| Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
You can ask your vet for a copy of their records so you can look up the dates and tests that were performed because that’s important.
Feel free to review each kitty's page and choose whatever style you'd like to submit your info. Your cat will have their own profile page
that must be continually updated. Any visits to the vet for checkups, additional complications, tests, etc. should be sent to us for
updating their page. Any food changes, medications, etc.
Because IBD is an ever-changing condition, we also need to include any news of downturns and setbacks or especially good news of
progress. By including your kitty on this site, you're pledging to help others find any possible treatments that might work for their cats.
And in turn, others become invested in the lives and progress of your kitty. Your participation in this section is greatly appreciated and
will benefit so many others.
Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the stomach lining or intestinal tracts,
causing changes in the normal bodily functions that these organs perform. It's an uncontrolled inflammatory response, resulting in the
influx of inflammatory cells into various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
IBD is not curable and there is no definitive cause. But it can be successfully managed through diet change, medications, therapeutic,
and holistic treatments. The possible causes being researched are parasites that cause the cat to produce antibodies which attacks it's
own digestive tract, food allergies or intolerance, an inappropriate immune response to the natural flora in the intestines, or the result of
a certain bacteria.
IBD is not the same thing as IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is occasional GI and intestinal inflammation or distress, whereas IBD is
chronic and in some cases severe inflammation that spreads to other areas of the GI tract, intestines and many other organs. This
inflammation can cause such problems as malabsorption of nutrients, poor digestion and scar-like fibrous tissue.
Symptoms can range from vomiting, bad breath (halitosis), diarrhea, constipation, increased thirst from dehydration, gas, rumbling and
gurgling in the stomach, abdominal pain, anorexia, moderate to severe weight loss, litter box refusal, dark/tarry stools, lethargy and
depression, weakness and fatigue, vitamin deficiencies and anemia. I’ve found IBD to have a lot of similarities with celiac disease, an
allergic response and intolerance to gluten. That makes sense since out of the many triggers for IBD food issues seem to be at the top of
the list for both humans and pets.
IBD never stays just IBD. Once inflammation sets into the body, whether you're a cat or a human, it usually means complications of
some kind either from the disease or medications that can cause side effects. Unfortunately, sometimes there's no way around that and
the only choice is to treat the IBD or risk the disease progressing quickly, complicating recovery further. Most veterinarians don't tell
you that and I'm sure it's so as not to scare you. But in hindsight, I wish I had been forewarned.
Expect frequent food changes. A diet change is inevitable to find the source of what's damaging the already irritated GI tract. Your vet
will probably recommend a prescription diet, although they usually contain the very ingredients that help aggravate the inflammation.
But if that's all the cat will eat then it's very important to give it to them. It's extremely dangerous to let your cat stop eating completely
longer than 48 hours, that's all it takes for other health problems to begin. Be sure to check the food page on this site as it lists grain free
foods that are better suited for these conditions.
The best thing to do is keep a good stock of at least three to four different kinds of foods around at all times. A lot of people think at first,
as did I, that when your cat eats something one day and then refuses it the next, that it's just being finicky. If your cat weren’t sick with
IBD I would say that's possibly true. But Feline IBD creates a lot of nausea and what I usually tell people is this: When you're sick with
the flu or a cold and you vomit something you just ate, do you want to eat that very thing soon after? No, you can't stand the site, smell
or taste of it. It's the same thing with your cat. Just move on to another one of the foods for a couple of days to a week and then maybe
after your cat has had a chance to forget the experience, go back to the other food again. Nausea is a very big problem in IBD cats and
one that affects their ability to stabilize the disease. Your cat may need to be on an anti-nausea medication in order to eat without
vomiting.
There can be considerable costs between the testing, diagnostics, food, treatments, medications and sometimes hospitalizations. But
without some or all of these interventions your cat cannot start to improve until it may be too late to stop the progression of the disease.
Your cat is a valued family member and these treatments would be expensive even for a human. There are some of us who have
literally gone without food ourselves just so our cats could get the medical attention they need.
