starting cat on an elimination diet due to suspected food allergy

[kittensx4]

I know the feeling. Everytime I hear a noise that could be him wheezing, I mute the tv and listen carefully to see if it's coming from him or when I come back home the first thing I check is his back paws color. If they are brown-ish, he chewed at them again!
You're a good mom too for Runt. He's lucky to have you. You'll figure it out I'm sure.

Well thanks. I would do anything for them and it's nice to talk to someone that feels the same.

 

[kittensx4]

Well thanks. I would do anything for them and it's nice to talk to someone that feels the same.

So I spoke with the vet today. I told her things were looking pretty good with the Allergy pills . We are going to take the dose down to 2 mg and continue on them for 3 weeks so it is a full month course on them . That should definitely get us through allergy season So if he flares backup at the end of this 3 weeks we can probably rule out Seasonal allergies And we will proceed with blood work for allergy testing . I know allergy testing in cats isn't perfect but The doctor feels it will at-least take us into the direction of whether its environmental or food related . I know at that point we will need to figure out what type of food or what type of environmental issue is causing the allergies but at-least we will have some direction . We discussed the soy based Hypo allergenic Diet . I told her I learned soy can be a real allergan for cats .She said while that is true her experience has been more allergens with the protein . We did decide if after the 3 weeks of allergy pills if he is still having reaction We will introduce salmon and rabbit into his diet . Two proteins he has not had and that are generally easy on the system which is great because Timmy, one of my other babies, has real digestive issues. Still hoping like crazy it's a seasonal thing a and is nearing its end. Will go down to 2mg on his allergy pills starting tomorrow morning. But, for now all i can do is wait. Which is much easier said than done!

 

[huxleysmom]

It sounds like you have a good plan! The only thing I would say it to do the protein separately, so that you can really isolate them. Also I have heard many times that an all fish diet is mot good for them. Can't remember why. Is the allergy pills that Runt is taking over the counter stuff? If yes, it's something that Runt could take for long periods of time, even for life I believe, without causing a healt problem. So as long as it efficiently stops any allergic reactions, that should help Runt and you get some peace of mind. Of course it would be better for everyone to find what are the allergens involved. I agree with your vet about the allergy test (I did the blood one). It helped me at least eliminating environment allergens. It's a starting point for sure.

So I spoke with the vet today. I told her things were looking pretty good with the Allergy pills . We are going to take the dose down to 2 mg and continue on them for 3 weeks so it is a full month course on them . That should definitely get us through allergy season So if he flares backup at the end of this 3 weeks we can probably rule out Seasonal allergies And we will proceed with blood work for allergy testing . I know allergy testing in cats isn't perfect but The doctor feels it will at-least take us into the direction of whether its environmental or food related . I know at that point we will need to figure out what type of food or what type of environmental issue is causing the allergies but at-least we will have some direction . We discussed the soy based Hypo allergenic Diet . I told her I learned soy can be a real allergan for cats .She said while that is true her experience has been more allergens with the protein . We did decide if after the 3 weeks of allergy pills if he is still having reaction We will introduce salmon and rabbit into his diet . Two proteins he has not had and that are generally easy on the system which is great because Timmy, one of my other babies, has real digestive issues. Still hoping like crazy it's a seasonal thing a and is nearing its end. Will go down to 2mg on his allergy pills starting tomorrow morning. But, for now all i can do is wait. Which is much easier said than done!

 

[kittensx4]

It sounds like you have a good plan! The only thing I would say it to do the protein separately, so that you can really isolate them. Also I have heard many times that an all fish diet is mot good for them. Can't remember why. Is the allergy pills that Runt is taking over the counter stuff? If yes, it's something that Runt could take for long periods of time, even for life I believe, without causing a healt problem. So as long as it efficiently stops any allergic reactions, that should help Runt and you get some peace of mind. Of course it would be better for everyone to find what are the allergens involved. I agree with your vet about the allergy test (I did the blood one). It helped me at least eliminating environment allergens. It's a starting point for sure.

