In January, I wrote about my experience with Allegra’s chronic diarrhea. Since quite a few of you have asked me how she is doing, I thought it was time for an update. I so appreciate all of you caring so much about my girl!
Chronic diarrhea
Allegra has had low grade inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for many years. In July of last year, she had a major flare up, and since then, it’s been a struggle to manage her chronic diarrhea. But, we’re making progress.
We decided to start a fecal transplant. It means introducing a filtered blend of stool from a healthy donor into the recipient’s GI tract. The donor’s stool contains beneficial bacteria and fungi that can help restore a healthy balance of gut microbiota. This can be done in a minimally invasive procedure under mild sedation via an enema, endoscopy or colonoscopy.
It can also be done via oral caspules, which is the option we chose. AnimalBiome’s KittyBiome Gut Restore Supplement one-of-a-kind fecal transplant in an oral capsule offers a convenient and safe approach to fecal transplants that can be done at home. The capsules contain species-specific bacterial cells in the form of carefully screened, cryoprotected, freeze-dried donor stool. The capsules cannot be opened and mixed with food or treats, they need to be given whole. Thankfully, Allegra is easy to pill. Since she is super sensitive to any medication or supplement changes, we started out giving her a capsule every third day, then every other day.
She also gets a daily dose of Animal Biome’s Gut Maintenance Plus capsules. These capsules can be opened and mixed in with food.
We’re starting to see slow improvement. She now only has stools once a day, sometimes twice a day, rather than multiple times a day. Most of the time, they’re still loose, but every once in a while, she has a nice formed one. I’m hopeful that her gut microbiome will continue to improve.
Hyperthyroidism
Allegra was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in January of 2021. She is being treated with methimazole (brand names: Tapazole®, Felimazole®) since then. She’s tolerating it well, and her thyroid values have remained stable.
Unfortunately, she continued to lose weight even though based on the number of calories she was taking in, she shouldn’t be. A few weeks ago, she started drinking massive amounts of water. Of course, my mind immediately went to kidney failure. Thankfully, her bloodwork came back nearly perfect. Her kidney values are all in the normal range.
Our vet Dr. Tasi noticed a slightly elevated heart rate during her exam. Because of that, Allegra’s increased thirst, and her thyroid values on the slightly higher end of normal, Dr. Tasi had me increase Allegra’s methimazole dose. After a few days on the higher dose, much to my relief, Allegra stopped drinking so much water. We’ll recheck her thyroid in a few weeks.
Cautiously optimistic
The fact that Allegra’s kidneys are in good shape was a huge relief. And even though I’d like to see her weight go back up, I’ll be happy if she at least remains stable and doesn’t continue to lose any more.
It’s easy to get lost in the “what if’s” when you’re caring for a senior cat with multiple health issues. Every day, I have to remind myself that I can’t control any of this. All I can do is do enjoy each and every day we have together.
I try to take my cues from her. She doesn’t worry about lab values or about what the scale shows. She just enjoys each and every day. She’s eating well, she loves napping in her sun puddles or on my lap, she still plays, and she loves watching the birds in our yard.
I have my moments when I think about what it’s going to be like when things decline, but I pull myself back from those dark thoughts as quickly as I can. I don’t want to waste any of these precious days we have together now with sadness and worry about what’s to come.
I had heard about the fecal transplant a few years ago. My vet wanted to try it on one of my dogs if she did not clear up. I am glad it helped Allegra.
Thank you for this informative update on your girl Allegra.
I know how easy it is to go down that ‘what if’ rabbit hole. Your mindset is admirable.
I just had my boy Emmett in for bloodwork, UA, and the general once-over.
Like Allegra, he’s been drinking more H2O.
Emmett is also FIV+ and I can’t help but be a bit obsessive about his health.
We’ll get our results early next week.
Hugs to you and to sweet Allegra, Ingrid!
I’m sending positive thoughts for good lab results for Emmett! Hugs back to you and your boy!
Thank you for the update on Allergra. I’m happy that she is responding well to the gut restore supplement and to the hyperthyrodism medication. My heart goes out to you, as you try to maintain a balance between caring for her health and just living each day as it comes.
Allergra looks a lot like our senior cat Cinder. She got diagnosed several years ago with IBD, but with the variation that results in constipation not diarrhea. This past year, she scared us by also getting diagnosed with pancreatitis and the start of kidney failure. All of her issues are being managed by medication. Keeping her weight up has been an issue for a while, but we give her limited-ingredient high-calorie food whenever she wants it, and that at least keeps her weight stable.
