Ziggy’s B12 Surprise: The Vitamin That Turned Everything Around

Here’s the Scoop:

• What invisible deficiency was quietly making Ziggy’s life harder

• How injectable B12 became our new daily dance

• Why subcutaneous fluids turned me into a home vet tech

• What B12 actually does in the feline body (spoiler: a lot)

• And how it’s giving us real hope for the future!

---

After months of chasing our tails (and towels) over Ziggy’s persistent diarrhea, our beloved local vet hit a bit of a wall. She lovingly referred us to a specialist for a fresh pair of eyes and I’m so glad she did.

The specialist ran ultrasounds, bloodwork and all the fancy diagnostics you dream of when your cat is stumping everyone. And the good news?

His IBD hadn’t progressed.

His pancreas looked fine.

His bloodwork was mostly great.

Celebration time!! :)

But then she dropped the bomb: “Ziggy’s B12 didn’t even register.” Like…at all. Not low. Not borderline. Just “<150.” (To confirm: normal feline B12 levels range from about 250–1500 pg/mL, so he was below the chart entirely.)

No wonder he’d been acting like an exhausted little puddle of fur.

Subcutaneous Side Quests and Vitamin Boosts

Because oral B12 wouldn’t have been absorbed by Ziggy’s inflamed gut, we moved straight to injectable cyanocobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12. Fortunately, I’d already been trained in giving my cats injections at home thanks to my other cats’ needs, so I was game.

But Ziggy was so lethargic...barely walking from one room to another without flopping down...that I also asked if I could give him subcutaneous fluids at home. Just a few times a week to perk him up.

To my relief, the vet agreed enthusiastically. Apparently, I’m slowly building a veterinary degree one cat at a time. :)

Side Note: This is one of the most helpful videos I have found for walking you through giving subcutaneous fluids at home: https://youtu.be/D2_Bj72IL-k

B12 Injection Schedule: My Freestyle Remix

The standard feline IBD protocol for B12?

• 1 injection per week

• For 6 weeks, then reassess

But since Ziggy was hanging on by a thread, I asked if I could give him a little “booster burst” of injections right away. The vet explained that B12 is water-soluble, so anything he didn’t need would just be flushed out in his urine. No risk of overdose...just potential reward.

Here’s what I did:

• Week 1: 4 injections (4 days in a row)

• Week 2: 2 injections

• Week 3 onward: Settled into a comfy rhythm of 2 injections/week

And oh, the difference.

He started moving more, interacting more and even asking for cuddles again. No, he wasn’t suddenly doing parkour, but compared to the lethargic loaf from a few weeks earlier? Huge win.

Wait…What Does B12 Do Anyway?

So glad you asked. Here’s why vitamin B12 (cobalamin) matters, especially for IBD cats:

• It helps form and protect the myelin sheath around nerves (the insulation that keeps nerve signals running properly)

• It’s involved in energy production, red blood cell formation and protein synthesis

• It supports brain and mood function (even in cats!)

• It’s crucial for gut health, nutrient absorption and immune balance

When B12 is low, especially in IBD kitties whose intestines are inflamed and can’t absorb nutrients properly, it’s like the body’s operating system is glitching. The cat gets more tired, more vulnerable to GI symptoms and less able to bounce back from flare-ups.

Healing Takes Time...and Syringes

The specialist explained that B12 recovery isn’t instant. When it’s been that low for that long, you have to give it time to rebuild. There’s nerve re-coating, energy system repair, gut absorption stabilization...all of it working behind the scenes.

And you know what? With B12 injections + RX Clay working together, we’re finally seeing solid progress. Ziggy’s diarrhea has gone from “soup” to “semi-soft serve,” which might not sound glamorous, but I’ll take it.

My secret hope? That with continued healing, I’ll be able to:

• Reduce RX Clay to once daily

• Eventually remove it entirely

• (Dare I say it?) Go back to only one steroid dose per day

Too soon to tell...but I’m praying.

---

Takeaway Treats

• B12 matters way more than I realized. If your cat has IBD and chronic fatigue or diarrhea, don’t skip that blood test!

• Injectable B12 is a game-changer for cats who can’t absorb nutrients through their gut.

• Subcutaneous fluids can offer a gentle home boost when your cat is crashing and your vet may happily approve.

• B12 recovery is a marathon, not a sprint...but the gains are real and beautiful.

• Trust your gut (pun intended)...you know when your cat’s not quite right and your persistence can lead to real breakthroughs.