Anyone else have a kitty with IBD and FLUTD?

EquineLaw78 · 08-28-2008, 11:33 AM

Gah! If you do, do you also enjoy the scoots across the carpet and the occasional bladder stone/bladder infection bout?

Well, my cat Elly has both, and she went in for another Depo-Medrol shot on Tuesday -- she usually goes about 3-4 months between injections -- and she had gained 2.5 lbs since May.

Depo-Medrol + overweight cat = recipe for diabetes.

I have had to switch prescription foods several times because they make her gain weight and cause IBD flareups. (Oh, my poor, poor carpet.)

So finally, the vet I saw on Tuesday suggested going grain-free with her.

I hunted around and found Innova EVO and bought some. I also have to drastically reduce her intake to get some weight off of her, but I thought it was very interesting that he suggested this type of diet.

He (like me) thinks that feeding indoor cats grain-based products can lead to disaster and hates prescription diets. He said that an exclusively meat-based diet (which is what cats are designed for) should help to keep her urine acidified and prevent the flare-ups and will probably also help to settle her tummy.

I was so glad to have a vet tell me that I don't have to buy those vile prescription cat foods anymore. Has anyone else had success in managing their cats' weight or diseases with a meat-only diet?

I know Wellness also makes a grain-free diet -- any other brands out there that I should know about?

BabyMay · 08-28-2008, 02:48 PM

I have a cat that has IBD and intestinal cancer. I wouldn't try to get to much weight off the cat right now. If the IBD progresses, you will be trying to get the cat to gain weight. My tiger has lost half of his body weight since spring. Right now all he will eat is canned tuna. Which is fine, he is eating. I give him fluids by IV when he gets dehydrated from loosing water from loose stools. We are near the end with him. But I have learned alot in the last few months about this disease. If you need any help with what is really liked by cats when they don't want to eat, just ask. Good luck with your kitty. Got any pictures? Here is one of my guy.

kshnooks · 08-28-2008, 02:51 PM

One of my kitties has some issues with bladder infections, he's had two in one year. The first was when we were feeding Royal Canin, the second was when he was strictly on Innova dry (not EVO). Prior to that, I was feeding them a wet, dehydrated food called Honest Kitchen. I think its grain free, and its based on a raw diet. All the food is dehydrated and so you just have to add warm water. The kitties loved it, but it got a little messy and time consuming. However, during the time I was feeding, no bladder problems

EquineLaw78 · 08-28-2008, 02:51 PM

I'm sorry your cat isn't doing well with his IBD.

Elly currently weighs about twice what she should weigh, and before we got hers controlled with the Depo-Medrol, she lost about three pounds.

I can't access Photobucket from this computer, but when I can, I will try to post a pic of her.

kshnooks · 08-28-2008, 02:54 PM

I just double checked the website http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/prowl.shtml

and it is a grain free food. If you go to a pet food supply (not Petsmart) that sells it, they usually have free samples. I highly recommend it if you have the time. I've also got some online coupon codes for free stuff if you wanted to order it.

EquineLaw78 · 08-28-2008, 03:03 PM

That Prowl cat food looks interesting! I may have to check into that...

Thanks!

ETA: I just realized that we were feeding the same foods when our cats had their initial flare-ups.

I thought Innova, being a super-premium food, would not have been the culprit. The plot thickens...

EquineLaw78 · 08-28-2008, 03:06 PM

BabyMay, your kitty looks a lot like my cat Walter. He's beautiful!

kshnooks · 08-28-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EquineLaw78

That Prowl cat food looks interesting! I may have to check into that...

Thanks!

ETA: I just realized that we were feeding the same foods when our cats had their initial flare-ups.

I thought Innova, being a super-premium food, would not have been the culprit. The plot thickens...

Hmmm...interesting! I started the Innova because most online sources recommend it as a top dry cat food. Since the last flare up my kitty hasn't had any issues, but it didn't really occur to me that the Innova could be the problem (I just figured he wasn't getting enough water after being moved from dry/wet to just dry). I think I may look into the EVO for my next batch of kitty food!

