Prednisolone food intolerance

[Kedicik]

Hi everyone,

I am caught in a dilemma. My cat has been vomiting regularly for over 7 months since she was a kitten. She is quite small and a bit underweight for her age (1) and breed, also she is a very small eater. The vet suspects a food intolerance, so we have been on an elimination diet for months now. Currently through trying mono protein; each time a different protein source for about 3 weeks (considering it is a Gl problem and not a skin problem, 3 weeks is enough). Every time she tried multiple exotic protein sources that she never had before; rabbit, horse, insects. However, her problems have not disappeared and she has even lost weight lately. Honestly, I am beginning to think protein is not the issue...

The vet now recommends Prednisolone, but I prefer not to give her heavy drugs such as steroids, if she had to throw up every day it might be different. There must be an other way. It's heartbreaking not to be able to help her. I wonder what you would do in this situation?

I forgot to mention she had the following: blood work, urinalysis, ultrasound and x-ray of her esophagus. Everything seems fine.

 

[Alldara]

K Kedicik Hi! We had the same issue with Magnus. His symptoms were GI until around 1 year old when his toe nail beds began to swell. The vet wants to try the prenosolone to see if it IS an allergy or something else. I would recommend giving it a try to help your cat put weight back on too. It's not a long term solution.

We found he had a beef allergy, which also includes byproducts such as milk and cheese. He also likely is allergic to either peas or carrots but since both were eliminated at the same time we don't know. (Accidentally got in to another cat's treat)

We did try the prenosolone for a couple weeks. They're growing at that age so they really need the nutrients. It's important that they eat. We didn't like the prenosolone since it made him so fatigued, and he bulked up fast! But it solved the issue so we knew it was allergies.

We noted he grew up on Royal Canin which has pork instead of beef and that his foster mum hadn't seen any eating issues. So we eliminated beef first. Still issues but his pet wipes had milk in them and his Churus had cheese... Once we got those down, he was good. So I'll say check everything. Wash your hands after human food and before touching him (Magnus will have a toe flare if we eat anything with cheese and then pet him without washing).


I would discuss with your vet perhaps using the recovery food for a couple weeks. It's expensive. But your cat is still a growing kitten and if he's lost weight he needs something high in nutrition and calories.

If you can post the foods you've tried, please do. Especially if you also have a photo of the ingredients. We can help try to pinpoint common allergies or ingredients that are the same across the formulas (gotta be something that's in them, if he's still reacting!)

 

[maggie101]

Hi everyone,

I am caught in a dilemma. My cat has been vomiting regularly for over 7 months since she was a kitten. She is quite small and a bit underweight for her age (1) and breed, also she is a very small eater. The vet suspects a food intolerance, so we have been on an elimination diet for months now. Currently through trying mono protein; each time a different protein source for about 3 weeks (considering it is a Gl problem and not a skin problem, 3 weeks is enough). Every time she tried multiple exotic protein sources that she never had before; rabbit, horse, insects. However, her problems have not disappeared and she has even lost weight lately. Honestly, I am beginning to think protein is not the issue...

The vet now recommends Prednisolone, but I prefer not to give her heavy drugs such as steroids, if she had to throw up every day it might be different. There must be an other way. It's heartbreaking not to be able to help her. I wonder what you would do in this situation?

I forgot to mention she had the following: blood work, urinalysis, ultrasound and x-ray of her esophagus. Everything seems fine.

My cat peaches is also small and has always had trouble keeping food down. Shes had numerous blood work. I tried a new canned food for her,no vommitting for a week! It's orijen. No gums. starches,grains,carageenan and it has bone broth,not broth. Lots of meat. So I am guessing it was because of that,not protein. Very relieved! I would also ask the vet why prednisolone since it increases appetite,atheist my cats it did

 

[NekoM]

it almost easier to win the lottery than figuring out a feline allergy. I’m really not a fan of prednisone, my ten year old has to take it occasionally, and I have to admit it makes a world of difference to his health With allergies you need to treat the symptoms until you figure it out.

 

[Kedicik]

K Kedicik Hi! We had the same issue with Magnus. His symptoms were GI until around 1 year old when his toe nail beds began to swell. The vet wants to try the prenosolone to see if it IS an allergy or something else. I would recommend giving it a try to help your cat put weight back on too. It's not a long term solution.

We found he had a beef allergy, which also includes byproducts such as milk and cheese. He also likely is allergic to either peas or carrots but since both were eliminated at the same time we don't know. (Accidentally got in to another cat's treat)

We did try the prenosolone for a couple weeks. They're growing at that age so they really need the nutrients. It's important that they eat. We didn't like the prenosolone since it made him so fatigued, and he bulked up fast! But it solved the issue so we knew it was allergies.

We noted he grew up on Royal Canin which has pork instead of beef and that his foster mum hadn't seen any eating issues. So we eliminated beef first. Still issues but his pet wipes had milk in them and his Churus had cheese... Once we got those down, he was good. So I'll say check everything. Wash your hands after human food and before touching him (Magnus will have a toe flare if we eat anything with cheese and then pet him without washing).