Oh definitely would do the proteins separate. I should have said that. Those were just 2 good options. I think I would start with the rabbit and of that goes ok try the salmon a couple weeks later. Yes, I have heard not to feed fish exclusively also. I would feed it a couple meals a week though if it works out. His pills are chlorpheniramine. I just pick them up at the vet. They are a safe antihistamine for cats so I can use them long term. Just hoping we don't need too. Boy I am really holding out hope these allergies are seasonal aren't l

 

[huxleysmom]

You should probably try a single protein for longer than 2 weeks. Whatever allergen is bothering him could potentially stay in his GI system for up to 8-12 weeks and therefore he could continue to have reactions while eating the new food for that long (although they should decrease with time). Huxley got better within a couple of days and symptoms he had even while being on steroids disappeared quickly. But changing too fast to a third protein would make it difficult for you to know what he is reacting to. That being said, I never continued with a food for that long when I suspected he was doing worse on it.
I got his bloodwork results today and the vet says he is a healthy boy. No sign of steroids having caused damaged to his liver and no sign of diabetes! Yay!!!
This'll make leaving him with friends to take care of for a month while I visit family in France much easier on everyone! The vet says I can go ahead with weaning him off very slowly. I hope I am right about this and that he will be fine on this food!!

 

[kittensx4]

You should probably try a single protein for longer than 2 weeks. Whatever allergen is bothering him could potentially stay in his GI system for up to 8-12 weeks and therefore he could continue to have reactions while eating the new food for that long (although they should decrease with time). Huxley got better within a couple of days and symptoms he had even while being on steroids disappeared quickly. But changing too fast to a third protein would make it difficult for you to know what he is reacting to. That being said, I never continued with a food for that long when I suspected he was doing worse on it.
I got his bloodwork results today and the vet says he is a healthy boy. No sign of steroids having caused damaged to his liver and no sign of diabetes! Yay!!!
This'll make leaving him with friends to take care of for a month while I visit family in France much easier on everyone! The vet says I can go ahead with weaning him off very slowly. I hope I am right about this and that he will be fine on this food!!

 

[kittensx4]

Thank s for the advice. I will stick with just one for a couple months then. No reason not to if they are doing good on it right? So very glad to hear about Huxley! Steroids are scary, but sometimes a necessary evil. Diabetes is a worry here because Runt is already overweight (17 lbs) which is why they weren't a viable option for us. Just did one shot in the beginning as he was SO bad. His little head looks pretty good today after going down to 2mg on his allergy pills. I pray we stay on an upward swing and everybody else stays healthy. We always have to keep a watchful eye on Timmy with his cystis and tummy troubles. Fingers crossed cause i dont think i can handle anything else at the moment!

 

[huxleysmom]

I am so disappointed! Huxley has stopped eating the wet food I had started him on! I don't know if it's because he has been sligthly constipapted and that makes him feel unwell and nauseous or because he has just decided hedoesn't like it, but he won't touch it! :-(
I have had to give him his meds with tuna as he wouldn't eat it otherwise. I guess we'll soon find out if the allergy testing was right and if he really is allergic to fish! I'll call the vet on Monday and see what she wants to do. I am leaving him for a month with friends, and I am afraid they won't be able to keep up with his medications if something like that happens again. This is such bad timing! Maybe the vet will have to give him a steroid shot to cover him for the whole duration of my trip. Looks like my battle with allergies is not over just yet.

 

[lisahe]

I'm so sorry to hear that, huxleysmom -- cats sometimes really do have bad timing, don't they!? It sounds like the better safe than sorry" option for him to eat would be the shot, wouldn't it? Though I totally understand not wanting to do that. Fingers crossed that you're able to come up with a situation that keeps him eating and nonsymptomatic for your friends while you're away!

