Ibd weight loss

[Allyocean]

My boy was diagnosed with suspected Ibd ( opted not to do biopsy)after much trial and error budesonide is helping. He still is losing weight. Slowly but over the last year almost 2 lbs. He started at 15.2 now 13.4. His coat is full of dandruff and extremely spikey. He's on a homemade diet recommended by the ibd kitty website. His symptoms still cycle...a day or two of single episode diahhrea, a day or two single episode vomit then 3-5 days constipation, but he is playing again, interactive, great appetite, drinks well etc overall improved. Is it common for ibd cats to lose weight even when they seem to be doing better? I hate to keep dragging him to the vet. Vet was here a cpl weeks back said he looks great but boom the next week his coat changed and he has tons of dandruff all of a sudden after having a spikey coat in varying degrees for a bit over a year. Is all this IBD kitty normal? Anyone else experience this?

 

[catloverfromwayback]

I can only say what my Phoebe’s experience is and hope it’s helpful. We got her as a skinny young cat, about 14 months old according to the shelter, and when we took her to our vet they said nah, she’s only about eight months. We soon found that she just didn’t gain weight, and she went through a battery of tests - xrays, bloods, scans, eventually exploratory surgery. From all that they thought she probably has IBD, though the only definite condition noted was that her pancreas was heavily scarred yet functioning well. She never had the vomiting, but did tend to diarrhoea. She was on hypoallergenic wet food (can’t remember if it was Hill’s or Royal Canin) and regular Prednisolone pills for about six years and did fine, but then started losing weight again - the return of the only real symptom she‘d had. By that time Royal Canin’s Anallergenic dry food had come on the market, and the vet we were seeing then suggested trying it. Three years on she’s gained a little weight (she’s still only a smidge over 4kg) and doesn’t have the Prednil, just a monthly B12 shot.

So for me weight loss is a bad sign, but are you trying to get your boy’s weight down? He‘s a big cat, but is he overweight or right for his size? Honestly I’d consult the vet if you can.

 

[Allyocean]

No he's the right weight for his size. He's 11 years old. The vet was just at my home and said he seems really healthy but 2 weeks later the fur/ dandruff thing and his continued weight loss bother me. Vet wasn't concerned about it. We've done 3 ultrasounds in 1.5 years. It's been 6 months since the last one. Surgeon said I shouldn't keep putting him through these as it is most likely IBD but I keep fearing the worst. Every little change terrifies me

 

[catloverfromwayback]

No he's the right weight for his size. He's 11 years old. The vet was just at my home and said he seems really healthy but 2 weeks later the fur/ dandruff thing and his continued weight loss bother me. Vet wasn't concerned about it. We've done 3 ultrasounds in 1.5 years. It's been 6 months since the last one. Surgeon said I shouldn't keep putting him through these as it is most likely IBD but I keep fearing the worst. Every little change terrifies me

I guess it’s okay if the vet says so, but I would be freaking out and scared too, if it was my cat. Is getting a second opinion an option?

 

[Allyocean]

I've gone to the best vet specialty hospital in the area and a specialist at another well respected vet hospital all say same. I wish I could just let it go

 

[catloverfromwayback]

That’s the downside of loving and caring for our furbabies, isn’t it - we never can stop worrying. Hugs and vibes.

 

[LTS3]

Low B12 levels can cause weight loss. The vet can check levels with a specific blood test. Treatment is injections if B12 which can be done at home. Frequency varies depending on the cat's symptoms.

 

[maggie101]

IBD can cause wait loss. My cat took b12 pills. Her specialist a month later redid her blood work and her b12 is high which is of no concern but I am no longer giving it to her or at least once a week

 

[BellaBlue82]

Hi Allyocean , I seem to be going through a similar situation. Nico had horrible diarrhea and vomiting for a few weeks after a horrible antibiotic before we got the diagnosis of IBD. He lost about 2.5 lbs over three months. He's stable now, but has only been on budesonide for a week and a half. It's only been a week and a half on budesonide, but I'm hoping he'll start putting weight back on again soon.

 

[feline03]

Hi Allyocean , I seem to be going through a similar situation. Nico had horrible diarrhea and vomiting for a few weeks after a horrible antibiotic before we got the diagnosis of IBD. He lost about 2.5 lbs over three months. He's stable now, but has only been on budesonide for a week and a half. It's only been a week and a half on budesonide, but I'm hoping he'll start putting weight back on again soon.

Hi, new here. I'm going to start my cat on the same med. Did it help him?

 

[BellaBlue82]

Hi, new here. I'm going to start my cat on the same med. Did it help him?

Unfortunately, things had gotten progressively worse after New Years and we lost Nico January 11th. While I think the budesonide helped him and did see some improvement after starting it, I think he had something else going on and it was just a little too late. But I do know it is very helpful for a lot of pet patients, it just takes time to work (which Nico sadly did not have a lot of.)
I'll keep you both in my thoughts, good luck!!!