Another IBD/probiotic question about Visbiome

[tyleete]

Hi all! I've got a cat with runaway diarrhea again. He was doing so well for awhile. He has food-related IBD and once I took him off all poultry, fish, & gums (used in wet food), them started with puddle poop again.
At the same time, his hyperthyroidism was first starting to act up. His first test showed very low on the chart. So he had to get tested again 2mo later. Low again, but slightly better. Then 2mo later showing it spiked again. So she raised his meds.
I can't remember how long it's been, but the diarrhea definitely got worse. She gave him Metronidazole. Don't think that's worked at all. Now she wants to put him on combo of that and fortiflora. But I've read bad stuff about that.
I've read all the articles even in past posts here. I've tried S. boulardi before but to no avail. Maybe I didn't give it enough time? I don't recall.
He's due for a full battery of tests yet again next week. If they all come back ok, should I try the s boulardi again and wait a good month? I also read that Enterococcus faecium was a good one for diarrhea.
As much as I've read, I still have so many questions. Do they make any that doesn't taste bad that don't have poultry of fish added to it?
Thanks to any patient souls

 

[maggie101]

My cats ibd is not severe, yet, but she only likes weruva. Mostly beef, turkey,chiken,or nulo turkey duck which has lots of gums. She was getting diaheria and throw up 1-2x a day til she was put on medacine. Still had some trouble so now she also takes the probiotic adored beast feline gut soothe alternated with love bug. She's back to her old self. Fortiflora made her go diaheria

 

[tyleete]

My cats ibd is not severe, yet, but she only likes weruva. Mostly beef, turkey,chiken,or nulo turkey duck which has lots of gums. She was getting diaheria and throw up 1-2x a day til she was put on medacine. Still had some trouble so now she also takes the probiotic adored beast feline gut soothe alternated with love bug. She's back to her old self. Fortiflora made her go diaheria

Did she get better being on both a medication and probiotic? Or the probiotic alone? I hate to keep mine on meds forever. He's already stuck with his thyroid drugs.
Is the one you give with any poultry or fish? Does she take it just on her food or down the hatch?
Thanks!

 

[maggie101]

Better on both but do want to try decreasing the medd since the probiotic is supposed to help with inflammation the fgs has slippery elm bark. Her specialist approved of it because of that

 

[tyleete]

Just talked to my vet and she wants to start him on visbiome + another round of metronidazole.
She said he's never had a full gi panel so doesn't know about the B12, but since his thyroid and liver were both elevated, we can try that too.
B12 takes a while to show results, doesn't it? How will I know if it's the B12 or visbiome that's working if he gets better?
I ask because the visbiome is very expensive. I want him better, but if I don't have to have him on something that's not working and costing me a small fortune, I'd naturally not want to go that route.
And I'm not trying to be mean about costs, but he's already cost me 2k in 6mo of testing/ultrasounds and he's only 1 of 10. I do rescue.
Thank you for opinions and advice.

 

[tyleete]

My vet started my cat on this Visbiome & their website says it can sometimes bloat their bellies the first few days. Should I give him the full dose at once or are you supposed to introduce high powered probiotics slowly?
Thanks!

 

[lisahe]

My vet started my cat on this Visbiome & their website says it can sometimes bloat their bellies the first few days. Should I give him the full dose at once or are you supposed to introduce high powered probiotics slowly?
Thanks!

Having failed a couple times when starting with full doses, I'd strongly suggest starting slowly! I succeeded when starting with only a pinch.

 

[tyleete]

Thank you. In going to go with that.
He was alsoon Metronidazole too. 2weeks before he started this & she wanted him to remain on that while the Visbiome too. But he doesn't want to eat on that, so I had to discontinue it. At least for a little. Poor little guy.