Need Healing Thoughts!

[WitchyWoman]

@WitchyWoman How was Juba (?? Is it Juba?) diagnosed?

My first cat, a DSH, was diagnosed through biopsy. I wouldn't let them biopsy Taji because his symptoms were identical; it was obvious it was the quail that was causing the problem since it was the only thing he would eat, and the vomiting stopped when he stopped eating the quail. He is still on a hydrolyzed kibble diet and will stay on that for a year to give his intestines sufficient time to heal and then I'll try to wean him back on a raw diet.

 

[Kristin]

Do you control it completely through diet then?

 

[MM3]

Many prayers to you!

 

[WitchyWoman]

Yes, thank goodness, because I caught it early. My dear Maggie, may she rest in peace, wasn't diagnosed until she was 14 and in retrospect, had suffered from it for years. Before I knew anything about feline nutrition, I fed my previous cats Science Diet kibble. When Maggie was diagnosed, I switched her to raw and her overall health improved tremendously. Unfortunately, she needed to stay on prednisolone for the rest of her life to control inflammation. Started out at a pretty high daily dose and we were able to decrease the dose as her health improved.

 

[Kristin]

Yes, thank goodness, because I caught it early. My dear Maggie, may she rest in peace, wasn't diagnosed until she was 14 and in retrospect, had suffered from it for years. Before I knew anything about feline nutrition, I fed my previous cats Science Diet kibble. When Maggie was diagnosed, I switched her to raw and her overall health improved tremendously. Unfortunately, she needed to stay on prednisolone for the rest of her life to control inflammation. Started out at a pretty high daily dose and we were able to decrease the dose as her health improved.

That is what they want to do with Zeddie. Hopefully the holistic vet will have a better alternative to prednisone, as the thought of Zeddie spending the rest of her life on it makes me shudder. She just turned 2 on Monday! I have some canned foods that are easy on her stomach for when she comes home (Tiger too)

 

[WitchyWoman]

That is what they want to do with Zeddie. Hopefully the holistic vet will have a better alternative to prednisone, as the thought of Zeddie spending the rest of her life on it makes me shudder. She just turned 2 on Monday!

I know it's natural to look at the worst case scenario but don't get too rattled yet. She may need the prednisolone, or a medication suggested by the holistic vet, for a short period of time until her intestines are healed and able to properly absorb nutrients from food.

There is no good solution to the disease, and like with every illness, there are risks to weigh with treatment options. Side effects from some meds can be a bitch but sometimes there is no other choice.

Remember also, if she is diagnosed with IBD, stress can exacerbate the condition.

 

[admin]

Wow, Kristin, I am just catching up now - so sorry to hear about Zeddie and Tiger...

My Taj had an exploratory at about 1 year old because he was so sick...he had IBD...I would not put another cat through an exploratory again unless none of the meds worked...or unless there was a suspicion of lymphoma or something more sinister based on ultrasound...

He was on prednisolone for quite a while as well as metronidazole and has been med free for two years...so I would go with the prednisone for a short period of time and see how that goes...

My thoughts are with you and Zeddie and Tiger...

 

[Patti]

Kristin, I agree with you about not keeping Zeddie at the vet's over the weekend - absolutely no reason to do that if no one is there on Sunday, and in my mind more dangerous than bringing her home where you can keep an eye on her. If you purchase human baby food (which I agree is irresistible to cats) just be sure there are no additive such as garlic or onion - strictly meat (chicken, turkey, beef) and water. I have also found that many cats particularly love Authority canned kitten chicken and liver as well as the Fancy Feast when they are otherwise being fussy.

 

[Patti]

Let me just add - if Zeddie does have IBD then prednisolone will make her feel better. IBD is a miserable disease, whether in humans or in cats, and steroids along with metronidazole are usually the only things that will bring relief. Like you, I hate using steroids, but I had a boy who suffered terribly from IBD and the only thing that gave him relief was the steroids, so in this situation the benefits definitely outweighed the risks or side effects (which he seemed to have none). BTW, I did not have him biopsied - his response to the steroids was enough to convince me as well as my vet of what we were treating.

 

[Kristin]

Thanks for the info! I asked for a week prednisone free. If the holistic vet comes up with nothing then I will put her on prednisone, but hopefully not biopsy her. I have faith that the holistic vet will offer me an alternative...and if they don't then there is no alternative.