My kitty is only 10 and ever since a neighbor started feeding him a few yrs back, he started to act and stand 'funny'. It's a long story, but this is the cause.

anyway, he was diagnosed with IBD. They did an endoscopy and said the upper part do his intestine and stomach area were severely inflamed. The biopsy did not show cancer, but the GI said that doesn't mean it's not somewhere else.

He stops eating entirely. he was so very skinny, but put on some weight with Prednisilone, flagyl and Mirtazipine. After a while the Mirtazipine stopped having an effect and it started again. This has been going on and off since last March. this visit they gave me Leukeran. I'm terrified to give it to him. He's got an enlarged heart, but I don't know what to do.

Has anyone dealt with this and might have suggestions? I am currently giving him slippery elm and CO Q10, which the GI thought was a good idea. That worked the longest, but he just stopped eating again.

Is this just a downward spiral to the end? He is such a good kitty and I'm very sad about it all.

I'm at my wits end!

I'm so sorry you and your kitty are having problems.  I've read that slippery elm is really good for IBD.

He is 10 MONTHS or 10 YEARS old?

Some thoughts:  what he is eating?  IBD can be associated with food allergies--and it can be an allergy to protein (for example, chicken) or grain or sometimes even additives.

Here is a website about ibd and another thread about ibd and food

Of course consult with your vet too about a possible change in diet, but know that a lot of vets push special foods and are anti-raw (due to ignorance not meanness).

Keep us posted.

Hi Ritz, 10 years old. He was allergic to the cheap food the neighbor fed him. I have tried everything from rabbit to duc to venison to raw.... You name , I've tried it. the funny thing is, when he's forced to eat and does eat, he's like his old self. when he stops eating, he goes downhill fast.

Thx for the links!

I'm so sorry you and your kitty are going through this! Ritz provided the link already, but I think the most helpful site is going to be http://www.ibdkitties.net. :nod: Leukeran is an oral chemotherapy to treat small cell lymphoma. It can be very difficult to distinguish between IBD and small cell lymphoma - and IBD can morph into small cell lymphoma. It sounds like he doesn't have a definitive diagnosis of cancer - but that doesn't meat it shouldn't be given.

The slippery elm and CoQ10 are probably very good supplements for him. I think you'll find on ibdkitties.net discussion of the benefit of B12 shots, which you might want to consider. Those may help his appetite too.

Does he handle assist feeding well? (Whether that's with finger, spoon, or syringe). If so, and he feels better with food in him, that's something I'd do.

Have other appetite stimulants been tried? (Like Ciprheptadine?) Also, can you tell if he feels nauseous? (Does he ever drool, or sit in the "meatloaf" position looking uncomfortable, not relaxed?) Our Lazlo had (well, has, but he's in remission :cross: ) large cell lymphoma, and an anti-nausea medication (we used Cerenia) was what really turned the corner for his appetite.

What is he currently eating (brands and proteins)?

Hi LDG,

Thanks for your response. Yes, meatloaf position often, I call it the 'bug' position.

He does get B-12 shots every week. I hear there is another type that is better for absorption than Cobalamin if that doesn't work. (see below) I have a call in to the hospital. He was on cyerinia when he got back from the hospital in August and he's lasted this long without a hitch. Now he's back to his non-eating self. I am so afraid of the Leukeran with him having an enlarged heart. I hate to see him 'out of it'. But maybe it is best.

I got this off of: http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information

It should be pointed out that in rare cases cobalamin supplementation fails to increase serum cobalamin concentration for reasons that are not currently understood. In these cases another formulation of cobalamin, such as hydroxocobalamin, might be effective.
Cobalamin may also have a pharmacologic effect as an appetite stimulant. Anorectic feline patients with cobalamin deficiency often start to eat again once they are being supplemented and appetite wanes once again when cobalamin is no longer administered weekly, despite a normal serum cobalamin concentration. In these patients cobalamin supplementation should be continued on a weekly or biweekly dosing schedule.


PS He doesn't particularly like spoon or syringe feeding. He spits it out.

Well, if you do syringe feeding properly, he can't spit it out. :lol3: Someone is working on putting together a thread with assist feeding resources, but I'd search for instructional videos on YouTube. :nod: Sounds like he'll really benefit from it once you get the hang of it.

