Hepatic lipidosis and now they are saying gastroenteritis…. Long but need feedback

[silent meowlook]

No that looks much better. Just try out different loops and see what she likes best. Most cats don’t like it wrapped around but don’t mind it looped.

 

[silent meowlook]

Esophagostomy Tube Information and Care

What is an esophagostomy tube? (Download as a PDF.) Your pet has had a type of feeding tube called an esophagostomy tube (E-tube) placed. This tube enters the esophagus (the food pipe) from a surgi…

vhc.missouri.edu

 

[Vellamint]

I don't know about that. I would think if she tries to turn her head to the side, she's going to bump right into it. Can you pull it back a little further if you're going to go with the loop?

Yes. I saw that too. I’ve readjusted it.

 

[FeralHearts]

Thinking about you all and hoping things are going well.

I forgot to ask how the blood work looked.

Does she look more comfortable now with the adjustments?

I know you mentioned your regular vet seeming not interested in taking on her care. I had one like that for one of mine. I think they were like that as they weren't comfortable taking on the care as it was out of the scope of what they felt they knew and were comfortable with. Which I can understand. They were also transparent about it though and said straight up that they knew nothing about what to do. I had respect for that level of honesty. So we waited for a specialist.

How are you holding up?
------

 

[Vellamint]

Thinking about you all and hoping things are going well.

I forgot to ask how the blood work looked.

Does she look more comfortable now with the adjustments?

I know you mentioned your regular vet seeming not interested in taking on her care. I had one like that for one of mine. I think they were like that as they weren't comfortable taking on the care as it was out of the scope of what they felt they knew and were comfortable with. Which I can understand. They were also transparent about it though and said straight up that they knew nothing about what to do. I had respect for that level of honesty. So we waited for a specialist.

How are you holding up?
------

Ty so much for asking! She wasn’t comfortable with the adjustments to the collar and since it still looked like it could still easily catch on things I went back to using a hair tie under her chin to loop the port through.
I can post the bloodwork results if you understand how to read them but essentially her BUN has decreased slightly. Her ALT went up and her ALP went down. The specialist said not to be concerned as this can be normal.
She is trying to eat a bit orally …. Not much but this takes awhile…..right?

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Yes, it takes awhile. I would go by how SHE acts vs her bloodwork. The fact that she is trying to eat a little bit on her own sounds like a very good sign to me

 

[FeralHearts]

Absolutely how she acts. The bloodwork is good so that you know if adjustments may need to be made IMHO.

It does take awhile, and can go back and forth a bit, but the fact she is trying on her own is very good! One step at a time.

I do hope you are taking care of yourself too as it can be a challenge and as you know - exhausting emotionally and physically.

 

[Vellamint]

She just came into the living room and I heard a gurgling noise and one of the caps on her port was open……. Is this really bad or will she just have air in her belly…..

 

[silent meowlook]

If she is gurgling you can attach an empty syringe to the opening. If there is allot of air it will force itself into the syringe.

 

[Vellamint]

Hi again…. She’s still only eating a little as an update. I have a problem though…. She keeps getting the tubing out of the Velcro during the night… I’ve woken up to it flailing around twice. Do you think I can use some of the self sticky kind of bandaging on top of the Kitty Kollar? The stoma is getting irritated and I believe it’s really bothering her….

 

[silent meowlook]

I e mostly used bandages and the red rubber feeding tubes. I think you have the silicone type tube, which is clear, I’ve always secured the tube with the loop onto the bandage with tape in a way where I take a piece of white medical tape about 4 inches long and twist it in the middle and loop it around the tube and secure it to the bandage. I don’t see why you couldn’t do it that way with the collar unless the collar rotates.

 

[Vellamint]

I e mostly used bandages and the red rubber feeding tubes. I think you have the silicone type tube, which is clear, I’ve always secured the tube with the loop onto the bandage with tape in a way where I take a piece of white medical tape about 4 inches long and twist it in the middle and loop it around the tube and secure it to the bandage. I don’t see why you couldn’t do it that way with the collar unless the collar rotates.

I’m not sure I understand what you are describing… the collar can rotate a bit though and yes it’s the silicone tube.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Are you cleaning the stoma? Perhaps you could have your daughter take a look at it? If she isn't close by, maybe send a picture of it to her and get her opinion since I know your funds are running low. Did you ever ask your Vet to shorten that tube? I'm pretty sure that that business on the end is not really part of the tubing, but connected to it after the tube is installed, which should mean the tube can be cut anywhere along the line and that "port" can be stuck back on. Not 100%, but pretty sure on that.

I think using coban (the stick to itself tape) should be fine to use.

 

[Vellamint]

Are you cleaning the stoma? Perhaps you could have your daughter take a look at it? If she isn't close by, maybe send a picture of it to her and get her opinion since I know your funds are running low. Did you ever ask your Vet to shorten that tube? I'm pretty sure that that business on the end is not really part of the tubing, but connected to it after the tube is installed, which should mean the tube can be cut anywhere along the line and that "port" can be stuck back on. Not 100%, but pretty sure on that.

I think using coban (the stick to itself tape) should be fine to use.

I was told to clean the stoma with a q tip and warm water…. I had asked my personal vet if the tube could be shortened but he indicated not although I learned yesterday that they still consider the internist her Dr. He was hesitant about everything I feel because of that. I Googled it yesterday and it does look pretty straight forward.

