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So grateful for this wonderful site!
As this is a common topic here I thought it would be useful to share our experience with this.
Cat - approx. 12 years old has had a LONG history (9 years) of constipation. He would refuse to eat wet food, not even raw in past trials.
Had one UTI, and on Royal Cannin S/O for years - but 2 years ago had a terrible bout (first ever) of diarrhea. Bad batch of food? We don't know.
Our vet had us buy Eukaneuba dry - apparently it can help, and it did the trick and no more diarrhea. He is on that food 3+ years now.
Recently he started crying from the litter pan on occasion and we would find hard/dehydrated stools. Constipation back with a vengeance.
In past 6 months he is eating A LOT more and even waking us to eat. Tried many different foods, canned and no go.
Tried adding Miralax (vet recommended) to food - no go, he knows.
Tried pumpkin - failed.
Laculose, impossible.
Weighed him - down nearly a pound from 1 year ago. Weight loss is gradual - most in past 4-5 months.
Took to vet concerned he had hyperthyroidism as he was also more active, waking me, hungry, weight loss and attacking the 3 others.
All labs and urinalysis normal. She suggested an Ultrasound - unexplained weight loss never good.
Ultrasound doc said "probably" small cell lymphoma but "could be" IBD - the common response.
However she stated that as a result of his history of chronic constipation she leans towards lymphoma - but to have a biopsy to confirm. She felt if we would not use chemo - no biopsy as it is too invasive. Love an honest dr. Only symptom thus far - weight loss and seems hungrier.
We were recommended Royal Cannin Fiber Response for his constipation - worked like a charm in under a day.
Unfortunately the other cats wanted it too and we don't need that at $45/bag.
He lost nearly another pound in 3 days, he was THAT backed up but it has since evened out. Or maybe part of the loss was his shaved belly. This food has made him feel SO good that we really "hope" he needs nothing else.
Our vet called to follow up with the report - she said in her cat she would not biopsy just treat with prednisolone 5mg to start. We picked up liver chews as medicating him is torture. I asked if the meds could mask lymphoma and she said yes but we will re-weigh him and can always follow up with another ultrasound. I did not want to start the meds because i wanted to see if JUST this diet helps him put the weight back, because he has NO other symptom aside from the weight loss. Her thought was he will likely become more symptomatic....probably should treat but up to me.
I feel so fortunate to have found our incredible honest animal hospital that thinks of kitties first, as with 4 cats it can be tricky.
Clearly there are varied opinions on how to treat. My biggest concern is that we are going to not treat the cancer "if" that is what it is.
Ultimately I am curious if anyone experienced constipation and slow gradual weight loss (few months) with no other symptoms and IBD vs SCL?
And treated with diet alone before Pred? Or Pred alone and regretted?
Thanks in advance!
As this is a common topic here I thought it would be useful to share our experience with this.
Cat - approx. 12 years old has had a LONG history (9 years) of constipation. He would refuse to eat wet food, not even raw in past trials.
Had one UTI, and on Royal Cannin S/O for years - but 2 years ago had a terrible bout (first ever) of diarrhea. Bad batch of food? We don't know.
Our vet had us buy Eukaneuba dry - apparently it can help, and it did the trick and no more diarrhea. He is on that food 3+ years now.
Recently he started crying from the litter pan on occasion and we would find hard/dehydrated stools. Constipation back with a vengeance.
In past 6 months he is eating A LOT more and even waking us to eat. Tried many different foods, canned and no go.
Tried adding Miralax (vet recommended) to food - no go, he knows.
Tried pumpkin - failed.
Laculose, impossible.
Weighed him - down nearly a pound from 1 year ago. Weight loss is gradual - most in past 4-5 months.
Took to vet concerned he had hyperthyroidism as he was also more active, waking me, hungry, weight loss and attacking the 3 others.
All labs and urinalysis normal. She suggested an Ultrasound - unexplained weight loss never good.
Ultrasound doc said "probably" small cell lymphoma but "could be" IBD - the common response.
However she stated that as a result of his history of chronic constipation she leans towards lymphoma - but to have a biopsy to confirm. She felt if we would not use chemo - no biopsy as it is too invasive. Love an honest dr. Only symptom thus far - weight loss and seems hungrier.
We were recommended Royal Cannin Fiber Response for his constipation - worked like a charm in under a day.
Unfortunately the other cats wanted it too and we don't need that at $45/bag.
He lost nearly another pound in 3 days, he was THAT backed up but it has since evened out. Or maybe part of the loss was his shaved belly. This food has made him feel SO good that we really "hope" he needs nothing else.
Our vet called to follow up with the report - she said in her cat she would not biopsy just treat with prednisolone 5mg to start. We picked up liver chews as medicating him is torture. I asked if the meds could mask lymphoma and she said yes but we will re-weigh him and can always follow up with another ultrasound. I did not want to start the meds because i wanted to see if JUST this diet helps him put the weight back, because he has NO other symptom aside from the weight loss. Her thought was he will likely become more symptomatic....probably should treat but up to me.
I feel so fortunate to have found our incredible honest animal hospital that thinks of kitties first, as with 4 cats it can be tricky.
Clearly there are varied opinions on how to treat. My biggest concern is that we are going to not treat the cancer "if" that is what it is.
Ultimately I am curious if anyone experienced constipation and slow gradual weight loss (few months) with no other symptoms and IBD vs SCL?
And treated with diet alone before Pred? Or Pred alone and regretted?
Thanks in advance!