URGENT! My cat has fecal incontinence and diarrhea–I’m really scared and the vet has been no help!?

I’ve spent $1,100 over the past month trying to figure out what’s wrong with my cat, and it seems like her condition worsens every time I take her to the vet. For anyone in Los Angeles, I took her to Dr. Kent at the Westside Hospital for Cats, who has a great reputation on Citysearch, but my cat’s symptoms have only progressed. I’d take her back, but as a grad student, I can’t afford it anymore. I’m praying her symptoms will improve, but I’m aware that diarrhea can be dangerous for cats.

Symptoms

My cat has had diarrhea since Sunday, 12/6 (I took her to the vet on 12/8). Tonight, however, a new symptom appeared: fecal incontinence. Poop is now oozing from her rectum. I’ve found small lumps of feces in spots she has been sitting for a while, and I’ve noticed pieces dropping off in different areas. When I checked her rectum, I found small bits of feces oozing out, but her rectum doesn’t appear prolapsed or “open.” Despite all this, she’s acting completely normal otherwise.

Background Information

Here’s some context in case any vets or vet techs might read this:

• Name and Personality: My cat’s name is Zhoul (like the line from Ghostbusters: "There is no kitty, only Zuul"). She’s affectionate with me and my husband but dislikes strangers.
• Age and History: She’s 8.5 years old, a rescue who we’ve had since she was a kitten. She was healthy until recently.
• Breed: Medium-hair calico.
• Household: We adopted a male rescue cat in August (he’s 2 years old). We introduced them gradually, but Zhoul didn’t get along with him for about three months—hissing and batting were common. He’s very docile and doesn’t retaliate.
• Behavioral Concerns: In November, we took her to the vet for aggression toward the new cat and excessive licking. She had been pulling out patches of her fur—more than usual.
• Medication: The vet prescribed Clomicalm (Clomipramine) for her aggression and licking. Initially, there was confusion about dosing—vet techs gave conflicting instructions. We later corrected her dose to half a 5mg tablet, which seems to work better.

Medical History

• Tests: A blood test (11/11) and two fecal tests (11/11 and 12/8) came back normal.
• Allergy: She’s allergic to flea saliva and has been on Advantage since November.
• Steroids: She’s had two courses of Prednisolone (5mg).
• First course (11/11): For flea itching until Advantage took effect.
• Second course (12/8): For suspected early-onset Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), per the vet’s techs.

Recent Vet Visit (12/8)

• The vet administered an antibiotic shot (effective for two weeks) and a steroid shot.
• Prescribed Prednisolone: one tablet daily for five days, then every other day until finished.

Timeline Before New Symptom

Tonight, we gave her: - Her second dose of Advantage. - Half a tablet of Clomicalm. - One full tablet of Prednisolone.

About 30 minutes later, we noticed the first soft lump of feces on the floor where she had been sitting.

What I’m Looking For

I’d deeply appreciate any advice or resources that might help. I’m already planning to switch to a vet recommended by a friend for all future visits, but I can’t afford another visit right now. If anyone has insights into her symptoms or what could be happening, please share. Thank you!