5/2 Silver - Home - Still wont eat

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Juliet

Member Since 2017
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/5-1-silver-still-in-hospital-vet-dosing-question.194959/

Update from vet:

His BG this am was 5.3mmol/l
Potassium is improving on IV as is sodium.
His serum “milky” which is lipid. That will be a reflection of ketones. He still has them in the urine.
Just cannot get him to eat. I have sardines in with him last night.
He is on clavasepin antibiotic twice daily.
He is on cerenia once daily and we are trying to feed him forcefully but that just “pisses” him of more.
I fed him with a “tube yesterday a couple times.
I am going to give him 3.75 mg mirtazapine to help appetite for 72 hrs.
I will do another panel later this afternoon to see what electrolytes are

I think this is encouraging. Definitely that the BG is green. I wish he would eat though. Will head up there after work.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
That blasted kitty anorexia! It can start for one reason and become a self perpetuating beast. I hope the mirt helps.
Click to expand...
Well I gave him some on Sunday and it didn't help at all. He's probably really pisses off with all the manhandling. It's the only thing we need to allow him to come home. I'm hoping vet allows me to see him when I meet with him later.
 
If the vet would tell you if the ketones are improving, that would be good information to know.

Hopefully you can see him tonight - a lot of times a kitty who isn't eating while at a vet will eat for his CG.
 
Amy&TrixieCat said:
If the vet would tell you if the ketones are improving, that would be good information to know.

Hopefully you can see him tonight - a lot of times a kitty who isn't eating while at a vet will eat for his CG.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll ask de the ketones. I hope he's checking blood as well as urine. Anything else I should be asking?
 
Juliet said:
Thanks. I'll ask de the ketones. I hope he's checking blood as well as urine. Anything else I should be asking?
Click to expand...
Maybe these things have already been covered, but I would want to know his attitude and hydration status.

Also, what else is being done to stimulate appetite/control possible nausea? Ondansetron (my new BFF since Floyd's illness)? Cyproheptadine if mirtazapine doesn't work? Offering a variety of foods (I see sardines, but what else)? Warming the food slightly? Having a tech sit and pet him? This, of course, depends on his temperament, but often animals will sit with food and show no interest until you pet them.
 
Janine & Floyd said:
Maybe these things have already been covered, but I would want to know his attitude and hydration status.

Also, what else is being done to stimulate appetite/control possible nausea? Ondansetron (my new BFF since Floyd's illness)? Cyproheptadine if mirtazapine doesn't work? Offering a variety of foods (I see sardines, but what else)? Warming the food slightly? Having a tech sit and pet him? This, of course, depends on his temperament, but often animals will sit with food and show no interest until you pet them.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping I can see him and see if he'll eat for me. He's getting Cerenia. I didn't find mirtazapine worked when I used it.
 
I have a civvie who won't eat unless you pet her.

Anyways, some cats just won't eat while in hospital, but once home they do. I know he needs to eating before you bring him home.

When you visit, will they let you be in a quiet empty exam room and if you bring his regular food maybe sitting with him on the floor he might eat.
 
Love-Paula aka Woodsywife said:
I have a civvie who won't eat unless you pet her.

Anyways, some cats just won't eat while in hospital, but once home they do. I know he needs to eating before you bring him home.

When you visit, will they let you be in a quiet empty exam room and if you bring his regular food maybe sitting with him on the floor he might eat.
Click to expand...
Well I have to go the vet straight from work as timing is tight. They close at 7. I'll barely get there before 6:30. Not enough time to go home first.
 
Love-Paula aka Woodsywife said:
I have a civvie who won't eat unless you pet her.

Anyways, some cats just won't eat while in hospital, but once home they do. I know he needs to eating before you bring him home.

When you visit, will they let you be in a quiet empty exam room and if you bring his regular food maybe sitting with him on the floor he might eat.
Click to expand...
Floyd was like that this weekend when he was sick. The food was right in front of him, and he would ignore it until I started petting him. Then he'd look over suddenly like "Oh look! Someone just put food there!" and start eating.

I have sent home patients that were not eating. When all other parameters are acceptable (hydration status, labs, etc), and with certain owners, I will send them home if I think they'll likely start eating at home. With the caveat that we are just doing a test, if it doesn't work, they should come back.

Hopefully, Silver will respond to Juliet when she visits. Sending many vines!!
 
All sounds promising, seems like there is some progress.

I hope he starts eating when he sees you. George hasn't been feeling well and petting him and raising his bowl while sitting patiently with him encouraged him to have a few bites.
Sending many vines.
 
