2/19 Willow - licking cath site raw - tips?

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Complick8d

Complick8d

Member Since 2009
All the fun last yesterday: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=37106

WCR: Much more spunky and purry. Finally decided to eat some at +8. It's PM+13 and his BG is Hi. I haven't given a shot yet because after his vet appt at 10:10am, I have to get some sleep and I won't be able to monitor him.

Thank you everyone for the support. It was definitely a rough night.

Karrie - to answer your question. Willow has been syringe fed a number of times. When he was first diagnosed/battling DKA, getting him to eat was a less than pleasant experience. I've noticed the decreased appetite most of this week and I believe some of last week. But prior to the last couple of days I think, he was at least eating some and wasn't turning his nose up when I offered him food. He didn't get to the point where I would syringe feed until last night. Pooping and peeing is normal from what I can tell. And absolutely nothing is changed that I can think of. The stress that I initially noticed was the 7th through the 11th, we had workers coming in the apartment and Willow started really hiding and not wanting to leave my room. On the 11th, I found out that someone other than workers had been entering my apartment during the week, so my locks were changed. More work was done on the 14th and 15th, but it ended then, so Willow started leaving my bedroom again. In addition to all this fun... the bird is really sick with a URI, but that rarely affects Willow's behavior although I guess he could easily be pucking up my stress.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

(((Hugs))) and good luck at the vet appointment this morning. I hope your bird is feeling better, too.
 
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Good morning guys .. sorry things have been rough for you .. I hope the vet appt goes better today and that your bird starts feeling better soon .. have a good day guys!
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Just got caught up on your traumatic experience in the ER. Unbelievable! I'm very glad that Willow was eating this morning and I hope that your vet can help him with whatever is ailing him.

Think positively! And do get some sleep!

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

I think the workers are the reason for the inappetance. I would keep syringe feeding at least a 5.5 oz can of food a day. Making sure she keeps it down. Watch for signs of nausea - showing interest in food but walking away, lip licking or teeth grinding. Renovation or work being done on the home is a big reason why the not eating cycle starts with cats. Syringe feeding will make sure her liver stays healthy and avoid the cycle of Feline Hepatic Lipidosis. Some cats can get this very quickly.

Maverick had a bloated look too - his sides stuck out when he sat down. I even brought him in and they tried to draw fluid from his abdomen but didn't get any. I didn't realize at the time he wasn't eating enough. I wasn't weighing him either. He lost weight, he didn't gain like Willow.

Sending hugs (((((Willow))))))
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Also on the ER vet side. I am sorry you had such a horrible experience. I have had miserable experiences with two vets so far and it blows my mind that they are the "professionals". I wish there was a course on assertiveness in dealing with incompetent vet car or vets that slam good owners. I was talking with a friend the other night. I am very adverse to conflict. I lack assertiveness and especially around aggressive vets. I'm going to ask my brother to come with me next time. He is very assertive, and can deal well with aggressive people without being aggressive back. And he's tattooed from head to shoulder so maybe the shoe will be on the other foot. You know your cat, you know the protocol. They used this to scape goat giving her the care she deserved and lost time in the process. I wish there was an article on canned phrases we could just keep using like a script. Like thats all fine and dandy, lets put that aside and focus on the issue at hand. Repeat if necessary.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Morning Jordan - I am so sorry for what you went through last night at the ER vet. appalling that you were treated that way. I hope all goes well with your appt this morning, and that they listen to your concerns.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Jordan, Willow. Sorry you had such a horrendous experience at the ER vet. Sending positive thoughts, white light and snowflakes.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Thinking of you both today (((Jordan & Willow))) I hope the vet visit goes okay....and that you will have good news and then be able to catchup on some needed sleep...
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

What a horrible experience you had last night at the ER. I hope today when you see your regular vet you get some answers and that Willow feels better very soon.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Posted this in yesterday's thread:

The LLEF has been in contact with Jordan, and is running a fundraiser for the costs of her vet visits last night and today. I am sure that Jordan will be updating shortly, but our understanding is that Willow will be coming home with meds for appetite, pain, and nausea. Willow is in a lot of pain. Severe pancreatitis is suspected, and liver values are elevated. Further tests are pending.

If you would like to donate via Paypal, the address is lantusemergencyfund@gmail.com. Please include a note with your FDMB name and the name of the kitty you are donating to, for accounting purposes.

For more info, please click on the LLEF link in my signature.

Thank you in advance for your help. Let's let Jordan concentrate on helping Willow heal, while we help her with her vet bill.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Jordan, I would hold off on the appetite stimulant until you are sure the nausea is under control and assist feed for a couple day. Once the nausea is addressed she may not need an appetite stimulant. If you are dealing with FHL the cornerstones of FHL treatment are calories (weigh her to ensure she doesn't lose weight), a liver supplement like denosyl/marin or denamarin, and antinausea medication. Metoclopromide is often prescribed but this doesn't work well in cats unless the nausea is due to stomach motility (throwing up food hours after eating it). In cats nausea medication should be ondansetron/zofran or delasetron and for vomiting cerenia. Metoclopromide now has a black box warning for humans.

I wish you were in Canada, I'd send you the denosyl I never gave Maverick last year when he was losing weight. We got his blood checked often to ensure his liver stayed happy.

I think you know not to give metacam already. This seems to brought up often on FMDB.

