inflammatory gut disease

[Bengallover]

Hi just looking for a link with others that have the same issues with their Bengal. About 6 months ago my Bengal cat started to vomit, this was very intermittent at first and she was a cat that went out and regularly brought back mice so my thinking was she had picked up a parasite so i phoned the vet and i got some advocate that treats most parasites, on administering this she didn't vomit for a week and then it stared again so i thought she had a parasite again that the advocate hadn't touch, so i rang and explained this to the vet and was given droncit, again she stopped vomiting for a few weeks and then it started again so i ensured it was a month and again administered the advocate then 3 days later the droncit, this time it didnt work and the vomitting got worse, it was only after she had eaten. so i took her to the vets and they found ulcers and also thought she had like acid reflux so medicine was given, i mentioned how she went out and was a hunter and could she have a parasite but nothing. she became worse so took her to the vets again, this time my local vet as other was too far and i only had to go there during covid as had no other option. so at the new vet i explained everything and asked again about the parasite but was told its her food! so she went under a couple of times for bloods and to look as far down as they could in her throat, she still was poorly and they found nothing so she was referred to a specialist. at the specialist they also put her under a few times to check into stomach, throat and to take numerous bloods ect.. they found something but only enough to say either cancer or IBS so we was at the point where she had a stomach biopsy and what came back from that was she didn't have cancer, they cant rule out the IBS (Inflammatory gut disease) but they had found a parasite. so she did have a parasite after all!!! so she was given Tylosin, Panacure and steroid, she is now just on the steriod and is doing well as i also am feeding her a soft pate food Natures choice that seems to agree with her, but whenever she gets out she comes back okay for a few nights but then the sick starts again. My question is - will she get better where she can go out or will i now need to have her as a indoor cat so i can see what she is eating all the time, will i be able to introduce any foods? she constantly is trying to escape but she is a good girl and if i say NO she really does listen. i just want some link with people going trough the same thing so we can chat and help each other genuinely. thank you Bengal lover

[fjm]

Could she be getting food elsewhere that is exacerbating the problem? I would talk to your vet about a regular parasite prevention programme covering those that are prevalent in your area, and consider whether it is a combination of that and perhaps eating stuff she finds or is given by neighbours (bird tables, food out for hedgehogs, raiding other cats' dishes, kind neighbours feeding treats etc, etc). The Bengals I have known would have been very frustrated as indoor only cats...

[Mollycat]

Ok, glad you have ruled out gut lymphoma, as it is hard to tell the difference between that and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD is not the same as IBS in humans) although the treatment of choice is the same steroids.

Is she just vomiting, or does she get diarrhoea as well? Inflammatory bowel affects the gut after the stomach, so although vomiting can be part of it, it's not generally expected to be the main issue. I do think this merits a closer look, because if she ingested something that doesn't agree with her the vomiting should be soon after, not a few nights after. What is her deal with hairballs, does she get them often, how do they fit into the vomiting pattern?

The acid reflux and ulceration makes more sense but has she been given any kind of meds for that? A vet can prescribe antacid appropriate for cats so I'm a little surprised they haven't if there are visible signs of the damage reflux can cause. How are her teeth, and how old is she? Have you had blood tests, what's the condition of her kidneys like? Any sign of liver issues?

[WesGerrard]

Hello, this chat stood out to me as I was also wondering if anyone else has a cat with IBD and how they manage it? I then saw a previous post describing a cat with the exact same symptoms and treatment protocol. After numerous blood tests and a course of anti-biotics, our cat then had surgical biopsies taken after a scan showed a mass/inflammation of the ilium. The tests ruled out lymphoma but she was then diagnosed with IBD. The vet also prescribed Panacur as a precautionary measure in case a parasite was causing the inflammation. Her symptoms have got progressively worse over the last few weeks (since the operation). She had been vomiting almost daily for a few months; this is now being controlled by anti-sickness tablets. Since her operation she has also started with diarrhoea intermittently too. We are currently mid way through a diet trial (Dechra allergen management plus) and are regularly in touch with our vet however it is now looking like she will require steroids as the new diet isn’t making any difference. Can anyone else relate or have any advice?? We feel so helpless. She is an indoor cat