I have officially give up!

Holistic type general allergy stuff... may some immune boosting things like l lysine??

Pm me and I will print off and look up and ask ..lol..

Gigi has severe issues that we are maintaining finally with some stuff

I was actually thinking the opposite ...like experimenting with steroids (oral prednisone). If it's an autoimmune issue that should help.

I just sent a Pm about pred ... i use it with the natural in a low low dose

Ahh, cool. We're finally approaching the low low range here. I think that might be *one thing* that Damita hasn't been on yet?

Well I'm not experienced with the autoimmune stuff but I get the general impression that those things oftentimes aren't officially "tested" for (in animals anyway). I get the idea it's more of a trial/error process. The steroids (natural or not, either one) would suppress the immune system's reaction which could be causing Damita's grief.

I don't have experience with the natural type, that's Sharky's department.

The usual Rx is Prednisolone. Very inexpensive and a very small pill, i.e. easy to administer. Pills are good (vs. injections) as adjustment to the dose can be instant rather than a long acting shot that you can't undo. I'm unfamiliar with the usual dose for immune suppression. I think it is higher than the usual dose given for anti-inflammatory needs.

I would discourage using it for years and years but when there's no other alternative it can be a life saver.

Did Damitia do ok on the Venison and green pea other than her urine pH?

Urine can be acidified very easily using a small, 1/8 to 1/4 tsp a day of Methionine. It works, we had a cat on it for 15 years. Just mix it into a little wet food. It is orderless and tasteless, and even my Zoe girl eats it. They also make chewable tablets, MethioTabs I think. They are huge, but MAN, the cats thing they are treats. I set them on the counter and they were trying to chew through the bag!

This might be a way to get her onto a food she doesn't chronically vomit, if the urine pH was the only problem.

I don't know if autoimmune is the right direction to be looking. It sound more like her immune system is in low gear as opposed to overdrive to me. I say this mostly because of the recurrent ringworm, a classic occurance in immunocompromised cats. . There are other things besides FeLV and FIV that will cause poor immune reaction. I wonder if she has a genetic defect that prohibits the production of a certain immunloglobulin, IgG, IgE, or IgA, specifically.

When I was in school, we had a man die of rabies at the University hospital. He and his neighbor were attacked and bitten by a stray cat that was clearly acting rabid. They were both given the immunoglobulin injections and then the rabies series. One man did fine, the other man developed rabies. Turns out he was deficient in IgA and thus was not able to amount an immune response to the treatment protocal to prevent the rabies from developing. It was a highly unsualy case, but real none the less.

Damitia simptoms sound more akin to this type of immune problem. If anyone could test for it, I am thinking it would be UC Davis. The tests would be very expensive I am guessing.

Another possibility to check out is getting a consult with Cornell. If you are interesed I can look up the information again. I think they charge like $35 to do a record review and consult with your vet to try and get a diagnosis. Since they are a teaching and referal institution they see many more of the rare cases.

I am hoping your sweet girl has stopped her projectile vomiting now. I feel horrible for her and for you. It is so stressful when they are that sick and we can't find the answers to help

[quote=kittymonsters;1824185]Did Damitia do ok on the Venison and green pea other than her urine pH?

Urine can be acidified very easily using a small, 1/8 to 1/4 tsp a day of Methionine. It works, we had a cat on it for 15 years. Just mix it into a little wet food. It is orderless and tasteless, and even my Zoe girl eats it. They also make chewable tablets, MethioTabs I think. They are huge, but MAN, the cats thing they are treats. I set them on the counter and they were trying to chew through the bag!

This might be a way to get her onto a food she doesn't chronically vomit, if the urine pH was the only problem.

I don't know if autoimmune is the right direction to be looking. It sound more like her immune system is in low gear as opposed to overdrive to me. I say this mostly because of the recurrent ringworm, a classic occurance in immunocompromised cats. . There are other things besides FeLV and FIV that will cause poor immune reaction. I wonder if she has a genetic defect that prohibits the production of a certain immunloglobulin, IgG, IgE, or IgA, specifically.




I am deficiant in Igg Iga and a subclass ... It seems the vets dont know how to test ... I evan asked mine and she gave me the I need to look this up ...

Having read the rheumy thread in the cat lounge, I was wondering. You and I have a lot in common.

Has Damita been checked for an anatomical problem? That's often a cause of projectile vomiting, and not always recognized.

Sorry, I'm not up to date on all your posts about Damita. Projectile vomiting is, IME, a physical/anatomical problem. Have you tried elevating her food dish (put a flat dish on a foot stool, or in a stand)? How about giving her dry food in a dog's treat ball, so that she can only eat at a slow pace? Or, when giving her canned food, spoon feeding her at a rate of about three teaspoons in a half hour? I know that all sounds crazy, but I've had luck with those strategies with two pets (a rat and a dog) who spewed their stomach contents for no discernible reason.

Why hasn't anyone given any good advice yet?

What you need to do is find another vet!

Do this by yourself, or ask your vet for a referral.

And keep looking for a vet that can give you some answers. Forget about that holisitic stuff.

Welcome to TCS...