 

[huxleysmom]

I think so too. :-(
Unfortunately this doesn't sort out the food issue. He only eats the dry food right now and seems ok with it, but he has stomatitis and the dry food contains grains, which can promote inflammation. I'm not sure how he'll deal with it once he is off pred, if that day ever comes. The plan was to switch him entirely to that wet food when I came back. I'm worried that if I give him dry only, he'll refuse to get some wet back into his diet later on. I am well past the point of frustration by now. I won't give up on him or on finding a solution of course, but it would be nice to catch a break and not have to worry that he may not do well while I am away!

I'm so sorry to hear that, huxleysmom -- cats sometimes really do have bad timing, don't they!? It sounds like the better safe than sorry" option for him to eat would be the shot, wouldn't it? Though I totally understand not wanting to do that. Fingers crossed that you're able to come up with a situation that keeps him eating and nonsymptomatic for your friends while you're away!

 

[kittensx4]

I think so too. :-(
Unfortunately this doesn't sort out the food issue. He only eats the dry food right now and seems ok with it, but he has stomatitis and the dry food contains grains, which can promote inflammation. I'm not sure how he'll deal with it once he is off pred, if that day ever comes. The plan was to switch him entirely to that wet food when I came back. I'm worried that if I give him dry only, he'll refuse to get some wet back into his diet later on. I am well past the point of frustration by now. I won't give up on him or on finding a solution of course, but it would be nice to catch a break and not have to worry that he may not do well while I am away!

Oh No! I am so sorry about Huxley!

 

[huxleysmom]

He ate some of the wet food again last night, but hasn't gone to the bathroom in 48 hours. Back to the vet we go. I think that's why he is not eating well, at least I hope it is because I am out of food options for him!

Oh No! I am so sorry about Huxley!

 

[kittensx4]

He ate some of the wet food again last night, but hasn't gone to the bathroom in 48 hours. Back to the vet we go. I think that's why he is not eating well, at least I hope it is because I am out of food options for him!

Poor baby. That could easily be why he doesn't want to eat. Oh boy! Let me know how it goes at the vet. Wishing you two well.

 

[huxleysmom]

Just came back from the vet. I saw a different one as the lady who follows Huxley was not here today. She thoroughly examined him and said he was not constipated. His anal glands were full so I think she flushed them out. Her opinion is that he probably has IBS and most likely will stay on steroids for the rest of his life. She examined his mouth too and found a red inflammed area on the roof of his mouth, which wasn't there last week. I am devastated. If he has IBS and the stomatitis is coming back then I have no idea what will happen. She has suggested doing some blood work to get a better idea as to what is going on in his GI system, but for now she has given him some medication for nausea, which she thinks is what is preventing him from eating well (that happened already a couple of months ago). I have to give him that for a few days and hopefully that'll get him eating properly again. If not, and he is not eating well or taking his medicine she thinks I should board him this summer, but that's $30 a day and I'm gone for nearly a month. If she is right, and he has to stay on steroids for life then I'll do the shot. I can't afford $900 of boarding! I feel so lost. I thought things were going better for him. The red spot in his mouth worries me a lot. It is more inflammation I have ever seen in his mouth, and it developped really quickly. From what I have read about this horrible disease, it never ends well for them with enourmous amount of pain and an inevitable discussion on quality of life. :-(

 

[kittensx4]

Just came back from the vet. I saw a different one as the lady who follows Huxley was not here today. She thoroughly examined him and said he was not constipated. His anal glands were full so I think she flushed them out. Her opinion is that he probably has IBS and most likely will stay on steroids for the rest of his life. She examined his mouth too and found a red inflammed area on the roof of his mouth, which wasn't there last week. I am devastated. If he has IBS and the stomatitis is coming back then I have no idea what will happen. She has suggested doing some blood work to get a better idea as to what is going on in his GI system, but for now she has given him some medication for nausea, which she thinks is what is preventing him from eating well (that happened already a couple of months ago). I have to give him that for a few days and hopefully that'll get him eating properly again. If not, and he is not eating well or taking his medicine she thinks I should board him this summer, but that's $30 a day and I'm gone for nearly a month. If she is right, and he has to stay on steroids for life then I'll do the shot. I can't afford $900 of boarding! I feel so lost. I thought things were going better for him. The red spot in his mouth worries me a lot. It is more inflammation I have ever seen in his mouth, and it developped really quickly. From what I have read about this horrible disease, it never ends well for them with enourmous amount of pain and an inevitable discussion on quality of life. :-(

