Micah (advice needed)

[NoahsMommy]

I need some advice from my cat-loving pals. I want to start by saying that I want to do what's right for Micah...but I need some opinions...

Micah was on his new homeopathic pills as well as Tylan Powder to decrease the bacteria in his intestines and to restore his body back to wellness. Each medication was given to me by two vets. The Tylan powder was given by his vet, the homeopathic pills were given to me by the other cat's vet when I consulted him about Micah as he had seen him prior.

Micah has been on Science Diet Z/D as well as I/D for the past few months, since we've had him.

So far, there hasn't been much of a change except that he doesn't use the litter box as often. I think thats due to the high fiber content of his food.

In the past, he's been on Flagyl, again with no change.

I spoke with the vet today (Micah's vet) about our next steps. I've been told previously that it would be time for a full blood panel and either a full endoscopy or exploratory surgery to obtain biopsys. I talked to the vet and she suggested the later, because it could be done by Micah's vet and on site. Another positive aspect to the exploratory surgery is that she'd be able to see his other organs and would be able to better diagnose IBD or whatever else he could have.

I asked about treatment options afterwards, IF he was diagnosed with IBD and she said it would be a combination of Flagyl, Prednisone and something else. He would be on them in a strong dosage and would tapper off with time. My concern comes from my Crohn's experience. I am on meds to keep me in remission. Drugs like prednisone (a steroid) are used to stop the attack on the body and then maintenance drugs are used to keep the body in remission. Another concern are the side effects of Prednisone...

I've consulted his vet and my other vet about this and they both say he needs this to figure out what is wrong. BUT, they both said it sounded like IBD and that his breed and age are condusive to that diagnoses. I've never heard that before...warning fellow Aby lovers.

Do you think I should get another opinion? I suggested trying a small dose of Prednisone to see if it had any effect. But, the vet said that if Micah has cancer, it could hinder treatment.

I guess I'm concerned over how they will handle Micah it if IS IBD...I don't like that type of treatment, when I have almost the same thing and know the difference.

I know he was brought into our lives for a reason, there are just too many commonalities between the two of us that others wouldn't understand. Our bond is amazing. I just want to do the right thing...

I'm afraid of how I approach David with this. Micah acts normal, he plays, he loves, he EATS! But I can tell that he's not feeling well.

Help? Do you think I need a third opinion??

[Russian Blue]

I've sent you a PM about Micah.

[Denyce]

I find that you really can't get tooo many vet opinions when you are dealing with a very difficult situation as this. I know that Pred is not as hard on cats as it is on humans. But I understand your reluctance to put him on this. My husband also has Crohn's and was on Pred for so long he has had muscle/bone damage in his shoulder. I wish I knew a good vet in CA. I used to live in Encinitas many years ago but the vet we used has since retired. I really hope you can find some answers. The problem is that there are so many possible paths to take...finding the right one for your and Micah is the toughest part.

[NoahsMommy]

IBD is actually a group of gastrointestinal disorders, usually chronic in nature, which are characterized by an increase in the number of inflammatory cells found in the lining of the stomach or intestinal tract. These changes can affect the function of the organ involved. The causes of IBD are variable, and often no single cause can be identified in a given patient. The symptoms include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or both, and in some cases, weight loss and change in appetite. Some patients may defecate outside their litter box, especially if diarrhea is present. The symptoms may be cyclical in nature, with the cat appearing to be normal at times. It is not unusual for these patients to be misdiagnosed as having hairballs.

A definitive diagnosis of IBD is only possible by intestinal biopsy, which is best accomplished using fibreoptic endoscopy. This technology allows veterinarians to diagnose and treat many gastrointestinal disorders more easily than in the past. The endoscope is an instrument that allows visualization of the stomach and intestinal tract through a flexible tube that is passed into either the patient's stomach or colon. The tube contains fibreoptic bundles that deliver bright light to its tip and transmit the images back into an eyepiece. Small, but adequate biopsies (about the size of this capital letter "O") can be taken using this instrument, thus avoiding surgery. The procedure is performed under a short general anesthesia with most patients able to return home the same day. Since endoscopic procedures are minimally invasive (there are no surgical wounds to heal) and short in duration, they are less traumatic to the patient and recovery time is quicker.

Once diagnosed, the disease can be controlled to prevent pain and discomfort to the cat. Treatment is also aimed at preventing possible complications of the disease, such as damage to the liver, malnutrition, ulcers, and in some cases, the future development of cancer. Many medications can be used to control IBD. These include prednisone (the treatment of choice in many cases), some antibiotics, and antiemetics (drugs that suppress vomiting). A new drug, budesonide (Entocort®) is currently being investigated for treatment of IBD in cats. Although it is a corticosteroid drug like prednisone, it is metabolized differently and may reduce the potential for long-term side effects that can be associated with corticosteroids. Once therapy is started, it is usually continued for two to three months, before attempts are made to decrease the amount of medication. In many cases, a hypoallergenic diet may be recommended to aid in control of the disease.

