Cleopatra may have IBD(otherwise cancer).

[cleopatras mom]

I will just put a brief paragraph about the trouble with Cleo the past few months, here. For the past four months she has had blood in her stools, and occasionally, soft stools. Otherwise, she has been extremely healthy. When we changed her to Royal Canin, her hunger increased. We brought her to the vet yesterday, and they took blood samples. Everything was normal except for Calcium, which was 2/10ths of a point above average, and Phosphorus was slightly low.  I am not doing a Biopsy, and she has been offered Prednisolone. We have started that today. In case it is IBD, I want to change her diet. I am at a total loss at the moment, so help will be GREATLY appreciated. 

I ordered Wellness Core Grain-free Duck and Turkey for her to try. I heard it lowers calcium and such, and helps if some cats are sensitive to grain. However, I feel it is not enough. I want to make her home-made meals, but will NOT give her raw until her body heals more. Then I will transition to raw.

So, my question is, should I transition her to Wellness Core, and then slowly transition her to home-made meals? Or vice versa? OR should I transition her from Royal Canin onto BOTH home-made and Wellness Core? I really need to make my decision ASAP. If all goes well with prednisolone and her new diet, and she gains weight, then HOPEFULLY it is not cancer. However, I will not add calcium to her home made diet for several weeks, to see if her elevated levels will lower. I will follow the cooked recipes on the IBD website for cats, with extra liver. And my main meat source will be either duck/lamb/or turkey.

 

[Columbine]

I'm so sorry you and Cleopatra are going through this

To be honest, if you ultimately want her on homemade meals, then I'd go straight for that option. The fewer changes you have to make, the better at this stage.

It's VITAL that you follow a balanced recipe when making your own food. I'd be wary of removing calcium from her diet unless it's on the vet's recommendation. I also wouldn't recommend adding extra liver to the recipe unless you've specifically been told to do this. A good recipe is finely balanced, and ANY alterations can upset that balance.

You might want to check out the [thread="263751"]​[/thread] here on TCS too. It's a great resource for homemade cat food.[article="31801"][/article]
@mschauer - can you offer any advice?

 

[cleopatras mom]

Thanks for the response! I have contacted my vets about this, and they said, by all means, go for a homemade cooked diet. Anything she will eat, as long as it is pretty much balanced. She told me, ultimately, that any decision we make(as long as it is reasonable), she will support. After reading a few different websites, I will call her and ask. I am thinking of doing the recipe on the IBD cats website, that gives a recipe for poultry/meat and liver. And then added calcium. And, of course, the other proper vitaims and minerals. 

 

[Columbine]

The key really is not to alter the balance of the recipe - now, more than ever, she really does need optimum nutrition. Good luck! I hope she loves her home cooked meals!

 

[missmimz]

I think I commented in your other post, but I can't remember. Seriously, join the IBD raw feeding group on FB. They can give you all the tips you need for making your own homecooked food for an IBD cat. They literally know more than any vet about this stuff, it's pretty amazing.

One of the best pre-mixes for homemade is EZcomplete created by a former member here and one of the moderators of the IBD facebook group. She really knows and understands cat nutrition. 

http://www.foodfurlife.com/

 

[lisahe]

I couldn't agree more with Columbine's advice on homemade food -- nutrients in foods and cats' bodies are such a delicate balance -- and missmimz's repeat idea of joining the Facebook group, which is so incredibly helpful.

I also just ordered EZComplete -- it's out for delivery today, I am very excited to try it!

 

[cleopatras mom]

Thanks! One question, how high in calories does everyone think that diet would be? Cleo has absolutely no weight to lose, and needs to gain more. And, tell me how quick EZcomplete gets to your place, LisaHE, I live in Maine too! 

 

[lisahe]

 
Thanks! One question, how high in calories does everyone think that diet would be? Cleo has absolutely no weight to lose, and needs to gain more. And, tell me how quick EZcomplete gets to your place, LisaHE, I live in Maine too! 

Interesting question about the calories... I think it would depend most on the kind of meats you use, particularly the fat content. There's a little on the Food Fur Life site about calories, on this page. There's lots of great information on their site. @missmimz what do you think about calories?

And how funny that you live in Maine, too! I'm going to pop you a PM now! I ordered the EZComplete on Sunday, it was shipped on Monday, and the USPS is a day late on their estimated delivery time.

 

[missmimz]

 
Interesting question about the calories... I think it would depend most on the kind of meats you use, particularly the fat content. There's a little on the Food Fur Life site about calories, on this page. There's lots of great information on their site. @missmimz what do you think about calories?

And how funny that you live in Maine, too! I'm going to pop you a PM now! I ordered the EZComplete on Sunday, it was shipped on Monday, and the USPS is a day late on their estimated delivery time.

I agree calories would depend on the meat you use. Stick with something like thighs, duck, beef, something like that if you want to keep the calories up. Chicken breast is pretty lean so I wouldn't feed that exclusively. You an always ask questions over at FFL's fb page https://www.facebook.com/FoodFurLifeforPets

 

[cleopatras mom]

Thanks for the link, missmimz! Unfortunately, I do not have facebook, and I will not for a little while. Does anyone know how long it takes Hare Today to ship their food to northern states near Maine?

