Dr. Cheng, Flagyl and Prednisone for cat with IBD?

My cat was diagnosed with IBD (chronic Colitis to be more specific). The vet performed a Biopsy to get to this conclusion. Fecal and blood tests will be performed to look for coccidia, Giardia, any signs of FIP, Leukemia or cancer. Vet also wants to do Endoscopes. Now, I was given Flagyl, prednisone and Albon. First time on treatment kitty did fine. A month later, my cat is back to treatment (bleeding and loose stool reoccurrence). The bleeding has stopped, but now he has spent 5 days with diarrhea. He has been accidentally leaking soft feces in the house.  His appetite has decreased. I just don't see any improvement here. Could you give me some information as to what could be causing this awful diarrhea? Could you tell me about Flagyl, prednisone and Albon and why these MAY NOT be controlling loose stool? He is eating Hill's Z/D. Now vet wants to switch to E/N but first he wants to go deeper into this (although he did see that the colon mucosa is covered in blood and the slightest touch makes it bleed) to see what's really causing all this blood and loose stool.

Thank you!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Has the vet talked about trying Atopica for your cat?  It could replace the prednisolone that your cat is currently on, and has less side effects.

I would also go with a totally holistic canned or fresh non grain diet, or you could make homemade food if you have the time.  You will have to feed a novel protein source, i.e.: something that your cat has never been exposed to before.  Dry Z/D contains some carbohydrates.  In fact all dry food must contain some carbohydrates in order for them to be extruded into small pellets.  The carb in Z/D is cornstarch usually, which can be an allergen.  Canned Z/D does not contain cornstarch and if necessary your cat could stay on this.  Other canned varieties that are safe are IVD/Royal Canin novel protein canned diets such as Venison and sweet pea.

You can also try the Chinese herbal formula's: Shen Ling Bai Zhu for chronic diarrhea (and also helps with anorexia), and Yunnan Baiyao for blood in the stool. I have found these to be so helpful that I have been able to eliminate other medications (though not special diets), in my IBD patients.  Patients need to be on the herbs for 3 weeks or so before a positive result is seen.  A cat dose for Shen Ling Bai Zhu is 2 tea-pills or capsules twice per day.  Yunnan Baiyao (also spelled: yunan biayo and other spellings) dose is one capsule per day until you no longer see any blood in the stool.  Both herbs are available over the counter at  online sites.

If these are ineffective please post again.