Thick intestine walls - lymphoma / ibs - Food help

[Cat.mama]

Without going into too much detail , because there are so many…

One of my girls recently had an US for reasons other than her multi colored poo and anal gland issues.



The ultra sound resulted showing 2.5 thick intestine walls. I was told this is ibs that leads to lymphoma. We can’t rule out lymphoma without biopsy.



Vet wants to switch to ZD diet to ease inflammation. I think She says this will stop the progression. It was all so fast I didn’t really process information.



Her litter mate shows stronger symptoms and has for much longer. We are pending her US. I fear the worst but I am hopeful.



My girls are so picky. We tried the ZD with no success



I tried 3 cans- morning and night mixing 1 spoon or less only. I already knew by seeing the loaf texture it was not going to work for them.



The next trial - this week has been RC select protein RD. Day two, they eat some in the morning but are mostly refusing. After a couple of hours I pick it up and feed them their normal food with no medicated. The vet also ordered duck flavor, hopefully will be in a couple of days. This texture is much better than the loaf. One cat actually ate a good amount of her plate tonight however it’s not the cat with confirmed issues. She ate nothing.



My late pup of 17 years , towards the last years of his life gained severe skin allergies. Missing hair , itching like a mad man. RC is actually what he ate.



My cats do not have skin allergies. They do not itch. We have been rocky with food quality changes and their poo is multi colored. Two years ago I had issues with gray poo, diarrhea , and blood, but , it’s been two years since I’ve seen those issues. They resolved when I switched to Purina. Came back last October. They also get hairballs.



I’ve been trying to research food , but this is impossible to understand.



I saw hills d/d that looks like it has more flavors, but looks like it is more for skin allergies? Are these the same thing ? Or must it be digestive food? Two years ago I had semi success with gastrointestinal in the shredded but ended up adding it in as a hard food supplement. I stopped that long ago. My girls don’t drink water and one is over weight. I didn’t see the benefit.



I honestly don’t really understand what is wrong with my girls and how thick walls lead to lymphoma. I didn’t ask questions when the vet initially called with the results. I was just beside myself. Inflammation? Can this get better or do we just stop it from getting worse?

I’m not asking a medical diagnosis for my pet, I’ve already got it. Just trying to better understand. From what I understand a change in diet is the only way to save her?


Trying to better understand all the options of food. I’m not even sure the office understands all the options of foods. What exactly am I looking for or what am I looking to avoid?

 

[FeralHearts]

Firstly, I am incredibly sorry that this is happening to you and your babies. It's a lot to take in. Just remember - one step at a time. You can do this!

I will preface this by saying I am not a VET. I can only tell you what I know from personal experience. I have two cats on a watch for IBS/IBD possible lymphoma. (SCL) They also have food sensitivities and are picky eaters.

IBS/IBD cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation CAN lead to cancer, not always but often it does over time. Which is what Lymphoma is. The same happens with people.

As far as cancer goes - from what i understand - SCL is the better one if you have to deal with cancer. Treatable. Not that you want to have to go that route. I vote no. I hate cancer in all forms.

They are correct that the biopsy is the only way to rule out - or in.

So for now it sounds like your main focus and job is to treat the IBS/IBD with food. Which is going to be a little changing based on what you've said and what I know about my own. Slow and steady she goes.

Researching food is such a rabbit hole. Seriously it's enough to drive the sanest of people completely out of their minds.

Have you tried putting any toppers on the food to entice them / try to trick them into trying it?

Have you tried warming it a little, or adding a little bit of warm water. Just remember you are not making soup. So just a little.

Have you tried mixing a bit of it in a food they like and slowly adding more each feeding?

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. The resolution to food is a trial and error. Mostly folks use limited ingredient foods - novel proteins, and those without a lot of fillers/gums. I am sure others will come along with some ideas on things for you to try, as just was done by the above post, but it still will be a trial and error situation, as all cats respond differently to foods of any kind.

As noted above, IBS/IBD can lead to cancer due to the ongoing, never ending inflammation. While the supposed ideal way to determine if it has led to lymphoma is a biopsy, if there is tissue that can be gathered through a fine needle aspiration, followed up by a PARR Assay, if needed - all done non-invasively during a US - there are cases of lymphoma being identified without biopsy.

