Stomatitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in my 8-year-old Maine Coon mix

My cat, Frank, just came home from a two-day stint at the vet.  He has had many troubles over the past couple of years, particularly the past three months.  He has stomatitis and has had nearly all of his teeth removed (He has three fangs left).  It was a nightmare getting him properly diagnosed and treated for that.  Ultimately, the correct diagnosis only came when we switched to a different vet.  We no longer use our old vet and have amazing trust in the new one.  The past three months he has had sporadic bouts of vomiting.  This past week the vomiting was more intense than ever and was accompanied by bloody diarrhea, refusal to eat, and weight loss.  After many vet visits and trying many different treatments, our vet felt the correct diagnosis was IBD.  Frank is a middle-aged cat who is immune-compromised due to all the trouble he has had with his mouth, so the diagnosis makes sense.  The vet sent us home today with a course of clindamycin and a new medication, Gentaspray.  The medication says it is for topical use on dogs, but our vet wants us to put two sprays on Frank's food before he eats.  I have researched and haven't been able to find anyone else who has been recommended this treatment.  Like I said, I trust our vet, but it would just be nice to hear someone else say they have had success with their cat using the same treatment.  He advised we use this spray for one week and then switch to putting 1/4 tsp. of Metamucil on Frank's food when he eats.  He spoke with me about Frank's diet and did not feel his diet was the cause.  He said at this point we don't need to change anything he eats except we might start trying to feed him some yogurt (Vanilla, because cats tend to like that better than plain), as the bacteria will help his gut.  Has anyone else been given similar treatment suggestions for their kitties with IBD?  This is totally new to us and we want to start controlling it as quickly as possible.

Has your kitty ever been given a steroid?  Steroids are often used for both stomatitis and IBD.  Both are an immune response issue due to the immune system being in overdrive producing inflammation one in the mouth the other in the gut.  The steroid reduces the immune response.

I have an IBD kitty and hadn't used the spray you're talking about.  That doesn't really mean anything though.  There are many different ways of dealing with IBD and what works for a kitty varies.  There really isn't a one size fits all way of dealing with it.  I don't understand using the metamucil.  That is usually tried if a kitty has IBD with constipation.

You could try a single novel protein diet.  A novel protein is one that kitty hasn't had before.  There are several good foods that have little added to them besides the single protein, liver and necessary supplements.

Thank you for your advice. Yes, he has had a steroid shot. He seems to be feeling quite a bit better today. We figure his belly is still tender because he is taking his eating really slowly, but he is eating. If we find this treatment isn't working we will certainly try the novel protein diet. Although, truthfully, I don't know that there is a protein he's never had before. He has had beef, turkey, chicken, and fish the most, though, so maybe duck or venison will be they way to go. I'll try to keep this thread updated as he progresses. Thank you again!

Hi! Love you for having an IBD baby!! And for trying your best to take care of him...My guy is one also.

The steroid should be given jaily. Not just one injection.. and a anti-mastic should be given also. I use Pepcid AC; 1/2 a tablet daily.

This site has awesome advisors about this. I feel like a novice. Please really take their advice to heart. They really do care about you and your baby..

You are welcome to foolow my hills and valleys thru this disease~~~~  and I am not done yet..sigh...I have a long saga....pick one novel protein (one which he has not had before) and stick with that. Most of IBD is a result of a food allergy.. I found out Artie is allergic to chicken..He vomits immediately after eating it......

It is a very upsetting, frustrating disease...for both you and your baby..I feel as if I have been going thru a low for a while now.. I did have a "High" before this...It seems to be a lots of highs and lows.......

Wishing you the best...(((hugs)))

Thank you for your advice! The Gentaspray they prescribed him for us to spray on his food is a combination antibiotic/steroid. Maybe that is why they prescribed it? That makes a little more sense after you saying daily steroids. I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you have had with your fur baby. They really are family!