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Young Cat With Extraordinary Pica

by CorinneC - January 9, 2021 View Case Report

Leo is a 1yo MN orange tabby with an extraordinary need to eat string-like objects (bathing suit straps at 6mth which required an exploratory, and presently mask straps). He is a sweet earthy boy, friendly and confident at home, super playful. To examine he is a little nervous and wiggly so pulses are difficult. His tongue has been mostly a dark pink, wet, but not overtly swollen. Cats are so tricky for tongue and pulse!

In September 2020 he was still struggling with pica and the owner was at her wits end. He would eat mask straps and then have bouts of inappetence, vomiting, soft stool. I put him on probiotics and Wei Ling Tang because of its great strength in pica cases but have seen no change. The owner tried homeopathy and deworming as well but again no change.

Wondering if you have any incite for this sweet boy? He is otherwise a very healthy cat. I advised raw back in the summer and he eats that well. He has a lovely coat and is in excellent physical condition, BCS 4/9. Teeth and gums are healthy, no other concerns.

by naturevet

January 13, 2021

Hmm. On the assumption that this isn't strictly a behavioural preference (in which case he needs a kitty psychologist), then maybe he is seeking out the string the way other cats seek out grass to scour out their Phlegm from the Stomach. in that case, we might need a bit more anti-inflammatory effect in the GI. Given that possibility, I'd consider San Ren Tang or even Xiao Chai Hu Tang as alternatives to the Wei Ling Tang.

Hopefully that helps

Steve

by CorinneC

January 13, 2021

I think I'll try SRT first and see how it goes. We have him booked for Telemedicine with a behaviourist too to cover all our bases.

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