We rescued two 6mth old Persians in November ’07, it became clear from the beginning that the smaller of the two suffered with tummy problems, these were later diagnosed by our vet as Colitis. We have managed to keep this under control until recently but it seems to have flared up again, we have been to the vet three times, the first time was nearly 3wks ago as our cat was showing signs of distress and really howled, he had a few bouts of diarrhoea leading up to this but not serious. We treated him with Pro-Kolin at home.

A scan was taken of his tummy as they couldn’t catheterize him (his tummy was swollen and we thought he may have a urinary blockage) however, this wasn’t the case, as in the process he urinated over the nurse! The urine was tested and a blood test was taken, nothing untoward showed up, the only thing to show was a cyst in his kidney which the vet said would probably not cause any problems until later in life. After this visit he did seem to improve without any treatment and everything was fine until last Tuesday, he was very quiet (which isn’t like him) and kept himself in his play tunnel for 36hrs. We took him to the vet with a sample of his faeces as they appeared to be covered in mucous. The vet (different vet this time) examined him checked the results of the previous tests and said that he could not see anything in the faeces under the microscope. He is suspecting colitis and gave him two injections, I believe one a steroid and the other and anti-inflammatory. Next day he had improved and was eating a little, I perhaps shouldn’t have but cooked some white fish for him as he didn’t seem to want his normal food, he ate this but then went downhill again, it appears to be when he eats it causes him pain. Next day (Friday) we went back to the vet with another faeces sample which they have sent off for analysis, we get the results on Tuesday. He had the same injections again, plus a rather large tablet which we are suspecting is an antibiotic. He has been a little brighter but has now gone downhill again and is back in his tunnel. This is a cat that never normally sits still and in fact was catching lizards last Tuesday evening.

I have recently given him a little salmon for the first time (this is before the illness) and then the white fish which of course he hasn’t had previously – could this have set off his colitis? His normal diet is mainly Applaws chicken and rice and Gourmet soufflé, he has the occasional James Wellbeloved biscuits, he drinks very little water but I have syringed some water into his mouth during this illness, as I don’t want him to become dehydrated.

What I am really asking is, is there anything I can do for him in between vet visits that may help him – would it be OK to give him white fish and steamed chicken or should I follow the vets advise and not change his diet even thou he won’t touch it. It is so sad to see him so poorly and off his food (he will eat little and often all day normally and is such a lively little character)?

I just want to make him well again but don’t know what to do for the best... especially as the vets are now closed until Monday.

I will be so thankful for any advise you can give me please?