Every month, Cinder gets rechecked for anemia. Like you, I’m trying just to keep Cinder the best life I can with the time we have left.
Actually, we have a second senior cat. She is bonded with Cinder, and she has IBD and hyperthydroism. It’s hard to believe these two are 13!
I don’t look forward to when their health gets worse. Thank you for sharing and letting us know that we’re not alone and the treatment options that exist.
All my best to Cinder and your other senior kitty, Allison!
Hi, I’m wondering, how old is Allegra now? I’m also dealing with my 15 year old Peanut who has the same Ibd problems as your Allegra. I give her a probiotic every day with her dinner, and some days she’ll have a nice formed stool, but the next day, an unformed mess! Thanks for letting us know about the different alternatives. We may have to try the fecal transplant next.
All our best wishes & love to you & Allegra!
Allegra will be 16 in August. All my best to you and Peanut!
My heart goes out to you, Ingrid. With 5 seniors in my home, our kitchen counter looks like a Walgreen’s Drug store. Every day is both a blessing and challenge.
Love and Purrs, Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang.
“A blessing and a challenge” is a great way of putting it, Deb. Lots of love and purrs to you and your gang!
So glad to hear Allegra is doing better. She is the 1st cat I’ve known to do the fecal transplant. It seems to be working for her. Amazing her kidneys are in such good shape as is her thyroid. She is so loved. Keep us updated.
I will definitely continue to update all of you, Theresa.
So glad to hear that things are improving and are generally good. Allegra is in all of our hearts, as are you. Love to both of you.
Thanks, Will!
Thank you for the update, Ingrid.
May you both be healthy and at ease.
I am so impressed with your efforts to stay in the present moment and appreciate and love Allegra. It can be such a challenge, and even more so these days.
Love to you both.
Thank you so much, Ellen!
I’m so glad to see that Allegra is managing as best as possible and that her kidneys are in good shape, hooray!
My 14 yr old Molly has been on the transdermal methimazole for almost 1 year, so far, so good. She also has EPI and is on pancreatic enzymes. Her vet diagnosed her last year with IBD, horrible diarrhea /stools and vomiting, however, since removing poultry from her diet (albeit for an occasional Churu treat) she’s had no stool issues.
All the best for your little muffin Allegra, she’s a cutie. 🙂
I’m glad your Molly is doing so well, Lisa! All my best to both of you!
I’m happy to hear that Allegra is doing better. May she continue to get healthier with each day. You are such a good cat mom, Ingrid, and you inspire me to give so much love and the very best care for my cat.
Aww, thank you, Lynnette!
Wow, you described a lot of what I am going through with my 17 year old Gussy. Thank you for the fecal transplant information!!!! Very interesting!! I wish good helth for you and your fur babies. I also LOVE this forum!!
All my best to your Gussy, Kim!
Ingrid, I’m so happy Allegra is doing better. Please know that you’re both in my prayers.
Thank you so much, Judith!
Hugs to you and her.
Thanks, Sue!
Ingrid, I’m so pleased that Allegra is improving – and that her blood work hasn’t shown anything unexpected xx
Thanks, Marg!
I am so happy Allegra is doing well after her fecal transplant and she does not have kidney issues. It is such a worry when our babies get older, but remember you are doing the best job you can for her. Your the best cat mom I know.
Thank you, Janine.
You’re welcome!
Ingrid, both Dr Ardis and the HighWire recently had Dr Hazan on because of her incredible work on fecal transplants as cures and characteristics… The idea she mentioned might be useful for Allegra… She said we’re born with gut biomes that are nearly all bifida and it seemed the diseases come as that diminishes.. And Dr Hazan tries all these things on herself and accidentally nearly blasted hers so then she was on a quest to see how to rebuild it fast..
While she was running into many products not having as much as advertised BUT HER SURPRISE was that
VitC nearly QUADRUPLED her bifida….
And the Sodium Ascorbate form of VitC can be easily added to Allegra’s food..
Hope she’s feeling better soon…
Hazan did say she took large doses, not specific and ‘large’ when talking about C is highly variable..
We add about 400mg per cat twice a day to the raw+canned mix we use in the rescue, half SA and half AA per cat because the orthomolecular DVM Dr Belfield said it prevented blocked-tom in his experience with breeders.. Best as always..
Ingrid,
My heart goes out to you and Allegra. You have so much to deal with and still have a wonderful and positive attitude . It sounds like Allegra is improving slowly with your excellent care, I know it’s not easy. May she continue to improve, my prayers are with both of you.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn. Your prayers and good wishes mean so much.