12 replies to this topic

[Oakman]

My 15 year old Niki the cat has had debilitating skin allergies most of her life, and recently developed a front leg limp. Her allergies caused her to scratch raw bloodied patches on herself. They could be on her back, under her chin, belly, legs, almost anywhere. For years, we struggled giving her medicine via mouth, a nearly impossible task, and so eventually settled on transdermal Prednisolone 10% ear cream, as the best workable treatment. The result was not perfect, and scratching continued, but reduced… for a few years, and then it got worse again. Our vet had no other answers.

 

Then three years ago we found a new vet that suggested injections of Depo-Medrol*, a corticosteroid hormone, combined with a prescription predigested food.

 

It worked! It was a minor  miracle and alleviated her scratching symptoms completely, but unfortunately only for a time. In 4-6 weeks the symptoms returned with a vengeance. As the scratching returned, we used the Prednisolone cream, but eventually, she needed the shot again. The vet worried about the side effects of these drugs on her immune system, but there was no alternative.

 

* “Methylprednisolone is used to treat pain and swelling that occurs with arthritis and other joint disorders. This medication may also be used to treat various conditions such as blood disorders, severe allergic reactions, certain cancers, eye conditions, skin/intestinal/kidney/lung diseases, and immune system disorders. Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid hormone.”

 

Because her limping was getting worse, this January I got Niki a feline joint health compound, called Cosequin, consisting of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Boswellia Serrata, and Manganese to mix in with her food. This helped a bit with her limp, but did not completely eliminate it. And it did not change the scratching.

 

So with her January shot running out, it was time for the trip to the vet for the shot. But this time was different, she’d stopped going outside, pretty much stopped doing anything, and just ate a bit and slept in one spot all day. I worried this was the end of our beloved Niki. I was so worried for her, that I began thinking that just maybe, if Niagen was supposedly good for my longevity and general revitalization of NAD+ and youthful energy, could it do the same for her? Could it save Niki?

 

A bit of research turned up that cats have no innate ability to synthesize B vitamins, and are dependent on diet alone for this essential nutrient. Thinking that lack of eating, and perhaps a B vitamin absorption problem could be part of her problem, I began supplementing ~50mg (not including fillers) of Niagen for a 10 days. I wasn’t sure what would happen, but I thought it worth a shot, if only it could improve or prolong her life.

 

Amazingly, her scratching subsided almost immediately, and with no apparent ill effects. Beyond that, she began going outside, moving around the house, and her mood seemed to be improved. I stopped for a week off and waited, to check for any ill effects - there were none. So I restarted with a slightly lower daily dose of ~30mg (not including fillers) of Niagen. I decided to keep her at that daily morning dose mixed in her food.

 

Fast forward to now, mid-June, and days have turned into weeks, weeks into months, and now Niki is 5 months without shots, and her skin is nearly 100% clear. She is still getting her transdermal cream twice a day, and the joint medicine. Plus, she’s eating only half the special food, half normal cat food.

 

She goes outside, she eats a lot, and is back to being, and looking like, a normal elder cat. She appears happy, with a little limp, and is very affectionate once again. I think that, in particular, shows she is not in any significant discomfort.

 

So what can we draw from this? Obviously, nothing absolute, especially because I’m giving her other treatments at the same time... but... this a HUGE development in her little life and for her overall well being!

 

Niagen may...

 

1. at this dose be nontoxic to cats.

2. help alleviate Niki’s chronic skin condition.

3. have helped return an elderly cat to an active life.

 

One thing is sure, there is no placebo effect here. The supplements are hidden in her food, she simply responds to how she feels. I’ve searched and searched but could find nothing about any Nigen treatments for felines having been tried by anyone else. So I’m wondering, does anyone have further insight about the possible effects of Niagen in small mammals? Possibly having tried something like this?

 

[sthira]

Aww! Such a sweet story! Go Niki!

[Oakman]

 

UPDATE: Niki is doing REALLY well!

 

It's been about two months since I 1st posted Niki's story and what Niagen (and her joint supplement) had seemingly been doing for her. In June, she had regained a good amount of strength and vitality, but still had a significant, obvious limp on her front leg. I had been giving a calculated 25-30 mg of NR (that is, not including filler) daily. I decided to cut her dose to once every 2nd or 3rd day in mid July due to a mild nervous tick she began exhibiting, and I changed her joint supplement to something with more ingredients I thought would help her condition. She gets (1/4 dose) of this only on a day NR is not given, but again on an every 2nd or 3rd day basis.

 

Due to the heat here (steady 90-100 degrees) we decided to get her a shot at the vet 1st week of August, as she had begun to scratch a bit in one spot. It was not bad like before, but I think the hot weather was getting to her. In total it had been 6 months since her last shot, rather than the 4-6 weeks before. Hopefully, she should be good to go for the rest of the summer, and hopefully 6 months or longer... Time will tell.

 

In describing to the vet what I had been doing for her, he was not able to either confirm or deny the effects of the supplementation, but he said there was no dispute that something major had changed in her condition. But I wanted to tell her story (to the vet and here on the forum) as I think it offers some insight about the effects of NR may be in animals. As a cat is completely oblivious to what is being given to them, the results are real, unbiased, but of course anecdotal. The vet said no study of this NR effect would ever happen as it's not worth it to invest in a study like that on felines, unfortunately.

 

But the best news for Niki (and me) is that this new dosing and supplement combo has produced pretty dramatic results. That is, her limp is now unnoticeable, her appetite is so strong that we are now restricting her diet to keep her from gaining too much weight (now 9lbs, up from 8lbs), and her mood and activity level have remained better than before. The supplement combo, now using much reduced amounts, seems to be working even better.  I think I may have successfully stuffed another couple lives into her regularly allotted nine!

