My senior cat won't eat. Are steroids safe for IBD or lymphoma?

Question

Hi. My cat has not been eating voluntarily for weeks. After 5 days I started force feeding, and appetite stimulants are treating the symptoms. She's allergic to almost everything, and tends to inflammation. This started with vomiting slight white foam 3 -4 times a day, but a pill stopped that. Blood work was perfect 3 montgs ago, xrays are clear snd she seems almost fine otherwise Vets are saying treatment for lymphoma and IBD are very similar. I'd rather not give her steroids long term. Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 17 years and 6 months old | 13 lbs

Megan, DVM, CVA · Accepted Answer

Poor Kitty! Since she is already 17 years old and she is having such a tough time with her inflammation in her GI tract, I think steroids will be the best choice for her. If her blood work looks okay now, then I think she can tolerate the steroids. Unfortunately, if you don't put her on steroids the lymphoma or IBD may continue to get worse. It is true the steroids will not CURE lymphoma, but it certainly give her a better quality of life right now. It could keep the IBD under control and eventually you may be able to decrease her steroid dose to a lower dose. The concerns of long term steroids are much lower since she is already geriatric. If she was 4 or 7 years old, then I would be much more worried with starting her on long term steroids at that time. At the age of 17, our goal is to give Kitty are good quality of life. If you want more options about the lymphoma and interested in seeing an oncologist, I would ask your vet for a referral for a oncology consult. I hope this helps!

My senior cat won't eat. Are steroids safe for IBD or lymphoma?

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