Ibd, Unconfirmed Gi Lymphoma, And Also Hcm (hypertrophic Cardiomyopathys

[Eenewmanncsu2005]

I have a 13 year old cat that's had diahreaa problems most his life and I assumed he had one, but no vet ever told me to do anything about it. 3 months ago bc if severe diahreaa and weight lost I went to an internist who did an ultrasound. She saw thickening in the intestines which is probably lymphoma. She said a biopsy wasn't necessary bc the treatment for one and cancer was the same. We tried budesonide which didn't do anything. Next she recommended prednisone but c of his heart condition said theres 10% chance it could kill him in 24 hrs. It's been 2 months and I haven't been able to convince myself to risk it. She then gave him 6 months to a year but I don't know if that was with treatment or without. I've read lymphoma can kill in a few weeks so me wonder if it's lymphoma yet or just ibd. Is there a test to confirm ibd? If so he's never had it, we just assumed. Has anyone's cat had hcm and ibd or lymphoma? If so how did u treat it? I'm trying to decide if its worth the risk. Also what diets help with nutrition and weight loss for ibd and lymphoma? Ate there any other meds that would help with stomach pain?

 

[catpack]

Ugh! I know the frustrations of IBD and HCM.

Who diagnosed kitty with HCM? Was it a board-certified cardiologist?

What type of diet does your cat eat (brand, flavor(s), dry/wet)? Have you tried different diets?

 

[catpack]

As for a test specifically for IBD, it would be a biopsy that is sent off to look for IBD, Lymphoma or other GI diseases.

 

[babiesmom5]

I have had a cat with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (a disorder of the heart muscle that results in a decreased ability of the heart muscle to relax and fill with blood) and IBD. My cat was under the simultaneous care of an excellent Internal Medicine Specialist and Cardiologist.

Like yours, my cat's intestines showed considerable thickening upon ultrasound. This could be either IBD or Lymphoma. To distinguish, an endoscopic biopsy was next done. Cat was put under anesthesia and a scope run down his esophagus, into his stomach and beginning of small intestines taking cell samples. Then, same thing was done up the other end taking samples of the colon. Cat recovered quickly, came home next day. Results of the biopsy were sent off to the lab and results came back within a week. Cat was diagnosed with IBD.

He was initially put on a fairly high dose of Methylprednisolone to get the inflammation under control, then tapered down gradually. He was simultaneously put on Pimobendan for the heart disease. He also received an appetite stimulant, anti-nausea med. and probiotic.

My cat responded very well, IBD was put in remission and cat gained back lost weight.

I would not presume thickened intestines necessarily mean Lymphoma. Could be IBD.

The mainstay of treatment for IBD is a steroid. The mainstay of Small Cell Lymphoma is a steroid PLUS the chemotherapeutic agent Chlorambucil (Leukeran). Cats usually tolerate this chemo very well.

Small Cell Lymphoma, left untreated, is usually fatal within 6-8 weeks. With treatment, cats can live several years in remission.

I really think you need a positive diagnosis so you know just what you are dealing with. The sooner you can begin treatment, the better the prognosis.