The poster is in a small town... ... and thus has limited options... She has gotten advice and much of it depending how she views it may help

Prednisone really messes with the immune system. People and vets into holistic treatments treat prednisone like it's the enemy! And in humans it not only messes up the immune system, but also increases degeneration of tendons. Especially in the lower legs/ankles. Not sure if animals are the same with the tendon thing. Anyway, I'd be very careful using prednisone or any steroid, natural or not. Arsenic is natural but not necessarily good for us! Sometimes prednisone is necessary (if it's life or death such as breathing etc.). But I'd think twice about it and maybe look into other alternatives. I think you can consult a holistic vet online for a small fee. I don't have a link for you but I bet if you google it, you'll find one!

Some things I would try:

Feeding much smaller, more frequent meals.
Put her her on a simple food with very few ingredients.
Maybe trying something like Transfer Factor.
Raising the bowl (as Tricia said).

One last word on prednisone/steroids. If you do end up trying, always withdraw this medication slowly as it does weaken the immune system. Cut the dose in half every 4 days.

Prednisone does mess with the immune system...but if the immune system has become the enemy, then a counter-attack is necessary IMO. Cats have far fewer long term issues with prednisone than humans do. I agree that it is a drug that shouldn't be used if it's not necessary, but if there's no other way to have a decent quality of life then I would definitely try it.

I feel with you!

Sorry, I am no expert, but have you tried "Addiction"? The broshure says it is good for cats with food allergy issues, as it doesn't contain the usual meats, but Possum and Eel.

My vet recommended it. Mine are a bit fussy, so I need to mix it with some of their dry for them to actually eat it.

Good luck!

Awwww Nat, I have no expertise on how to help her..but wanted to send vibes for the poor girl{{{{}}}}

I hope she feels better soon

hi
i'm so sorry you are having this problem
i dont have any suggestions beyond what you've already gotten,
i did have to raise the food bowl for my cat who had IBD/food allergie and CRF and that helped her

and i have one cat who eats too fast so i have to mash her food down into the plate so she eats slower, otherwise the food comes right back up.

is she vomiting right after eating?
or some time afterwards?

is she maintaining her weight?

i know of one other cat whose problem was the same, she tried everything and nothing worked,
but since the cat was not losing weight, the vet said not to worry about it

(easy for him to say, he doesnt have to clean it up)

if i think of anything else i'll let you know

oh, you might want to try PetfoodDirect online, they may carry the venison and green pea in the dry

my girl with food allegies used to eat it til her kidneys got bad, it had too much phosphorus

there is also a prescription venison and green pea that comes in canned and dry, i'll see if i can find the brand name

Hi, I am new to this thread and your problem, but wanted to ask if you have tried the webinars at Petsmart Charities. Here is a list of recorded webinars you can view and listen to (there are live ones too), and there is a really good one on ringworm.

You can access the recorded sessions by clicking on the link on the upper left column on this page (under "attend a session). All you need to do is download webex, make sure you have sound on your pc, and go.

https://petsmartcharities.webex.com/...smartcharities

If you "attend" the webinar, I am pretty sure you will be able to write to Dr. Sandra Newbury at UC Davis to ask her about your cat and situation. She did the ringworm webinar and she has done many others for Petsmart Charities.

I attended this seminar myself a while ago and one of our foster homes had ringworm so I wrote to her for help. She gave me a lot of good advice and she answered me very promptly. She may be able to give you some overall advice. I know ringworm may not be your cat's main problem, but this is a start.

I do not recall whether her email is listed as part of the webinar, but if not, you might be able to get it through the Petsmart Charities help area.

This site and the free offerings are a really good resource for anyone interested in cat care. Please accept my apologies if this is "old news" for everyone :-) or if my information is incorrect and you are not able to get help. I hope it does help you. :-) It sounds like you have done so much for this kitty. You are a real saint.

Her urinary pH is alarming! I freak when one of mine gets up to 7. 8- 8.5 is way too high. Does she have some kind of acid/base imbalance due to the chronic vomiting? Like a systemic alkalosis?

I understand your gram's issues with her immune system. I have several autoimmune disorders so I understand the need to suppress immune systems. I certainly didn't mean to imply you were not understanding them either.

My concern is, that it seems like your vet was originally concerned with and underactive or already suppressed immune system and looked for those causes. When the big two (FeLv and FIV) came back negative then the switched to an autoimmune disease. However there are other causes of immuno-suppression, and chronic ringworm really is a classic sign of immuno-supression in cats.

Prednisone is a good drug in the right circumstances, even with all the negative side effects. The problem is, if Damita really has an already suppressed immune system of unknown etiology, giving her pred or other immuno-supressants could kill her.

I know for certain UC Davis can test for autoimmune disease in cats, dogs and horses. the bloodwork is expensive. However I would test before giving prednisone. UC Davis is also excellent at doing long distance consulting either through your current vet or with owners directly. I have sent blood samples to them from our horses directly. I live very rural, so utilizing the consulting services of the big teaching hospitals has become a must.

If I am remembering correctly I think you live in Minnesota. Have you tried the U of M veterinary teaching hospital. They did the bone grafts and eventual amputation on one of my kitties legs. It was a $2500 surgery, but they used her as a teaching case and wrote off everything but the hardware. I paid $250 (which was awesome because I was a poor college student). It might be very worth a call and a trip to the cities, there used to be some decent inexpensive hotels over by the St. Paul campus where the vet school is.