cat with possible IBD & Allergies

Hi everyone,

New to the forum here.

I have a three year old cat (household of three males) which two weeks ago was positive for pancreatitis.

We went through the treatment of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, pepcid, pain med and fluids, she also is still giving him B-12 injections once a week for 4 more weeks.

I also am convinced he has Allergies, whether to a food or something else not for certain .

He has been scratching around ears, under chin, nips somewhat at his paws suddenly and licks feet. He also seems to groom alot but no loss of hair or skin lesions noted.

Took him back to vet yesterday due to finding undigested vomit two days in a row and because of the scratching.

He is an indoor cat and vet administered Revolution  (two weeks ago)because she said indoor cats can still get fleas (although I have never had an issue)

I tried slowly changing his diet from Blue indoor Freedom grain free to Nature's Variety Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet in Turkey but scratching still continues .

So, back to vet yesterday, she checked him over, no fleas, ears were clear, no temp, howver he did lose 3 ounces from over a week ago (had him back last week for B-12 injection)

I asked about a sono or x-rays, pancreatitis test again and thyroid testing.

Vet said it would be a good idea to rule out some things.

X-Ray revealed some Thickening in the (bowel) (intestines) which is indictive of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the only way to firmly DX it is to perform a biopsy which she wasn't wanting to do at this time and I was agreeable.

So since Allergies were also suspected (and I truly believe allergies could be the culprit of bringing on the IBD) we were looking for a diet for awhile  that would address his IBD and Allergies.

Royal canin had one but it was hydrolyzed soy protein , no thank you, and Hill's had one Z/D for low Allergen that also was good for IBD..We went with the Z/D only because all the other non commercial foods he would throw up.. Well, when we got back home he really chowed down on it and this morning no vomit but my concern is the protein level, very low, which also means low fat and he is a thin cat to begin with.

Anyone have a cat with IBD and Allergies ? What else can you feed them ? I do not want to cause anymore problems with his Gastrointestional tract   and I am trying a RX food that is void of all grains, hydrolyzed protein of chicken liver and chicken, no peas, no potatoes, etc..

Oh and the horror, I just found they preserve it with BHA !!!! I have wrote them about this..

So, perhaps I need to find another food if they can't leave out Cancer causing agents in their overpriced RX foods !

Thank you,

Donna

Hi there and welcome to the forums! 

I have a cat with IBS and probable food allergies. Here is my thread on my saga (http://www.thecatsite.com/t/259470/vomiting-bile-possible-blockage-in-ragodoll-what-to-ask-vet). What has worked for me is switching to an all wet diet. I did a very slow transition and this is the first week he is eating wet without any dry food toppers. I feed him mainly nature's variety wet food in duck and lamb since they are novel proteins and I used the LI turkey dry during the transition. I also give him the vitality science protocol for treatment resistant vomiting (http://www.vitalityscience.com/v/AllProducts/Cat-Diarrhea-Vomiting/feline-Diarrhea-Vomiting.asp). The vitality science seems to work very well. I had actually gone away last weekend and my mother didn't give it to him and when I got home he vomited repeatedly until I gave him a dose of the stuff. He also started retching the next day and I gave him a dose and he did not vomit. I found this treatment from reading a blog post on IBD from the natural cat care blog (http://www.naturalcatcareblog.com/2...-up-healed-in-one-month-not-just-by-food/).He has not vomited since I started giving it to him again and before he had gone weeks without vomiting which was amazing. I cannot say for certain the vitality science is a cure but so far it seems to be helping. In my case shaving my cat also did wonders for his appetite and his stomach discomfort. 

I would also really advise stopping the revolution. It is clear at this point it is not fleas and he may actually be having a reaction to it as it is pretty strong stuff. 

How long has your boy been on the Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient Turkey? It can take months for an allergy to build in the system before we notice, and it can months for the allergy to subside on a hypoallergenic diet.

The best diet for an IBD kitty with allergies and a history of pancreatitis would be 1) wet food (many prefer raw), 2) hypoallergenic (novel protein, grain free), 3) high protein, and 4) low carb. A low fat diet is debatable for pancreatitis and not proven to be effective in cats as it is in dogs.

