Update On Biopsy Results!!!
Hi, I just got home a little while ago and I had to feed the cats first before I could get on the computer. Dr. Boltz called me around 4:30pm today and said that both Starr's small and large intestine show that he has food allergies and also colitis.:( Luckily this is all it is and I'll be starting him on the right doseage of pred this time and I'll also continue to feed him the Hills Z/d dry food as long as he'll eat it. If he doesn't want it then I can feed him the Natural Balance Green Pea & Venison and if he won't eat this then I'll try Storm's prescription food. Since Starr's so thin, I have to make sure that he eats something and she said that when he's on the pred he should be able to eat almost any kind of food but that the Hills Z/D would be best for him in the long run.
The vet's office that I was using told me to give him 1/4 of a tablet (5mg) 2 times a day for 7 days, then 1/4 of a tablet 1 time a day for the next 7 days and then 1/4 of a tablet every other day until they're gone. Dr. Boltz told me that this is one reason that I didn't see any change in Starr's diarrhea. Her instructions are as follows: give one 5mg tablet 2 times a day for 7 days then 1 tablet 1 time a day for 3 weeks and then give them as directed. I need to call her after the first week to let her know how he's doing and then we'll take it from there. She said that if he remains on the Hills Z/D diet that he'll probably be able to be weaned down to taking only 1-2 5mg tablets a week to keep his illness under control.
I know that I probably could have just tried this new diet and pred doseage before trying the biopsy surgery but Starr's health was declining so much that both the doctor and I agreed that we really needed to know what was causing his problem so that she would know how to treat him. I was also tired of playing the guessing game. Now hopefully this will all work and Starr will become a very healthy and happy littlle boy again.:) I had also asked Dr. Boltz about allergy testing and she said that it's not very accurate and that sometimes it even says that an animal is allergic when they aren't and that they are allergic when they really aren't. Since Starr had been on pred he would've also had to wait 6 weeks before he could be tested. I'll also be giving Starr 3 vitamin B12 injections myself and he'll be getting them 1 time a month starting on the week of March 25th. The first one has really helped him a lot.
Now I just need to fatten Starr up and the pred should cause him to be hungrier than normal so I'm going to try to feed him more small meals a day than I have been. Thanks again everyone for all of the prayers and concerns for Starr. He's now finally on the road to recovery.:)
Side effects of Prednisone...
I just wanted to post this as I know there are side effects of Prednisone if it is used for an extended period (human and animal). My father is on it and he bruises super easily. It's also linked to bones becoming brittle.
I found this site that has about the effects on animals (though they say it is more found in dogs at this point). It is a steroid, so just keep an eye on Starr if he has to use it longterm. Not to scare you, but to be informed about the side affects.
This article was really good.
http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/mon...prednisone.asp
