How to deal with a cat with inflammatory bowel syndrome

by Vivi
(Powell, TN)

Hi,
First of all, I love your website.
I need help with my cat who has inflammatory bowel syndrome. He is three and a half years old. He had been very healthy until November,2009. I have six cats. They had been feeding Science diet dry cat food, because one of my cat has sensitive skin, I did some research about natural and healthy food. I switched food from Science diet to Blue buffalo dry food. I did transition over two weeks. They all did well except Sam. He started to throw up several times a day. I stopped to feed only him blue buffalo and returned to Science diet. It did not resolve the problem. I took him to our vet. I tried three different vets, they tried to use reglan, it did not work. They did blood work, X-ray, endoscopy and biopsy. He is diagnosed inflammatory bowel syndrome. Sam did not respond to steroid . I did a lot research on the internet. I feed all of my cats raw meat now. Currently, I give Sam raw pheasant with digestive enzyme, Jarrow pet probiotics, L-glutamine, rice bran, B12 and golden seal root tincture. I move around those things. He looks a little bit better, but still throw up every other day. he throws up some clear or yellow liquid. He has been on those herbs about one month. It's horrible to see him vomiting. Any suggestion to help Sam?

Thank you.

Vivi (Sam's Mom)

RESPONSE:

Poor Sam! He sounds like he has a very sensitive tummy! From what you describe, it sounds like he is able to tolerate the food OK though we have some concerns about the pheasant. It is a very "rich" meat so we would not use it. We have found chicken to be the best choice especially for sensitive cats.
Try using Happy Tummy from Spirit Essences (Click the link on the left) We have found this to help with cats that have sensitive tummys! Stress is a major cause of vomiting in cats and while he may not appear stressed he very well could be so the Happy Tummy can help calm things. (After all, he has been through a lot in the last few months!)
Try feeding him small amounts more often and make sure he gets hairball stuff routinely just in case.
Let us know how it goes!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom

PS: He is REALLY cute!