11/12/19 Lily Update

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

Hey Everyone, (@Bron and Sheba (GA) , @Wendy&Neko, @Christie & Maverick) & anyone else reading

Today I left out some watered down food for Lily. Tried to make it soup like to keep her hydrated. I left out a mix of 2 tsp Tuna kitten fancy feast w/ 3 tsp of turkey baby food, & 2 tsp of tiny chopped boiled chicken. This was supposed to be breakfast for her. She only picked at it. Not sure if she got any nutrition. In her timed feeder I left 2 containers of water with 1 tsp of beef baby food in each container.

When I came home it did not look like Lily ate any of these things I left out. Her sugar was 366 at 5:40 PM when I checked it. Because she was not eating or interested in food I decided to go to the store and try this liver shake recipe @Christie & Maverick left for me. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/the-liver-shake-for-sick-cats.30507/

The directions say not to give anymore than 60 cc in a day of the liver shake. I looked up that 10 cc = 2 tsp. I was able to get Lily to lick 2 tsp. I kept dabbing her nose and face with drops and she would lick them off. She still was not interested. I syringe fed her about 6 more tsp of the shake. So she has had 40 cc of the shake. I also gave Lily 100 cc of subcutaneous fluids at 8:35 tonight.

Lily keeps hiding under the bed and I know she must be experiencing pain. I am worried and I don't know what to do. I really don't want to have to hospitalize her. I have work at 8am tomorrow and I wish I could just stay home with her all day.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

What is she having for pain at the moment?
I noticed you were given metacam by the vet. While I have used that myself, I would NOT give it to a cat that was not eating well. It is most important that metacam is only given when a cat is eating well.
If that is the only pain relief she is getting, I would go back to the vet today and ask for an injection of bupe.
If it is pancreatitis, she may need painrelief for days.
Also I would get some ondansetron as Sienne suggested and if you don't have any cerenia tablets, get some of those too.

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

I wasn't given any meds for me to give Lily myself. The vet gave her injections. How do you guys give pills to sick kitties who are not eating?

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

It is most important that metacam is only given when a cat is eating well.

Unfortunately the vet did give her this medicine. I wish I knew more like you guys so I knew exactly what the meds given meant. It's all greek to me.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

How do you guys give pills to sick kitties who are not eating?

Depends how easy the cat is to pill. Easy ones you placed the pill towards the back of their mouth, squirt in some water and they swallow the pill. A little butter on the pill may help it slide down. I had to get a piller or pill gun for Neko, to help me get the pill in place. If the pill isn’t bitter, you can crush and add to liquid to squirt down, followed by a chaser of plain water. You can do that for ondansetron, Cerenia is too bitter. Alternatively, you can buy small gel caps to put the bitter ones in.

Buprenorphine is a liquid, you squirt it at the sides of their mouth inside, or under the tongue.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Unfortunately the vet did give her this medicine. I wish I knew more like you guys so I knew exactly what the meds given meant. It's all greek to me.

So you are not giving metacam to her orally?
It is when it is given orally that you have to be careful with food.

Can you get some Hills a/d urgent care canned food from the vet ?

I wasn't given any meds for me to give Lily myself. The vet gave her injections. How do you guys give pills to sick kitties who are not eating?

The vet should have given you some cerenia and pain meds to bring home....
I would go back and ask for them now,and ask for ondansetron as well.
It's great you are doing sub Q fluids.
You will be able to pill Lily.....we can help you with that.

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

My vet has never given me any prescriptions. I am a little hesitant that they might say no. I can still ask. No, I am not giving metacam orally. (this was an injection) Thank you for the pill instructions Wendy!

Lily was given injections of Cerenia, Covenia, Metacam, & Vitamins B & B12.

So you guys think I should ask for these...

Cerenia = for pain OR Buprenorphine = for pain
Ondansetron = for nausea OR Zofran = for nausea
Cyproheptadine OR Mirtazepine = for appetite stimulant

How do I know which is best? Assuming my vet will give me any. lol

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Adding onto @Sienne and Gabby (GA) comment about appetite stimulants yesterday, you can get mirtazapine as a transdermal, that you rub in their ear. This is actually the preferred form for Mirtaz, as it has less side effects than pill format, plus is easier to give.

Cerenia is for vomiting and nausea
Ondansetron, brand name Zofran - go generic, much cheaper, is for nausea. You can give both Cerenia and ondansetron together.
Buprenorphine is for pain

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Bupe for pain
Cerenia for nausea/vomiting
Ondansetron (also called zofran) for nausea
I have not used appetite stimulants sorry.

Ask for the bupe, cerenia and the ondansetron and an appetite stimulant.
It is a perfectly reasonable request. If he won't give it to you I would be looking for another vet.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Cerenia is given once a day. Ondansetron two or three times a day, Buprenorphine also two or three times a day. If you can, get a small vial of bupe where you draw the amounts to give. Vets are fond of prefilled syringes of bupe which are both more expensive and harder for you to change the dose.

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

Ask for the bupe, cerenia and the ondansetron and an appetite stimulant.

I like this plan!

you can get mirtazapine as a transdermal, that you rub in their ear.

yes this is amazing!

Now the next thing I am wondering...are these medications expensive?

I have work at 8 AM & my vet opens at 8 AM also. I don't get out of work until 4:30 PM. Maybe I can call them to fill the prescriptions. I want to give Lily the meds first thing in the morning...I don't want to lose a whole other day. I can ask someone to pick up the prescriptions, but I don't have anyone to give her the pills. I wonder if I can go to work earlier or later or something...???

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

If you can, get a small vial of bupe where you draw the amounts to give. Vets are fond of prefilled syringes of bupe which are both more expensive and harder for you to change the dose.

I need to take notes on all of these tips. Thank you Wendy, this is a good one!

 

[Christie & Maverick]

I'm so glad to see your update and that you are getting excellent info. I hope you wills be able to speak to your vet to get some help with the appy and pain. Good that you are trying to get some food in her, I know how hard it can be when they don't want to eat. Maybe good news is no vomit today? In the meantime until you get meds, Would this list of things to stimulate appetite help? http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/

You may have already seen this, but just in case. I've had luck with tuna water and favourite treats crumbled over food. Sending more appy vines and

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

And possibly a couple of cans of A/D food.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

The transdermal mirtazepine will need to be ordered through a compounding pharmacy. It's not a stock drug. You may have a local place the compounds for pets. I have one med for Gizmo that I order and I use RoadRunner Pharmacy.

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

Oh dear, so many obstacles.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Mirataz is the one transdermal mirtazapine that is not compounded. Here is the companies website. Your vet should be able to provide it to you directly.

 

[Calicos are Best (GA)]

Very interesting! I am not sure if vets here operate differently or just mine does. You ALL are so knowledgeable about so many meds. I am going to write an update about Lily today very soon.