Pancreatitis Recovery Issues With Vomiting/eating?

[foxxycat]

yes that's fine-it will be fine-takes about a minute or two so if you can keep her distracted from eating for the next 15 minutes after giving the bupre it will work better then it is absorbed into the tissues better.

Good luck at the vet! Maybe try a different antinausea med= Zofran is one. They can do injection of Cerenia=that works for 24 to 48 hours. they can send you home with premade up injections if you feel comfortable enough to do it.

keep us posted!!

 

[BijouBlackCat]

Bijou got in for a last-minute vet appointment yesterday afternoon. She got another abdominal palpation (nothing abnormal), sub-Q fluids, prednisolone shot, and a prescription for metronidazole to treat her diarrhea. We also picked up some Hill I/D in order to continue syringe feeding her.

She seems a bit perkier today (e.g., eating more on her own, chirping and meowing, greeting me at the door) which I think is the steroid shot doing its magic! She is still in "limbo", I realize she is not really cured at this point. The Bijou Saga continues...

 

[cat nap]

I really hope that the prednisolone does increase her appetite and lessen her pain, so that she can go back to feeling like she did before this all started.
So great to hear that Bijou is chirping and meowing at you, and greeting you at the door.
I think that her reactions speak volumes. (unless of course, she's complaining to you, which my cats sometimes will do, if food is not ready at a fast enough time.)
Continued good wishes, for you and Bijou.

 

[BijouBlackCat]

Well, I guess I'm the opposite of what a fair-weather friend would be! Only coming around when I'm feeling nervous or down in the dumps about Bijou.

Anyway, for a general update: It's been almost 2 weeks since her steroid shot that seemed to help her so much in terms of returning her appetite and energy levels. Today it especially seems to have "worn off" almost entirely, as she has been eating a bit less and today has small amounts of vomited clear/foamy fluid 3x.

In terms of her quality of life, ever since the beginning of this pancreatitis journey a month ago she has remained relatively low energy and no longer plays or frolics. She does have some happy, relaxed moments/hours and the first few days immediately after the steroid shot were especially positive for her (e.g., jumping around, rolling over to get belly pets). However, overall it seems to be a big "meh" or "blah" most of the time. A big issue is that in about a month I will be moving across the US for a year-long internship for my graduate degree (we had planned for Bijou to stay here with my boyfriend) -- the move itself will take about a week, and then my boyfriend has an out-of-town conference immediately after. We would both be gone ~3 weeks total. I don't want to board/hospitalize her. We have a friend who has experience taking care of sick cats, but that option makes me nervous too, just because of the long duration and my fear that she will die while we are gone.

What are y'alls opinion on our situation? In terms of trying to managing disease symptoms (not too well apparently), the upcoming move, her current low-mediocre quality of life, I feel guilty to tell you all that I am thinking about putting her to sleep as a more realistic option. Heartbroken. Please be honest, what would you do in this situation?

 

[BijouBlackCat]

I am trying to think of her situation in terms of "good days" and "bad days" -- How good is a "good day"? Is "blah", kinda lethargic, eating a little, not playing mean just a neutral day? For sure her "bad days" are when she has had no appetite and vomited multiple times a day. I feel so unsure of myself and this process.

 

[babiesmom5]

I understand your difficult dilemma with your upcoming move. Right now Bijou is not stable. She has been your faithful little friend for many years and I think you owe it to her to find out whether she can be stabilized, and hopefully return to a good quality of life, or whether she cannot. If you are at all financially able to do so, I would get the ultrasound as your Vet recommended. This will tell you better what you are dealing with, how extensive the intestinal inflammation is, the likelihood of whether you are looking at IBD or the possibility of cancer. The quote of $500 sounds a bit much. Usually it is in the $300-400 range. I just had one done on a cat at a top Veterinary facility and it was $400. Then I would take the ultrasound results to an Internal Medicine specialist (preferable), or back to your original Vet, for a thorough evaluation to see where Bijou stands. It is very possible that Bijou, with a proper treatment plan, can be stabilized and see significant improvement. But you won't know that unless you give Bijou a chance.

You have a month prior to leaving. I would use this time to try to find out more information so that you can make a more informed decision regarding Bijou's future. That way you won't be forever "second guessing" yourself.

