am at my wits end with one of my cats

[PaulaM]

I adopted Missy in November 1997 (she was around 2 years old). She had previously been declawed and than abandoned at the farm where I used to board Canasta. She had moved into the main barn when the cold weather hit and was having the tar beat out of her by the other barn cats so I took pity upon her and took her home. She had an upper respiratory track infection and a lacerated tongue. I nursed her back to health and all had been going allright til the past year.

Last year, she developed severe food allergies and was put on the Science Diet Z/D (Low Allergan) formula. It worked very well, until recently. Now all of a sudden the colitis is back and she is taken to vomitting as well. I thought initially that it may have been a contaminated bag of food so picked up another one (@ $ 20.00 / 4 lb bag), and she is still having problems. The vet did tell me last year that if this food stopped working that there is nothing else left to do.

I keep thinking that maybe it is time to euthanize her but than feel guilty because of that very fact. See all though, I took her home, I have never really bonded with her. I don't know if it is because she had already developed her personality when I took her in or what.

I am just not sure what to do.

[wildfire]

boiled chicken, and rice cooked in the boiled chicken water.
That's just a thought.
GLHR!

[mandy]

There are lots of other hypoallergenic or low allergen foods out there besides Hill's. In my own biased opinion, Hill's is terrible. Purina makes a funky yellow kibble called HA, there is also Wellness Fish or Wellness Simple Solutions in duck or venison, Natural Balance Duck, Eagle Pack fish, and IVD. Cal Natural is also a great limited ingredient food. Or you could skip all that pricey kibble and feed raw, like I do. (just kidding, of course- most people aren't ready for that step just yet.) Maybe you could try another type of food before calling it quits? And maybe get her on an omega 3 supp like salmon oil? Hope this helps.. my mom lives with a VERY allergic schnauzer who has been doing well on a mix of raw and eagle pack holistic.
Mandy

[linda]

Changing her food sounds like a very logical next step. I would try that next.

If that doesn't work, then you will have tried. You have given this cat a very good home. This cat just may have too many internal things going on and putting her down may be your kindest option. Try the other foods first, though. Maybe something will work out really well.
Linda