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Basic's Mom

Basic's Mom

Member Since 2023
At basics appt. I sent her the link for the SLGS. She didn't seem happy. I asked several times about the type of pancreatitis test she was using. She said fpl. I explained I wanted the kind that needs sent out, the spec. She said this is new. Results immediately. Shows normal. What isn't normal is his belly ribbon. Was .6 or .09 and is now 2.2. Ketones are at a trace level now. He is receiving fluids, antibiotics, and antinausea. They want to keep him. I don't know what to do. His SS is up to date.
 
Sybil said:
At basics appt. I sent her the link for the SLGS. She didn't seem happy. I asked several times about the type of pancreatitis test she was using. She said fpl. I explained I wanted the kind that needs sent out, the spec. She said this is new. Results immediately. Shows normal. What isn't normal is his belly ribbon. Was .6 or .09 and is now 2.2. Ketones are at a trace level now. He is receiving fluids, antibiotics, and antinausea. They want to keep him. I don't know what to do. His SS is up to date.
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@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
@tiffmaxee
 
She did the SNAP test which is not sent out and is not new. It just gives positive or negative results. You want it sen to the lab because that test is not only more accurate but also gives you a number. That’s important if on the gray zone as to whether or not Basic has pancreatitis. It’s the Spec fPL test.
 
Sybil said:
At basics appt. I sent her the link for the SLGS. She didn't seem happy. I asked several times about the type of pancreatitis test she was using. She said fpl. I explained I wanted the kind that needs sent out, the spec. She said this is new. Results immediately. Shows normal. What isn't normal is his belly ribbon. Was .6 or .09 and is now 2.2. Ketones are at a trace level now. He is receiving fluids, antibiotics, and antinausea. They want to keep him. I don't know what to do. His SS is up to date.
Click to expand...

tiffmaxee said:
She did the SNAP test which is not sent out and is not new. It just gives positive or negative results. You want it sen to the lab because that test is not only more accurate but also gives you a number. That’s important if on the gray zone as to whether or not Basic has pancreatitis. It’s the Spec fPL test.
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Yeah, I told her spec test. She said she does have numbers, not just normal or abnormal. Once I have all of his paperwork, I can post it for others to see.

I left him there because of what is going on with his liver, coupled with everything else. I am not doing okay and neither is he. He is just as over all of this as I am. 3 weeks have gone by, some numbers have improved. Others have worsened. He still isn't eating properly and we are both emotionally exhausted.
 
I just googled to see if there’s a new test I do not know about and there isn’t. She’s likely using other results which do not tell if pancreatitis in a cat such as lipase. .
 
tiffmaxee said:
I just googled to see if there’s a new test I do not know about and there isn’t. She’s likely using other results which do not tell if pancreatitis in a cat such as lipase. .
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His liver enzymes went from .6 or .9 at time of diagnosis or a day or 2 following to 2.2 today at testing. Said duct could be blocked. Could be a mass. Not sure.
 
I hope there isn’t a mass. Sending prayers. :bighug: Has an ultrasound been done by a board certified radiologist?
 
Sybil said:
Me too. No, the individual that does the xrays won't be in until Thursday.
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I'm picking up Base from the vet at 1. They are showing me how to administer the SubQ fluids. His sugar has basically stabilized, meaning it isn't skyrocketing anymore, even stressed at the vet. (It isn't always in the "good range," but it is no longer over 300. His bilirubin was .6 or .9 at initial diagnosis. Yesterday it was 2.2 (that is why he stayed) and it is now 3.2. I'm bringing him home because of how stressed he is. She said the subq fluids may interfere or make the libre no longer work. She told me to still give him his insulin. I am not giving him insulin without knowing his BG. She said the pricks can stress them or make them hate their injections, but I am not comfortable giving him a shot of insulin without having a BG reading. Am I being too paranoid? Also, the test she used to check for pancreatitis is called Vcheck fPL. It is quantitative. His levels were in the normal range. I will have all of his paperwork to enter the actual numbers when I return. His imagining will be done on Thursday. She hoping the fluid and antibiotics will help the issue at hand with the liver. We won't know until an image is done though. He will have to see a specialist if he needs further help with his liver. So, I won't have much updates until then. His sugar did dip last night to around 70, which was frightening to see. While I know that is normal, I've never seen his BG that low. Also, should I give him pain meds? She is leaving it up to me. I feel like he would truly benefit from them. He's been sick for over 3 weeks now. His liver being inflamed can't be comfortable. @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