Sardines eeew just makes me shutter. I had freeze dried minnows someone sent. Not one of mine would touch them. I didn't like little fishies with eyes just plain creepy. Threw them right out.
 
Update

Vet just called. Silver is still not eating. He still has ketones in his urine but has not tested on a ketone meter so no reading. He is letting me take him home tonight. Obviously I am concerned. What if I can't get him to eat? Clearly the vet had been giving him insulin even with no food inside him. Am I safe to do that? If I don't give insulin and he isn't eating then we are right back where we were.

Potassium levels are now good and BG was in normal range. Do I keep sane dose vet was giving? A little scared but glad I'm getting him home.
 
Phoebe went 5 days without eating. As soon as I brought home from vet within an hour she ate some treats. Good ol temptations. Then started back slowly with ff. But had to put it on my finger to let her lick it off. It was penance for leaving her at vets. Big hugs. So glad there is improvement. One step at a time. One breath at a time.
 
Sending good appy prayers to Silver :bighug: When mine are not eating I offer Gerbers baby food meat on my fingers ... if that doesn’t work I slowly syringe a small blob in their mouth . That usually gets them going . I also keep Science Diet a/d on hand , hand feeding first then small amounts from syringe . Prayers prayers prayers to Silver and you :bighug: He will do better once home with his momma and familiar surroundings :bighug::bighug:
 
Juliet said:
A little scared but glad I'm getting him home.
Click to expand...

Not surprised you feel that way. I think you will be picking him up soon ? Tiz 9.40am here so around 5.40pm there.

Are you going to try him on the chicken you sometimes get ? I expect you have some of the temptation treats .
Any old thing will do Juliet. Silver just needs to remember that seeing the food and then eating is his pleasure . Not something associated with being sick or in the dragons lair.

Honestly, what a rotten time eh?

You are doing great by the way. It is so hard to hold up when things are like this. Your vet sounds really good. Is that with the DCIN people . I don't really know how it works.
 
PussCatPrince said:
Not surprised you feel that way. I think you will be picking him up soon ? Tiz 9.40am here so around 5.40pm there.

Are you going to try him on the chicken you sometimes get ? I expect you have some of the temptation treats .
Any old thing will do Juliet. Silver just needs to remember that seeing the food and then eating is his pleasure . Not something associated with being sick or in the dragons lair.

Honestly, what a rotten time eh?

You are doing great by the way. It is so hard to hold up when things are like this. Your vet sounds really good. Is that with the DCIN people . I don't really know how it works.
Click to expand...
I'm in an Uber heading to get him now.

It's my vet but I then put them in touch with DCIN who approve the treatment first. Which is good as they won't approve anything that's not good. Eg no Metacam or Convenia.

Just want to cuddle my boy.
 
Juliet said:
Thanks. I really hope so. The poor boy has been prodded and poked and force fed for three days so I'm going to give him lots of tlc tonight.
Click to expand...

As you know Ty was in hospital for several days. One of the reasons given when it was time for Ty to come home to his own place was that animals can feel 'hospitalitis' . Yup that was the word our vet used. Just like us, too long in a hospital environment can lead to a feeling of ennui . Silver needs to be home with you and Sasha now.

I do hope he will eat a little something or anything for you, even if it is your own food covered finger. :bighug: Slow steps Juliet.


edit... Just seen the reply Juliet.

Yes. Squish him to you in an unseemly way & smother him with big kisses and love.
 
PussCatPrince said:
You there yet?
I am excited for you to bring Silver home.
Click to expand...


Okay Silver is home. I am pleased with both his ketone levels and BG as they are much lower than the vet said. Obviously I am using ketone blood meter and he was using strips in urine. I am also on the Freestyle which is likely lower than his meter. So, ketones - 4; BG 164 so I reduced his dose back to the 5.25 it had been before he went to the vet as he has had no insulin since last night given his green preshot this morning. I did decide to dose as clearly the vet has been giving insulin the last few days when he hasnt eaten and with ketones still being present I don't want to land him back in hospital. @Jill & Alex (GA) did I do right in your opinion?

Potassium levels went down again so I have been sent home with the following:

1 bag of fluids with added potassium to give 100ml a day x 10 days
14 days worth of Clavasepin (I know that's spelt wrong) - antibiotic)
Only 2 Cerenia tablets to give 1/2 over next four days (he wouldn't give me anymore)

Silver - as soon as I got him home he purred and purred - but would NOT eat. He is very very wobbly on his feet (he wasnt when he was admitted) - but still managed to go down the stairs on his own and improvise his way onto my bed - where here he is giving me his opinion of the last three days:

I have tried fish, baby food, temptations, Royal Canin Recovery - he won't eat. That is my biggest worry.

