Re: IBD

Nancy A. Schmall ( (no email) )
Tue, 23 Feb 1999 10:31:17 -0600 (CST)

Hi Martha,
I don't have a cat with IBD, but I know a little about it in humans (I
assume some of it applies to cats). Usually, prednisone is give because
of the inflammatory response of the IBD and possibly to suppress the
immune system which sees anything (food) as an attack on the body. In
humans, usually the pred is tapered down and eventually eliminated. You
don't want your kitty to be on it forever (unless he *absolutely* has to
be), but you don't want to pull him off cold turkey either. Pred needs to
be slowly reduced or the patient could become *seriously* ill or even
die.. Perhaps your vet will consider increasing the dose to
7.5 mg. every other day for awhile and then down to five. Nancy

On Mon, 22 Feb 1999, Martha wrote:

> Hi all
> I think there are some people on here who also have IBD cats...?? So far
> Basil the IBD has been having a worse time of things than my positive
> Mushroom. He's been on prednisone daily for a month and about 5 days ago
> the vet said to go to every other day. The last two days he's vomited and
> has had diarreah (I never can spell that word). He had been doing so good
> for so long!! Anyway, I have a call out to the vet, but I was just
> wondering how others with IBD cats are dealing with it. Is prednisone
> something they can take all the time? Is there something else out there
> that works? He's eating the rabbit protein food ok and the segregated
> feeding is working out to everyone's delight. I just want the little guy
> to get some meat on his bones! 12 to 13 pounds is about right for him and
> at the last trip to the vet he barely tipped the scales at 9 pounds.
>
> Thanks everyone :o)
> Martha
>
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