This is so awful I don't even know what to say. I am so sorry for both of you. I will never understand why these sweet innocent things need to suffer such horrible illness and disease. Again I am so so sorry and am wishing the very best for Huxley.

 

[huxleysmom]

Thank you kittensx4
I have been crying over it most of the afternoon. I can only hope that things will get better, and if not, I will do my what I can to give him the best life he can have for the time he'll be with me. I gave him the nausea medication the vet gave him, but it's made him very sleepy and he hasn't wanted to eat anything so far this evening. On the plus side he did go to the bathroom so I guess it's something. How is Runt doing?

 

[kittensx4]

Thank you kittensx4
I have been crying over it most of the afternoon. I can only hope that things will get better, and if not, I will do my what I can to give him the best life he can have for the time he'll be with me. I gave him the nausea medication the vet gave him, but it's made him very sleepy and he hasn't wanted to eat anything so far this evening. On the plus side he did go to the bathroom so I guess it's something. How is Runt doing?

Oh huxleysmom, I am so sad for you. With the hell you are going through I sure appreciate you asking about Runt. He is down to 1mg allery meds a day and looking good. Oh how I hope things turn around for Huxley. One thing I can ascertain from our conversations is that you surely will give him the best life you can. I can only imagine the agony you are going through. I will be thinking of you both.

 

[lisahe]

I am very sorry to hear that news, huxleysmom , it's so sad when you feel like you don't have many options for a cat.

One thing you might want to ask the vet about is testing for the Bartonella bacterium, the cat scratch fever bacterium, which some vets believe may be linked to stomatitis. (Here's a Mercola article by Dr. Becker, which mentions a lot of diseases.) Our cat specialist vet tested our cats for Bartonella when they were under two years old because they had bad gingivitis for their age. Both tested positive and both were treated with antibiotics. Their next checkup will be in July but their mouths have improved tremendously. We also brush their teeth, so it's unclear if the improvement is from just that, from the antibiotics, or from both, but our vet says she sees improvement in many cats after treatment. All that said, our cats' cases were pretty minor compared with stomatitis. The most expensive part of the process was having titers done after the treatment, to be sure the antibiotics had had the proper effect. (Fortunately, they did!) I can look up the fees, if you'd like. Not all vets believe Bartonella can have these effects and even our vet didn't seem to think it's 100% but she's very observant in following trends among her patient population so I trust her, particularly on issues like this.

 

[huxleysmom]

Thank you for your support kittensx4 .
I am glad to hear that Runt is doing well. Hux and I are having a cuddle sessions this morning! He is such a little angel!

 

[huxleysmom]

Thank you for the advice lisahe I certainly will ask my vet. She is quite open to my suggestions and comments. I think that Huxley's red spot is sue to him currently eating grains (or at least I think it's not helping)
A few weeks ago Huxley stopped eating completely because he was so nauseaous. Now that I think about it, the same thing is kind of happening now, but the last time he ended up having to stay in the vet hospital. The vet decided that at that point the priority was to find something he would eat and not throw up. Since pork seems to be a safe protein for him and he can't have peas either, we settled on Hills science sensitive stomach. He has been eating it well, even now with nausea being back, but I am afraid it's not agreeing with stomatitis. Right now I am trying to get his stomach settled so that I can leave him for a month while I visit family. I'm going to try to change him to wet only before that if I can, but he seems reluctant. I think wet food makes him more nauseous than the dry for some reason. He goes to it, smells ifand walks away licking his lips. I'm hoping that after a couple of days with nauses meds he'll feel better and might try it.