IBS In Cats

[macassie]

Does anyone have experience with IBS in cats?

I have a 16 year old female cat who we think (after many tests turned up nothing else) is suffering from this. Our vet tried several different drugs, and eventually an aggressive treatment with prednisone got things under control.

Well, now she seems to be having another bad bout with it and we have started up the prednisone again, but I was wondering if any one else had any other ideas for us to try.

I really don't like giving her so much prednisone (10mg per day - with a weaning off period once symptoms get under control) We did take her to a cardiologist to make sure her heart is in good shape before beginning the treatment, and it is, but I'm wondering if there is a gentler, effective treatment.

The IBS is causing her to lose weight, but so far, dehydration has not been a problem and we increase her feedings to help keep her weight up. She really loves to eat, so it doesn't require much effort, thank goodness.

Other than this and a little bit of arthritis, she is pretty healthy for a little old lady. She still enjoys her food and treats and is a very sweet, affectionate cat. Hope someone has some ideas!

thanks!

['too crazy]

What is IBS?

[macassie]

Sorry. It's Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I'm so used to dealing with it now that I forgot to fully write it out.

thanks!

['too crazy]

Oh that has to be fun for you! :eek: I had a cat that had a urinary problem and she was put on Perscription (Science) Diet CD cat food. It had more to do with kidney problems but have you asked your vet about a change in food? I know I'm not much help but I thought I'd give it a try. I don't blame you for trying to find a different alternative. Good luck and hopefully someone else will be able to help you out.

[RWDVM]

Dear maccassie:

I am a veterinarian and would be happy to offer advice. There are various causes for IBS in cats, one of which is protein hypersensitivity. I have found that many cats have an allergy to fish based foods. For this reason, following cortisone (prednisone is a form of cortisone) treatment, I typically place the cat on a restricted diet where no fishy foods are fed for an 8 week period. Very often, this prevents recurrence or at least reduces the frquency of episodes and/or cortisone dose. Best of luck to you. Please refer to my veterinary advice and health management website or contact me through the board if you have any further concerns.

Sincerely,

Roger L. Welton, DVM
Veterinarian, Webmaster http://www.askdvm.com

['too crazy]

I recently bought a persian from a rescue and it's stool is like pudding. I took him to the vet and they weren't sure what the problem was. It sure can be a mess so he is clipped short in the hind end area. I think I'll go check to see if there's any fish in his food!

[macassie]

Thank you all for your replies - I'll try avoiding fish to see if that helps. It would be wonderful if it is that simple! *keeping my fingers crossed*

thanks!

['too crazy]

Well I guess there as a reason for me asking what IBS is. I just found out today that thats what my cat has. YUCK! What a messMy kitty is on 5 mg. of prednisolone for 14 days and is now on a prescription food. This is no big deal except for the fact that I have to switch the other 3 cats over now and prescription food is so much more expensive. I was wondering if you tried what our vet here said and if it worked for you? What kind of food is/was your cat on? And how is your cat doing now?

[nedran]

I went through this with my cat and ended up switching her to a Science Diet W/D. Cleared it up pretty quick. If you switch foods though remember to do it gradually I started with a 3:1 ratio for a few days and worked down from there. If you don't "wean" them off their normal food, they can get an upset tummy and it could make the IBS worse for a few days. I found that out the hard way. Had to have Chrissie's butt shaved for a few weeks.

[skittles823]

Did you try changing her food to something that may be easier for her old digestive track to handle. My 15 year old that has Hyperthyroidism, had this problem and it cleared up once I changed her food to something she could digest easier. Since that change no more IBS boughts, unless she gets really stressed.

Julie

['too crazy]

The vet put him on Hills z/d. I was thinking maybe Science Diet sensitive stomach. The z/d's almost $17 for a 4 lb. bag and I would have to switch all 4 cats over and with 4 cats, I go through 4 lbs. pretty quickly. And if the dog gets into it I go through it even faster! Last night his stool was like water and he had the dry heaves in the night. The vet is going to call today with the results of the blood work so I'm going to mention whats going on with him. Skittles, what kind of food did you change to?

[Mollyspause]

One of my beloved cats has developed intermittent bowel symptoms during the past two months. The cat is fine and then suddenly he vomits, howls in pain, and remains in the movement postion. He panics and goes around the house leaving spots of malodorous diarrhea-pudding everywhere. I mean he even tries to jump on beds and leave spots. He really panics over it and it takes a day to clean up after him if I don't get him locked into one room. He continues to try to have a movement and this can go on for more than an hour while he is pain. I brought him to the vet on emergency basis the two times it happened. By the time he got there and the vet met us, he let loose. The movement is a combo of very loose pudding and some small harder stool. And then he is just fine. It is now nearly 4 am and he is having his third bout. in roughly two and a half months. I hate hearing him cry, an would run him to my vet in a nanosecond if I didn't I already know that bringing him in on emergency to vet is useless as he WILL go by the time we meet our vet. Xray showed no sign of megacolon whatsoever. Full blood panel was perfect. Almost too perfect for a 15 year old.His stools seem normal all other times, until he has these incidents. The incidents seem to average once a month. Forget the Flagyl, I could NOT get this cat to chew that. I have started givng him some laxitone but not daily and perhaps I should give it to him daily. But I see his stool normal and I think he doesn't NEED it. So I'm confused now. He's such a good fellow, and such a sport, and I hate seeing him suffer. But I am at a loss. He is a SD dry addict and I have made every effort to find some canned foods he will eat. He will eat some canned that I normally would not feed, and he refuses the Eagle that I give my other cats. He likes that crappy Sheba. But at this point in my mind, any canned it worth it for him if it brings him more water. I also notice he almost gets afraid when he has to go, even though he is normal the rest of the time between incidents. He's been in OUTSTANDING health otherwise. Does anybody have any ideas here? I just adore this guy. Thanks.