*NOTE: This study is not currently enrolling new patients until further notice*

The primary aim of the study is to assess the clinical responses of cats with naturally occurring mild to moderate chronic enteropathy when fed different types of dry kibble diets. As part of this study, three visits to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls are required for the patient. Owners must be willing to weigh the cat’s food daily for the entire 12 weeks. The owner will be required to fill out some screening paper work before making the appointment, as well as, complete a daily log of their cat’s habits for the duration of the study. The majority of the study is at no cost to the client.

Inclusion:

• Cat must be 1-8 years old
• Indoor only
• Body Condition Score (BCS) 3-7/9
• Must have recurring vomiting and/or small bowel diarrhea for > 3 weeks
• Willing and able to eat 100% dry food with no wet food, “toppers”, or treats
• No evidence of systemic illness
• If found to be hypocobalaminemic (low in vitamin B12), the owner must be willing to follow the Texas A&M parenteral supplementation protocol, involving weekly and monthly injections.
• If a multicat household (up to 3 cats total), the owner must be able to feed all cats in the house the test diet. The owner must also be able to submit patient log information based on only the cat participating in the study.
• All cats in the household must be dewormed with Panacur (fenbendazole) for 5 days within 1 month prior to study enrollment.
• Cats that have undergone previous, but unsuccessful, medical treatment for gastrointestinal signs are still eligible.

Non-inclusion:

• History of constipation, tenesmus, hematochezia
• Vomiting exclusively hairballs
• Use of oral immunosuppressives within prior 3 weeks
• Use of long acting immunosuppressives within prior 6 weeks
• Use of antibiotics (e.g., tylosan, metronidazole) within prior 4 weeks
• Use of probiotics within prior 4 weeks
• History of > 10% unintentional weight loss within prior 2 months.

Owner Incentives:

• Initial Visit: Patient will receive a complimentary physical exam, complete blood count, chemistry with electrolytes, urinalysis, thyroxine level (T4), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), heartworm antigen and antibody, gastrointestinal (GI) panel, fecal test, abdominal x-rays and ultrasound at the initial visit. Some of these tests will not be repeated if they have been completed in the prior 4 weeks, nor will the owner be reimbursed.
• 4-week and 12 week rechecks: Patient will receive complimentary physical exams and recheck labwork.
• Food will be provided at no cost for all cats in the home, regardless of participation in the study.

Cost to Client:

If the cat is hypocobalaminemic, cobalamin supplementation must be undertaken at the client’s own expense. Administration of Panacur prior to study enrollment is also at the client’s own expense.

Contact:

Sabrina Appell, Administrative Assistant
197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls
Clinical Nutrition Department
(732) 747-3636

Martha Cline, DVM DACVN
197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls
Clinical Nutrition Department
(732) 747-3636

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