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It's been years since I've been on Usenet, but I feel a responsibility to pass along some information that has literally saved my cat's life. I say "saved" his life because I had run out of alternatives and felt perhaps I owed "Munch" a peaceful ending - he'd had a happy and carefree life up until then. Ultimately, I decided not to end it for him, as beyond the discomfort of diarrhea and a bit of arthritis, it was clear that he did (and still does) very much enjoy being alive.
My 17 year old "Munch" developed Irritable Bowel Syndrome rather suddenly at around 12 years of age. He'd been eating canned Friskies and dry food for his entire life. It started out with loose stools, but quickly progressed to black, horrid smelling liquid. At this point, he was pretty much going to the bathroom at will whenever and wherever he felt the urge - he seemed to have little or no control.
I took him to the vet, who diagnosed either IBS, or he felt perhaps he had developed food allergies. At any rate, the treatment was the same, Predisone. He was also put on anti-allergenic Science Diet food, and I discontinued store bought food. The steroid worked almost immediately...however, within a month, he lost an astonishing amount of weight, his hair fell out, he cowered in a corner, and no longer seemed to enjoy my company. Being on steroids myself to keep a transplanted kidney, I knew the feeling.
I went back to the vet and told him that Munch would surely die if I were to continue the Prednisone. We took him off of the steroid and kept him on the Science Diet, but that wasn't enough. Before long, he was back to square one, with liquidy black stools. At this point, the vet said I should constantly change his diet, alternating exotic meats; protein that Munch had never encountered before. This would keep his immune system "guessing." I had mixed results using this formula - the symptoms would wax and wane, but always returned once he was accustomed to the new food. I can't even begin to list all of the different foods that I've tried over the years, but just a few included Venison,Rabbit, Pheasant, Buffalo, Lamb, and even baby food. I also tried numerous "organic" foods, both canned and dried. No improvement. Eventually, I stumbled upon *the* solution.
I want to preface this paragraph by saying that of course, your mileage may vary. I'm sure there are countless reasons why IBS happens; genetic dispositions, auto-immune disorders, etc. But this is what WORKED for ME (and Munch). I finally bought some canned food from the company "By Nature." They have quite a variety of flavors, including liver, chicken & liver, turkey & liver, and chicken & turkey. One in particular did the trick, the "chicken and turkey." According to the ingredients,the can contains only organically raised chicken and turkey, and water for packing. I have no clue why this one in particular did the trick, but it seemed to add lots of fiber to his business. The varieties with liver seemed to be too rich though. Within a week of starting the food, his symptoms abated remarkably. Keep in mind, he'd not had a firm bowel movement in years!
*Finally*, he has typical cat-like turds... somewhat longish and hard. I have no affiliation with the company, nor any stake in promoting "By Nature" foods. In fact, it's rather a pain to keep a steady supply coming, but I've managed to keep a stock, as our pet store special orders it. I also feed Munch organic chicken from the poultry section of our grocery store, which contains no hormones or antibiotics. Between the two food sources, Munch has made a complete recovery. He alternates between firm to ever so slighly soft stools, but nothing that represents a problem.
Well, there ya go. The simplest thing turned his life around - a specific canned cat food, and some fresh chicken. He receives no dry food whatsoever. I only hope this will save you and your respective companion time, effort, and misery. If you've nearly given up hope, perhaps this would be worth one more try. Of course, you'll want to check with your vet before changing your pet's diet.
Copyright © Cary Fries
August 25, 2005
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