? 2/12/25. Watson

[Rosie Lass]

Here is a little a background on Watson, he has had liquid stool since July ‘24. Dx’d with probable IBD. He has been on different antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics and two months of steroids that has not helped at all. Both his vet and his internal medicine doctor want to start him on oral chemo pills
Thinking now that it might be lymphoma One pill every two weeks for 4-6 months, (chlorambucil and it is being compounded in Virginia and shipped to me in Michigan on 2/19) Just wondering 1) Will this affect his bg levels at all? If his appetite decreases would I immediately reduce or still wait the 10-14 cycles? Anyone have experience with chemo pills that could tell me any other impending side effects? They also still want him to take the steriod (prednisolone) with the chemo pills

 

[CORKY]

Here is a little a background on Watson, he has had liquid stool since July ‘24. Dx’d with probable IBD. He has been on different antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics and two months of steroids that has not helped at all. Both his vet and his internal medicine doctor want to start him on oral chemo pills
Thinking now that it might be lymphoma One pill every two weeks for 4-6 months, (chlorambucil and it is being compounded in Virginia and shipped to me in Michigan on 2/19) Just wondering 1) Will this affect his bg levels at all? If his appetite decreases would I immediately reduce or still wait the 10-14 cycles? Anyone have experience with chemo pills that could tell me any other impending side effects? They also still want him to take the steriod (prednisolone) with the chemo pills

@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

We have any number of cats here that have IBD and diabetes. How was the IBD or the GI issue diagnosed? The only way to differentiate between IBD and lymphoma is through a biopsy. Without that, you don't know what you're treating and the strategy is not identical for the two conditions.

One of the websites I like is on Raw Feeding for IBD Cats. The page on Meds and Supplements has good information on managing diarrhea. The group also has a Facebook page where you can ask specific questions and get help. However, they are not big supporters of what you're feeding Watson.

We base dose reductions on the blood glucose test numbers. It's not a matter of appetite.

If you want to get more of a response about treating IBD/lymphoma, you may want to edit your subject line to include that information.

 

[Rosie Lass]

We have any number of cats here that have IBD and diabetes. How was the IBD or the GI issue diagnosed? The only way to differentiate between IBD and lymphoma is through a biopsy. Without that, you don't know what you're treating and the strategy is not identical for the two conditions.

One of the websites I like is on Raw Feeding for IBD Cats. The page on Meds and Supplements has good information on managing diarrhea. The group also has a Facebook page where you can ask specific questions and get help. However, they are not big supporters of what you're feeding Watson.

We base dose reductions on the blood glucose test numbers. It's not a matter of appetite.

If you want to get more of a response about treating IBD/lymphoma, you may want to edit your subject line to include that information.

@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
Thanks for your response. Watson had an ultrasound and at that time it was said it was probably either IBD or lymphoma. The internist decided to treat for IBD first with the steroids, the probiotics, prebiotics, psyllium, and antibiotics, none of which had a change, They did mention doing a biopsy but after spending $1500 on the ultrasound, I unfortunately could not afford the $5000 for the biopsy so they suggested just trying the chemo pills to see if that made a difference. Watson would not eat the recommended food on the list. He just refuses pate I tried for a few months after switching to this site with no luck. I was putting most of it down the disposal and he was losing weight so my vet said just feed him what he will eat and increase the insulin. He still has food that is 10% carb that he will eat so I give him that at least once a day in addition to the higher carb stuff at his other meal. I know it’s not ideal, but he is eating it and his regained the weight he lost He also gets a little kibble & Freeze dried raw chicken during the day, but it is zero carb. Thanks for your recommendations on the other places to look, appreciate your help.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

It sounds like no one mentioned a novel protein diet. With IBD, there's an inflammatory response in the gut. It's a bit like an allergy to certain proteins. I had been feeding my IBD kitty a totally poultry diet prior to her being diagnosed. He is now fed a partially raw diet (pork or bison), ZiwiPeak venison, and Stella & Chewy's rabbit morsels. (Gizmo isn't diabetic but it's all low carb.) All of those proteins he is currently fed were new to his diet.

You may have tried a lot of the supplements like the probiotics, etc. but if you were still feeding Watson foods that cause his gut to be unhappy, what your doing or what the vet was suggesting won't work or at least won't work well. There are novel protein canned foods available along with similarly novel proteins that are air or freeze dried (e.g., ZiwiPeak, Stella & Chewys). There isn't kibble that I'm aware of.

Did anyone suggest S. boulardii which is a particular probiotic for managing the diarrhea? It works wonders for most cats.

 

[JL and Chip]

I agree with Sienne about the novel protein (a protein he’s never had before). And also with paying attention to the other ingredients in the food, because they too can be the culprit.

You might look for a novel protein food that is also limited ingredient. Limited Ingredient Diets (sometimes called “LID”) aren’t always easy to find, and even those labeled as such sometimes have quite a few things in them. I had a cat with catastrophic diarrhea for whom nothing seemed to work. He was elderly and likely had IBD but was too frail to put under for testing. He’d already had lamb, rabbit, and duck in his younger years, so I went with venison. Ziwi Peak Venison had the fewest extra ingredients of everything I looked at and it turned out to be a game changer. It was pricey, but worth it to finally see some firm poops.

I had another cat with similar issues and he too had to eat a restricted diet. Ended up he could eat one flavor of one brand of food and absolutely nothing else, ever. Neither cat could have treats.

Raw food worked for one cat until he had some problems and needed to be pulled off of it. If you go with raw, I’d either cook it or perhaps try rabbit (definitely avoid anything poultry or beef based right now given the bird flu issues).

Good luck. I know how stressful it can be.

 

[Rosie Lass]

It sounds like no one mentioned a novel protein diet. With IBD, there's an inflammatory response in the gut. It's a bit like an allergy to certain proteins. I had been feeding my IBD kitty a totally poultry diet prior to her being diagnosed. He is now fed a partially raw diet (pork or bison), ZiwiPeak venison, and Stella & Chewy's rabbit morsels. (Gizmo isn't diabetic but it's all low carb.) All of those proteins he is currently fed were new to his diet.

You may have tried a lot of the supplements like the probiotics, etc. but if you were still feeding Watson foods that cause his gut to be unhappy, what your doing or what the vet was suggesting won't work or at least won't work well. There are novel protein canned foods available along with similarly novel proteins that are air or freeze dried (e.g., ZiwiPeak, Stella & Chewys). There isn't kibble that I'm aware of.

Did anyone suggest S. boulardii which is a particular probiotic for managing the diarrhea? It works wonders for most cats.

@Sienne and Gabby (GA) @JL and Chip
I’ve tried the s biulardi but that had no effect either. I’ve also tried feeding him rabbit, duck and venison. He refuses to eat any of them as they were all pates. He is so food stubborn . The young Again kibble’s main ingredient is pork, but it also does have some chicken in it. Is the ziwi wet? pate or chunks? Kibble?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

ZiwiPeak comes in several forms -- canned - pate style, air dried raw (kinda like kibble) and maybe kibble but I won't swear to that since I don't feed my guys kibble.

 

[Rosie Lass]

ZiwiPeak comes in several forms -- canned - pate style, air dried raw (kinda like kibble) and maybe kibble but I won't swear to that since I don't feed my guys kibble.

Thanks I stopped at the pet store today and bought two cans of the pate which was all they had available I don’t have high hopes since he hates pate, but I’ll give it a try