Here's why it's so complicated. Your GI tract acts as a second brain with a rich network of nerves and ganglia, communicating directly
with the brain and the heart. Your digestive system also affects your moods through the hundreds of chemicals and hormones it
produces, which is why some cats suffer depression with this disease. There are literally trillions of microbes inside of all of us, human
and animal. Altering these healthy bacteria that inhabit the GI tract can affect conditions ranging from IBD to asthma and allergies.
Hence, the food allergies and other complications reacting to disturbances in the GI tract.
Tests usually consist of a blood panel, a biochemical profile, a complete T4 to check for hyperthyroidism, a urinalysis and fecal exam. X-
Rays and an ultrasound don't help diagnose IBD but are useful to rule out other medical conditions such as cancer. The only definitive
way to diagnose IBD is through a biopsy of the intestinal tract where increased number of cells called lymphocytes, eosinophils, and
neutrophils are seen in the intestinal wall. The types of cells present will provide a complete diagnosis of which type of IBD the cat has.
It should be noted that a biopsy doesn’t always provide a definitive answer, as IBD is an ever-changing condition. It should first be
discussed with your vet as to whether your pet’s condition warrants an immediate biopsy or if there could be complications from the
operation. Sometimes there are underlying conditions that can affect your pet’s ability to undergo surgery.
The best and most proactive thing you could ever do is take your cat to the vet and insist on running some of these tests if your cat is
vomiting often. That's usually an indicator that something isn't right. If the vomit consists of white foam or bile with mucus, call your vet
immediately and tell them you're concerned. Bile should not be regurgitated on a normal basis and should always be checked. Also have
your cat checked when there is any type of hard or dark, tarry stool that may sometimes contain blood, or if there’s urine containing
blood.
Unfortunately as stated earlier there can be a lot of complications with IBD if not checked and treated in a timely manner. Some of these
include hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure or cancer. This doesn't mean your cat
will automatically get these complications, these are just things to keep in mind when putting off that initial trip to the vet. Catching the
disease in it’s earliest stages, before it can cause too much damage, is the goal for good treatments.
Once you have a diagnosis from the vet it's important to keep on top of the disease with constant monitoring. Keeping a diary at home of
your cat's day to day progress or decline helps you when speaking to the vet or going for a follow-up visit. Also, making a chart to keep
on the refrigerator of medications and times to give them is key to reducing the stress that becoming a caregiver will have on you and
your family.
Always ask your vet for a copy of all of your cat's records. That way if you do any research at home and want to know what something
means, you'll have your cat's exam results in hand. It'll help you to know where you stand with his/her treatment and progress. So each
time you bring your cat in for a checkup or more blood work, ask them for a copy of what was done and the results when you go to pay
your bill.
Try to find a vet that you can have a good relationship with. That's a tall order as one of the biggest complaints I hear from people is the
appalling treatment their pets are getting from their vets. It's very unfortunate because we as humans can always look for another
doctor, there are plenty around to choose from. But a good vet is very hard to find and animals can't make those decisions for
themselves.
Look for a vet that's open to knowledge and understands that experience from other pet owners is invaluable to treating these
conditions, as there are no set protocols to use with cats. We have a good handle on IBD and similar diseases with people but there is
currently not enough research on cats with this disease. Most research concentrates on cats and dogs together and answers probably
won’t be found that way since a cat’s body is so different from a dog’s. If you have a cats-only veterinarian in your area, it’s best to take
your cat there. Their main focus in vet medicine is on cats and the diseases that affect them differently than other animals. In a dog, the
bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty at separate locations in the GI tract. In the cat, they join and empty at the same place, making
it more likely for inflammation to affect the various organs. An internist may also offer better treatment options if there's one available
in your area.
Just remember in any case, to be as proactive as you can and learn as much about Feline IBD as possible. It could help to save your cat’s
life. For more information please go to: http://www.ibdkitties.net/IBDguidelines.html
And to my guest blog: http://onlynaturalpetblog.com/2010/09/10/988/
These sites are for human IBD but are extremely informative and educational:
www.drhoffman.com
allergy-book.blogspot.com/2008/09/inflammatory-bowel-disease-self-help
These links are for Feline IBD:
www.manhattancats.com/Articles/IBD
www.marvistavet.com/html/inflammatory_bowel_disease
www.peteducation.com/article
www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm
www.maxshouse.com/inflammatory_bowel_disease.htm
www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/Inflammatory-Bowel-Disease-in-Cats.html
www.fnes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5:carnivore-digestion-and-inflamatory-bowel-disease&catid=2:diet-
and-disease&Itemid=4
Feel free to review each kitty's page and choose whatever style you'd like to submit your info. Your cat will have their own profile page
that must be continually updated. Any visits to the vet for checkups, additional complications, tests, etc. should be sent to us for
updating their page. Any food changes, medications, etc.