Nonetheless, the standard treatment for IBS/IBD and even lymphoma is usually defaulted to food changes and steroids - Prednisolone, or a more specific less systemic steroid known as Budesonide. Those changes can be followed with chemo - which is nothing like what you might think it is for a cat - mostly done if lymphoma is confirmed, or greatly suspected.

The reasons for the US other than her poo and anal glands may actually be relevant. So, it might be a good idea to explain more about that.

 

[Cat.mama]

Firstly, I am incredibly sorry that this is happening to you and your babies. It's a lot to take in. Just remember - one step at a time. You can do this!

I will preface this by saying I am not a VET. I can only tell you what I know from personal experience. I have two cats on a watch for IBS/IBD possible lymphoma. (SCL) They also have food sensitivities and are picky eaters.

IBS/IBD cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation CAN lead to cancer, not always but often it does over time. Which is what Lymphoma is. The same happens with people.

As far as cancer goes - from what i understand - SCL is the better one if you have to deal with cancer. Treatable. Not that you want to have to go that route. I vote no. I hate cancer in all forms.

They are correct that the biopsy is the only way to rule out - or in.

So for now it sounds like your main focus and job is to treat the IBS/IBD with food. Which is going to be a little changing based on what you've said and what I know about my own. Slow and steady she goes.

Researching food is such a rabbit hole. Seriously it's enough to drive the sanest of people completely out of their minds.

Have you tried putting any toppers on the food to entice them / try to trick them into trying it?

Have you tried warming it a little, or adding a little bit of warm water. Just remember you are not making soup. So just a little.

Have you tried mixing a bit of it in a food they like and slowly adding more each feeding?

Thank you for all your encouraging words and better insight of what is going on.

right now I’m having the “best” results with the RC select protein RC . And by best , I mean both cats finished more than half their plates tonight after about a two hour stand off.
They are getting a full can of their normal food and only getting 1 SPOON FULL or less of the medicated . Actually tonight wasn’t even 1/2 a spoon.
The vet said I can keep the cans in the fridge for up to a week but I’m not chancing anything with smells with these girls so I opening a new can in the am , fridge during the day and then they get the cold at night. They are getting such a little amount and are having trouble with it.
I will say the RC is a much better experience than the hills loaf. They would not eat that at all.

the looks on their face was like the equivalent to human biting into a big piece of gristle! One of my girls would insta Gag. The day she would actually go hide under the bed. I’ve read reviews on random items in the past , I think on hairbal gel haha where several reviews mentioned the cat would smell it and run under the bed. I always thought these were “dramatic” type postings. But sure enough that was my cat response on the three days I fed the hills.

I’m not sure now, since they finished like 2/3 of their plates, if I should get more rabbit and try to see this thru or pick up a couple of the duck.

Or keep looking for another brand.

What really gets me . The cat that is being the most resistant, the one with confirmed diagnosis…. Over the last two years, at second breakfast, I can sometimes sneak in something random , as long as it’s shredded - and she will devour it before noticing it’s not her normal.

she won’t eat something like that on the normal - but I thought maybe!!! This might be an easier transition for her. She was the one who ate some of the biome in the past too. But I guess that was then , and this is what we are dealing with now.

 

[Cat.mama]

Hi. The resolution to food is a trial and error. Mostly folks use limited ingredient foods - novel proteins, and those without a lot of fillers/gums. I am sure others will come along with some ideas on things for you to try, as just was done by the above post, but it still will be a trial and error situation, as all cats respond differently to foods of any kind.

As noted above, IBS/IBD can lead to cancer due to the ongoing, never ending inflammation. While the supposed ideal way to determine if it has led to lymphoma is a biopsy, if there is tissue that can be gathered through a fine needle aspiration, followed up by a PARR Assay, if needed - all done non-invasively during a US - there are cases of lymphoma being identified without biopsy.