I would discuss with your vet perhaps using the recovery food for a couple weeks. It's expensive. But your cat is still a growing kitten and if he's lost weight he needs something high in nutrition and calories.

If you can post the foods you've tried, please do. Especially if you also have a photo of the ingredients. We can help try to pinpoint common allergies or ingredients that are the same across the formulas (gotta be something that's in them, if he's still reacting!)

Alldara, did you found out the beef allergy with elimination diet? Good to hear that you were able to discover the source of his allergy yourself. Sadly, so far my cat seems to thow up with ANY protein. I am not sure if it is possible that she is intolerant of ALL protein sources. That would be very unusual...

Unfortunately recovery food contains chicken, which is what started the vomiting so I prefer to avoid that for now.

Also thank you for offering to check the ingredients!
- Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Kitten (she got this from the vet because of diarrhea, the vomiting started with this food)
- Applaws Kitten with chicken
- Celtic Connection with duck, pheasant and quail.
- Specific Food Allergen Management (hydrolysed proteins)
- Trovet Rabbit (mono protein)
- Mac's Horse (mono protein)
- Trovet Insect (mono protein)
- Trovet Lamb (mono protein) with sometimes a little Mac's Lamb wetfood (mono protein).

I would like to add that my cat is a dry food addict :-( I really think it's terrible, but I haven't been able to make a transition to moisture-rich food yet because she simply eats very little. She would starve herself, she's already so weak and small...

 

[Kedicik]

My cat peaches is also small and has always had trouble keeping food down. Shes had numerous blood work. I tried a new canned food for her,no vommitting for a week! It's orijen. No gums. starches,grains,carageenan and it has bone broth,not broth. Lots of meat. So I am guessing it was because of that,not protein. Very relieved! I would also ask the vet why prednisolone since it increases appetite,atheist my cats it did

The one and only Prednisolone side effect I am happy with (if it does occur) is the increase of appetite, I really need her to eat more.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to put her on wet food completely, she doesn't like it and will starve herself.

 

[Kedicik]

it almost easier to win the lottery than figuring out a feline allergy. I’m really not a fan of prednisone, my ten year old has to take it occasionally, and I have to admit it makes a world of difference to his health With allergies you need to treat the symptoms until you figure it out.

I couldn't agree more. I actually don't want her to take Prednisolone. The vet said it could help her immune system not to react to foods. In my opinion she is not strong enough, it makes me so nervous :-(

 

[Alldara]

K Kedicik So the throwing up started with the recovery which has rice. There's no gums in it. From these forums you'll likely learn that those can be common intolerances.

You know what's across all those foods though? Rice. Much more likely than her being allergic to all protein (which wouldn't be reactive on hydrolyzed protein), its going to be another ingredient.

Bright side, food without rice is common these days. It won't be had to find an LID without it, most of those have chickpeas or peas. Not sure where you're at but I just checked and Arcana grasslands doesn't have rice. (And thanks for making me check because there is peas in it, so officially Magnus is allergic to carrots?)

PS. Yes we learned on an elimination diet. But he still had flare ups of allergies until we learned about his pet wipes and such.



Prenosolone: the point of her taking it is because she isn't strong. She is growing, and her organs are trying to develop while under-nutritioned, which comes with its own problems. The prenosolone gives her body the chance to calm down and absorb some nutrition. Your vet likely told you to taper the medication up and then you'll taper the medication down later. The appetite will help her to stretch her tummy to a good size too.

I'd also put her bowls a bit raised. At least the amount that the cardboard around a case of wet food is raised if you flip it upside down. Since her tummy likely has extra acid, which can contribute to the issue. Sometimes we would put Magnus's food on one stair and set him on the lower one. It was really helpful.

 

[Kedicik]

K Kedicik So the throwing up started with the recovery which has rice. There's no gums in it. From these forums you'll likely learn that those can be common intolerances.

You know what's across all those foods though? Rice. Much more likely than her being allergic to all protein (which wouldn't be reactive on hydrolyzed protein), its going to be another ingredient.

Bright side, food without rice is common these days. It won't be had to find an LID without it, most of those have chickpeas or peas. Not sure where you're at but I just checked and Arcana grasslands doesn't have rice. (And thanks for making me check because there is peas in it, so officially Magnus is allergic to carrots?)

PS. Yes we learned on an elimination diet. But he still had flare ups of allergies until we learned about his pet wipes and such.



Prenosolone: the point of her taking it is because she isn't strong. She is growing, and her organs are trying to develop while under-nutritioned, which comes with its own problems. The prenosolone gives her body the chance to calm down and absorb some nutrition. Your vet likely told you to taper the medication up and then you'll taper the medication down later. The appetite will help her to stretch her tummy to a good size too.