Unfortunately, IBD and pancreatitis can be occurring as, or concurrently with, gastrointestinal lymphoma - all of which exhibit similar symptoms (intestinal thickening, vomiting, diarrhea). I hope your boy doesn't have this.
 

Franksmom said:

Hi there and welcome to the forums! 

I have a cat with IBS and probable food allergies. Here is my thread on my saga (http://www.thecatsite.com/t/259470/vomiting-bile-possible-blockage-in-ragodoll-what-to-ask-vet). What has worked for me is switching to an all wet diet. I did a very slow transition and this is the first week he is eating wet without any dry food toppers. I feed him mainly nature's variety wet food in duck and lamb since they are novel proteins and I used the LI turkey dry during the transition. I also give him the vitality science protocol for treatment resistant vomiting (http://www.vitalityscience.com/v/AllProducts/Cat-Diarrhea-Vomiting/feline-Diarrhea-Vomiting.asp). The vitality science seems to work very well. I had actually gone away last weekend and my mother didn't give it to him and when I got home he vomited repeatedly until I gave him a dose of the stuff. He also started retching the next day and I gave him a dose and he did not vomit. I found this treatment from reading a blog post on IBD from the natural cat care blog (http://www.naturalcatcareblog.com/2...-up-healed-in-one-month-not-just-by-food/).He has not vomited since I started giving it to him again and before he had gone weeks without vomiting which was amazing. I cannot say for certain the vitality science is a cure but so far it seems to be helping. In my case shaving my cat also did wonders for his appetite and his stomach discomfort. 

I would also really advise stopping the revolution. It is clear at this point it is not fleas and he may actually be having a reaction to it as it is pretty strong stuff. 

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Hi,

Somehow I missed this reply, sorry... Wow, Vitality science how strange...I ran across their website over a week ago and believe it or not ordered the Celloquent (Expensive ) I just received it two days ago and have been starting out with just a pinch as suggested ..

I will consider ordering the supplement for the vomiting next month since I have already just purchased the Celloquent.

As you stated above your cat has IBS ? My cat has probable IBD with Allergies. I will not use the Revolution again, my cats are all inside cats and no other animals come into the house.

I have also read some really good things about Bovine Colostrum, actually I have some and my other cat that has no issues HAS to have half a capsule a day(or so he thinks), he eats up the powder and loves it ! If you get time look up Colostrum for cats and benefits...

I don't know if I should give Boo any but I have read it is great for cats with Allergies and IBD...

Since we have already discussed the canned food issues about Boo I need not go any further.

Thank you

GoHolistic said:

How long has your boy been on the Nature's Variety Limited Ingredient Turkey? It can take months for an allergy to build in the system before we notice, and it can months for the allergy to subside on a hypoallergenic diet.

The best diet for an IBD kitty with allergies and a history of pancreatitis would be 1) wet food (many prefer raw), 2) hypoallergenic (novel protein, grain free), 3) high protein, and 4) low carb. A low fat diet is debatable for pancreatitis and not proven to be effective in cats as it is in dogs.

Unfortunately, IBD and pancreatitis can be occurring as, or concurrently with, gastrointestinal lymphoma - all of which exhibit similar symptoms (intestinal thickening, vomiting, diarrhea). I hope your boy doesn't have this.
 

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Hi,

I had him back to the vet a few days ago and only by x-rays and symptoms diagnosed with Probable IBD...He doesn't have any Diarrhea, only when he had Pancreatitis did he have two soft stools.

We were only on the Nature's Variety LID Turkey for less than a week when I woke to two throw ups  in two days of undigested food.

He has never been a heavy cat, always been long and very lean and very vocal at times.

He has been playing, acts like he feels well.

He was put on Z/D low allergen food with no grains, etc...

He has not thrown up since being put on this food two days ago.

Just got a call  from vet, Thyroid normal, blood sugar normal, Electrolytes normal, WBC normal, RBC normal, Kidney function normal... all blood work normal....

Since he is not eating  great amounts of the Z/D  vet is agreeable to let me mix in some Nature's Variety LID turkey...

The only way to know if he has IBD is to do a scope & Biopsy which I am not ready to do at this time and vet at this time is also agreeable...