Nonetheless, the standard treatment for IBS/IBD and even lymphoma is usually defaulted to food changes and steroids - Prednisolone, or a more specific less systemic steroid known as Budesonide. Those changes can be followed with chemo - which is nothing like what you might think it is for a cat - mostly done if lymphoma is confirmed, or greatly suspected.

The reasons for the US other than her poo and anal glands may actually be relevant. So, it might be a good idea to explain more about that.

My vet used a traveling US service. I’ll have to see if they can do this. If so i definitely want it done when scan kitty #2

the reason we did the ultra sound.
Kitty #1 - confirmed cat. When it for grooming about a month ago and was sedated with gabapentin. When she came home , she scarfed down 2.5 plates of food.
At the same time they had stopped eating the Purina, that’s why so many plates of food were sitting around. Sisters refused to eat that night.

The next days she was having horrible coughing attacks that resembled a hairball. They would last about 2-3 minutes and her tongue would be sticking out.
She also started having the swallows / gulps
Also some small sneezes / coughs.

kitty # 2 has actually had those same swallows for almost a year. She’s been seen for them and said to be because of her weight

I kept in contact with the vet . Sending videos like once a week. The big attacks eventually stopped. But the swallows did not. Tge vet noticed in the videos she’s purrs a lot and very loud. She usually stops when the swallows start . I only ever see the swallow in either cat when they are up with me . I don’t see them swallowing when they are alone on their trees.

thoughts were hairball, food quality related , or fast onset asthma/allergies . Or did she pick up a stomach virus while she was out.

so we did X-ray to look for blockage in throat , post nasal drip and stomach for hairball.

we didn’t end up getting X-ray or nasal, not sure why. No throat blockage but stomach showed maybe a growth in the lining , so we booked the US.
Whatever that was, it was gone during the scan.
She also had some lung nodules in the x-rays.

she really dosnt show many symptoms of anything other than her multi color poo and now her swallowing. She runs out of the litter box room often. There are times when her butt looks prolapsed but it always turns back to normal within minutes and she doesn’t clear her own anal sacks.

Kitty #2
Over the last year her behavior has changed- she went from always being my lovey stuck on me sidekick , to more time alone.
she has tender belly/ underarm
She cried after most meals and some potty breaks.
Swallow
She doesn’t nurse anymore!! (Biscuits with Nursing the blanet)
I’ve also noticed in both cats over the last several months, they are getting the jerks in their front arms.

back to kitty #1 I’m not sure what’s happening . The two appts were back to back and she ingested a ton of US gel but she has gone into a big down phase , both of them have actually z

I haven’t seen them like this since 2021. #1 looks like her sides are caving in. Both are kinda lethargic. It’s very stressful on both of them, when either goes to the vet. I did a bunch of testing in 2021 I need to pull that out. She went into the hospital as precaution as my pup had just died and my vet really wanted to teeter on the safe side. Think it was pancreatitis markers they had . But they didn’t have pancreatitis. Might be wrong on what it was . They might be just super stressed.
I know I’m getting really scared because I feel like it’s a ticking clock.

 

[Cat.mama]

kitty was also limping after her Us. She often has issues with her nerve during vaccines. So it’s possible she has some pain. Her leg and foot was covered in gel. I think she did some wiggling and maybe bounced around some

 

[Cat.mama]

Hi. The resolution to food is a trial and error. Mostly folks use limited ingredient foods - novel proteins, and those without a lot of fillers/gums. I am sure others will come along with some ideas on things for you to try, as just was done by the above post, but it still will be a trial and error situation, as all cats respond differently to foods of any kind.

As noted above, IBS/IBD can lead to cancer due to the ongoing, never ending inflammation. While the supposed ideal way to determine if it has led to lymphoma is a biopsy, if there is tissue that can be gathered through a fine needle aspiration, followed up by a PARR Assay, if needed - all done non-invasively during a US - there are cases of lymphoma being identified without biopsy.

Nonetheless, the standard treatment for IBS/IBD and even lymphoma is usually defaulted to food changes and steroids - Prednisolone, or a more specific less systemic steroid known as Budesonide. Those changes can be followed with chemo - which is nothing like what you might think it is for a cat - mostly done if lymphoma is confirmed, or greatly suspected.

