Chronic IBD - Lip Smacking, Teeth Grinding

Hi my cat was diagnosed with IBD and he was on limited ingredient food and doing well. Then he fell and tore his ACL and that resulted in a major flare up of bloody diarrhea and all the rest of it. He also at that point refused to eat anything but limited ingredient dry. I caved and have been giving him a couple of tablespoons of purina pro plan at breakfast and dinner for the past couple of months. He is on 1 pill of prednisolone half in the moring and half at night.

He seemed to be doing better, though, We never have gotten rid of blood in his stool completely. Since the fall he also grinds his teeth and does a lot of the lip licking thing. I just found poo on the floor, which hasn't happened in awhile. His hair starts standing on end, which is another sign he isn't feeling well.

He's been to the best specialty clinic in the area, but they said his ultrasound was normal. He also got b-12 shots for the normal course (once a week for six weeks and then every other week for several more weeks.). He hasn't had a shot in about a month and a half.

I feel badly for him and am worried again. Is this just the way this condition goes? Do you think I shoudl bring him back to the specialist - he doesn't handle the vet at all well BTW so that is a source of stress.

His leg is an issue as well - he always sleeps with it stretched out, though he isn't lame at all. I decided not to have the surgery mainly because he wasn't eating and his stomach was such a mess.

Teeth grinding is a sign of serious pain. Your kitty definitely needs to see the vet.

Has your cat been check for pancreatitis? I ask because one of my cats has low grade pancreatitis flare ups from time to time in which his only symptoms are teeth grinding and decreased appetite.

What LID food are you currently feeding (brand/flavor)?

Blood in the stool, in matter the quantity, is not normal and I have to wonder if something in his diet is contributing.

Yes, IBD can flare up from time to time. Stress definitely being a trigger. However, it doesn't sound like your cat's symptoms have ever been 100% controlled. He really shouldn't have continuous issues is he is on the right treatment plan that works for him.