Intestinal Lymphoma , I pray not, he just turned 3 June 30th....

DonnaJean said:

Hi,

I had him back to the vet a few days ago and only by x-rays and symptoms diagnosed with Probable IBD...He doesn't have any Diarrhea, only when he had Pancreatitis did he have two soft stools.

We were only on the Nature's Variety LID Turkey for less than a week when I woke to two throw ups  in two days of undigested food.

He has never been a heavy cat, always been long and very lean and very vocal at times.

He has been playing, acts like he feels well.

He was put on Z/D low allergen food with no grains, etc...

He has not thrown up since being put on this food two days ago.

Just got a call  from vet, Thyroid normal, blood sugar normal, Electrolytes normal, WBC normal, RBC normal, Kidney function normal... all blood work normal....

Since he is not eating  great amounts of the Z/D  vet is agreeable to let me mix in some Nature's Variety LID turkey...

The only way to know if he has IBD is to do a scope & Biopsy which I am not ready to do at this time and vet at this time is also agreeable...

Intestinal Lymphoma , I pray not, he just turned 3 June 30th....

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FYI,

Vet also did x-ray of esophagus, normal

I know how frustrating it is.  I have a cat that has had probable IBD for 8 1/2 years.  I have made the rounds of vets and tests trying to find answers and there are no definitive ones.  At some point you just have to give up and assume IBD.  The way the vet that I take both of my cats to now put it, at some point you have to start treating the cat rather than the test results.  Hopefully this is being caused by an allergy, it can be isolated and the cat can be treated with diet change.  Patches wasn't lucky that way, he is on a small daily steroid dose but he is a happy kitty that feels good.  That is what counts.

It sounds that he is doing well on the rx food, you may want to stick with it if he continues to do well. I think you said he like freeze dried treats you could always try mixing them in with the vet food to see if that will get him to eat it.

You mentioned in the other thread he doesn't like wet and you tried the nature variety instinct canned. My guy also would not eat the instinct at first when I started the transition. I had good success with the pride line (http://www.instinctpetfood.com/prod...ain-free-canned-cat-food-lovebugs-lamb-recipe) because it is not a pate and comes in minced and flaked versions which have a lot of gravy. It does have eggs and spinach in it so may not work for your cat. 

I am still not sure if my guy has IBD or what if anything he is allergic to. It seems grains are not great for him because he has really done well on the grain free natures variety canned and threw up when my mother was sneaking him temptations treats. I think probably shaving him was the best thing I have done for him because his appetite is so much better now and I think he was having problems digesting his hair. Does your  cat have a problem with throwing up hair? If he does I can not recommend shaving enough. 

Franksmom said:

It sounds that he is doing well on the rx food, you may want to stick with it if he continues to do well. I think you said he like freeze dried treats you could always try mixing them in with the vet food to see if that will get him to eat it.

You mentioned in the other thread he doesn't like wet and you tried the nature variety instinct canned. My guy also would not eat the instinct at first when I started the transition. I had good success with the pride line (http://www.instinctpetfood.com/prod...ain-free-canned-cat-food-lovebugs-lamb-recipe) because it is not a pate and comes in minced and flaked versions which have a lot of gravy. It does have eggs and spinach in it so may not work for your cat. 

I am still not sure if my guy has IBD or what if anything he is allergic to. It seems grains are not great for him because he has really done well on the grain free natures variety canned and threw up when my mother was sneaking him temptations treats. I think probably shaving him was the best thing I have done for him because his appetite is so much better now and I think he was having problems digesting his hair. Does your  cat have a problem with throwing up hair? If he does I can not recommend shaving enough. 

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Just the occasional hair balls, not alot.. But, I brush him and he always has tons of hair and I mentioned that to the vet...I don't think it is normal for a cat to shed that much hair...He is a semi short hair cat, I tried adding his pic to my avatar but keep coming up with "error" thanks

At least in my case I do think that ingesting a lot of hair is problematic for cats with GI issues. If he continues having problems shaving may be something to think about as something to try if nothing else is working. As Denice also points out steroids are another treatment that sometimes works if nothing else is. 

I still advise to give him a chance on the vet food and see how it goes. 

I too believe that steroids should be the last resort for controlling the symptoms but they are a last resort choice.