The reasons for the US other than her poo and anal glands may actually be relevant. So, it might be a good idea to explain more about that.

The needle thing are speaking of during the US. This procedure is easier on the cat than an actual biopsy?
I’m wondering if they would do this on kitty #2 during her initial Us without knowing if there is cause?
The US cost almost $400.

 

[FeebysOwner]

That is a lot of stuff going on! Some may be nothing, some may be something. It is just a lot of stuff. Look at the previous testing, and get copies of all the current ones too. You may not be able to decipher much from any of it, but an internal med vet might. At this point, that is what I would recommend. Your vet should be able to direct you to a specialty group with many different specialties, primarily an internal med vet to look over all of the testing, as a consult to start with. The point in going to one that has many specialties is to have other vets on staff, such as pulmonology, cardiology, etc. that the internal med vet can discuss test results with. They are also more proficient in testing/reading results, such as in ultrasounds.

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) is totally non-invasive (no surgery required) so it is merely a needle being inserted into suspicious tissue, and drawn out for analysis, while being guided by the ultrasound tools. It can only be done if there is suspicious tissue to collect. The PARR Assay is merely a follow up test, using the FNA tissue to further exam the tissue, if needed. I doubt this can be done with a mobile US vet, but maybe...

I don't like to suggest such measures, but your cats seem to have a number of things going on, and I am not getting the sense your vet is able to decipher it all.

How old are your cats?

 

[Margot Lane]

The needle thing are speaking of during the US. This procedure is easier on the cat than an actual biopsy?
I’m wondering if they would do this on kitty #2 during her initial Us without knowing if there is cause?
The US cost almost $400.

My cat never like Hills, either. I had great luck with rabbit and quail. Limited ingredients. Chicken, grains, green lipped mussels and guar gum can all be allergy culprits. If your cat gets the runs you can try adding a little bit (but not too much) pumpkin. Some companies have the pumpkin mixed in. It can take a cat a few tries to warm up to something, or to have the desired results met at the other end. I got the biopsy done for definitive results, but it is expensive.

 

[Margot Lane]

The lethargy you mentioned is concerning, as that can be so many things. Do they hydrate enough?

 

[FeralHearts]

Hi. The resolution to food is a trial and error. Mostly folks use limited ingredient foods - novel proteins, and those without a lot of fillers/gums. I am sure others will come along with some ideas on things for you to try, as just was done by the above post, but it still will be a trial and error situation, as all cats respond differently to foods of any kind.

As noted above, IBS/IBD can lead to cancer due to the ongoing, never ending inflammation. While the supposed ideal way to determine if it has led to lymphoma is a biopsy, if there is tissue that can be gathered through a fine needle aspiration, followed up by a PARR Assay, if needed - all done non-invasively during a US - there are cases of lymphoma being identified without biopsy.

Nonetheless, the standard treatment for IBS/IBD and even lymphoma is usually defaulted to food changes and steroids - Prednisolone, or a more specific less systemic steroid known as Budesonide. Those changes can be followed with chemo - which is nothing like what you might think it is for a cat - mostly done if lymphoma is confirmed, or greatly suspected.

The reasons for the US other than her poo and anal glands may actually be relevant. So, it might be a good idea to explain more about that.

The needle thing are speaking of during the US. This procedure is easier on the cat than an actual biopsy?
I’m wondering if they would do this on kitty #2 during her initial Us without knowing if there is cause?
The US cost almost $400.

There are a couple of things you should be aware of.

If prednisolone is used then biopsy loses its accuracy / screw up results. Even though mine could benefit from prednisolone we have held off for that very reason.

As for FNA and PARR, FeebysOwner is right, you can detect from that. Here's the problem. That method does have some room for error. I believe it's 90% accurate but has the chance of giving a false negative. Often the choice of FNA with PARR is done if the wee one is older, or really not in great shape to go for the biopsy.

When one of mine was in that spot FeebysOwner let me know about that option - my vets never even mentioned it - and it was so helpful to know as that option was never presented to me and my girl was in no condition to be put under a biopsy. It was too risky. So it's good to have the info in your back pocket.