ETA:if no retailers sell Honest Kitchen in your area I would be more than happy to send you a some to try out. I'm not weird or anything, I promise

BabyMay · 08-28-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kshnooks

Hmmm...interesting! I started the Innova because most online sources recommend it as a top dry cat food. Since the last flare up my kitty hasn't had any issues, but it didn't really occur to me that the Innova could be the problem (I just figured he wasn't getting enough water after being moved from dry/wet to just dry). I think I may look into the EVO for my next batch of kitty food!

ETA:if no retailers sell Honest Kitchen in your area I would be more than happy to send you a some to try out. I'm not weird or anything, I promise

I may be interested in this Honest Kitchen stuff. What is it . Is there a web site for it? Right now I will try anything for Tiger.

kshnooks · 08-28-2008, 10:49 PM

Its www.thehonestkitchen.com. I really did like it, but it does require some prep. Its a dehydrated raw diet, they have all the info on the website. The company is really good about answering your questions if you have any as well.

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08-28-2008, 11:33 AM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 937	Anyone else have a kitty with IBD and FLUTD? Gah! If you do, do you also enjoy the scoots across the carpet and the occasional bladder stone/bladder infection bout? Well, my cat Elly has both, and she went in for another Depo-Medrol shot on Tuesday -- she usually goes about 3-4 months between injections -- and she had gained 2.5 lbs since May. Depo-Medrol + overweight cat = recipe for diabetes. I have had to switch prescription foods several times because they make her gain weight and cause IBD flareups. (Oh, my poor, poor carpet.) So finally, the vet I saw on Tuesday suggested going grain-free with her. I hunted around and found Innova EVO and bought some. I also have to drastically reduce her intake to get some weight off of her, but I thought it was very interesting that he suggested this type of diet. He (like me) thinks that feeding indoor cats grain-based products can lead to disaster and hates prescription diets. He said that an exclusively meat-based diet (which is what cats are designed for) should help to keep her urine acidified and prevent the flare-ups and will probably also help to settle her tummy. I was so glad to have a vet tell me that I don't have to buy those vile prescription cat foods anymore. Has anyone else had success in managing their cats' weight or diseases with a meat-only diet? I know Wellness also makes a grain-free diet -- any other brands out there that I should know about?

08-28-2008, 02:48 PM
BabyMay Coming two Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,875	I have a cat that has IBD and intestinal cancer. I wouldn't try to get to much weight off the cat right now. If the IBD progresses, you will be trying to get the cat to gain weight. My tiger has lost half of his body weight since spring. Right now all he will eat is canned tuna. Which is fine, he is eating. I give him fluids by IV when he gets dehydrated from loosing water from loose stools. We are near the end with him. But I have learned alot in the last few months about this disease. If you need any help with what is really liked by cats when they don't want to eat, just ask. Good luck with your kitty. Got any pictures? Here is one of my guy. __________________ Animals don't need a reason to love.

08-28-2008, 02:51 PM
kshnooks Coming two Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,828	One of my kitties has some issues with bladder infections, he's had two in one year. The first was when we were feeding Royal Canin, the second was when he was strictly on Innova dry (not EVO). Prior to that, I was feeding them a wet, dehydrated food called Honest Kitchen. I think its grain free, and its based on a raw diet. All the food is dehydrated and so you just have to add warm water. The kitties loved it, but it got a little messy and time consuming. However, during the time I was feeding, no bladder problems

08-28-2008, 02:54 PM
kshnooks Coming two Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,828	I just double checked the website http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/prowl.shtml and it is a grain free food. If you go to a pet food supply (not Petsmart) that sells it, they usually have free samples. I highly recommend it if you have the time. I've also got some online coupon codes for free stuff if you wanted to order it.

08-28-2008, 03:03 PM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 937	That Prowl cat food looks interesting! I may have to check into that... Thanks! ETA: I just realized that we were feeding the same foods when our cats had their initial flare-ups. I thought Innova, being a super-premium food, would not have been the culprit. The plot thickens...

08-28-2008, 03:06 PM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 937	BabyMay, your kitty looks a lot like my cat Walter. He's beautiful!

08-28-2008, 10:49 PM
kshnooks Coming two Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,828	Its www.thehonestkitchen.com. I really did like it, but it does require some prep. Its a dehydrated raw diet, they have all the info on the website. The company is really good about answering your questions if you have any as well.