2/16 Gus PMPS+ HI / FEEDING HIM

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bev5477

bev5477

Member Since 2011
Semi-slept next to Gus all night. He drank some water before curling up for the night. Emptied his bladder twice this morning and took some more water. He looked interested in some FF mixed with water, but decided against it. So, it's been 16 hours since he's eaten. At least today, he stood on his own feet. Last night I had to support his legs as he drank because they were slipping out from underneath him. I'm off to feed his civvie family and see how they're holding up. Gus is the patriarch of the brood and there is a decidedly somber mood in our house since he's been ill. I may have to syringe feed him later today if he won't eat.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

((((Bev)))) ((((Gus)))) Sending healing vines that Gus gets better and they figure out what is causing this. Know that we are thinking of you and hoping Gus gets better soon.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

(((Bev)))

Please drop Karrie a PM if you have any questions about assist feeding. She's our resident expert. Frankly, I wouldn't worry about feeding Gus low carb right now. I'd suggest giving him anything he will eat.

If it's any consolation, we're waiting on pins and needles with you. If your vet took blood for a spec fPLI, be aware that the blood needs to be sent out. If IDEXX has a lab in your area, the wait won't be overly long. Did the vet suggest giving anything like Pepsid?
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

(((Bev))) Waiting is the worst. Have you done syringe feeding before? I had to learn how when Zener stopped eating about a month ago. He is doing great now and syringe feeding made a huge difference. I would encourage you to get started right away. Karrie & Maverick is the real expert if you have questions.
Liz
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

Hi Bev and Gus,
I hope that the lab reports will give you some answers. In the meantime, you should try to get some food into him. Have you tried baby food (just simple meat and broth, with no cornstarch or onions in the broth)?
Gus, feel better. Rusty is sending you some healing vines and will make some chicken soup, too, when the KTSS pays you a call.

Hang in there, Bev.
:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

(((Bev)))

Your subject line says it all. We're waiting with you and (((Gus))). Love, prayers and hugs.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

:YMHUG: :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon We're here waiting with you. I'd think assist feeding sooner rather than later too.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

Cmon Gus you need to eat just a bit. (((((Gus))))) ((((((Bev)))))) We are sending you some healing vines and hope you get some answers soon.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

I So know how you feel --We are all with you & Hope for an answer for this--I would try to feed him anything he will eat--Moonie will always eat boiled, or cooked chicken, but I also feed her temptations(HC) just to get her to eat sometimes--Hope this is a simple problem with a simple solution--
We so feel for you--Healing prayers & vines to dear Gus--May you get better today!!
Yes I have also food syringe fed Moonie, do you have one? Hope you hear soon & problem is resolved-Hugs from us!!
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

Thinking of you and Gus today, Bev, and hoping for healing to come soon. I, too, would get some food into him ASAP. For Mookie I used Gerber chicken baby food, and the pharmacy at the grocery store gave me a few baby syringes when I told them why I needed them.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

I'm holding you both in my thoughts and prayers, hoping for good test results!! I, too, would try to get food into Gus any way you can. When Champ get sick and stopped eating back in August, the only thing he would nibble at was the Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys. There's a tuna one that's in a creamy sauce that Champ would probably consent to a second neutering just to get some. I did end up having to syringe feed him along with giving him Pepcid and it did wonders for him. Within two days of starting Pepcid, his appetite was completely back to normal. I hope it ends up being that simple for Gus. I'm over here worrying right along with you. Gus, the crooked mustache man, means the world to so many of us here at FDMB, especially those of use who all joined at the same time. Positive thoughts coming your way!!!
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Waiting Is The Worst

Prayers, love, and healing energy coming to you and Gus from the entire Northwest Clan, Bev...

celi
 
Re: 2/16 Gus' Vet Wants to See Him Again

Our vet is back to work today. Thanks to God. He wants to have us bring Gus in for an xray of his abdomen, suspecting a mass. Says Gus does have pancreatitis and will discuss everything with us when we get there. App't time is 3:45. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement sent our way yesterday and today. Heartfelt thanks to all of you.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Vet Wants to See Him Again Today

Did you do the Spec fpl test? Not the one thats included - but a special one they do.