Thank you for all your encouraging words and better insight of what is going on.

I know I’m getting really scared because I feel like it’s a ticking clock.

You're welcome.I have three not well cats. I know what it feels like to feel like you're just drowning.

Fear is natural and okay - try not to let it over take you though. It can stop your thinking mind. Also make sure you are taking care of yourself too. Lots of water, eating and rest.

There is a lot going on with them.

I would suggest getting the notes and copies of tests if you don't have them already. Ask for SOAP notes too. Read them slowly. There is often a lot of things vets don't' tell you, or things you don't quite hear right in a visit and sometimes errors too caused by miscommunication and interruptions.

Make yourself a food chart too if you can, all the trials you might end up doing you think you'll remember, but over time you forget who tried what food and which one liked and hates etc.

 

[Cat.mama]

That is a lot of stuff going on! Some may be nothing, some may be something. It is just a lot of stuff. Look at the previous testing, and get copies of all the current ones too. You may not be able to decipher much from any of it, but an internal med vet might. At this point, that is what I would recommend. Your vet should be able to direct you to a specialty group with many different specialties, primarily an internal med vet to look over all of the testing, as a consult to start with. The point in going to one that has many specialties is to have other vets on staff, such as pulmonology, cardiology, etc. that the internal med vet can discuss test results with. They are also more proficient in testing/reading results, such as in ultrasounds.

The fine needle aspiration (FNA) is totally non-invasive (no surgery required) so it is merely a needle being inserted into suspicious tissue, and drawn out for analysis, while being guided by the ultrasound tools. It can only be done if there is suspicious tissue to collect. The PARR Assay is merely a follow up test, using the FNA tissue to further exam the tissue, if needed. I doubt this can be done with a mobile US vet, but maybe...

I don't like to suggest such measures, but your cats seem to have a number of things going on, and I am not getting the sense your vet is able to decipher it all.

How old are your cats?

Wow all of this blows my mind as in my vets eyes we seem to be all set as we are now.
It has bothered me that we are not digging deeper, that I’m requesting to US the second cat and that I’m digging thru old records to connect dots. Not that I’m at all complaining. Just understanding now that there seems so much more to it, how come they are not giving me these options.

The girls will turn 11 this year .

What I had mentioned before about the old notes that stuck in my head.

• Clostridium perfringens enterotoxicosis

In 2021 right after their papa dog died, the girls got what seemed super depressed. Lethargic , meowing , gray poo my vet notes say diarrhea and vomiting ( I don’t remember that) that’s when they / or one showed pancreatic markers and one was hospitalized as precaution. When vet realized it was both cats acting this way - he said it was pancreatitis. Said he had taken extra precautions as I had just lost my dog. It took a couple months for them to totally snap out of this down phase. During this time he did pcr and one or both, I don’t remember, tested for cpe . The notes say we tried several antibiotics. I honestly can’t remember. I moved to a new city right around this time and the girls were settled. They would go thru “down phases” every now and then where I could tell they were not feeling well . Less active more lethargic I would see bloody poo. US was suggested by the new vet. They didn’t have one ! Closest was an hour away and emergency visit only.
I moved again, to another city! Switched to Purina food and I haven’t seen blood or a “down phase” since.
I asked this current vet about US when I first moved here - but since they were not on site , it was kind of shrugged off as they no longer had symptoms.
I remember my old vet saying this could just be something that was in their genes, the cpe at one point

I don’t really know if that is connected or relevant

 

[Cat.mama]

My cat never like Hills, either. I had great luck with rabbit and quail. Limited ingredients. Chicken, grains, green lipped mussels and guar gum can all be allergy culprits. If your cat gets the runs you can try adding a little bit (but not too much) pumpkin. Some companies have the pumpkin mixed in. It can take a cat a few tries to warm up to something, or to have the desired results met at the other end. I got the biopsy done for definitive results, but it is expensive.

What brand / line are you using ?

 

[Cat.mama]

The lethargy you mentioned is concerning, as that can be so many things. Do they hydrate enough?