 

[BijouBlackCat]

I understand your difficult dilemma with your upcoming move. Right now Bijou is not stable. She has been your faithful little friend for many years and I think you owe it to her to find out whether she can be stabilized, and hopefully return to a good quality of life, or whether she cannot. If you are at all financially able to do so, I would get the ultrasound as your Vet recommended. This will tell you better what you are dealing with, how extensive the intestinal inflammation is, the likelihood of whether you are looking at IBD or the possibility of cancer. The quote of $500 sounds a bit much. Usually it is in the $300-400 range. I just had one done on a cat at a top Veterinary facility and it was $400. Then I would take the ultrasound results to an Internal Medicine specialist (preferable), or back to your original Vet, for a thorough evaluation to see where Bijou stands. It is very possible that Bijou, with a proper treatment plan, can be stabilized and see significant improvement. But you won't know that unless you give Bijou a chance.

You have a month prior to leaving. I would use this time to try to find out more information so that you can make a more informed decision regarding Bijou's future. That way you won't be forever "second guessing" yourself.

Thank you for your honesty. My boyfriend and I could put together the money for the ultrasound, but I am more concerned about the next step -- if it is IBD or cancer or something requiring surgery, then what? How to continue to pay for more procedures that may ultimately undercut her quality of life (e.g., recovery time, pain, etc.)?

I hope I am not sounding disrespectful or contrarian, I am so grateful for your post. This is just where my head is at right now and it's a dark place. Thank you for your wisdom and advice.

 

[maggiedemi]

Is she eating any dry food when she vomits? Just wondering, because I've had a lot of problems with different dry foods with my cats. Have you ever tried just wet food for a couple days to see what happens?

 

[BijouBlackCat]

Is she eating any dry food when she vomits? Just wondering, because I've had a lot of problems with different dry foods with my cats. Have you ever tried just wet food for a couple days to see what happens?

We have been transitioning her from exclusively dry food for years to wet food (Purina ProPlan True Nature) over the past month since her pancreatitis diagnosis. She currently is served the wet food "topped" with a few dry kibble pieces to entice her, plus powdered FortiFlora (probiotic).

 

[maggiedemi]

Is the wet food making a difference at all in the vomiting? What brand of kibble do you use?

 

[babiesmom5]

I would go for the Ultrasound and think positive. If it is IBD, the Vet can then at least prescribe a steroid/ and or other medications. You will then have time to see how Bijou responds.

Take one step at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself.

 

[cat nap]

BijouBlackCat ...What did your actual Vet say about the treatment of chronic pancreatitis?
If the steroid injection did work, then could the Vet not prescribe prednisolone, or another steroid, in tablet form, or transdermal gel, so that Bijou could be treated for a longer period of time.

I would pay your friend, that knows how to look after sick cats, for the 3 weeks, that you both are not able to,...since even if she deteriorated or your friend would have to call in the Vet, or take her in, ...you would still know that you did everything possible for her. But I would want Bijou on daily medications to be able to improve.

For me, I couldn't put her to sleep, not until I gave it minimum of three to six months of trying to get her well.
(My own mistakes and regrets, with my previous cats, weigh on my mind here.)

 

[foxxycat]

Are they having you give pepcid AC or cerenia still? The vomiting could be either a food allergy or part of the medical issues. I would ask about treating for nausea: cerenia and pepcid AC. Try this for two weeks to see if it helps with vomiting.

Sometimes it takes a month to get through pancreatic issues. Also too many food changes can also cause vomiting.

Try to feed a food with no corn meal in it. Fancy feast wet pate food turkey and giblets was one of thr ones my angel Floey ate in her later years when she struggle with pancreatitis.

I can understand why you are considering .... I don't think it's time. What current medication is being given?

You can also ask about sub fluids treatment at home. This helps keep hydrated and is one of the treatment for pancreatic issues.

 

[BijouBlackCat]

Are they having you give pepcid AC or cerenia still? The vomiting could be either a food allergy or part of the medical issues. I would ask about treating for nausea: cerenia and pepcid AC. Try this for two weeks to see if it helps with vomiting.

Sometimes it takes a month to get through pancreatic issues. Also too many food changes can also cause vomiting.