Don't wait on assist feeding, start it sooner rather than later. You can avoid a lot of issues and keep his liver as happy as possible. You don't want to fight FHL on top of what he may be dealing with. Have you assist fed Gus before? MaxCal from the vet is 330 calories a can and only 3% carbs. Wellness Chicken is 200 calories a can. You want to assist feed a food you don't need him eating on his own.

Any signs of nausea? Showing interest in food but licking or sniffing and walking away? Pancreatitis is dehydrating and painful and nauseating. Try and get buprenorphine for pain, and a script for ONDANSETRON for nausea. You can get it for $1/pill (four 1mg doses) at thriving pets.com and I hear costco sells it affordably and you don't have to be a member. And lots of syringes for assist feeding - they start sticking. Gus will start eating consistently on his own when he is feeling better. And like Sienne said, the best food is one he will eat. Don't push an appetite stimulant on him, focus on supplementing calories with assist feeding. An appetite stimulant without nausea addressed I think is borderline cruel. It would be like giving you one with the flu. You'd eat but you'd feel miserable and may never eat that food ever again. Some cats get full blown food aversions with just one dose.

Sending big hugs.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus Vet Wants to See Him Again Today

(((((((bev & gus))))))

i almost feel like breathing a sigh of relief at the pancreatitis. so many diabetic cats seem to get it and there's a lot of knowledge here from people who will help you manage things to get Gus back on his feet again.

you know punkin & i are part of the northwest crew sending love to all of you.

waiting to hear results of the x-ray today. you must be there right now.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

No mass seen on the xray.Yay! I never thought I'd be so happy to say "Just pancreatitis" Gus ate some baked chicken when we got back from the office. He also drank some water. Husband and I are ready to have our own dinner now after a long and emotional day. I'm going to be back to take notes on all the info/tips that were sent my way today. I've got a few questions as well.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

(((Bev)))

I've been away most of the day but am glad to hear there is no tumor. How did the vet diagnose pancreatitis? Things that help this condition are fluids, and as Karrie said, buprenorphine for pain, ondansetron for the nausea. Our Gus had pancreatitis once, too, and we treated it aggressively and he was eating on his own and totally back to normal in 48 hours. But it is a painful condition.

If you can get the food Karrie is referring to, then blend it well with water, warm it a little, and pour it into a syringe....I have 10 and 12 ml syringes. Every couple hours you give him a couple syringes of food if he'll take it. Be sure that you aim the syringe at the roof of his mouth and insert it sideways .....never shoot it straight down his throat.....just perpendicular to his tongue. Give him a little and let him swallow it on his own.

Please update us when you can.....I know you are tired. We're here to help with any questions.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dancing-cat1.gif
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

Thank you Karrie and Marje for the information on how to aid Gus with eating. I will be in touch with the vet to get some anti-nausea and pain meds first thing tomorrow. Sienne, I will read the link that you sent along. Thank you for that. The vet gave me 2 ABs today for Gus: Clavamox and Metronidazole, but nothing that would address his pain or upset tummy. Why would that happen if they know about the condition? Gus seems interested in food most of the time, then one sniff, and forget it. I'm happy he took a little food today. I'll start feeding him according to the instructions that were shared with me and look forward to some improvement. Celi!! LOL. If I were a cat, that's what I would be doin' right now. Thanks for making me laugh. Didn't think that was possible today.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

Hmmm.....I'm not sure I'd use the metronidazole. The clavamox won't hurt him although some ABs will keep them off their food. They did not give our Gus ABs when he had pancreatitis.

Here is a link to an article on pancreatitis and it indicates ABs might be suitable in severe cases: Pancreatitis

Also attaching a recipe for liver shake. It's good for sick kitties not wanting to eat.
 