Because IBD is an ever-changing condition, we also need to include any news of downturns and setbacks or especially good news of
progress. By including your kitty on this site, you're pledging to help others find any possible treatments that might work for their cats.
And in turn, others become invested in the lives and progress of your kitty. Your participation in this section is greatly appreciated and
will benefit so many others.
Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the stomach lining or intestinal tracts,
causing changes in the normal bodily functions that these organs perform. It's an uncontrolled inflammatory response, resulting in the
influx of inflammatory cells into various parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
IBD is not curable and there is no definitive cause. But it can be successfully managed through diet change, medications, therapeutic,
and holistic treatments. The possible causes being researched are parasites that cause the cat to produce antibodies which attacks it's
own digestive tract, food allergies or intolerance, an inappropriate immune response to the natural flora in the intestines, or the result of
a certain bacteria.
IBD is not the same thing as IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome. IBS is occasional GI and intestinal inflammation or distress, whereas IBD is
chronic and in some cases severe inflammation that spreads to other areas of the GI tract, intestines and many other organs. This
inflammation can cause such problems as malabsorption of nutrients, poor digestion and scar-like fibrous tissue.
Symptoms can range from vomiting, bad breath (halitosis), diarrhea, constipation, increased thirst from dehydration, gas, rumbling and
gurgling in the stomach, abdominal pain, anorexia, moderate to severe weight loss, litter box refusal, dark/tarry stools, lethargy and
depression, weakness and fatigue, vitamin deficiencies and anemia. I’ve found IBD to have a lot of similarities with celiac disease, an
allergic response and intolerance to gluten. That makes sense since out of the many triggers for IBD food issues seem to be at the top of
the list for both humans and pets.
IBD never stays just IBD. Once inflammation sets into the body, whether you're a cat or a human, it usually means complications of
some kind either from the disease or medications that can cause side effects. Unfortunately, sometimes there's no way around that and
the only choice is to treat the IBD or risk the disease progressing quickly, complicating recovery further. Most veterinarians don't tell
you that and I'm sure it's so as not to scare you. But in hindsight, I wish I had been forewarned.
Expect frequent food changes. A diet change is inevitable to find the source of what's damaging the already irritated GI tract. Your vet
will probably recommend a prescription diet, although they usually contain the very ingredients that help aggravate the inflammation.
But if that's all the cat will eat then it's very important to give it to them. It's extremely dangerous to let your cat stop eating completely
longer than 48 hours, that's all it takes for other health problems to begin. Be sure to check the food page on this site as it lists grain free
foods that are better suited for these conditions.
The best thing to do is keep a good stock of at least three to four different kinds of foods around at all times. A lot of people think at first,
as did I, that when your cat eats something one day and then refuses it the next, that it's just being finicky. If your cat weren’t sick with
IBD I would say that's possibly true. But Feline IBD creates a lot of nausea and what I usually tell people is this: When you're sick with
the flu or a cold and you vomit something you just ate, do you want to eat that very thing soon after? No, you can't stand the site, smell
or taste of it. It's the same thing with your cat. Just move on to another one of the foods for a couple of days to a week and then maybe
after your cat has had a chance to forget the experience, go back to the other food again. Nausea is a very big problem in IBD cats and
one that affects their ability to stabilize the disease. Your cat may need to be on an anti-nausea medication in order to eat without
vomiting.
There can be considerable costs between the testing, diagnostics, food, treatments, medications and sometimes hospitalizations. But
without some or all of these interventions your cat cannot start to improve until it may be too late to stop the progression of the disease.
Your cat is a valued family member and these treatments would be expensive even for a human. There are some of us who have
literally gone without food ourselves just so our cats could get the medical attention they need.
