Four days ago started with vomiting, even her water, then add diarrhea. Then stopped eating. Kind of hiding. Went to the vet. Did labs and a few abdominal x-rays. Labs all fine. Nothing stuck or whatever on x-ray. Anyway, given fluids, given a shot for 24 hr. duration for nausea. This worked for the vomiting but still some diarrhea and no eating. Now drinking plenty and sort of keeping to herself. No temp. She does come out and seems okay, drinks and goes back to whatever. Not really active. I was wondering if I could give her a small bowl of chicken broth?? Would it be best for pets or just regular Swanson broth??? I wish she would eat something. Vet gave me Hill's Digestive canned. Finally I put back down her Friskies canned in gravy, her dry Purina One. She goes to her water, then bypasses all foods. So, should I give her a bit of broth or add broth in a little bowl of water??? Just don't know what to do.
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Lucky, My 11.5 Yr Old Kitty Is So Sick!
- Thread starter whatever
- Start Date
You can try tuna water from a can of tuna, or chicken broth - but with no seasonings (e.g. onions, garlic. etc.). Did you try the Hill's Digestive canned? If not, try it. If you did try it, and she won't eat it, you can also try to add some tuna water to it as well.
Furballsmom
can provide you with a list of other foods to try to entice her to eat - hopefully she will see this post and provide to you the list.
What did the vet suggest are the next steps in trying to resolve her diarrhea and lack of eating?
Furballsmom
can provide you with a list of other foods to try to entice her to eat - hopefully she will see this post and provide to you the list. What did the vet suggest are the next steps in trying to resolve her diarrhea and lack of eating?
Did they check her for Pancreatitis ? if so what test was done? those are the symptoms when my sweet boy has a flair up
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
They did CBC, Chem 17, Lytes,T4. I don't know enough about the labs....
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
In a day or two to call and bring her back in. Next step would be ultrasound for which I am out of fundsYou can try tuna water from a can of tuna, or chicken broth - but with no seasonings (e.g. onions, garlic. etc.). Did you try the Hill's Digestive canned? If not, try it. If you did try it, and she won't eat it, you can also try to add some tuna water to it as well.
What did the vet suggest are the next steps in trying to resolve her diarrhea and lack of eating?
Within the past 8 mos. I went though this identical thing first with a rescued 13 yo kitty. Did all the work ups including an ultrasound and had to put her down in the end. Then a few months later, my rescue dog, same type thing with liver I guess, all the same testing including ultrasound and had to end up putting her down. She was 15. Now I've had this poor girl for 3 mos. after she was abandoned. She has been and is loved and happy but I can't go any more than I have I will try the tuna juice just to see.... I have the Hill's digestive canned, her regular canned, and dry. I love her and am keeping a close eye and keeping her quiet. thanks....- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #6
How do they test for pancreatitis?? Labs?
Within the Chem 17 they did - two enzymes that are produced by the pancreas would have been tested: AMYL (amylase) and LIP (lipase). I would suspect if the results of these enzymes were abnormal, they would have told you.
Here is what is tested in the CBC and Chemistry profile.
CBC and Chemistry Profile
The Lytes are Electrolyte balances they test. Electrolytes are charged mineral ions dissolved from salts; they circulate throughout your cat’s bloodstream and bodily fluids. Electrolytes play a role in maintaining cardiac, neurological, muscular and digestive functions. Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and bicarbonate are all electrolytes. Your cat’s kidneys regulate and maintain the ideal balance of these electrolytes with the assistance of various hormone secretions from her pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. Loss of fluids can disrupt the balance of electrolytes, such as during bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. Increased or decreased levels of certain electrolytes can indicate specific illnesses.
The T4 is to test for diabetes.
CBC and Chemistry Profile
The Lytes are Electrolyte balances they test. Electrolytes are charged mineral ions dissolved from salts; they circulate throughout your cat’s bloodstream and bodily fluids. Electrolytes play a role in maintaining cardiac, neurological, muscular and digestive functions. Sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and bicarbonate are all electrolytes. Your cat’s kidneys regulate and maintain the ideal balance of these electrolytes with the assistance of various hormone secretions from her pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands. Loss of fluids can disrupt the balance of electrolytes, such as during bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. Increased or decreased levels of certain electrolytes can indicate specific illnesses.
The T4 is to test for diabetes.
I read that the best test is the Spec fPLI test see the table in the following document https://www.cuvs.org/sites/default/files/2017-06/AdvancesinInternalMedicineDiagnosticTesting.pdf
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #10
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
Yes, thanks. And she did say the labs were all fine....
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #12
Thank you.........
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #13
Thank you.....
I am not 100% sure that the tests they did were enough to rule out pancreatitis. Call them ask them to confirm this some of the test that they use are not good indicators the fPLI test should be done.