Vet suggested putting in a tube that would stay there til he removed it and I would feed at home that way - but I said not for right now. Let's see what tomorrow brings and let him settle at home first. He has only been home a half hour. His sister does not like the smell of him so I hope she doesn't bother him once I have gone to bed. His need to hide also worries me. Please please don't let this be the beginning of the end for my boy.

I'll stay up with him for the next three hours but I think trying to force him to eat isnt going to give us a good evening. Ideas anyone? I am exhausted and I don't know what the morning will bring. I need to get up and go to work. I will get up early (ie 5am instead of 5:30am) so I have that extra half hour for coaxing food. I wont have time or awakeness to give him the fluids so that will have to happen when I get home.

Silver hiding.jpg
 
Try to relax this evening.

Re "installed" feeding tube: it sounds daunting and scary but the reality is much less frightening. I've done this with a kitty decades ago and it took time but it got her eating on her own again. If it comes up again when you talk to your vet you can post here for info.
 
Did you ever get any of the Hills a/d?

Have you tried warming the food up a little bit in the microwave? Warming it releases aroma that may help encourage him to eat.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Try to relax this evening.

Re "installed" feeding tube: it sounds daunting and scary but the reality is much less frightening. I've done this with a kitty decades ago and it took time but it got her eating on her own again. If it comes up again when you talk to your vet you can post here for info.
Click to expand...
Well I am really hoping its a last resort. He was purring so hard while he ate those Temptations. Little chirping noises of happiness he has never made before.
 
Juliet said:
Well I am really hoping its a last resort. He was purring so hard while he ate those Temptations. Little chirping noises of happiness he has never made before.
Click to expand...

So happy that he ate for you :) Hoping it continues!
 
Juliet said:
Good old Temptations! I tried again after leaving him under his blanket for a bit - and he ate at least 30 pieces. I don't care on high carb right now just so relieved I am in tears.
Click to expand...
That's ok, sometimes it just takes a kick start...get food in their belly, which makes them feel better, and that gets the appy going. Hoping he settles in, he's had a rough couple of days. Just keep doing what you're doing, and give him extra love, that works wonders too :bighug:
 
Christie & Maverick said:
That's ok, sometimes it just takes a kick start...get food in their belly, which makes them feel better, and that gets the appy going. Hoping he settles in, he's had a rough couple of days. Just keep doing what you're doing, and give him extra love, that works wonders too :bighug:
Click to expand...
Working on it - right now he is letting me know he wants to be left alone so he is under my blanket on my bed. Will try some more Temptations later - he gave up after a couple handfuls but its better than nothing. Thought fish would tempt him - he normally loves it.
 
It is great he ate the Temptations - food is food right now. Unfortunately they can develop food aversions when they've been sick, so things they once loved they may be afraid to eat. Hopefully, though, the Temptations will kick start his memory that eating is a good thing.
 
Love the pic of just the tail. So expressive isn't it . Tells you right and proper what he thought and felt about the last 3 days.

Good to read that he was happy to eat the treats. I expect he just wants to chill for a bit and feel comfy & loved.

Hopefully he will soon feel safe and be thinking about his tum.
 
PussCatPrince said:
Love the pic of just the tail. So expressive isn't it . Tells you right and proper what he thought and felt about the last 3 days.

Good to read that he was happy to eat the treats. I expect he just wants to chill for a bit and feel comfy & loved.

Hopefully he will soon feel safe and be thinking about his tum.
Click to expand...
I so hope so. I hope Sasha leaves him alone - she is curious and smelling the vet on him and I don't want her hissing and spitting at him when I am at work tomorrow. Hope they can play nice. He is so frail right now and won't fight back. Its usually him that starts the battles with her.
 
carfurby said:
I'm glad Silver is home with you and ate some Temptations. He has been through a lot. It's no wonder he wants to hide. Hopefully he'll feel more comfortable soon now that he is home and eat more for you. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
Thanks. I will have to base dosing decisions based on preshot until the weekend when I can do a curve.
 
carfurby said:
I'm glad Silver is home with you and ate some Temptations. He has been through a lot. It's no wonder he wants to hide. Hopefully he'll feel more comfortable soon now that he is home and eat more for you. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...

Don'tcha just want to be there and give them both a hug for real.

I'd bring J a plate of dinner & pud and lots of anything possibly tempting for Silver and Sasha.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top