Possible IBD/Lymphoma - No improvement

[smugsy]

2 years ago, we adopted my cat his owner, my sister-in-law, passed away suddenly. He was a healthy 5 year old ginger. Fast forward to this past January, I noticed he was losing weight. Took him in for bloodwork and they found nothing concerning, but the weight loss continued. He was eating fine, no diarrhea or vomiting.
Took him in for a second opinion and she indicated potential IBD or Lymphoma. Ultrasound was inconclusive. Started on 5mg prednisolone daily. Weight loss has continued - he is now around 5lbs, skin and bones, no muscle tone, and constantly shivering. But he is alert. He constantly cries for food but does not eat too much. He is now rejecting foods that he loved, but continues to seek food. He is scheduled for a biopsy in 8 days. They said the results will take several weeks.
I'm desperately looking for advice on how to get him to eat, and what to ask the vet for while we wait for both the procedure and then the results?

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[FeebysOwner]

Ask your vet about an appetite stimulant, and an anti-nausea med too. I would also ask the vet about a B-12 injection to help with any nutrient absorbency issues in his intestinal tract - it is often given with either IBD or lymphoma, particularly when a cat is losing weight.

May I ask what was seen in the ultrasound? I know you said it was inconclusive, but with IBD there is often thickening of the intestinal wall seen, and inflammation is usually seen as well. These are also sometimes seen with lymphoma too, but frequently there will be enlarged intestinal lymph nodes, or masses. The latter two could have had a fine needle aspiration (FNA) done during the ultrasound to have possibly determined a diagnosis.

 

[smugsy]

If I remember correctly, the vet stated that there was a minor thickening but no inflammation and no masses. She said it was "frustrating" because there was no obvious answer. And there is obviously something going on with him.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I don't what what all you have tried to get him to eat, but here is a thread with many tips:

Any Good Tips To Get Your Cats To Eat? Share Them Here!

There are many times when a cat refuse to eat due to change of food, due to health reasons, being fussy or gotten sick of what they have been eating and we try to get them to eat a new food and have problems getting them to eat. I see that there are many threads past and recent on how members...

thecatsite.com

I have a very picky eater, and use toppers for him, and even then, I have to change up the toppers from one meal to the next. Also, I change up the food often. One day he will like the food, the next day he will completely hate it and never eat it again. Again, I don't know what you have tried with your boy, but I wouldn't hold anything back, try any and everything, including kibble, and all kinds of wet foods, different textures, different proteins (turkey, chicken, lamb, etc.). Even try scrambling an egg in butter and see if he'll eat that. It's great protein. Can you feed him some NutriCal, and maybe some Kitten Replacement Milk just for some nutrition? Or add KMR to what little food he's eating (if it's wet food)

Is he dehydrated? Fluids often help with their appetites, as well as the appetite stimulants mentioned above. And the anti-emetics if he's not already on them. Everything FeebysOwner said is good! I'm guessing he's shivering all the time because he doesn't have any fat on him to keep him warm. Does he have a self warming bed? That might help keep him warm, poor guy. Have they run more blood tests since January? Things can change rapidly? What are they going to biopsy since there are no masses and no exceptional thickening of his intestines?

 

[Kat Luv]

Hi S smugsy ! I definitely agree with trying the food toppers- they are amazing. KMR is a great product and most cats love it. I also regularly use Fortiflora for cats as the taste seems to be irresistible for my super picky eaters. It's a probiotic, so you'll get two good things in one packet.

You might also consider chicken baby food (I use Gerber, and give 1/2 jar to a sick kitty or one who is refusing all other food/losing weight). Just be VERY sure that it only has chicken, water, and starch(optional) as ingredients. Cats cannot have seasoning or some of the other tasty additions humans eat. I've had good luck with that method for a long, long time.

The last cat I lost was in 2014- she had lymphoma, and got down to 5.5 lbs and was nearly 19 when we finally had to put her down. It's indeed hard to diagnose, but the first sign it was cancer was nucleated red blood cells in her CBC (routine blood test). Her coat also got very very dull, and greasy/clumpy looking. I was told those were also symptoms, as her coat looked different than a hyperthyroid cat. I was told by the vet who diagnosed her (confirmed by CT, if I remember correctly- we had to see a specialist), that lymphoma in cats tends to be around their intestines (often in the mesentery lymph nodes) and that makes it sometimes difficult to biopsy/confirm.
I surely hope you get answers soon and are able to get your cat on the path to feeling better.

Best wishes, Jenna

 

[silent meowlook]

You might want to discuss the possibility of having a esophageal feeding tube installed. It is a very quick procedure for an experienced veterinarian. Only takes a couple of minutes.

Do they have him on anything for nausea? Walking up to the bowl hungry and not eating is often a sign of nausea.

I hope he is feeling better soon.

 

[smugsy]

I want to thank everyone for your advice. We made the hard decision to put Goose down this morning. He was crying in pain and had lost control of his bladder. He was in obvious distress and we wanted him to be at peace. He sat with my husband for one last time on his favorite outdoor deck chair and then we said goodbye.

 

[silent meowlook]

I am so sorry.

 

[Meowmee]

I want to thank everyone for your advice. We made the hard decision to put Goose down this morning. He was crying in pain and had lost control of his bladder. He was in obvious distress and we wanted him to be at peace. He sat with my husband for one last time on his favorite outdoor deck chair and then we said goodbye.

Very sorry, hugs think you made the right decision, whatever it was he was suffering and you ended that. My Wizard passed at 20 or so from gi lymphoma. We tried most of the treatments but never did a biospy due to his age and he also had kidney disease and anemia. I would’ve kept him with me forever and he wanted to stay, but I was not gonna do things like feeding tubes and force feeding ever. He was on prednisilone, and chlorambucil as well as fluids and vitamin B 12, and Epogen. He did rally a little bit with the Chlorambucil but then he started crashing. I miss him everyday. When he left it was the most peaceful out of all of my furry babies.

Thanks for giving Goose such a great rest of his life. Run free sweet Goose, watch over your people

 

[fionasmom]

I am so sorry for your loss. My Chelsea also passed from GI lymphoma; at a certain point it is very necessary to allow them to pass in peace and abandon all heroics. She was only slightly older than Goose.

You gave Goose a home and a life when his owner, your sister-in-law passed on. The shelters are full of cats who have a sign on their cage that says, "owner is deceased." He had two more good years with you which was wonderful.

 

[Kat Luv]

Very very sorry for your loss. I had to put one of my previously super-healthy calicos due to lymphoma. It was so so hard, but I'd been feeding her 5-6 meals/day and couldn't keep her above 5.5lbs (she was 11lbs when healthy). Please take peace in knowing that you were there for him and did right by him. Hugs, Jenna

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Rest in peace, sweet Goose

 

[Margot Lane]

I am so sorry…as loving cat owners I think you made the healthy call. Big big hugs.

 

[fionasmom]

Once again, I am very sorry for your loss. When a cat passes on, we close the thread out of respect. If you would like to post a memorial to Goose in our Crossing the Bridge forum, you are welcome to do so.

Crossing the Bridge