Sick Kitty with IBD and Gallstones

Hi there,

I'm a new member. My beloved Whimsey is a 9 year old American Shorthair Classic Tabby rescue with IBD. I've been able to control it with a raw food diet and judicious use of Budesonide. Starting last Thursday, he stopped eating, began throwing up furballs and had diarrhea. I took him to the vet for fluids and bloodwork. The next day more fluids and an x-ray showed GALLSTONES and a sort of mineralized sludge in the gallbladder. He was given more fluids and felt good and could be coaxed to eat yesterday, but is refusing food today. I can coax him to eat from my hand, but he is generally unhappy. He is schedule to have an ultrasound tomorrow. Oh, his bloodwork came back just fine. He is also on Metronidazole which is an antibiotic. After treatment at the vet the vomiting has stopped and he finally had a normal bm this evening.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Best,

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

I am going to link you to my thread about this.
It is long and detailed, if you have specific questions for immediate, please feel free to PM me.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ght=gallstones

I have unfortunately become an old hand at this

Thanks so much for the email and link. As a matter of fact when I was googling gallstones in cats I found this website and your link which cause me to join. Now I'm researching triaditis.

Best,

Elizabeth

I just brought Whimsey back from the vet. The ultrasound showed no complications from the gallstones and he is eating and playing. It seems to have been a flareup of his IBD. The vomiting and diarrhea have stopped and he is no longer hiding in my closet. The vet bills have come to close to $1,200 so if anyone would like to buy my guitar and/or piano, I've got a great deal for you!

Thank you so much for your support. I adore this cat and of course I was imagining the worse possible scenario.

Best,

Elizabeth

I'm so glad that Whimsey is better! I can understand your relief. My oldest kitty also has IBD. Flare-ups are no fun.

I haven't read through kittymonster's thread, so forgive me if this information was already given. Has your vet suggested ursodiol? It's a med that can help with gallstones. My girl has been on it for some time now, and it's been very helpful.

Also, look into slippery elm to help ease the IBD. It's safe, and works to alleviate the inflammation that comes with IBD. Anitra Frazier has a recipe for it in her book "The New Natural Cat". If you can't find it, pm me. Remember to always speak to your vet first about giving your cat any supplements.

Hope Whimsey stays happy and healthy!

HI there,

Several months ago, you were kind enough to respond to my plea about my IBD kitty Whimsey who at that time was having a flareup. He responded to medication, but I cannot completely wean him off his Budesonide and Metronidazole. I'm now investigating more natural remedies and you mentioned a recipe for Slippery Elm Bark. By any chance can you email it to me?

Thank you!

Elizabeth