Here's why it's so complicated. Your GI tract acts as a second brain with a rich network of nerves and ganglia, communicating directly
with the brain and the heart. Your digestive system also affects your moods through the hundreds of chemicals and hormones it
produces, which is why some cats suffer depression with this disease. There are literally trillions of microbes inside of all of us, human
and animal. Altering these healthy bacteria that inhabit the GI tract can affect conditions ranging from IBD to asthma and allergies.
Hence, the food allergies and other complications reacting to disturbances in the GI tract.
Tests usually consist of a blood panel, a biochemical profile, a complete T4 to check for hyperthyroidism, a urinalysis and fecal exam. X-
Rays and an ultrasound don't help diagnose IBD but are useful to rule out other medical conditions such as cancer. The only definitive
way to diagnose IBD is through a biopsy of the intestinal tract where increased number of cells called lymphocytes, eosinophils, and
neutrophils are seen in the intestinal wall. The types of cells present will provide a complete diagnosis of which type of IBD the cat has.
It should be noted that a biopsy doesn’t always provide a definitive answer, as IBD is an ever-changing condition. It should first be
discussed with your vet as to whether your pet’s condition warrants an immediate biopsy or if there could be complications from the
operation. Sometimes there are underlying conditions that can affect your pet’s ability to undergo surgery.
The best and most proactive thing you could ever do is take your cat to the vet and insist on running some of these tests if your cat is
vomiting often. That's usually an indicator that something isn't right. If the vomit consists of white foam or bile with mucus, call your vet
immediately and tell them you're concerned. Bile should not be regurgitated on a normal basis and should always be checked. Also have
your cat checked when there is any type of hard or dark, tarry stool that may sometimes contain blood, or if there’s urine containing
blood.
Unfortunately as stated earlier there can be a lot of complications with IBD if not checked and treated in a timely manner. Some of these
include hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure or cancer. This doesn't mean your cat
will automatically get these complications, these are just things to keep in mind when putting off that initial trip to the vet. Catching the
disease in it’s earliest stages, before it can cause too much damage, is the goal for good treatments.
Once you have a diagnosis from the vet it's important to keep on top of the disease with constant monitoring. Keeping a diary at home of
your cat's day to day progress or decline helps you when speaking to the vet or going for a follow-up visit. Also, making a chart to keep
on the refrigerator of medications and times to give them is key to reducing the stress that becoming a caregiver will have on you and
your family.
Always ask your vet for a copy of all of your cat's records. That way if you do any research at home and want to know what something
means, you'll have your cat's exam results in hand. It'll help you to know where you stand with his/her treatment and progress. So each
time you bring your cat in for a checkup or more blood work, ask them for a copy of what was done and the results when you go to pay
your bill.
Try to find a vet that you can have a good relationship with. That's a tall order as one of the biggest complaints I hear from people is the
appalling treatment their pets are getting from their vets. It's very unfortunate because we as humans can always look for another
doctor, there are plenty around to choose from. But a good vet is very hard to find and animals can't make those decisions for
themselves.
Look for a vet that's open to knowledge and understands that experience from other pet owners is invaluable to treating these
conditions, as there are no set protocols to use with cats. We have a good handle on IBD and similar diseases with people but there is
currently not enough research on cats with this disease. Most research concentrates on cats and dogs together and answers probably
won’t be found that way since a cat’s body is so different from a dog’s. If you have a cats-only veterinarian in your area, it’s best to take
your cat there. Their main focus in vet medicine is on cats and the diseases that affect them differently than other animals. In a dog, the
bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty at separate locations in the GI tract. In the cat, they join and empty at the same place, making
it more likely for inflammation to affect the various organs. An internist may also offer better treatment options if there's one available
in your area.