They stopped drinking water about 2 years ago when I moved to this house. The water is very different here. Although they only get bottled water, they smell the dish and walk off . They don’t even go to the bowls anymore.

 

[FeebysOwner]

You talked about all the things that were going on with them in the past, but I am not sure just exactly what is still going on. As in, what are their current symptoms, aside from the US results? Perhaps, some of the 'older' things have been resolved, and part of not being sure about that might be from all the moving and changing vets you have done. If the new(est) vet doesn't have the old records, it would be a good idea to give them a copy, so they have a more complete picture.

It is true that the preferred route for FNA/ultrasound or biopsy is to be done without Prednisolone skewing the results. Was the US that was done through your current vet? It sounds like they are really suggesting a diet change, if nothing else. Do they actually want to pursue a biopsy or do they want a dietary change to see if that can help - maybe in lieu of any further testing at this time? Your cats could always be given Pred or Budesonide to see if it helps any, and taken off of it at a later date if further testing is determined to be appropriate.

The thing is, while not impossible, it seems weird both have IBD (are they related), but CPE can be transmitted from one cat to another through exposure to things like stool. Were they ever rechecked to see if the CPE was resolved? Many cats recover on their own, but maybe with your cats being older that is less likely?

A lot of cats, for varying reasons including IBD, are given an appetite stimulant, and even anti-nausea meds in some cases - to help with their digestive issues and getting them to eat better. So, maybe that is another option that might even help with getting them adjusted to new food. Of course, this might not be as applicable if they willingly eat their 'old' foods without issue. But, something else to talk to your vet about.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Just because, here is a great resource on IBD: Feline Nutrition – IBDKitties

 

[Cat.mama]

You talked about all the things that were going on with them in the past, but I am not sure just exactly what is still going on. As in, what are their current symptoms, aside from the US results? Perhaps, some of the 'older' things have been resolved, and part of not being sure about that might be from all the moving and changing vets you have done. If the new(est) vet doesn't have the old records, it would be a good idea to give them a copy, so they have a more complete picture.

It is true that the preferred route for FNA/ultrasound or biopsy is to be done without Prednisolone skewing the results. Was the US that was done through your current vet? It sounds like they are really suggesting a diet change, if nothing else. Do they actually want to pursue a biopsy or do they want a dietary change to see if that can help - maybe in lieu of any further testing at this time? Your cats could always be given Pred or Budesonide to see if it helps any, and taken off of it at a later date if further testing is determined to be appropriate.

The thing is, while not impossible, it seems weird both have IBD (are they related), but CPE can be transmitted from one cat to another through exposure to things like stool. Were they ever rechecked to see if the CPE was resolved? Many cats recover on their own, but maybe with your cats being older that is less likely?

A lot of cats, for varying reasons including IBD, are given an appetite stimulant, and even anti-nausea meds in some cases - to help with their digestive issues and getting them to eat better. So, maybe that is another option that might even help with getting them adjusted to new food. Of course, this might not be as applicable if they willingly eat their 'old' foods without issue. But, something else to talk to your vet about.

Yes sorry , I know I threw a lot of old info out there. Let me try to clear up and better pinpoint just the here and now.

only the one cat thus far has been diagnosed with ibs. The US was just recently done at my current vet with the mobile service. And change of food is what she suggested.
her symptoms are multicolor poop , anal glands get clogged, seems to have painful BM sometimes as she runs out of potty room, and now has the swallows.
The second cat her symptoms are at times multi color poop, crying after most meals and some bathroom breaks, sometimes thru the night and potty, tender on sides of belly, and the swallow. She is short hair and she has more hairballs than her sister. She will also every now and then leave a small spot of blood on the bed. I assume it’s from her butt maybe from having a rough BM. Her behavior over the last year has changed to where she is not my lap cat anymore. She still comes for loving, but spends a lot more time to herself.

they have never had an issue eating, as long as it’s what they want to eat! With the exception, since October , we have had many cases of food they refuse.
The night cat #1 came home sedated and ate all that food that initially kick started her coughing/hacking and swallow, that was a case of food they were refusing. That had me kind of worried , it was the food causing the issue. I’m not on the blame Purina bandwagon. But they did change formula , they did have shortages, I did see quality changes. My cats saw it too.
do I think that caused ibs - no . But at the time I totally thought holy smokes she just ate 3 plates of bad food and is hacking like crazy and has these weird swallows like sisters - overnight!

her hack fits have stopped btw so that has been very positive.

