Lipase values over 500 have been anecdotally associated with IBD (but no hard facts have been shown). This value plus the recurrent birdseed stools and the history of ECE give a very strong suspicion of IBD. Hindleg weakness is likely just the result of muscle wasting, as animals with IBD are not in a good nutritional plane and often cannibalize their own muscles as they absorb protein poorly from their diet. At this point, I would go with a 2-week trial of low-dose prednisone to see what happens and would still stay away from kibbled diets. With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 3776]