Weight Loss and IBS

My cat Pickles has been sick for months.  I took him to the vet and she said it is probably Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  I got him new food that the vet said would be easier for him to digest (Natural Balance Duck and Pea formula), but he wont eat much of it.  He has gotten extremely thin.  I don't know what to do.  Is there anything I can give him to get him to gain weight that wont cause digestional issues?  Could I supplement his diet with lactose-free whole milk?

[opus88]

hi helen and welcome. I will give you a link to a similar posting just recently where this same topic was discussed. on a post I made towards the last I gave some websites that will be very helpful for you to read for your information on exactly what IBS is. Did your Vet do any tests to come up with this diagnosis?
Other than being sick, what symptoms does kitty show?

the Natural Balance Duck and Pea is a good food, however most of these have little flavor and its hard to transition kitties over sometimes, are you mixing it with a food that he likes? its best to mix 50/50 for awhile to get kitty on a new diet gradually, HE HAS TO EAT......don't allow him to go without food!!! we have to find a reason for his illness and find a good NONE GRAIN food he will enjoy.

I would read the posts and the links I give on IBS/IBD symptoms. please come back and answers the above questions so we can help you figure out what is wrong with kitty...

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/Mushy-Stool/show/1459803

[helent3]

I did transition him slowly from his old food.  I've been giving him the dry food and the wet food.  When I first switched him over, he loved the food and gobbled it up, but I guess he got tired of it.  I've tried giving him other flavors from Natural Balance and he eats those,but they upset his stomach and he throws up.

His other symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, and less energy.  The vet suggested an ultrasoud to be sure its not something else, but I can't afford that right now.  He has had blood tests (came back normal) and has been checked for parasites (none).

[helent3]

I did transition him slowly from his old food.  I've been giving him the dry food and the wet food.  When I first switched him over, he loved the food and gobbled it up, but I guess he got tired of it.  I've tried giving him other flavors from Natural Balance and he eats those,but they upset his stomach and he throws up.

His other symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, and less energy.  The vet suggested an ultrasoud to be sure its not something else, but I can't afford that right now.  He has had blood tests (came back normal) and has been checked for parasites (none).

[opus88]

this is what I know from a holistic source I follow.
"IBD - Cats fed kibble or poor quality canned diets acquire gut inflammation over time. common culprits are GRAINS and such ingredients as carrageenan(a thickener) and guar gum(fiber that is too fermentable for cats). even the best of canned diets contain these ingredients and they can cause problems with some cats.
Any cat can develop food intolerances,sensitivities or allergies. eg. chicken and turkey allergies are quite common. this does NOT necessarily mean they have IBD though it can come to that if the issue is not addressed as white blood cells(eosinophils, lymphocytes or macrophage) invade the lining of the stomach and intestine."
"several Veterinarian sites mention challanges with a diagnosis even with a biopsy. As a result more often than not a diagnosis of IBD id arrived at after eliminating other possibilities such as parasites."

"unfortunately conventional treatment consists of antibiotics such as Flagyl, buth this only makes matters worse. not only do these drugs disrupt the normal flora of the intestine, long term use can lead to overabundance of bad/virulent bacteria.
the other option...steroids...does nothing to address the 'core' problem. and cats CAN develop diabetes from ONE single shot of prednisone among many other health problems"

one supplement highly recommended is PROBIOTICS  as I mentioned in the other post I will give you the link to the same brand that is strongly recommended for use in cats. it has all the beneficial strains and no ingredients that aren't good for cats such as dairy.

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Pet-Dophilus-Powder-2-5-oz-70-5-g/4295?at=0

another very good supplement for digestive and bowel issues is slippery elm bark, I use this one all the time for my kitties. it lines the mucosa lining of the stomach and bowel for protection and to sooth.

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Slippery-Elm-Powder-4-oz-113-g/788?at=0

I don't know what else to suggest, these 2 supplements are widely used in holistic communities for help with IBD symptoms.If you decide to try these write me and I will further advise you on how to prepare and the amounts.

If your kitty is able to tolerate dairy(some aren't) than lactose free milk wouldn't harm to try.

Of course her lack of appetite could be caused by something else and it never hurts to take her for another check up if she continues to not want to eat.....maybe you'll need to go back to mixing her food 50/50 again for awhile to get her interested.?

[Fluffysmom]

My Fluffy was on a prescription  allergy diet by Iams, which helped, and he liked it. For the years of his IBD and all the things that I and my vets tried, tylan powder was the thing that settled his stomach so he wouldn't have diarhea (diarrhea), well, almost never.  He got up to 17 pounds chomping down his prescription diet food!

He was also hyperthyroid, so I had to give hime medicine 3 times a day.  I had to make up Tylan capsules, which he'd only swallow with a healthy dollop of chicken baby food; the only "people food" he could tolerate.  We adapted well finally.

I hope you and Pickles find the right combo to get him feeling great.  Gerbers chicken baby food was a taste treat Fluffy adored.  

I'm looking forward to hearing that pickles improving more and more.