Cat with LYMPHANGIECTASIA

[Jennie Edsall]

My year old cat, Mittens, has lymphangiectasia (very rare in cats). He is on prednisone at the moment, but I am unsure what to feed him. I know he needs a low fat, high protein, grain free diet, but is there one that works? I know switching him to the raw food diet might be best, but I want to know what type of raw diet as well. I would really appreciate any help. He also has haemobartonella as a result of this lymphangiectasia, so we are hoping the medication and new, strict diet will be the best way forward. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

[hazelrunpack]

Welcome to the board, Jennie, though I'm sorry it isn't under better circumstances I don't have any advice but I do want to send along some that the meds and diet change will do the trick for Mittens.

our cat gurus will be along shortly with suggestions.

[mummummum]

Hi Jenny ~ ditto on the welcome. I think you are absolutely on the right track with raw. Total control is what you need. As Hazel noted the cat-persons will chime in. Be a little patient if you can for all the answers to come in as a few of our catxsperts are away from the board for a day or so.

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

My year old cat, Mittens, has lymphangiectasia (very rare in cats).

So sorry to hear that. How was the lymphangiecteasia diagnosed?

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

He is on prednisone at the moment,

Is he on any other meds or supplements?

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

but I am unsure what to feed him.

What does he eat now, and what was he eating when diagnosed?

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

I know he needs a low fat, high protein, grain free diet, but is there one that works? I know switching him to the raw food diet might be best, but I want to know what type of raw diet as well.

A raw diet using a single novel protein source would be your best option. Any chance you can get your hands on some raw rabbit? It tends to be very easy to digest and lower in fat than something like chicken.

It's also important to supplement the fat soluble vitamins (E, D, A) and you might want to ask your vet about cobalamin (vit b12) injections.

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

He also has haemobartonella as a result of this lymphangiectasia,

I'm actually not sure how these are related. Haemobartonella is a mycoplasma infection transmitted by ticks and fleas.

[rosiern]

Wishing you all the best as you look for answers for your little kitten Mittens.

[Jennie Edsall]

Thank you all so much for your replies. Mittens is still not well. He is still on prednisone and is now taking something to fight intestinal and other infections. He does NOT have haemobartonella after all. The DNA test was negative. He still has a fever though, and is not eating anything. We have to syringe his food and water still. He was diagnosed through a biopsy that showed negative FIP and either IBD or lymphangiectasia, but they figured the latter was more likely based on all of the blood work and the look inside. My vet says although FIP was ruled out, it doesn't show on early biopsies and that it may be FIP after all. So many diagnoses, not one answer. He was eating normal kibble and wet food. NOw we are trying to get him to eat EVO or raw venison, even canned EVO. He doesn't eat anything we give him. He was eating chicken and tuna, but he has no time for it now. Is it a good idea to take the results to another vet?

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

Is it a good idea to take the results to another vet?

Or maybe get a referral to a specialist. Have you tried any appetite stimulants? A feeding tube may also be necessary, and aren't as scary as they sound (had to resort to using them on 3 separate occasions for my kitties). Here is some info on that: http://www.catinfo.org/feedingtubes.htm

Hope you find out what's going and your kitty makes a full recovery!

[Jennie Edsall]

Thanks SugarCatMom. My vet did mention a feeding tube but she said it doesn't really help either diagnoses in the end, it only prolongs things for a short while. We also talked about a specialist, but she has been conferring with specialists around the country for my cat. Internal Medicine Specialists at Royal Canin have also been involved. They are the Drs that said it was likely FIP :-( I will likely need to go to a specialist, as I can't imagine anything else for my kitten. Have you had a cat with FIP before?

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by Jennie Edsall

Have you had a cat with FIP before?

No, thankfully. It's a heartbreaking illness with no cure, so I pray that's not what Mittens has. There is a ton of excellent info on the subject at these 2 websites, if you want to read more about it:
http://www.sockfip.info/
http://www.dr-addie.com/

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

[Jennie Edsall]

I just wanted to let everyone know we had to say goodbye to our gorgeous boy today. Thank you for all of your help, he was too sick, sicker than we thought and is now in a better place. Thanks again.