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Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

I am glad that there was no mass seen on the X-ray. Did the vet go over the blood test results with you? You mentioned yesterday that the vet detected a fever. Do you know if a urine sample was sent out for culture?

I expect that the Clavamox was prescribed since the vet suspects some infection is present. Metronidazole has an anti-inflammatory effect on the GI tract. I am not aware that it is effective on pancreatitis, but if the pancreas is inflamed as a result of inflammation spreading from the bowel, the vet may feel that it might be helpful. Did he say why he was suspicious of finding a mass?

As others have said, with pancreatitis, you are looking at controlling pain, controlling nausea, and keeping the cat hydrated and nourished. It is basically a process of nursing the cat through the bout of inflammation.

I am glad that Gus had something to eat and to drink for you this afternoon. I hope that means that he is on the mend.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

(((((Bev and Gus))))) sorry I'm late, but I wanted to send some hugs. I don't have anything to add to the great advice you've already been given. Hooray for "just" pancreatitis!
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

Great news on no mass. Yay!!! Tarragon is on 1/4 pill of Metronidazole daily permanently due to IBD. When he had pancreatitis they had me up his dose to a full pill to keep inflammation down on his GI tract. He was also put on Clavamox and ondansetron for nausea. Thinking of you and celebrating "just pancreatitis.". ((((hugs))))
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

Bev, this is really good news: "just pancreatitis". You have gotten so much good advice. We can only send our thoughts and prayers that Gus will be well again soon and eating again.

Many hugs to you all,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

Great to hear no mass on the X ray! You will have a lot of excellent support here on the pancreatis. Scritches to Gus.
 
Re: 2/16 Gus No Tumor Seen!!!

woot.gif
Best News Ever! wahoo and yippeee! :YMHUG:

here's a video that i bookmarked, just in case. shows how to assist feed.

[youtube]U6o17wH6ujk[/youtube]
 
Gus almost seems agreeable to the syringe feeding. Have done it twice this evening. I gave him some water this way too, being very careful to let him swallow as I slowly drizzled the water. The vet that was covering for our usual doctor, noted in Gus' file that she thought she palpated a mass. She didn't share that with me yesterday. That's the reason for the xray. Today, he went over the labs and explained that the liver enzymes were high, the WBC count was very high. Gus's urine was cultured and as of Thursday afternoon, it was negative. The reason for the Metro.. was that the vet felt that there was not only an infectious process going on but also an inflammatory situation and wanted to cover that. I have a copy of the labs downstairs in my desk and can give more numbers and levels tomorrow. Right now, Gus is sleeping quietly on my bed and I'm unwinding from a long day. He's been walking much better this evening. Last night, I had to support his rear quarters so that he could be upright to drink. Eating, drinking, using the litter box are all such big improvements. I'm still going to get him his pain meds. Not only for this but Sienne tells me that some of the acro kitties have pain control for their tumor related pain. This bad situation was bearable thanks to all the love and support everyone sent our way. How can we ever thank you enough? I'm going to lay iy down now and get some rest. The alarm is set so that I can make sure Gus gets some liquids during the night. Tomorrow will be a better day.
 
Liver enzymes high is guaranteed nausea. Can you get a copy of the blood work? Honestly I would not leave the vets office without a prescription for ondansetron. Tell her to humour you. Its in their plumbs guide. A vet alternative is dolasetron. It really is a must for Gus' comfort. He will feel like he has the flu for a couple of weeks. So think how you feel when you have the flu. So really push this. Sitting in front of the food bowl or walking away after showing interest in food is classic nausea in cats. You may also notice lip licking/lip smacking and teeth grinding when assist feeding. This is also nausea. Not just vomiting like some vets think.

So glad there isn't a mass!!!!! Great news.
 
You should also put Gus on a liver supplement. Marin, denosyl and denamarin (combo). Marin can be crushed and syringed if Gus is hard to pill. The other two should stay whole.
 
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