Cat loosing weight due to appetite loss.

[Roseycrest]

Hi All,
My 15 yr old cat Buttercup has a weight loss of a pound over the last year ( down from 12 pounds). My vet can feel a thickening of the intestines and thinks she has a Crohn's like disease. I didnt want to put the cat thru an exploratory lap. nor an endoscopy. We can try empirically prednisone and was going to put her on it. Then she gained weight on the last visit. She has no other symptoms -just eating much less than she used to and weight loss resulting. She is eager to eat, just doesnt eat as much. What are your thoughts? Should we go ahead with the prednisone? Is there any literature that I can search for on the web?
Thank you for your help. ( blood test -TILIA was slightly abnormal)

[Traci]

I'm assuming your vet means IBD, there are various treatments available for IBD, but what other diagnostics has your vet done to definatively diagnose this and what other inflammatory conditions has he ruled out? One conservative approach would be switching the diet to a hypoallergenic diet or one with a novel protein that Buttercup has never been exposed to,....there are various veterinary diets designed for IBD specifically.

Prednisone is commonly used for IBD, but I would suggest getting regular CBC's done if your vet prescribes prednisone for the long term.

Did your vet perform a thyroid panel along with the bloodwork?

[Roseycrest]

Hi Traci and All,
Thank you for your reply. Hmmm, I hadnt thought of an hypoallergenic diet. Buttercup can be picky-food has to be tasty. I,ll check further though on this type diet.
Buttercup,s chem profile including thyroid are all normal. Just the TILA test is slightly off-only one parameter.
The vet says she can feel the the change in the intestines on palpation.
Not that she feels a tumor. She doesnt feel that an ultrasound would give enough answers. I dont want the cat to go thru the intrusive procedures , so that lets out 2 other diagnostic tools. I,m trying to think but I dont think there were any other choices of tests. The Vet had also wondered about there being a small cell lyphoma-just conjecture but again, I,m
not willing to go for the intrusive approach .
Buttercup is a shy kitty and not used to people around. We live alone and all my friends prefer me to visit at their houses, so Buttercup goes willingly to no one but me. Thats why I,m afraid the procedures will totally stress her out.
When I read about IBD, it doesnt sound like Buttercup-she vomits once a year, but I think this is likely what she has. Thank you again for some other tracks to think about.
Marlene

[Traci]

Marlene, I'm not sure what you mean by referring to the TILA, do you mean to say TLI (pancreatic enzyme) or something in the hematocrit (CBC)? Was it in the chemical profile or in the hematocrit?

Did your vet perform x-rays to get a better view of the intestine? If so, did she find anything unusual?

I would just be concerned in a 15-year-old kitty, to rule out neoplasia....bloodwork alone does not always detect it. X-rays and ultrasound are usually the choice when suspecting neoplasia or inflammation that can't be diagnosed through bloodwork. Ultrasounds are non-invasive, the only invasive part of an ultrasound is shaving the abdomen prior to the ultrasound and keeping kitty still during the procedure (your vet may allow you to assist to help keep her calm)

Again, you can try a conservative approach with a hypoallergenic diet, but I would strongly suggest getting her weighed on a monthly or every other month basis, and if vomiting, diarrhea/constipation, extended or painful abdomen occurs, don't hestitate to get her re-evaluated by your vet and opt for an ultrasound at that time. An x-ray every other month may also be useful to detect changes in an inflamed intestine, etc.

[Roseycrest]

My apologies Traci--in my mind I thought I had answered your last comments.
Yes, I meant TLI test. Chem profile and hem count are normal.
No, the Vet didnt take any Xrays , as she didnt think they would give her enough answers.
I shall follow your suggestions re frequent weights. And if Buttercup continues to lose , at least press for an ultrasound. Where do I start on finding hypoallergenic food for her?
Actually, this week, she has been eating and acting better-time will tell. Again Thanks for your responses!!!
Marlene

[Traci]

I'm surprised your vet wouldn't take an x-ray,...if she felt inflammed intestines, an x-ray would have been one of the first courses of action to identify or rule out a mass. Do you have another vet you can get a second opinion from? I would strongly suggest it.

You can discuss with your vet any of the hypoallergenic diets listed on this page, some of them are specific for IBD, but you may need to be prepared for a trial and error, meaning you might have to try more than one diet if Buttercup doesn't like it or if she continues to lose weight. Ask your vet for samples of one or two before you purchase a large amount.