

2. Lowgrade intestinal lymphoma (must be considered at her age)
Often indistinguishable from IBD early
Cats remain bright, hungry, affectionate
Weight loss becomes the defining feature

3 Pancreatic involvement + diabetes
Poor digestion + poor glucose utilization
Accelerates muscle wasting
None of these are rare in a 12?year?old Sphynx.

Why her appetite staying good is NOT reassuring anymore
This is counterintuitive but important:

In cats,

Good appetite + weight loss = malabsorption until proven otherwise
If this were just:

Diet dislike
Aging
Stress
She would eat less, not lose weight while eating well.

Where this puts you right now (honest but calm)
This has crossed from:

“Manage conservatively”

to:

“Actively investigate and stabilize.”

Not panic. Not emergency. But no more passive waiting.

The most appropriate next steps (in priority order)
? Priority 1: Stop the weight loss

Prescription hydrolyzed or novel?protein diet
Consider B12 supplementation (even before results — very safe)

? Priority 2: Define what you’re treating
If not already done:

Senior bloodwork (including proteins)
Abdominal ultrasound
This is the single most useful next test in cats like her.
An ultrasound does not mean surgery. It helps decide:

Diet alone
Diet + meds
Or whether biopsies are worth discussing
A very important reassurance
Even if this turns out to be:

Advanced IBD
Or low?grade lymphoma
? Many cats regain weight and feel good for years with the right treatment.

The danger is continued unchecked weight loss, not the diagnosis itself.

What I recommend you do next (practical)
At your next vet interaction, say this clearly:

“She was obese on Acana Grasslands and lost weight rapidly once switched off. She is now 12, diabetic, has chronic diarrhea, and is losing nearly a pound a month despite eating well. I’m concerned about malabsorption or intestinal disease, and I’d like to escalate diagnostics rather than just adjusting food.”

That is exactly the right framing.

If you want, next I can:

You said:
I HAVE PROBIOTIC PREBIOTIC POWDER I TAKE MYSELF CAN IT HELP TO GIVER HER A LITTLE WITH THE METRONIDAZOLE
Copilot said:
Copilot
I’m really glad you asked before giving it to her.

Short, clear answer
No — do not give her your human probiotic/prebiotic powder.
It’s not safe to assume it will help, and it can actually worsen diarrhea or cause harm in cats, especially one as fragile as she is right now.

What is safe and appropriate instead
If probiotics are to be used (and they often are helpful), they should be veterinary?specific.

Common vetapproved options (your vet can guide):

Purina FortiFlora (cat version)
ProviableDC (capsules or paste)
Visbiome Vet
These are:

Catappropriate strains
Dosed safely
Designed to be used with or after antibiotics
? Many vets actually wait until the metronidazole course is finished before starting probiotics, unless diarrhea worsens.

What you can do right now
? Continue metronidazole exactly as prescribed
? Keep her diet stable
? Avoid all supplements unless cleared by the vet
? Monitor stool consistency and appetite daily