I'd also put her bowls a bit raised. At least the amount that the cardboard around a case of wet food is raised if you flip it upside down. Since her tummy likely has extra acid, which can contribute to the issue. Sometimes we would put Magnus's food on one stair and set him on the lower one. It was really helpful.

Great tip about raising the food bowl. It has been on an elevation since the beginning, when I thought it could be the esophagus.

Rice is definitely on my list with suspicious ingredients. But other grain replacements are as well. Because two of these brands (Mac's Horse and Celtic Connection) have no rice. They use sweet potato as carbs. These also made her throw up :-(

An alternative for rice is mostly peas, chickpeas, patato, lentils, sweet patato etc. I even found a brand with chestnut. I live in the Netherlands and sadly there are very little mono protein brands on the market. None that exclude rice or sweet patato, the ones she tried in the last few months.

In theory the brand with hydrolyzed protein should have stopped the vomiting (which she ate for 8 weeks) but it did not make any difference. You are right, grains or other grain replacements (so basicly all unnecessary carbs) can surely be the culprit. What are other common intolerances like gum?

Finding a good quality wetfood with non of these (mostly meat) is easy, the problem is our little kibble addict. I want to try to transition her, but it will be a long and hard journey in which she will eat even less.

On the other hand I might be slightly convinced to try steroids for a short period of time.. Thank you for that!!

 

[Alldara]

Great tip about raising the food bowl. It has been on an elevation since the beginning, when I thought it could be the esophagus.

Rice is definitely on my list with suspicious ingredients. But other grain replacements are as well. Because two of these brands (Mac's Horse and Celtic Connection) have no rice. They use sweet potato as carbs. These also made her throw up :-(

An alternative for rice is mostly peas, chickpeas, patato, lentils, sweet patato etc. I even found a brand with chestnut. I live in the Netherlands and sadly there are very little mono protein brands on the market. None that exclude rice or sweet patato, the ones she tried in the last few months.

In theory the brand with hydrolyzed protein should have stopped the vomiting (which she ate for 8 weeks) but it did not make any difference. You are right, grains or other grain replacements (so basicly all unnecessary carbs) can surely be the culprit. What are other common intolerances like gum?

Finding a good quality wetfood with non of these (mostly meat) is easy, the problem is our little kibble addict. I want to try to transition her, but it will be a long and hard journey in which she will eat even less.

On the other hand I might be slightly convinced to try steroids for a short period of time.. Thank you for that!!

Don't worry about gums. At this point just focus on finding a carb that she isn't intolerant to.

Start with just a rice free LID and see what happens. Peas and chickpeas are most common. There are LID dryfoods too, even insect based ones you can try.

 

[Alldara]

Is it just the crunch that she wants? I wonder if something like Ziwi would work?

 

[neely]

Just another suggestion if all else fails and you feel frustrated. You may want to consider getting a second opinion from a feline only veterinarian or Internal Medical Specialist. For years we went to a dog and cat vet because we've had both pets but when our vet retired we switched to a feline only vet for the cat(s) and it made a big difference. Best of luck, please keep us posted on your cat's progress.

 

[Alldara]

Just another suggestion if all else fails and you feel frustrated. You may want to consider getting a second opinion from a feline only veterinarian or Internal Medical Specialist. For years we went to a dog and cat vet because we've had both pets but when our vet retired we switched to a feline only vet for the cat(s) and it made a big difference. Best of luck, please keep us posted on your cat's progress.

Oh yes. Were at a cat only vet too. I have no doubt that Magnus would not be the healthy boy he is had we continued with an all-aninal vet. Especially as he was one of the few who did fish and pocket pet surgeries. It's a lot to keep up on! (I didn't know you could do fish surgery)

 

[Kedicik]

Is it just the crunch that she wants? I wonder if something like Ziwi would work?

I have Ziwi in Lamb! I hesitated to try because it's not mono with the addition of green mussels.
I think she will only eat it if it's crunchy like kibble. Will try tonight.

 

[Kedicik]

Just another suggestion if all else fails and you feel frustrated. You may want to consider getting a second opinion from a feline only veterinarian or Internal Medical Specialist. For years we went to a dog and cat vet because we've had both pets but when our vet retired we switched to a feline only vet for the cat(s) and it made a big difference. Best of luck, please keep us posted on your cat's progress.

I would if there were any feline only vets in the Netherlands... She is currently being treated by a second vet, a Internal Medical Specialist. It was her advice to start a mono protein diet (and now Prednisolone)

 

[Alldara]

I have Ziwi in Lamb! I hesitated to try because it's not mono with the addition of green mussels.
I think she will only eat it if it's crunchy like kibble. Will try tonight.

That makes sense! Mono-protein is tried first for allergens. But if she's still having the reaction, it is either not food based at all, or not protein based and is another ingredient.

It could be rice, and another additive that was found in the other two diets, like in Magnus's case with the beef but also the milk, cheese and carrot. (Him getting in to Nobel's food where the additives were different) Apparently he should be fine with beef fat, but he is not.