TYIA
 
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Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Did she mention anything about jaundice? Usually, if bilirubin is off, it may be an indication of jaundice.
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She did mention it. I also included all the lab info that I have right now. I wasn't able to get all of it because she hasn't had a chance to thoroughly update his file. She will email me when she has. I sent her the link with the info. She did decrease his insulin by .5 ans wants me to keep it at .5 if he isn't eating right, which he isn't. I wanted to ask you all about your opinion on that. There are also really high levels of his things in his blood work but I am lost. I looked up what each abbreviation stood for, I order to input it into the correct spot on the SS, but I don't know what any of those high levels mean for me cat. She was much different with me today. I apologized for walking in and bombarding her. Wasn't my intention. I'm simply trying to do what is best for him. If I was seeing a feline diabetic specialist it would be different, but I'm not. I'll also updated my signature to include the new meds.

My cat refusing to eat has me terrified. He's lost 1lb in a week. I have all the stuff here to force feed him. The thought of that bothers me, but I don't have other options at this point. I'm hopeful that his imaging has some answer.

Thank you for your time. When you can, please let me know if I should do the 1 U or the .5. I'm sorry I didn't tell them to not adjust it. Wasn't thinking right at all yesterday.
 
tiffmaxee said:
She did the SNAP test which is not sent out and is not new. It just gives positive or negative results. You want it sen to the lab because that test is not only more accurate but also gives you a number. That’s important if on the gray zone as to whether or not Basic has pancreatitis. It’s the Spec fPL test.
Click to expand...
Wanted to update you on this so you know for future in case you see this come up again. He had a VCheck test. The Vcheck fPL is an in vitro diagnostic test kit for the quantitative measurement of feline pancreas-specific lipase concentration in feline serum and plasma with immediate results. I believe it requires specific machinary. His level was 2.9.
Thanks
 
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Sybil said:
Wanted to update you on this so you know for future in case you see this come up again. This pancreatitis test is called VCheck. It is quantitative and immediate results. I believe it requires specific machinary. His level was 2.9.
Thanks
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They also switched his injection time. He didn't get his insulin until 9am this morning. Wasn't sure if I should keep .5 and stick with 9 every 12 or go back to 6:30 at 1 U.
Thanks
 
You need to give the next insulin injection 12 hours after the last one. You can track back to the previous schedule by 1/4 hour each cycle OR 1/2 hour each day.
I would have reduced the dose to 0.75 unit not 0.5 unit, especially as there are ketones present.

Sybil said:
Wanted to update you on this so you know for future in case you see this come up again. He had a VCheck test. The Vcheck fPL is an in vitro diagnostic test kit for the quantitative measurement of feline pancreas-specific lipase concentration in feline serum and plasma with immediate results. I believe it requires specific machinary. His level was 2.9.
Thanks
Click to expand...
That sounds like the fPL test and 2.9 is a normal result.
How is he eating?
Do you have anti nausea meds to give?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
You need to give the next insulin injection 12 hours after the last one. You can track back to the previous schedule by 1/4 hour each cycle OR 1/2 hour each day.
I would have reduced the dose to 0.75 unit not 0.5 unit, especially as there are ketones present.


That sounds like the fPL test and 2.9 is a normal result.
How is he eating?
Do you have anti nausea meds to give?
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All his meds are in signature. Yes, he's on anti nausea and app stim. He still isn't eating right. I'm currently trying to figure out of I'm supposed to give him .5 U now or not. His vet switched his dosage to .5 because he isn't eating right. They didn't give him his insulin until 8:30am. He gets his 1 U at 6:30 typically. How much should I give him and when? BG is 152 currently. Labs are posted too. And it was his pancreatitis test. I was just letting the individual know that there is a test they can do in house that she doesn't call Spec, but it gives the ranges.

