First, a food is chosen that contains a protein source that is new to the cat. If that is not effective, a high-fiber diet is tried. Unfortunately, a true food trial requires that the test diet be fed exclusively for 4-6 weeks. If dietary therapy is not successful or feasible, drugs are used to suppress the inflammatory reaction. Other drugs are tried if corticosteroids are not successful.
Corticosteroids are notorious for causing a variety of side-effects in humans.
This is rarely the case in cats. Regardless, to minimize any possible adverse effects, the goal is to use the lowest dose that is effective and to give it on an every other day schedule. It will be necessary to begin therapy with a rather high dose, but once response occurs, the dose is tapered to a minimal level. Prednisolone, the most commonly used corticosteroid, is in the body about 36 hours after it is given by mouth. If it is given daily, some of the previous day s dose is still present.