Any cat with unexplained vomiting or diarrhea, especially chronic and intermittent in nature, should be examined for IBD. This disease is often overlooked and is under-diagnosed, leaving many cats to live in some measure of discomfort. With fibreoptic endoscopy, diagnosis is safe and minimally invasive. Treatment will not only avoid serious future complications, but will improve the cat's quality of life.

The Winn Feline Foundation

I guess this helps. I'll ask the vet about Entocort, I much prefer that...it seems like they've really done their research on the long-term effects.

Gosh....I'm scared for David to come home so I can tell him...he about freaked out when I told him it was a possibility.

[Miss Meow]

I don't know anything specific about GI conditions, but maybe another opinion will help. Is there a university vet hospital or a cat specialist in the area who may have seen a variety of similar problems? Someone out there is bound to have experience; it's just the old needle in the haystack of trying to find them Good luck

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kelly, I also think it wouldn't hurt to get a third opinion. My RB Pepper was also thought to have IBD but when my vet did an autopsy he said that his intestines looked normal. Pepper had also been on a form of Prednisone called Prednisolone and this caused him to become diabetic. I think that IBD may be hard to diagnose. I sure hope that you're able to find a solution to Micah's problem and that it can be easily treated. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[sasvermont]

I am fairly sure I have mentioned this before to you. You might want to contact an Aby breeder in your area of the country as Abys are known for having the problem you are talking about with your kitty. Aby breeders often stop breeding a particular cat because of this and other inbred illness tendancies. The breeders will have the experience and will have some up front answers for you I am sure. Many vets have never seen an Aby and don't know about their weaknesses.

I would bet that this illness is why Micah was dropped off at the shelter. It can be an expensive situation. Many people will not go to the length or expense to deal with IBD as I don't think there is a a cure, just treatment, long term. I hope I am wrong about IBD in cats, but that is what I recall having heard about Abys and IBD.

My two, Miley and Graemer were being treated for a version of IBD and are/were put on W/D - high, high, fiber prescription Science diet. It surely helped. Miley still has a mild bout every now and then.

Hope this helps.

[NoahsMommy]

I talked to Micah's vet today and will consult the other cat's vet on Friday. We are going to wait until we can afford Micah's surgery, but in the mean time will give him Science Diet W/D (thanks for the idea SAS!).

The vet and I talked a lot about the steriod treatment (Pred) and its effects on cats vs. humans. She said he needed an anti-inflamatory to stop the attack (Pred) and then a high fiber diet to diminish the diareah.

Until we can get the $$ together, I'm going to keep him on the W/D and add omego-3 fish oils, something that will get the inflammation down naturally.

I just thank God that I know something about the disease, its almost (if not) exactly like the IBD that humans get. Funny how we both have it...

[Catsnclay]

I think a 3rd opinion would be fine, I would make sure that it was a specialist though, not just another Vet.

Sas recommended contacting the breeder.....good idea, also see if the breeder has a good Vet. Can't hurt to ask!

As far as medications go, the amount an animal takes compared to us humans, the dosage is much lower. So I wouldn't worry too much.....

[rosethecopycat]

Prednisone worries me a little. I am on it most of the time for RA.
I know you have to dose it high in the beginning, then taper off.

I know a friend who lost their dog to Prednisolone.

Immune system conditions are frustrating when it's cronic.

I'm glad you're in remission. I'm on a roller coaster ride that's lasted 3 years...and probably forever.

[sasvermont]

I am not sure the fish oil is a good idea until you get him stable. The more you change his diet the longer it will take to get a handle on the problem. I don't know who's idea it is/was to do the fish oil thing, but it sounds like a second step to me and not an initial step. I would really keep him on one high fiber diet and that is it. No treats, no nothing - no milk - nothing but water and w/d until you get him stable. Of course you are going to do what you think is best! Keep us posted!

[NoahsMommy]

The fish oils are a second step, but it can't hurt. Its what people with IBD are supposed to eat (salmon, tuna, walnuts, etc.). I figure that it can't hurt, its natural.

I'm going to be calling the University of California, Davis tomorrow. They have the largest vet school in the nation to see what they say.

[catmandu]

when Mr.Scrappy was ill with diabetes , I wish now that I had taken him to the Guelph University for more tests. But I was having trouble with the bald headed , empty headed Cat hater Boss , who didnt like me to take time off for a Cat. Mr ,Scrappy passed on and the jerk fired me anyway. It is fitting that his knees are shot and he is in a wheelchair!Ha Ha Ha!