See extract of recent article "Serum amylase and lipase levels have no clinical usefulness at all for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis
more detail below
As for diagnostic testing, it has been suggested for years that two enzymes found in serum, amylase and lipase, were good indicators of pancreatic inflammation if they were elevated, but multiple studies have shown that almost 50% of dogs with elevated serum amylase or lipase levels did not have pancreatitis. In cats, the situation is even worse. Serum amylase and lipase levels have no clinical usefulness at all for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis. This is mostly because other organs in the body produce these enzymes, such as the stomach and small intestine. Also, these enzymes are excreted by the kidney, and the presence of concurrent kidney disease (which is fairly common in cats) can falsely elevate the serum amylase and lipase levels. Occasionally, an elevated white blood cell count and elevated liver enzymes may be present, but these findings are also not specific for pancreatic disease per se, and in fact may mislead clinicians into thinking that the primary problem is the liver, rather than the pancreas.
X-ray findings are subjective and may not be apparent. In most instances, radiographic findings are normal. Ultrasound is a helpful tool for diagnosing pancreatitis. In the past, it was suggested that if you could find the pancreas during an abdominal ultrasound, it had to be swollen and therefore abnormal. This is no longer the case. A skillful ultrasonographer using today’s state-of-the-art equipment should be able to identify the pancreas nearly every time the abdomen is ultrasounded. Once identified, the ultrasonographer can then determine if the pancreas is of normal size, shape and density, or if it looks abnormal or diseased. In feline pancreatitis, however, ultrasound detects pancreatitis only 11 – 35% of the time that it is present.
Several years ago, a test was developed to assess how well the pancreas was producing digestive enzymes. The test, called the serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) test, was very accurate for diagnosing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the condition in cats described above whereby the pancreas produces inadequate digestive enzymes. A low level confirmed that the pancreas was under-producing these enzymes. Not long after the test became available, it was noted that cats with pancreatic inflammation would often have an elevated fTLI test. However, elevation of the fTLI turns out not to correlate very well with pancreatitis. A low fTLI is a meaningful find. A high fTLI maybe suggests pancreatitis, but it’s very iffy.
Now there is a better test for assessing pancreatic inflammation in the cat. This test measures serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI). Experimental studies and clinical experience have shown that the fPLI test correlates very well with pancreatic inflammation. This test is now the blood test of choice for diagnosing pancreatitis in cats.
more detail below
As for diagnostic testing, it has been suggested for years that two enzymes found in serum, amylase and lipase, were good indicators of pancreatic inflammation if they were elevated, but multiple studies have shown that almost 50% of dogs with elevated serum amylase or lipase levels did not have pancreatitis. In cats, the situation is even worse. Serum amylase and lipase levels have no clinical usefulness at all for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis. This is mostly because other organs in the body produce these enzymes, such as the stomach and small intestine. Also, these enzymes are excreted by the kidney, and the presence of concurrent kidney disease (which is fairly common in cats) can falsely elevate the serum amylase and lipase levels. Occasionally, an elevated white blood cell count and elevated liver enzymes may be present, but these findings are also not specific for pancreatic disease per se, and in fact may mislead clinicians into thinking that the primary problem is the liver, rather than the pancreas.
X-ray findings are subjective and may not be apparent. In most instances, radiographic findings are normal. Ultrasound is a helpful tool for diagnosing pancreatitis. In the past, it was suggested that if you could find the pancreas during an abdominal ultrasound, it had to be swollen and therefore abnormal. This is no longer the case. A skillful ultrasonographer using today’s state-of-the-art equipment should be able to identify the pancreas nearly every time the abdomen is ultrasounded. Once identified, the ultrasonographer can then determine if the pancreas is of normal size, shape and density, or if it looks abnormal or diseased. In feline pancreatitis, however, ultrasound detects pancreatitis only 11 – 35% of the time that it is present.
Several years ago, a test was developed to assess how well the pancreas was producing digestive enzymes. The test, called the serum feline trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) test, was very accurate for diagnosing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the condition in cats described above whereby the pancreas produces inadequate digestive enzymes. A low level confirmed that the pancreas was under-producing these enzymes. Not long after the test became available, it was noted that cats with pancreatic inflammation would often have an elevated fTLI test. However, elevation of the fTLI turns out not to correlate very well with pancreatitis. A low fTLI is a meaningful find. A high fTLI maybe suggests pancreatitis, but it’s very iffy.
Now there is a better test for assessing pancreatic inflammation in the cat. This test measures serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI). Experimental studies and clinical experience have shown that the fPLI test correlates very well with pancreatic inflammation. This test is now the blood test of choice for diagnosing pancreatitis in cats.
Hello - here is the list of toppers and enticements, you might double-check with your vet to make sure items that you decide to utilize are acceptable;
Also, try some MusicForCats . com or the app Relax My Cat.
