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- Sep 26, 2006
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Hi Everyone,
First, sorry this is so long. I really need some advice so I hope those of you with experience in IBD will take a few minutes to read through and reply.
You may remember me talking about my cat Plushy. We have tested him for everything the vet suggested and the vet says we have "walked backwards into a diagnosis of IBD." Blood work looked great, tested stool (negative) for everything possible, no FELV/FIV, no Hyperthyroid etc. We have not confirmed IBD with tests b/c the vet said the surgery to get tissue samples would require he be off of the steroids, which he didn't want to do. He said he was fairly confident IBD is the correct diagnosis based on everything.
Well, what I need help with is diet. A brief history:
1.) Once this all started in November, I researched it and I immediately went out to get grain free food for my cats. They have been eating TOTW since.
2.) In January, the vet put Plushy on a rx hills I/D canned diet which I was leery about because that food contains grains and other common allergens. When I didn't see any change in weight after a few weeks, I took it upon myself to try a LID by Natural Balance (Duck and Green Pea). I also switched from TOTW to a Natural Balance LID hard food to be safe. I think it is chicken and green pea? Both cats are on this to ensure Plushy isn't getting into a food that he may be allergic to.
3.) So far, no results. It looks like he might still be losing weight! He eats a good amount and is still on a low dose steroid (1/2 of a 4mg pill every other day).
4.) I checked his stool the other day and it was runny. I may need to up his steroids (he was on antibiotics during the steroid trial so it was hard to tell exactly what "level" worked). It could also be runny because he has been getting sneaky and spitting out his pill when I wasn't looking for a few doses. I found them on the floor later on and realized what he was doing. I have had to resort to shoving it down his throat
5.) As I sit here typing, Plushy is on the back of the couch behind me. I can hear growling noises from his stomach or intestines. The vet said this is usually small bowel movement sounds and nothing to be concerned about as long as he isn't arching his back in pain. I don't see arching of his back, but he shifts his body sometimes when this happens like he may be uncomfortable. Ugh... I HATE not knowing what to look for
Is this normal for IBD cats? Should I be concerned?
So my main question is... where do I go from here? In reading other posts about IBD it sounds like a few members had to try a few different brands of food before finding one that works. I am just not sure how to know what's working? How long do I need to give this food to work and what signs will I see to know it's helping??
Although he eats, he's not as active as he was before this began. I guess that is what I am looking for as a sign-- I will know he's better when he plays with Giraffe again. Are there other foods you can recommend that worked for your IBD cat? I would like one that I can get from a local store or online. I don't think I am ready to try a raw diet either.
Thanks for all of your previous help and future help. Being so new to this is really making me nervous. I just wish I could find the answer!
First, sorry this is so long. I really need some advice so I hope those of you with experience in IBD will take a few minutes to read through and reply.
You may remember me talking about my cat Plushy. We have tested him for everything the vet suggested and the vet says we have "walked backwards into a diagnosis of IBD." Blood work looked great, tested stool (negative) for everything possible, no FELV/FIV, no Hyperthyroid etc. We have not confirmed IBD with tests b/c the vet said the surgery to get tissue samples would require he be off of the steroids, which he didn't want to do. He said he was fairly confident IBD is the correct diagnosis based on everything.
Well, what I need help with is diet. A brief history:
1.) Once this all started in November, I researched it and I immediately went out to get grain free food for my cats. They have been eating TOTW since.
2.) In January, the vet put Plushy on a rx hills I/D canned diet which I was leery about because that food contains grains and other common allergens. When I didn't see any change in weight after a few weeks, I took it upon myself to try a LID by Natural Balance (Duck and Green Pea). I also switched from TOTW to a Natural Balance LID hard food to be safe. I think it is chicken and green pea? Both cats are on this to ensure Plushy isn't getting into a food that he may be allergic to.
3.) So far, no results. It looks like he might still be losing weight! He eats a good amount and is still on a low dose steroid (1/2 of a 4mg pill every other day).
4.) I checked his stool the other day and it was runny. I may need to up his steroids (he was on antibiotics during the steroid trial so it was hard to tell exactly what "level" worked). It could also be runny because he has been getting sneaky and spitting out his pill when I wasn't looking for a few doses. I found them on the floor later on and realized what he was doing. I have had to resort to shoving it down his throat
5.) As I sit here typing, Plushy is on the back of the couch behind me. I can hear growling noises from his stomach or intestines. The vet said this is usually small bowel movement sounds and nothing to be concerned about as long as he isn't arching his back in pain. I don't see arching of his back, but he shifts his body sometimes when this happens like he may be uncomfortable. Ugh... I HATE not knowing what to look for
So my main question is... where do I go from here? In reading other posts about IBD it sounds like a few members had to try a few different brands of food before finding one that works. I am just not sure how to know what's working? How long do I need to give this food to work and what signs will I see to know it's helping??
Although he eats, he's not as active as he was before this began. I guess that is what I am looking for as a sign-- I will know he's better when he plays with Giraffe again. Are there other foods you can recommend that worked for your IBD cat? I would like one that I can get from a local store or online. I don't think I am ready to try a raw diet either.
Thanks for all of your previous help and future help. Being so new to this is really making me nervous. I just wish I could find the answer!