Denice said:

I too believe that steroids should be the last resort for controlling the symptoms but they are a last resort choice.

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Yes, vet said today if if he doesn't remain stable she suggests cyclosporine, a little stronger but with less side effects than prednisone..but this is  a last resort..

He is still getting B-12 injections, has three more left...He was started on these when he developed Pancreatitis...and I am going to give him his last three at home as not to stress him out by going to the vet, he hates it, me too...

DonnaJean, just checking in to see how your cat is doing. Any update?

I'm dealing with similar issues with my Sebastian and am revisiting some old resources.

Also...

Franksmom, how is your cat doing? Is he still on the Vitality Science supplements? I was thinking of trying something like that to perk Sebastian up while we work through a diet plan.

Denice, is Patches still doing well on the steriod?

I appreciate any updates you may have. Sebastian hasn't eaten on his own in 24 hours. I had to syringe feed him his dinner last night. He was at the vet overnight this past weekend with more x-rays, another CBC, another pancreatic snap test, and supportive care. 

I am so sorry you are going through this.  Patches would have flares like that, he was hospitalized three times before he went on the steroid.  He would be fine one day and the next day it would be like he was at death's door.  Patches has been on the steroid for a little over 2 1/2 years and he has only had two very short mild flares.  Of course I took him to the vet both times because of his history but I think he would've come out of both of them on his own.

I know there is the possibility of some nasty side effects from long term steroid use but it is really great for him to stay healthy the way he does on it.  He has a job to do, keeping my other cat Alice in line.  I just hope he is one that avoids the side effects.  He is on a very low dose.

Denice said:

 
I am so sorry you are going through this.  Patches would have flares like that, he was hospitalized three times before he went on the steroid.  He would be fine one day and the next day it would be like he was at death's door.  Patches has been on the steroid for a little over 2 1/2 years and he has only had two very short mild flares.  Of course I took him to the vet both times because of his history but I think he would've come out of both of them on his own.

I know there is the possibility of some nasty side effects from long term steroid use but it is really great for him to stay healthy the way he does on it.  He has a job to do, keeping my other cat Alice in line.  I just hope he is one that avoids the side effects.  He is on a very low dose.

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Thanks Denice. I know you've repeated this information so many times, so I hope you know how much I appreciate it. Is Patches on prednisolone? If you don't mind me asking, what dose is he on? I want to wrap my head around this just in case. I'm having a conference call with the vet tomorrow so that we can decide "next steps." What you describe is exactly how it has been. It all happens so quickly. On Sunday and Monday morning, Sebastian was eating great and playing. Monday night he started to taper off, and Tuesday it hit hard. Since Tuesday morning, he won't eat or even come downstairs during meal times. 

He used to be on Prednisolone and he got 2.5 mg a day.  There was a nationwide shortage a while back, Patches needed a refill and the vet hadn't been able to get it.  She switched him to Dexamethasone.  The Dex is a stronger steroid and he only gets 1/4 of a milligram per day.  The way the vet put it, he's only getting a drop.   I think the supply problem with the Pred has been resolved now but she kept him on the Dex rather than switch up his medicine again.

GoHolistic said:

 
Also...

Franksmom, how is your cat doing? Is he still on the Vitality Science supplements? I was thinking of trying something like that to perk Sebastian up while we work through a diet plan.

Denice, is Patches still doing well on the steriod?

I appreciate any updates you may have. Sebastian hasn't eaten on his own in 24 hours. I had to syringe feed him his dinner last night. He was at the vet overnight this past weekend with more x-rays, another CBC, another pancreatic snap test, and supportive care. 

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Yes he is. I stopped giving it to him for a week due to laziness and he did throw up a bit of bile this morning, but I think that may be because his stomach was empty. I gave him the vitality science and there have been no more issues today. 

Thanks to the both of you. This is all so frustrating. Sebastian still won't eat on his own. Don't worry; I am assist feeding, but I wish I didn't have to. The last thing we need is for him to develop HL.

He is being lovey and acts hungry, but won't eat. Perhaps nausea?

Patches would do the same thing.  He would go to the bowl, act like he was going to eat and walk away.  The vet told me that is what most cats do when they are nauseated.