Just remember in any case, to be as proactive as you can and learn as much about Feline IBD as possible. It could help to save your cat’s
life. For more information please go to: http://www.ibdkitties.net/IBDguidelines.html
And to my guest blog: http://onlynaturalpetblog.com/2010/09/10/988/
These sites are for human IBD but are extremely informative and educational:
www.drhoffman.com
allergy-book.blogspot.com/2008/09/inflammatory-bowel-disease-self-help
These links are for Feline IBD:
www.manhattancats.com/Articles/IBD
www.marvistavet.com/html/inflammatory_bowel_disease
www.peteducation.com/article
www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm
www.maxshouse.com/inflammatory_bowel_disease.htm
www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/Inflammatory-Bowel-Disease-in-Cats.html
www.fnes.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5:carnivore-digestion-and-inflamatory-bowel-disease&catid=2:diet-
and-disease&Itemid=4
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Copyright © IBD Kitties 2008-2012, all rights reserved |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
This is the Living With IBD section, designed to help you look at living examples of this disease and other GI
conditions. Each cat has different dietary needs, medications, treatments, etc. As you will see, it's not an easy
road, some thrive and some have a much harder time. But the purpose of this section is to help you shed
some light as to what possibly could have started your kitty's IBD and maybe help you find some answers
and support so that your kitty can live a long, happy and healthier life from this day forward. If you are a
veterinarian or are currently working on research for feline IBD, please take some time to examine each case
study. This section is here to provide you with knowledge outside of your practice or research center and
eventually give you some statistics as to how prevalent this disease is and the complications from it really
are.
We're looking for more cats to document on this site as a way of letting researchers, universities,
veterinarians and the public know what kind of treatments, foods, age group, etc., that these cats are falling
into. If you would like to contribute information on your cat for this section, please provide the proper
information and email it to us at contact@ibdkitties.net.
1. Save written information in a word or works format and include as an attachment; 2. Include your first
and last name & email address, strictly for MY records only and will not be listed on the website, and your
cat's full name (first and last, or last initial if your not comfortable including it). 3. Include your city, state,
province, country, etc. Whatever information you feel comfortable providing, as long as there is some idea of
your area. 4. Include two pictures saved as jpgs. of just that one cat. Attach separately from the documented
info; 5. Your cat's approximate date of birth, gender and breed; 6. Each condition the cat's been diagnosed
with and approximate date of diagnosis for them, not just IBD but all conditions the cat has in addition as
they are relevant to treatments; 7. Please do not write in diary form, no need for a day to day account. Write
a synopsis of what’s happened since they first began getting sick, all the way up until now. When the
symptoms began, how it was diagnosed, what tests were run, how it was treated, any and all additional
treatments, foods that they were eating before IBD and food changes since being diagnosed. All medications,
holistic treatments, herbs and supplements.
conditions. Each cat has different dietary needs, medications, treatments, etc. As you will see, it's not an easy
road, some thrive and some have a much harder time. But the purpose of this section is to help you shed
some light as to what possibly could have started your kitty's IBD and maybe help you find some answers
and support so that your kitty can live a long, happy and healthier life from this day forward. If you are a
veterinarian or are currently working on research for feline IBD, please take some time to examine each case
study. This section is here to provide you with knowledge outside of your practice or research center and
eventually give you some statistics as to how prevalent this disease is and the complications from it really
are.
We're looking for more cats to document on this site as a way of letting researchers, universities,
veterinarians and the public know what kind of treatments, foods, age group, etc., that these cats are falling
into. If you would like to contribute information on your cat for this section, please provide the proper
information and email it to us at contact@ibdkitties.net.
1. Save written information in a word or works format and include as an attachment; 2. Include your first
and last name & email address, strictly for MY records only and will not be listed on the website, and your
cat's full name (first and last, or last initial if your not comfortable including it). 3. Include your city, state,
province, country, etc. Whatever information you feel comfortable providing, as long as there is some idea of
your area. 4. Include two pictures saved as jpgs. of just that one cat. Attach separately from the documented
info; 5. Your cat's approximate date of birth, gender and breed; 6. Each condition the cat's been diagnosed
with and approximate date of diagnosis for them, not just IBD but all conditions the cat has in addition as
they are relevant to treatments; 7. Please do not write in diary form, no need for a day to day account. Write
a synopsis of what’s happened since they first began getting sick, all the way up until now. When the
symptoms began, how it was diagnosed, what tests were run, how it was treated, any and all additional
treatments, foods that they were eating before IBD and food changes since being diagnosed. All medications,
holistic treatments, herbs and supplements.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |