1/6 Herman amps 299 +3 317 +5 298

Amy & Herman

Amy & Herman

Member Since 2022
Still struggling to get Herman’s numbers under control after his bout of pancreatitis…which although this disease is new to me I am feeling he is suffering from in a more chronic form currently despite its sudden onset and hospitalization on Christmas Day which would be considered acute I assume.

I give gabapentin and zofran “as needed” tried weaning off both but have relied on my gut instincts to tell me if he looks nauseous or uncomfortable…..it’s hard.

My usual vet was away on vacation last week and hasn’t been brought up to speed since the hospitalization (although the clinic and other vet obtained and reviewed his file from the er). I’m going to try to see her this week and see if I can switch to bupe for pain (I see it mentioned in the primer for pancreatitis).

…..although he is affectionate, playful and eating well, I know he is not feeling great….with his higher numbers he is urinating more and losing weight (although the losing weight could be my imagination). I’m very worried. :(
 
You can weigh him at home. I made sure to do so on a day my cat went to the vet. I did this becasue I knew my scales and their scales wouldn't be exact. I didn't want to see a 5 lb difference and not understand why. It helps ease your mind. My cat started looking thinner because his diet changed, he hadn't lost any significant weight.

I'm personally not a fan of gabapentin being used off label as a pain med for humans or cats. This is a personal choice though. Many people here do use it. I gave my guy bupe when he was so sick and pancreatitis was suspected. I had to explain to my vet that my cat isn't going to become an addict from taking bupe.

As far as antinausea meds I tried to ween my cat off of them and the app stim before he was ready and it didn't go well. It set us back somewhat. Someone in this group explained to me that he may always need the antinausea. While that wasn't the case for him, it helped change my mindset regarding getting him off the med. Because Herman was so sick not that long ago, I wouldn't try and ween him off of pain or antinausea right now. Once the results came back and my cat didn't have pancreatitis, I still gave him bupe. He was very sick and I could tell he was very uncomfortable. I didn't mind arguing with the vet about this either.

As far as his numbers being high, I'm sure it has to do with him still feeling bad. I'm sure there is also inflammation with his pancreas. Inflammation and pain will increase his bgs. I know that seeing the high numbers is hard. If you are giving him his insulin and the diet he needs, there isn't much more you can do about them.

Seeing our cats sick is awful. Their recovery time is a lot longer than I ever realized. Seeing little glimpses of them being themselves is always a bonus. You are doing everything you can for him. I'm hopeful his vet will cooperate with you for the changes you wish to make and that Herman starts being himself more and more each day.

My cat got sick almost 4 months ago and I'm just now seeing him getting better. Every cat is different, but trying to put this into perspective for you. I did not realize going into this how long it would take my cat to recover.
 
Basic's Mom said:
You can weigh him at home. I made sure to do so on a day my cat went to the vet. I did this becasue I knew my scales and their scales wouldn't be exact. I didn't want to see a 5 lb difference and not understand why. It helps ease your mind. My cat started looking thinner because his diet changed, he hadn't lost any significant weight.

I'm personally not a fan of gabapentin being used off label as a pain med for humans or cats. This is a personal choice though. Many people here do use it. I gave my guy bupe when he was so sick and pancreatitis was suspected. I had to explain to my vet that my cat isn't going to become an addict from taking bupe.

As far as antinausea meds I tried to ween my cat off of them and the app stim before he was ready and it didn't go well. It set us back somewhat. Someone in this group explained to me that he may always need the antinausea. While that wasn't the case for him, it helped change my mindset regarding getting him off the med. Because Herman was so sick not that long ago, I wouldn't try and ween him off of pain or antinausea right now. Once the results came back and my cat didn't have pancreatitis, I still gave him bupe. He was very sick and I could tell he was very uncomfortable. I didn't mind arguing with the vet about this either.

As far as his numbers being high, I'm sure it has to do with him still feeling bad. I'm sure there is also inflammation with his pancreas. Inflammation and pain will increase his bgs. I know that seeing the high numbers is hard. If you are giving him his insulin and the diet he needs, there isn't much more you can do about them.

Seeing our cats sick is awful. Their recovery time is a lot longer than I ever realized. Seeing little glimpses of them being themselves is always a bonus. You are doing everything you can for him. I'm hopeful his vet will cooperate with you for the changes you wish to make and that Herman starts being himself more and more each day.

My cat got sick almost 4 months ago and I'm just now seeing him getting better. Every cat is different, but trying to put this into perspective for you. I did not realize going into this how long it would take my cat to recover.
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Thanks for all this, it helps put things in perspective. I guess I always worry about side affects..the gaba makes him quite sleepy…and then I worry he isn’t moving enough and that will exacerbate his constipation…and with the zofran, I was mistaking that a good appetite meant he wasn’t nauseous which seems not the case for him. I know keeping his fluids up is important so important to stop the vomiting. Trying to groom him as much as he will allow to minimize hairballs but unfortunately he’s always gotten hairballs in the winter…he’s so fluffy. So then I stress that the anti-nausea meds will mean that hairballs aren’t as easy for him to throw up. I’m probably overthinking.
anyway… I plan to keep up now with the Zofran and the GABA (until I can get bupe) until I see his numbers improving. I will also plan to increase again tomorrow morning unless we get good action tonight.
 
Hi Amy, sending prayers and hugs to you and Herman. You’ve both been through a lot lately. I sure hope he is on the mend and will feel better very soon. I hope you see your regular vet if that will make you feel better.
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
You can increase to 1.75 units tomorrow. I'd keep on top of increases with his numbers as is.

One thing to think about bupe (which I greatly prefer to gaba) is that it's a narcotic, and can be constipating. Might have to up the Miralax.
 
Amy & Herman said:
So then I stress that the anti-nausea meds will mean that hairballs aren’t as easy for him to throw up.
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An anti-nausea (helps nausea) med isn’t quite the same as an anti-emetic (helps stop vomiting), although to be fair, addressing nausea does settle the stomach so there is likely less vomiting. I believe Ondansetron is an anti-nausea drug so I wouldn’t worry too much about it blocking him from vomiting up his hairballs. Cerenia is what is commonly prescribed as an anti-emetic.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
You can increase to 1.75 units tomorrow. I'd keep on top of increases with his numbers as is.

One thing to think about bupe (which I greatly prefer to gaba) is that it's a narcotic, and can be constipating. Might have to up the Miralax.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. We increased this morning, hopefully can get a hold of vet to inquire about bupe, and will definitely up the miralax if I get it…
 
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