 

[kee and sephie]

My cat Keely had the same problem. She was diagnosed with IBD that if not already small cell lymphoma will turn to that in time. The treatment is the same for either and I feel the intestinal biopsy is far too invasive. Keely was also on Prednisolone and metronidazole to control the diarrhea. I fed her Innova Evo due to its high calorie count and some carbs are needed to help maintain or increase weight. I've been a vet tech for about 15 years so let me know if I can help you in some way. good luck!

 

[cleopatras mom]

Do you know about elevated calcium?

 

[cleopatras mom]

Thanks for offering me help, kee and sephie! I will definately get back to you.

Anyway, GUESS WHAT EVERYONE?!?!?!?! Cleopatra went to the bathroom, and it seems like there is NO blood in her stools! It may be because of the Pred, which is 2.5 mg a day, but I just put her on grain-free two days ago. I hope it is only a severe food intolerance, and I am not just solving symptoms, and masking the issue. I did see tapeworms in her stool, after only flea treating her last month. I need to ask the vet if Praziquantel can mix with Prednisolone, and I also want t ask if, within a week, I may be able to wean her off of Prednisolone. I am also going to ask them about probiotics, and healthy gut flora that I can introduce into her system, and after she gains a little weight, put her on a homemade diet. I am still concerned about the calcium, but one step at a time!

Please send healing thoughts and prayers, and hope that she is only food sensitive or has IBD, and not cancer! I know we are not out of the woods yet, but I have hope!!

 

[Columbine]

:hobbes:

That is a FANTASTIC update

:cross: that it continues

 

[lisahe]

Well, you need one good litter box day before you can have two good litter box days, so this is just the start you need. May it continue! And worms, ugh... but that's the sort of problem that seems ridiculously minor, isn't it!? (I remember when my cat years ago had them, oh my, there were some gross little scenes!)

Plus Cleopatra's liking the new food, isn't she? It sounds like you're having a good weekend! 

 

[kee and sephie]

That's great! I hope it continues! Yes, praziquantal can be combined with Prednisolone...no contraindications. Probiotics are always good, no side effects. FortiFlora is one your vet should carry and most cats love the flavor (just sprinkle on canned or dry food). Good luck to both of you and so glad you had a good day

 

[cleopatras mom]

Update: Cleopatra has produced another stool for me. I had really high hopes, but when I peeked in, I still see a little bit of blood! I also saw two human hairs in it. Gross! So, back to square one in a way! 

I have a few questions, though.

• For anyone who knows about Prednisolone, how long did it take to work? And at what dose? Cleo takes 2.5mg a day, is that dose not enough?
• Also, how long did it take, on a diet change, for their bowel movements to seem like they got a little better? Cleo has been on Wellness Core for nearly four days, today.
• Should I ask for a higher dose of Prednisolone?

I am contacting the vet either today or tomorrow to ask about worming her. Also, to ask what her calcium level exactly was, and if I can offer her probiotics. I am also weighing her today, and even if I still see blood in her stools, she may have gained weight. Hopefully. Cross your fingers!

 

[Columbine]

Sending lots of for the weigh in.

I'm afraid I can't answer your questions, as I have no personal experience with IBD. Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

Good luck with the vet. I hope you get some answers

 

[cleopatras mom]

Thankyou! I have decided that if her weight is the same, or less, than what it was last week, I will ask for a higher dose of Prednisolone. I think it is crucial to know if your cat CAN gain weight when you are wondering if it is either IBD or cancer. Although, I am SURE those pesky tapeworms are causing everything but good in her system. She has eaten about 1/4 of a cup this morning, I need her to eat at least 1/4 more! But I really need her to gain weight, so my goal is to convince her to eat 2/3 of a cup.

 

[artiemom]

Oh, IBD is a nightmare of a disease. It is very frustrating, stressful, painful for both you and your kitty.

My guy is on a novel protein diet. He is eating rabbit. He does have constipation issues. I give him 1/4 teaspoon of miralax mixed with some water. I add that to his wet food. He does not care for the dry rabbit ~ just as well since wet food is better for him.

Artie is currently on a regime of: 1/2 pepcid AC tablet daily, miralax, prendisolone daily ~ 0.5 gms (liquid) , and cisapride (for his constipation) twice a day. 

Once diagnosed, he was prescribed Covenia, Reglan, in addition to the above. 

Because Artie is so fussy with food, and I never know when he will feel like not eating it; I give it to him when I give him his Pepcid AC pill. I use it as a chaser. I use a pill gun for the pill. I bought a pediatric medicine syringe, at the drug store. I draw up the miralax mix and give him half of a syringe full with his pill. 

With the miralax, I give him a syringe in the morning with the pepcid and cisapride. At night, I give him 1/2 of the syringe miralax mix with the cisapride. 

The rest of the syringe I add to his food. 

The most important thing to remember is NOT losing weight is GOOD! That is what you are striving for. Weight gain is even better. It does not always happen..but stabilizing things is the goal.

Now, if things are complicated with worms, then it gets tricky. 

I would suggest listening to and conveying you concerns to your Vet. I hope you are going to a specialist. IBD is a very complicated disease. Lots of tricks to it.. and it can flare up at a second's notice.

I hope this helped. Feel free to look up my threads about Artie...there are many...

Good luck...