GH, I'm so sorry Sebastian's not eating and not feeling well.
His up and down appetite is related to the food change attempts, clearly - but if the food he was eating was helping him, he wouldn't be having such severe reactions to healthier food. His former comfort foods provide nutrition, but mask the ongoing problems - which get uncovered each time you try something new, IMO.
The difference? Carolina and I have seen this numerous times now (and obviously she experienced a complete turn-around with Bugsy). You've only seen Sebastian react poorly to the new food - but you've never kept going.
With the experiences I've had working with others with IBD kitties at this point, I'd be using cypro (along with the cerenia and pepcid) and syringe feeding if necessary.
The way I see it is like have a child with severe allergies. I've found a box of decent mac n cheese and a canned stew that doesn't cause her to feel ill - but I know it isn't particularly healthy food. I know that if I feed her salad, fresh fruits and veggies, this will likely contribute to majorly improving her immune system function so it stops going insane - though she may remain sensitive to many things - but it will contribute to her overall quality of life. But when I give her the fruits and veggies, it makes her feel ill at first. Do I settle for what makes her feel OK, but isn't overly healthy in the long run? Or do I do what I can to make her comfortable, but feed her the food that will help her body long term even though her body reacts to it short term?
But if kitty can have an improved quality of life by basically forcing the change... at this point in my pet owning life, I force the change if kitty isn't cooperative about it. I've been in the "just eat" camp, and almost lost Lazlo to lymphoma. Nope - I'll use syringe feeding and drugs to get where they need to be.
No big surprise here - I agree. Though I don't think the bone broth to settle things down would hurt. I'd be finding a turkey leg - is there a Whole Foods near you? Hell, I'd even use pork bones or something at this point.If this was my cat I would buy a tub of Rad Cat turkey and put him on it. Remove him from all other foods. Wouldn't even do a slow transition. It would be pah-pay-poof as we say in Brazil. And if he stopped eating, yep, I would syringe feed that too. But I would be done with commercial. To me, food is getting toxic for this kitty, and I would take anything toxic from his system... But that's me....
Good job on taking the plunge, all the best to you and Seb.
His up and down appetite is related to the food change attempts, clearly - but if the food he was eating was helping him, he wouldn't be having such severe reactions to healthier food. His former comfort foods provide nutrition, but mask the ongoing problems - which get uncovered each time you try something new, IMO.
The difference? Carolina and I have seen this numerous times now (and obviously she experienced a complete turn-around with Bugsy). You've only seen Sebastian react poorly to the new food - but you've never kept going.
With the experiences I've had working with others with IBD kitties at this point, I'd be using cypro (along with the cerenia and pepcid) and syringe feeding if necessary.
The way I see it is like have a child with severe allergies. I've found a box of decent mac n cheese and a canned stew that doesn't cause her to feel ill - but I know it isn't particularly healthy food. I know that if I feed her salad, fresh fruits and veggies, this will likely contribute to majorly improving her immune system function so it stops going insane - though she may remain sensitive to many things - but it will contribute to her overall quality of life. But when I give her the fruits and veggies, it makes her feel ill at first. Do I settle for what makes her feel OK, but isn't overly healthy in the long run? Or do I do what I can to make her comfortable, but feed her the food that will help her body long term even though her body reacts to it short term?
I agree - I fall under the group of people who thinks that eating enough is better than not eating enough and wasting away - IF we're dealing with a terminal illness or disease where the damage has already been done and is pretty far progressed, like CRF.I know the concept that wet/raw are all better than dry. But if the cat will not eat enough wet etc., then personally I don't see any harm if offering some dry. As you know, many of my senior cats have issues yet they adore dry kibble. I've transitioned to lots of wet food, but they just won't eat enough to hold weight and how can I expect a sick senior cat to change their ways. So my compromise is 3 wet meals throughout the day, with a rationed amount of dry kibble overnight. It seems to be working and I am comfortable with my decision. I am afraid that I fall under the group of people who thinks that eating enough is better than not eating enough and wasting away.
But if kitty can have an improved quality of life by basically forcing the change... at this point in my pet owning life, I force the change if kitty isn't cooperative about it. I've been in the "just eat" camp, and almost lost Lazlo to lymphoma. Nope - I'll use syringe feeding and drugs to get where they need to be.