Liz, you may also want to ask your vet about getting some vitamin B-12 injections. This will help with his appetite and also his fur. My RB Starr had IBD and also colitis and his fur looked terrible and his whiskers were also breaking off. My new vet at the time,she's now my current vet, took one look at him and said that he needs vitamin B-12 injections. They worked wonders for his whiskers and fur and also helped with his energy level. He did also have to take prednisolone but he had severe diarrhea so this may not be needed in Blackie's case. Lots more prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.