I don't know anything about B12, and I hate to keep pushing the site, but I suspect there's quite a bit of information you'll find helpful, including B12 talk, on http://www.ibdkitties.net

And yes, sounds like maybe an anti-nausea med will help. :cross:

B12 must be in cyanocobolamine to properly treat GI disease. There is no way that methyl or the other form you mentioned will help, it's been proven. If you look at the link that LDG gave you, which is my site, I have a page on B12 if you go to the medications link. It explains all of this. And yes, if he's nauseous and in that meatloaf position, this means he's experiencing pain. Have they tested for pancreatitis? If not, they need to do a PLI and test for that. Have you tried just Pepcid A/C, 1/4 of a 10 mg tablet twice daily for the nausea and acid reflux? And again as LDG mentioned, cyproheptadine is another appetite stimulant that works well, I'd give that a try as well. 

He's been on MethylCobalamin but not cyanocobolamine. He had a lab done for cobalamin this AM. Is it the same ratio? His pancreas is good. Pepsid didn't help. His pancreas is OK. She gave me some Cerenia and I'm trying that out today. I guess I should order the cyanocobolamine. I'm getting close to the point of doing something drastic if something doesn't work. He's not happy getting pills shoved down his throat all day, and that bug position, it's driving me crazy that he looks so uncomfortable. Spending hours in tears.

We just ditched the clumping clay litter this AM. Don't know if that will help.

Just ordered the Cyanocobalamine. I was on the site and nothing was mentioned about Instinct cat food. Is that any good? It's the only one I could find with different flavours like rabbit, venison and duck. Notice it has Montmorillonite Clay in it. Is this terrible? Everything else seems OK.

Montmorillonite Clay

Montmorillonite is a natural clay that we source from deposits in southern Utah that is approved by AAFCO for use as an anticaking processing aid. We have used this same natural source for many years.)

Ingredients
Rabbit, Pork Liver, Water, Ground Flaxseed, Tricalcium Phosphate, Montmorillonite Clay, Peas, Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Lecithin, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Biotin, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Kelp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley. Visit the Ingredient Glossary to learn about each ingredient.

I don't know about Montmorillonite clay and IBD kitties. :dk: It's a food grade clay that helps reduce toxins.

I'm pretty sure there's extensive discussion of foods for IBD kitties on ibdkitties.net. But others to consider - that don't have that long list of "other stuff," are EVO 95% meats, By Nature 95% meat canned foods, Before Grain canned foods.... it's really hard to find high protein canned foods without carrageenan, and that can be an irritant or cause a flare-up in IBD kitties.

If you can afford it, you might want to consider commercial raw food. The best one for starters with IBD kitties is expensive with the shipping: Rad Cat. Though it may be available locally - it's worth a look see. http://www.radfood.com/ Raw food is also considered the "cancer starving" diet in cats, and it helps them gain weight and lean muscle mass. :nod:

If you can't find it locally, http://www.onlynaturalpet.com can ship it. It's best to call to order it, as sometimes the shipping doesn't calculate right online.

I've not seen any IBD kitties have any issues with that clay as it is supposed to aid in digestion. It's the bentonite clay in cat litter that's a problem. 

Thanks, super people!

I've tried raw so many times and it seems as if he gets worse on it. Always organic, too. He LOVES organic chix livers raw or cooked, they don't seem to bother him. I just bought some organic veal as I've hear chicken can be an irritant as it's common food. That's next. (I only give liver proportionate to the amount that would be in a dead critter. I think it's very rich.)

Now I know with people, sometimes they get worse before they get better, but it doesn't appear to be so here. I keep raising my arms saying, 'I have no idea'.
 

Boy, I wouldn't wish this on anyone! I can't tell you the nights I've laid in bed awake.

He's doing a little better with the anti-nausea meds. STarting to eat. This is a very difficult disease to deal with. It's a roller coaster ride.

I'm so glad he's feeling a little better!

I just spoke with the GI vet at the hospital. She said Methylcobalamine is better then the Cyano. She said that Cyano has to be broken down to Methyl, so Methyl is easier to assimilate. Just thought I'd bring it up.

I understand the break down process and what it ends up being but the difference is the cyano is the one for GI problems. Methyl is for the nervous system and if you Google it, all the vet websites including TAMU (Texas A&M) will tell you that cyano is the one that works for GI distress and disease. Believe me, I've researched this. Whatever cyano ends up becoming (methyl, I know), it still has properties in the cyano that help with intestinal diseases more than methyl does. People I know have tried and methyl does NOTHING for GI disease. 

http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin-information

It doesn't mention methylcobalamin at all. In fact, it says that if cyanocobalamin does not increase serum cobalamin concentrations, then something called hydroxocobalamin should be used.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3568063

Methylcobalamin is used for diabetic neuropathy because of its concentration in spinal fluid.