 

     

 

I use about 50 mg/dose Niagen (includes filler, so ~25-30mg NR) and then 1/4 dose of the joint supplement every 2nd or 3rd day alternately for each. 

[PeaceAndProsperity]

If all else fails, there's always the humane option left. Good luck

[Oakman]

If all else fails, there's always the humane option left. Good luck

 

If you are referring to euthanasia, certainly no reason given the positive results of treatment with Niagen et al.

 

She has reclaimed her younger-girl role as the absolute dominant cat amongst our four furballs. She's returned to going outside and climbing upstairs in the AM to wake us. Plus her appetite has gone from 'no thanks' to constantly begging food and gaining weight.

 

Cats are amazingly resilient creatures!

[stefan_001]

If all else fails, there's always the humane option left. Good luck

If you are referring to euthanasia, certainly no reason given the positive results of treatment with Niagen et al.

She has reclaimed her younger-girl role as the absolute dominant cat amongst our four furballs. She's returned to going outside and climbing upstairs in the AM to wake us. Plus her appetite has gone from 'no thanks' to constantly begging food and gaining weight.

Cats are amazingly resilient creatures!

Its indeed impressive and great she enjoys life again. The dosing observation is interesting. What are the ingredients of the joint repair supplement?

[Oakman]

 

 

If all else fails, there's always the humane option left. Good luck

If you are referring to euthanasia, certainly no reason given the positive results of treatment with Niagen et al.

She has reclaimed her younger-girl role as the absolute dominant cat amongst our four furballs. She's returned to going outside and climbing upstairs in the AM to wake us. Plus her appetite has gone from 'no thanks' to constantly begging food and gaining weight.

Cats are amazingly resilient creatures!

Its indeed impressive and great she enjoys life again. The dosing observation is interesting. What are the ingredients of the joint repair supplement?

 

 

Three posts back is the pic of the ingredients label.

[stefan_001]

Thanks, the pictures ar so big I missed them....

[Phoebus]

wow! great to hear, thanks for this info

[Robert Magnuson]

So glad to see your story about Niki.

 

She looks very much like our calico Tash (aka Natasha / Tasha), who is 18 years old with the same or similar conditions. Both Niki and Tash have nearly identical beautiful faces, too.

 

With Tash, we first noticed what appeared to be a stiffness in gate about a year ago. But then we thought we must have imagined it when she went flying off the porch like Superman and raced 30 feet after a rabbit (fortunately, the bunny outran her). But later an actual front leg limp was evident. Then a skin problem showed up on the same leg.

 

We put her on various supplements (colostrum, collagen II, deer antler velvet, chlorella, and several others) that appear to be helping some over the past couple of months. She still goes outside and up and down stairs daily. She only limps when she first stands up, then walks fine. We are getting another chondroitin and glucosamine supplement for her, too.

 

I had read about NAD* but never could find out anything helpful with regard to cats when combing the web until I used the keywords 'Niagen' and 'cats.' That led me to your post.

 

I was searching the web because I am interested in trying Niagen for Tash because of the claim that elderly mice reversed their aging (with NAD+ in their drinking water) by up to the human equivalent of 40 years.

 

We are also putting astaxanthin in her food. A recent study stated that it turns on the FOX03 longevity gene in mice, and that it is found turned on in most humans who live to be 100 or more. So, it may help people and others avoid diseases of old age. But I do not know whether cats have the FOX03 gene or not.  

 

Best of luck with Niki, and thanks again so much for your report. Delightful to see another beautiful calico cat who looks so much like Tash. Given that they are close look-alikes with the same conditions, it is plausible that their conditions are typical of the way calicos age without special intervention.   

 

 

[mrkosh1]

I have a very old cat that I'd like to give NR to. However, I'm concerned about toxicity. In humans, I know NR or nicotinamide and ribose have little toxicity. What about in felines? Is there any literature on the toxicology of these substances in felines? 

 

 

[Oakman]

I have a very old cat that I'd like to give NR to. However, I'm concerned about toxicity. In humans, I know NR or nicotinamide and ribose have little toxicity. What about in felines? Is there any literature on the toxicology of these substances in felines? 

 

The fact that for cats, B vitamins (B1,2,3,5,6,7,9,11) cannot be synthesized, and so is essential is notable. As to what amount is needed, I've seen varying suggestions, like here seems very specific re: B vitamins for cats. Of course, with Niagen, we are supplementing for energy, aka NAD+, not to meet some MDR. They likely get the MDR in the food anyway.

 

As an update, I reduced the amount of joint supplement shown above to about 40mg/dose given with the PM meal. And as  for Niagen, I've reduced that to about 40mg from an Alivebynature capsule, every 2-3 days. I don't want to over-medicate and I saw some twitching when she was getting more.  BTW, she weights ~9lbs.

 

After the initial Niagen dosing where she showed so much improvement, we were also having a problem giving both these supplements to her in her AM meal, and she was barfing it up almost immediately. Strangely, giving them individually, the same amount, in the PM meal on different days was not a problem. 

 

Her limp is still somewhat evident, but she doesn't seem pained, and her mood remains good. The longer we can keep her around (and in my lap often) the better! She's a really sweet cat, an still the boss of our three other cats, even at her advanced age! 

Edited by Oakman, 11 September 2017 - 10:33 PM.

[Ovidus]

Awesome looking cat and absolutely wonderful to hear. 

You are an inspiration Brother.

Go Niki!!!