Try sitting with him and see if he'll lick food off your finger or a spoon.
18 Awesome Cat Feeding Tips By Thecatsite Staff Members
Also here is a compilation of things;
Try feeding in different locations - and utilize different heights. For example put a couple of books underneath the dish, next time use two thick phone books, or a small-ish box so the heights are varied....
Try some raw egg yolk. Egg white must always be cooked, and some people cook the white and make a slurry of sorts by adding in the raw yolk.
Also you could try some Nutri-cal or similar product.
Try making these recipes - they're just as viable for an adult cat as for kittens;
Kitten-Rescue.com
These below can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave.
Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.
Also, try some MusicForCats . com or the app Relax My Cat.
Try sitting with him and see if he'll lick food off your finger or a spoon.
18 Awesome Cat Feeding Tips By Thecatsite Staff Members
Also here is a compilation of things;
Try feeding in different locations - and utilize different heights. For example put a couple of books underneath the dish, next time use two thick phone books, or a small-ish box so the heights are varied....
Try some raw egg yolk. Egg white must always be cooked, and some people cook the white and make a slurry of sorts by adding in the raw yolk.
Also you could try some Nutri-cal or similar product.
Try making these recipes - they're just as viable for an adult cat as for kittens;
Kitten-Rescue.com
These below can be used on their own or combined with food. Also, if you heat the food a little - stir it so there aren't any hot spots from the microwave.
Or you could heat some water, about a tablespoon, and add that to canned food. A small glass works to stir it all up.
- Chicken, beef or ham flavored (pureed) baby food such as Gerber Stage 2 - make sure there is no garlic or onions in the ingredients
- Tuna and/or the juice, a low mercury/low/no sodium brand is called SafeCatch
- Salmon, mackerel
- Sardines (make sure there are no bones)
- boiled cut up chicken or turkey with no seasonings
- canned kitten food any brand
- Try mixing in Kitten Milk Replacer - there are recipes on the internet or store bought
- Fish, tuna or BBQ flavored canned wet food (I personally have never seen BBQ flavors, but...)
- Lickable cat treats or pouch treat 'gravy' poured over the food
- kitten glop (recipes in website link above)
- Bonito flakes
- fortiflora
- fish oil
- green beans, asparagus mushed up, lettuce, applesauce, mashed chickpeas, black olives
- whipped topping such as reddiwhip
- dry pasta
- goat milk, or no lactose cow milk
- whole cooked eggs (the white must always be cooked) or raw egg yolk now and then
- broth with no salt and no garlic or onion or seasonings of any kind
- There are also commercial toppers, Applaws is a brand that can work well as a topper
- Some good treats would be freeze dried Purebites, Orijen, Meowtinis, Meowables, Only Natural Pet, Primal
- There are also Lickimats that you could spread types of soft food onto, even plain unflavored yogurt, and even freeze it. Licking something can help a cat to feel better emotionally The LickiMat - Food Puzzles for Cats
- shredded cheddar cheese, string cheese
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2017
- Messages
- 820
- Purraise
- 1,001
Not eating raises a red flag for me for Pancreatitis having lost a beloved cat to this. Pancreatitis is horrible!
There is a SNAP fPL which is a blood test your vet can do in his office. It takes about 15 minutes. But I it is unreliable unless the cat has Pancreatitis bad.
A much better indicator is the Spec fPL which is a bloodtest which is sent off to Texas A & M labs and takes a couple days to get back. It is extremely accurate.
At least request a SNAP fPl now, but preferably a Spec fPL.
Meanwhile get lots of fluids into the cat; even if it means taking her in for IV fluids. Pancreatitis is painful, so ask your vet about pain medication, which may be able to be put into IV fluids. Cats do not eat if in pain, so pain management is essential.
There is a SNAP fPL which is a blood test your vet can do in his office. It takes about 15 minutes. But I it is unreliable unless the cat has Pancreatitis bad.
A much better indicator is the Spec fPL which is a bloodtest which is sent off to Texas A & M labs and takes a couple days to get back. It is extremely accurate.
At least request a SNAP fPl now, but preferably a Spec fPL.
Meanwhile get lots of fluids into the cat; even if it means taking her in for IV fluids. Pancreatitis is painful, so ask your vet about pain medication, which may be able to be put into IV fluids. Cats do not eat if in pain, so pain management is essential.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #18
I plan to call tomorrow and will ask just what they checked and if they did fPLI test. Thank you all.....
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2016
- Messages
- 5,948
- Purraise
- 14,439
You've been through the wringer with your other critters, you deserve some good news on this one I think 
I hope things look brighter for you all tomorrow, please keep us posted.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #20
Thanks so much. tomorrow I will get some Gerber baby puree food...
Thanks so much....
I hope things look brighter for you all tomorrow, please keep us posted.