Another positive note is I’m having some success with the rabbit Royal canin PR. I decided to put greenies down in the plate one night and that kicked started it for her. This morning was 100% medicated food and it was success for her. I did have a big back step with her sister , who initially was the only one eating it lol. She said no way. So… guess I’m going to go back to half and half.

One thing i have noticed the last two meals , is she is crying after she eats. I’m not sure if this is a bad sign. This is new for her.

I wish the cans were slightly bigger. Suggested feeding is 1.25 cans per day. It’s really convenient splitting a can at each meal and not dealing with the fridge. At that rate is $100 every 12 days! Sheesh . Adding in a 1/4 , this is over 400 a month.

How do yall afford this?? What is the secret ??

 

[Cat.mama]

Just because, here is a great resource on IBD: Feline Nutrition – IBDKitties

Thank you!

 

[FeebysOwner]

One thing i have noticed the last two meals, is she is crying after she eats. I’m not sure if this is a bad sign. This is new for her.

I could only suppose the food she is eating is causing belly aches - or, there is a dental and/or throat issue. But, if I recall correctly, they checked her throat and nothing was identified. Kind of leads me to think it is the food, or a coincidental change in her possible IBD. You might tell the vet about it and see if they think an antacid or similar type med would be worth a try.

I hope you find some helpful information in the link you were given!

 

[artiemom]

Wow.. It sounds as if you are really going crazy with all of this stuff going on. I get it.. I had one guy with IBD; the next with IBD/SCL (small cell lymphoma). Both had endoscopic biopsies. The one with questionable lymphoma-- seen on the sample, automatically had PARR testing to confirm the diagnosis of SCL. I know what you are going through.

With Artie, it was diarrhea and vomiting, which did not change with any different foods I chose for him. Finally went to RC prescription Rabbit, both wet and dry. After diagnosis, he was on a lot of meds for IBD.

Geoffrey: sigh.. After having Artie and his diagnosis, I immediately knew Geoffrey had IBD--- vomiting and diarrhea. Did the food swap immediately, to RC Rabbit. his diarrhea stopped, but the vomiting never did. Took him to the Internal Medicine Vet, who did the biopsy.
Shocked about the SCL diagnosis. It was an easy treatment; regular IBD meds, plus a chemo capsule every other day.
~~
It is kind of strange that both your kitties have issues; and many. My thoughts would be to take them, and all their records to an Internal Medicine Vet, and not fool around with a General Vet.

The advice you have received is excellent. You can have an endoscopic biopsy done--- not a Fine Needle aspiration (FNA). The FNA would have to be targeted to one spot. The endoscopic one can see if there are many areas of suspected IBD in the stomach. Yes, thickened walls of the intestine is a sign of IBD and/or SCL.

Curious to note that you were feeding Purina food. Recently, there have been a lot of reports of cats becoming sick from the Purina food. Just a thought.
Also, the fact that they are not drinking water--- weird. Are you living in an area where there may be contaminated water? or just the chlorination? Stick to bottled water or filtered water.

As far as keeping the wet food in the refrigerator: I only kept a can for a couple of days--- then I threw it out. The texture changes, and it seems to smell different. My guys could always tell the difference. Yes, you could try the duck or the venison to see if that would help, also. It has to be a protein which they have not had before.

Also, what you describe as coughing, could actually be them trying to vomit.. I think the belly soreness, the diarrhea, different colored stools, blood in the stool, the hard swallowing is all from pretty bad IBD. Please go to an Internal Med Vet; for the sake of your babies. They must be in such pain.

One thing to remember: IF you are thinking of having a biopsy of any type, Do NOT start steroids! Steroid will skew the diagnosis. You can start them AFTER the biopsy.


I may sound as if I am rambling, but I am doing this from memory...
It is a lot to comprehend...
Good Luck...