Thank you
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
You need to give the next insulin injection 12 hours after the last one. You can track back to the previous schedule by 1/4 hour each cycle OR 1/2 hour each day.
I would have reduced the dose to 0.75 unit not 0.5 unit, especially as there are ketones present.


That sounds like the fPL test and 2.9 is a normal result.
How is he eating?
Do you have anti nausea meds to give?
Click to expand...
Sorry. I didn't see the first response initially. I will do .75 U starting at 8:30pm and move back in 30 minute increments a day.

Thank you so much. Again, sorry I missed this info the first time.
 
Good news! I can’t get a fpl without sending to the lab. Just the SNAP at the vet so have send out. That is interesting. What do they call the test on your receipt?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
You need to give the next insulin injection 12 hours after the last one. You can track back to the previous schedule by 1/4 hour each cycle OR 1/2 hour each day.
I would have reduced the dose to 0.75 unit not 0.5 unit, especially as there are ketones present.


That sounds like the fPL test and 2.9 is a normal result.
How is he eating?
Do you have anti nausea meds to give?
Click to expand...
Basic is eating for the first since getting home today. Granted, it is canned tuna, but a win is a win and I'm taking it. Wild planet albacore tuna with no salt added. Posting in case this can help somebody else's cat.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Good news! I can’t get a fpl without sending to the lab. Just the SNAP at the vet so have send out. That is interesting. What do they call the test on your receipt?
Click to expand...
On the receipt it says VCheck FPL. The machine must print out a receipt type of piece of paper because there is a copy of his levels in my paperwork. You can google vcheck fpl and read up if you like.
 
I asked about this on the best list have found for information on pancreatitis. Groups io in case you are interested. I don’t gave time to go into detail now but this test is not new. It’s been used in other countries and available in the US for about a year. I’m not sure and question if it’s as accurate as the SpecfPL and if symptoms persist without a diagnosis I would want it run since it’s not invasive. When I have time I will tell you what I found out. It’s not used much in the US though which is why I’d get the test.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I asked about this on the best list have found for information on pancreatitis. Groups io in case you are interested. I don’t gave time to go into detail now but this test is not new. It’s been used in other countries and available in the US for about a year. I’m not sure and question if it’s as accurate as the SpecfPL and if symptoms persist without a diagnosis I would want it run since it’s not invasive. When I have time I will tell you what I found out. It’s not used much in the US though which is why I’d get the test.
Click to expand...

tiffmaxee said:
I asked about this on the best list have found for information on pancreatitis. Groups io in case you are interested. I don’t gave time to go into detail now but this test is not new. It’s been used in other countries and available in the US for about a year. I’m not sure and question if it’s as accurate as the SpecfPL and if symptoms persist without a diagnosis I would want it run since it’s not invasive. When I have time I will tell you what I found out. It’s not used much in the US though which is why I’d get the test.
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I'm not sure what any of that means.

I'm down about 5k and it isn't realistic at this point for me to take him to a other vet for another test. From all I've read and been told here the treatment is antinausea medications, pain medications (because it is a very painful condition) and sub Q fluids. He is receiving all of this.

If you want to elaborate when you have time, that would be helpful.
 
I understand. You are doing what is necessary for pancreatitis. What I said was if she doesn’t improve and you dint have a diagnosis I would get the test. Hopefully she will start to improve.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I understand. You are doing what is necessary for pancreatitis. What I said was if she doesn’t improve and you dint have a diagnosis I would get the test. Hopefully she will start to improve.
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When you have time to explain to me why the quantitative test he received isn't sufficient I would appreciate that.
Thanks
 
Here’s a very technical paper that seems to show it’s not quite there yet. I don’t think you need to test again at this point. The mod on the forum looked at several articles. She loves to research things. It seems the numbers don’t correlate with the two tests but one Danish study felt it was a good test bit no explanation of how they git to the conclusion.

https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/260/11/javma.22.03.0144.xml
 
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I'm sorry I never thanked you for these links. I'm going through my old post to see if I can learn more and saw these and I never replied.
 
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