Peeka 10/5 pancreatitis diagnosis

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Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)

Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)

Member Since 2020
Not sure what’s going on with her. Last night she had very runny stool before bed. Didn’t think much of it, then she came into our room and had more runny stool. At some point again during the night she used her litter thankfully, which was more of the same. This morning she isn’t eating, not licking lips when refusing food, but not eating. Trying to take the day off to take her to the vet. Will keep you all posted.
 
So sorry to hear Peeka's tum is upset again. Tip: If Peeka goes to the food and sniffs it but turns away then that, too, may be a sign she's feeling queasy. The lip smacking is only one of the behaviours that may indicate nausea:

Nausea symptom checklist

Hope you can get the time off, Peter. Fingers and paws crossed the vet will be able to get to the root of the problem and recommend a treatment to make Peeka feel better and get her eating again quickly.

Will look out for updates from you later.

(((Peeka)))


Mogs
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Anything is possible. Diabetes seems to bring out underlying issues or exasperate ongoing issues. I'm confident your Vet will figure this out. I too hope its nothing serious (as it very well could be) ;)


Holding Peeka close in prayers.:bighug:
 
Sorry to hear about the pancreatitis Dx, Peter. :(

(((Peeka)))

Thankfully Peeka is getting the help she needs at the vets. It's great that you were able to get her in today. They will probably give her fluids, pain relief (usually buprenorphine) and anti-nausea meds to help her eat more comfortably.

I also recommend that you ask them about starting Peeka on a course of vitamin B12 injections, as they can really help (probably B12 cyanocobalamin so you'll still need to give her the B12 methylcobalamin for her neuropathy when she gets home.)

Here's a very helpful document about pancreatitis and how it is treated:

IDEXX Feline Pancreatitis Treatment Guidelines

It should give you a good steer on what to ask the vets about. Please make sure that the vets give you plenty of anti-nausea, appetite stimulant and pain relief meds to use at home after Peeka is discharged. It can take a little time for a flare to subside.


Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
They are also wanting to give Peeka her insulin tonight when they keep her. Is this a good idea as she is working her way out of pancreatitis?
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Absolutely yes, Peter. She needs it. It's perfectly normal protocol.

Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
Dr. Elseys has a high fat content, do we need to switch Peeka?
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Not necessarily. The fat content of the diet typically isn't a big issue with feline pancreatitis the way it is for dogs with the condition. Depends on the cat, of course, but according to my vet most cats don't need to be switched to a lower fat diet. I suggest asking your vets for specific guidance for Peeka.

Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
I feel like I keep messing up with Peeka and her diabetes, like I’m doing more harm than good right now
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Nothing could be further from the truth, Peter. It is not at all uncommon for cats with diabetes to also have problems with pancreatitis. The pancreatitis primer is in the FAQ section precisely because pancreatitis and diabetes frequently travel together. It is ABSOLUTELY NOT due to anything you have done or not done. You're a great cat dad, and Peeka is blessed to have you and Mrs. Peter to love and care for her.:bighug:

Fingers and paws crossed that this is just a transient, acute flare, and that Peeka will be feeling much better very soon.

(((Peeka)))


Mogs
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Appreciate the vote of confidence Mogs. Just feels like it’s one thing after the next, but I will just chalk it up to our diabetes journey. I will make sure to ask for those extra meds. Would I continue giving her Zobaline in addition to B12 cyanocobalamin, or instead of for her nueropathy? I think I had read somewhere in the link Jeanne sent to me that the Zobaline is canceled out with the probiotics that are given for pancreatitis?

scratch that, just reread your message. I will ask for the injections as well. We may just end up switching to fancy feast anyways and see if it may help. I never realized how lucky we were with Boo in getting him regulated. Peeka sure is requiring a lot of work!
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Peter I hope Peeks starts to feel better very soon. Just get that out of your head
about having done something wrong. You are such a dedicated Dad.
You got her to the vet and caught it early. She will be OK Peter
:bighug::cat:
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Thank you Diane, it’s strange for us because I know the warning signs in dogs, and other than the now obvious vomiting and diarrhea, I never would have thought about pancreatitis. Normally with our dog is stomach will harden, and Peeka has been pretty soft. Thank you again though for your words, that’s why I have you all, to help lift me up cause a lot of you are familiar with our current troubles.
 
Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
Thank you Diane, it’s strange for us because I know the warning signs in dogs, and other than the now obvious vomiting and diarrhea, I never would have thought about pancreatitis. Normally with our dog is stomach will harden, and Peeka has been pretty soft. Thank you again though for your words, that’s why I have you all, to help lift me up cause a lot of you are familiar with our current troubles.
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:bighug: lifting you up:bighug:
 
Critter Mom said:
A thought:

I suggest that you ask the vets for copies of Peeka's lab test results for your own records. I also recommend you ask them for her insulin dose and BG reading details for the period of her stay with them so you can add the info to your spreadsheet.


Mogs
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Great thinking! Numbers will be elevated I’m sure, but good data nonetheless.
 
Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
Thank you Diane, it’s strange for us because I know the warning signs in dogs, and other than the now obvious vomiting and diarrhea, I never would have thought about pancreatitis. Normally with our dog is stomach will harden, and Peeka has been pretty soft. Thank you again though for your words, that’s why I have you all, to help lift me up cause a lot of you are familiar with our current troubles.
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Peter if only they could talk.
Don't beat yourself up about not think pancreatitis.
Before Tyler got diagnosed I did notice he was eating and drinking more, but he always ate a lot, he's a garbage disposal lol.
So I thought nothing of it
Then my daughter said to me that he looks like he was walking funny
Then he looked like he lost some weight which he could afford to
He was 23 lbs before diagnosis.
Took him to my vet and she saw how he was walking and her first words was diabetes
He weighed in at 18 lbs. He's up to 19 again!
So don't feel bad about it
Keep us updated :bighug::cat:
 
Somewhere deep down, baby Boo does too.
 

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Glad to hear Peeka's coming home. :)

Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
I’m going to ask for anti nausea also.
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* Anti-nausea med(s)
* Appetite stimulant
* PAIN RELIEF!!! (usually buprenorphine)

Did they say they started her on the course of B12 cyanocobalamin injections? If not, I suggest you talk to your vet about this. (The B12 course is recommended by both IDEXX and Texas A&M University for cats with digestive system disorders.)

I suggest explaining to the vets that you work a very busy pattern of shifts which makes getting in to the vet's office tricky, and it would help you greatly to have an adequate supply of the meds Peeka needs at home so you can promptly address any appetite/nausea problems that arise - doubly important because you need to make sure Peeka can get her insulin OK.

Let us know how you get on.

(((Peeka)))


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
Glad to hear Peeka's coming home. :)


* Anti-nausea med(s)
* Appetite stimulant
* PAIN RELIEF!!! (usually buprenorphine)

Did they say they started her on the course of B12 cyanocobalamin injections? If not, I suggest you talk to your vet about this. (The B12 course is recommended by both IDEXX and Texas A&M University for cats with digestive system disorders.)

I suggest explaining to the vets that you work a very busy pattern of shifts which makes getting in to the vet's office tricky, and it would help you greatly to have an adequate supply of the meds Peeka needs at home so you can promptly address any appetite/nausea problems that arise - doubly important because you need to make sure Peeka can get her insulin OK.

Let us know how you get on.

(((Peeka)))


Mogs
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Will do, thanks Mogs. Just got off the phone with the vet. We are getting sent some anti nausea and some appetite stimulant. He did agree for a bottle of b12 cyanocobalamin. Apparently that is just a once a month injection? Not sure if more experienced people here have any objections to that, would love some feedback.

Overall, fairly pleased with this vet. He isn't our normal vet, but he does seem to have a good grasp on things, and a lot of what you all have mentioned here he has started the processes for.
 
Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
He did agree for a bottle of b12 cyanocobalamin. Apparently that is just a once a month injection? Not sure if more experienced people here have any objections to that, would love some feedback.
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Here is the B12 cyanocobalamin dosing protocol from TAMU's website:

For parenteral cobalamin supplementation:

Protocol: weekly injections for 6 weeks, then one dose a month later, and retesting one month after the last dose.

For either oral or parenteral supplementation, if the underlying disease process has resolved and cobalamin body stores have been replenished, serum cobalamin concentration should be supranormal at the time of reevaluation. However, if serum cobalamin concentration is within the normal range, treatment should be continued at least monthly (for parenteral supplementation) and the owner should be forewarned that clinical signs may recur sometime in the future. Finally, if the serum cobalamin concentration at the time of reevaluation is subnormal, further work-up is required to definitively diagnose the underlying disease process and cobalamin supplementation should be continued weekly or bi-weekly (for parenteral supplementation) or daily (for oral supplementation).

Dose: SC injection of 250 µg per injection in cats

[Emphasis mine]​

I suggest discussing the above with your vet (maybe ask them about the TAMU information?). Any time Saoirse had a course, the vet gave her one injection per week for 6 weeks.

Also from the TAMU website page:

Cobalamin may also have a pharmacologic effect as an appetite stimulant. Anorectic feline patients with cobalamin deficiency often start to eat again once they are being supplemented and appetite wanes once again when cobalamin is no longer administered weekly, despite a normal serum cobalamin concentration. In these patients cobalamin supplementation should be continued on a weekly or biweekly dosing schedule when given parenterally and daily or every other day when given orally.


Finally, it is important to note that since cobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin, excess cobalamin is excreted through the kidneys and clinical disease due to over-supplementation should not occur and has never been described in any species.
​


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
I suggest discussing the above with your vet (maybe ask them about the TAMU information?). Any time Saoirse had a course, the vet gave her one injection per week for 6 weeks.
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Appreciate it, sounds about what this vet was saying. I think I'll pick that one up here next month since she just had a shot, and the cost for pancreatitis is a pretty penny. Just glad my sweet girl will be home soon, it was a little too quiet in the house last night without her.
 
Peter (Peeka&Boo) said:
He did agree for a bottle of b12 cyanocobalamin.
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Forgive me for revisiting this, Peter, but I have a stinking cold and my head is quite woolly today. I just want to better understand the lowdown on the B12 injections.

In your comment above, I took your meaning to be that the vet was prescribing a bottle of B12 for you to give injections at home. Is this correct, or did I get the wrong end of the stick altogether?


Mogs
.
 
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