Try to feed a food with no corn meal in it. Fancy feast wet pate food turkey and giblets was one of thr ones my angel Floey ate in her later years when she struggle with pancreatitis.

I can understand why you are considering .... I don't think it's time. What current medication is being given?

You can also ask about sub fluids treatment at home. This helps keep hydrated and is one of the treatment for pancreatic issues.

Yes, she has been on daily Cerenia and Pepcid AC for 3 weeks now (and Mirtazapine every other day). My boyfriend and I were out of town for 1.5 days (past Sunday and Monday), so I'm wondering if the friend we had looking after her maybe wasn't so successful in fully dosing Bijou as needed, and that this triggered her vomit badly yesterday...

Luckily, she has not vomited at all today (yet), has eaten some wet food, and was a little chirpy at me. Now she is sleeping deeply with little whisker and paw twitches.

I am leaning more towards the ultrasound thanks to all of your encouragement. My vet is out of town this week but I will call next Monday to talk to her about what it entails and what our next steps are.

Thank you again for all the advice and support.

 

[babiesmom5]

You are on the right track. I would get the earliest ultrasound you can schedule. That should be revealing...to both you and the Vet. Then go from there.

 

[BijouBlackCat]

Alright, she is all scheduled for the ultrasound on Monday... feeling nervous and sad about her going through that stress. She will be mildly sedated.

I realized that I had not mentioned in this whole thread that two years ago she developed a lump on her ear that turned out to be a mast cell tumor. It was surgically removed, but the surgeon said they could not get "clean margins". I am just now wondering if maybe she has developed internal mast cell tumors that are causing her problems. Here's hoping the ultrasound is illuminating and helpful!

 

[cat nap]

Hoping that you get good answers on Monday. And that there are not any tumours.
Does the Vet still think it okay to continue with the steroid?

 

[babiesmom5]

That's great you got an Ultrasound scheduled for Monday! I really wouldn't be too nervous or sad about it. I've had GI ultrasounds done on 5 cats now. Three of them have required it multiple times. None of them have been sedated. They really don't mind it. You have the Vet doing the procedure and an assistant holding the cat in position. I stand at the cat's head where they can see me, I stroke their head and talk gently to them. I'd say the part they don't like is when they have to shave the GI area; they don't like the noise of the shaver, but it is done lickety fast. Even with my two high anxiety kitties, they didn't mind it; in fact with one, the Sonographer said she was the best cat he ever did! So if Bijou is receiving mild sedation, it should be no sweat. Just remember, this is the first step toward getting Bijou better!

As for Mast Cell Tumors, I am very familiar with them. I had a cat who got them regularly around the face, head and neck area. Each time they were surgically removed and no further problems ensued. I think since it has been two years ago, something would have shown up prior to this if the margins being unclear posed a problem. Nonetheless, I would definitely mention this to the Vet doing the Ultrasound.

I hope you are able to be present during the Ultrasound. It is interesting to follow along with the Sonographer as he points out the various organs and what he is seeing. It really helps you visually understand what is going on inside. Even if you can't be there, be sure to thoroughly question the Sonographer afterwards as to his impressions; how he compares what he sees in Bijou with what he sees in other cats presenting with the same symptoms. Pick his brain...that's what you are paying him for. And also, get a copy of the Ultrasound report. I'm sure a copy will be sent to your Vet as well.

Here's wishing you and Bijou all the best on Monday...am thinking positive!

 

[darkhorse321]

Wishing you all the best for the ultrasound. I chose not to do this with my two, but my two were much older and I think, where they were at, it would not have changed their outcome.

I did keep both kitties on prednisone--Bandit 2x daily and Skye 1x daily. That did tire them out over time, but it did help their condition stay managed. I feel what you are going through---pancreatitis is a symptom of something else going on, so the ultrasound is the best option. Hugs!!!

 

[foxxycat]

So glad that they will be doing the ultrasound. my girls had no issues with it. They never were sedated but it's an option if needed. I've been there for one of them but the others they didn't let me come back. Now I always ask to be present and if they don't let me then I go elsewhere.

One of the newer vets has just purchased an ultrasound machine so I will be transferring to them this year. The regular vet is very expensive. More so in the past three years.

I hope they can help give you some answers to what is going on.