I agree about the length and if I get back up to the university I’ll ask her BUT. Silly me…. I have a kitty door on my bedroom and yesterday saw that the tubing was catching on it every time she left the room…. Slept with the whole door open last night and yay! No flopping tube this morning.

More good news…since my vet did not perform the needed blood work last week he waived the fee for the new blood work taken yesterday!

Awaiting blood results this morning….

 

[FeralHearts]

Any updates for the two of you?

 

[Vellamint]

Any updates for the two of you?

Ty for asking. Lilly is eating. A lot. Still hard to determine how much as she never really liked wet food. More than she used to but not a whole small can a day. She grazes on dry, loves treats and I finally saw her drinking water 4 days ago. I’m barely getting 10-25 mls of food into her a day before she starts gagging…..

She is scratching at the tube site even with the Kitty Kollar. I am constantly readjusting it but she still manages. I’ve made sure her nails are short. Yesterday at gauze change there looked to be a small amount of pus. I’ve forwarded photos to her internist today.

I have requested the internist if it’s possible to do a recheck AND tube removal at one appointment. I am waiting to hear back. My vet considers her the internists patient.

I am having a hard time with all of it. My anxiety is off the chart. I simply don’t have any more financial resources. She is over $5000 already(care credit) and I am questioning my sanity.

 

[fionasmom]

It sounds like there is progress, so hang on as best you can. This is very hard and stressful and the bill is not helping.

 

[FeralHearts]

Ty for asking. Lilly is eating. A lot. Still hard to determine how much as she never really liked wet food. More than she used to but not a whole small can a day. She grazes on dry, loves treats and I finally saw her drinking water 4 days ago. I’m barely getting 10-25 mls of food into her a day before she starts gagging…..

It is hard to determine how much she's getting. I think you are doing incredibly well though! This is certainly heading in the right direction and my fingers and toes are crossed for you that it continues.

The gagging... is it possible you are feeding her slightly to quick?

She is scratching at the tube site even with the Kitty Kollar. I am constantly readjusting it but she still manages. I’ve made sure her nails are short. Yesterday at gauze change there looked to be a small amount of pus. I’ve forwarded photos to her internist today.

Did the internist get back to you?

I have requested the internist if it’s possible to do a recheck AND tube removal at one appointment. I am waiting to hear back. My vet considers her the internists patient.

That drives me nuts when vets do that. Human Docs do that too. They tend to forget that once all is said and done - they are still their patients as well. I think part of it is they don't want to contradict what the other doc is doing - plus it might be out of their wheelhouse of expertise. So I get it - but they still should be able to handle basic questions and help though IMHO. *sigh*

I don't think you will - but remember not to remove the tube too soon. You really want to make sure she is handling the eating on her own for a fair bit of time before removing it as you don't want to risk removing it too soon and being back where you started.

I am having a hard time with all of it. My anxiety is off the chart. I simply don’t have any more financial resources. She is over $5000 already(care credit) and I am questioning my sanity.

I not only can imagine what you are going through - but I actually know what you are going through. I was here not 6 weeks ago with my own that had a GI feeding tube.

I know full well exactly what you mean. I have done a lot of really hard things in my life - really hard - but taking care of an ill kitty I have to say hit the top of my list for stress, worry, anxiety etc. It is very hard. I'm sorry you are having to experience it. It's gut wrenching.

I too have a loan I'll be spending the next year paying off. Trust me when I say - you'll work the money part out. It'll be tough, added stress - but you will. Mine had some insurance but that was used up when I had to drive her over 2 hours to the only ER clinic that could help her. I had to leave her there for 3 and a half days knowing that if she passed I wasn't going to be there. Making that choice nearly broke me in a way I didn't think I could break.

Bringing her home - and then a weekish later having to have surgery and a GI tube placed; as my vet doesn't do esophageal tubes, tested every nerve and ounce of courage I had in me. I was taking naps, getting up a couple times in the middle of the night to help her - and having to go to work through most of it. (The first week after she had the tube placed I took the week off work to be with her- I had to go into the office one day of it though.) So I get the sanity part too. I tell you this so you know what I'm saying isn't just lip service.

I will tell you, and I think you feel the same - I would do it all over again - without hesitation - for as long as needed.

I will also tell you this - you are doing far better than you think you are and sadly having been here myself, and so recently, I also understand just how hard what you are doing is. Which is why I can say - with certainty - that you are doing better than you think you are.

If you are able to take naps, do so. Also some breathing exercises, and sit outside, if you can, a bit each day and simply breath. It honestly does help. Especially with the anxiety.

*hugs*

 

[Vellamint]

I’m back. I am scheduled to drive up to the internist this coming Friday for a recheck, chemistries and tube removal. I noticed Thursday that Lilly was not eating well again.

Well a lightbulb went off…. She’s constipated. She’s probably been struggling with constipation for a while. Although I have 3 cats …. She is mostly the only one that uses one litter box and I have definitely noticed her small dry poops in the past.

I now believe this is the true reason she had stopped eating…..

I’ve added a water fountain. The internist is off on the weekend so I restarted the Lactulose and have tube fed her 20-30 mls 2x a day. Also multiple times a day I tube fed 10 mls of water. Within 36 hours she pooped.

(I’ve also added 1/2 tsp of pumpkin to her food)

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Hoping she has started eating better since she pooped. Let us know how her appointments goes.