Hmm. Interesting, but that was only one abstract dealing with diabetes. Check out this article on methyl vs cyano and tell me what you think:

http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs...cyanocobalamin-versus-methylcobalamin?blog=27

My ND also told me only to take Methyl for myself as the others don't work as well.

She said she never had to put a cat on hydroxy, they all responded, and my vet had cyano, but that what she told me. His labs came back yesterday and his Cobalamin levels are 2000. They were 145 before, so it did work. Hurray. Have both kinds now.

Here's what she said about the Budesinide, that's it's a lighter dose than pred and it's not processed in the liver.

And she said the Cyproheptadine is basically and anti-histamine and I might have to give him one or more a day instead of Mirtaz that lasts in his system. Which isn't lasting anymore, so I'm getting the melty, Cypro flavored tabs thru the compounding pharmacy. I am so glad I found them. They can make anything with the melt-on-the-tongue and flavored tiny tabs. They are certainly a blessing for me.

She mentioned that slippery elm can stop absorption on iron and other things, so that's why he may be liking the liver so much. What a ******** process this is!

Here is information on slippery elm: http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/slippery-elm/

I had a cat with explosive diarrhea, food "allergies" so bad, he mowed his abdomen and forlegs clean of hair. We sought out a holistic DVM, not someone trained in "just" traditional medicine. She recommended 1/4 teaspoon slippery elm 2x a day. We used this for more than a year, and there were no adverse side effects. Of course, we fed four meals a day, and it was only administered with two. So... :dk: It is recommended by Dr. Hofve (the author of the article to which I linked) that it be administered separately from any medications kitty is being given.

As to the methyl vs. cyano article to which you provided a link, it doesn't address the use of mythlcobalamin for GI issues at all. :dk: In fact, this is what it says right at the beginning:

Compared with cyanocobalamin, it appears that methylcobalamin is better absorbed and retained in higher amounts within your tissues. In simple terms, they are used much more effectively. In general, methylcobalamin is used primarily in your liver, brain and nervous system.

Click to expand...

If you connect your searches with IBD or GI tract, all that keeps turning up is cyanocobalamin. :dk:

Slippery Elm reduced his iron intake. Have to be careful with that.

Found this on the methyl and cyano. I'm giving him both now. The methyl is raising his cobalamin labs. The cyano is made with cyanide. Creepy.

http://fnae.org/diseases.html

Along with diet change to a wet high-meat-protein food with or without phosphate binders and cooked egg white, medications are used for control of hypertension and other side effects of the kidney disease as well as palliative (pain control) care for the cat. Subcutaneous fluid therapy may also be indicated and can be done at home by the owner. Vitamin B complex particularly methylcobalamin a type of vitamin B 12 may help CRD cats as it improves appetite and energy levels.

Then I found this:

http://www.naturalnews.com/032766_cyanocobalamin_vitamin_B-12.html

Vitamin B-12 warning: Avoid cyanocobalamin, take only methylcobalamin

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032766_cyanocobalamin_vitamin_B-12.html#ixzz2IY8o8NRw

Instead, most people supplement their vitamin B-12 using nutritional supplements. But here's where this can go wrong: The most commonly available form of vitamin B-12 on the market is the cheap synthetic form that's actually bound to a cyanide molecule (yes, cyanide, the poison). It's called cyanocobalamin, and you'll find it in all the cheap vitamins made by pharmaceutical companies and sold at grocery stores and big box stores.

Action item: If you have any vitamin B-12 supplements, check the ingredients label right now to see what form of vitamin B-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin, throw them out!

Cyanocobalamin is a cheap, synthetic chemical made in a laboratory. It's virtually impossible for you to find this form in nature. Low-end vitamin manufacturers use it because it can be bought in bulk and added to products with claims that they "contain vitamin B-12!" What they don't tell you is that the vitamin is bound to a toxic, poisonous cyanide molecule that must then be removed from your body by your liver. Cyanocobalamin is also up to 100 times cheaper than the higher quality methylcobalamin which we'll talk about below.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/032766_cyanocobalamin_vitamin_B-12.html#ixzz2IY94rn3H