((((((Willow))))))
 
Re: 2/19 Willow

Jordan...sending healing vines for Willow and hoping they will come up with some answers for you. I know you are exhausted but whenever you have the chance to let us know what's going on, it would be great. We just want Willow to be better. (((Jordan)))
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

Thinking of you, Jordan and Willow. I hope you had a good Vet visit, and so sorry about you went thru with the ER!
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

You guys are all so amazing!!! LLEF is awesome!! Willow is home for now. Diagnosis is severe pancreatitis... hypo last night due to inappetence. We got to see his regular vet so the issue was immediately the whole cat and the inappetence, as opposed to the diabetes/hypo. Fluids and meds for today were given at the vets office. I'm overwhelmed by everyones kindness and don't even know how to begin thanking everyone! I know Linda had also mentioned the liver values being elevated: Amylase was 2452 (normal is between 500-1500) and Lipase was 3151 (normal is 100-1400). Reading more about both of those makes me worry about kidney disease. I'm guessing though since the Creatinine and BUN were in range, that rules it out at the moment? I don't know.

Randi- I mentioned Sam-e supplement to the vet and he agreed it would be good to add it to Willow's meds. Is there a specific one I should be getting?

Willow has eaten about 1/4 can of FF since coming home and is spending a lot of time at the water bowl.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

thank goodness for your regular vet, jordan! sending vineyards of healing and positive energy to Willow...what a trying time you have had!

forgive my curiosity...but did you say someone other than the workman had been entering your place??
not asking for details...but want you to know i'm concerned about your safety and peace of mind

celi
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

Jordan...so glad you got into see your vet and now you know what is going on and why. I've used Denosyl (S-ame) and I think that is a fairly common one to use. You can order it online through Amazon or google and check different prices. If I had any left, I'd send it to you but I used it all.

Sending tons of healing vines....does the vet have you giving Willow squids at home and did you get some bupe for the pain?
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

Celi- Yes, apparently someone had a key to the place and had gone through some of my things. Nothing turned up missing that I could tell. The thought is that the complex didn't change the locks after the former tenant left, but of course no one will admit to that. Locks have been changed.

Marjorie- Thanks, I'll look into Desonyl through Amazon. I know this is a controversial issue on here... but we actually went with Metacam due to my work schedule (it is longer acting than Bupe) and my mom's inability to medicate Willow in my absence. It will only be given for 5 - 7 days, if necessary. I will be closely watching him for any issues. ETA: They gave squids today and on Monday, the vet and I will discuss the need for squids again and depending on how he's doing, he may be going back to vet for the day while I'm at work... at that point, I'd be sent home with squids.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

Hi Jordan - I am glad that all went well at the vets, you got your regular one, and that you have a diagnosis, and can move forward with Willows treatment. I still cannot believe all that you have been through in the past couple of days.

Isn't LLEF the best - a lifesaver for so many...

On the metacam - you're right, and i'll throw in my two cents, FWIW. I think that when you use it as a one time thing you are relatively "safe". Prolonged use will put you at high risk. If you can avoid it in the future, as what is written about it is true. Been there, done that, and have on less kitty because of it. I have read of others that have used it for a one time incident treatment thing and have had no problems.

I hope all goes well with Willow's recovery. :-D
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

WoWsErS Willow :o
I have been following along & had not had time to post, thinking of you Jordan, Willow, stinky puppy & birdie too :YMHUG:
I am so very thankful Jill was with you last night & that we as a community can contribute to Willow's care too.
Bless all your hearts, I know your head & heart are heavy.. take care of you & my prayers are with you & your crew for a quick road back to health :mrgreen:
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

Jordan
Glad Willow is back home today with you and I hope you can get some
much needed rest.
I'm glad the vet was okay with the Sam-e/Denysol/Denamrin (which I just googled)
and they are relatively the same.
I still have some that I used to give to Max, not expired yet.
Pm your info and I will send it down to you.
((hugs)) for a rough start to the weekend.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

(((Willow & Jordan))) I hope he will be feeling better as the days go by...and that you are getting some well deserved rest...
 
Re: 2/19 Willow -We're home from the vet

I'm glad you were able to see your regular vet today, that you have a diagnosis and a plan, and that Willow is feeling better. What a rough time.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

During the last 6 hours that we have been home, Willow has managed to eat 1 can of FF. It's more than he ate all day on Friday. He's still Hi on the meter, so I'm hoping to be able to restart insulin soon. He's not moving around much and wouldn't sleep with me during my much needed nap (he usually lives for the moments that I get in bed and he can try to smother me with his hiney or tail). He also hasn't left the bedroom, so he's clearly not feeling well.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Shouldn't you be giving him insulin? Sorry, I was lost with out my computer all day long (no power), so I am just getting updated, now. What did the vet say about insuln?
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Glad he's eating. I'm surprised, too, if the vet didn't want him to have insulin.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

No insulin until he is eating because of the potential for another hypo. I'm wondering at this point if he'd be okay with a very reduced dose. If he eats some more throughout the night, I wanted to start him back on insulin at regular shot time. No clue on dose. 1.75u didn't seem to be making a difference and yet he hypo'd on s2u (which is basically a f1.75), so I dunno.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Hi Jordan, Continued positive thoughts and prayers for Willow, also lots of healing vines are on the way. I, too, am very glad that we have the LLEF. I hope that you both will have a good night's sleep tonight.

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

I'm so glad to hear that Willow is doing a bit better.

Will continue sending lots of healing vines for you both.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Did your vet send out for an fPLI? That is the definitive test for pancreatitis. The lipase and amylase values are no longer considered the best means of diagnosing p'titis.

I'm not sure I know all of the meds that Willow is taking. Pepsid (1/4 of a 10 mg Pepsid AC tablet) is a must with p'titis. One thing to consider with bupe -- a higher dose actually causes it to last longer. The analgesic effect is the same; it's the duration that changes. If you're going to leave Willow at the vet's office on Monday, bupe may be an option then as well as if you were concerned over the how long the meds would last.

This is Jojo's post on p'titis. I'm not sure if you've seen it before.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Complick8d said:
No insulin until he is eating because of the potential for another hypo.
Click to expand...
that makes me nervous, esp b/c of his hx of DKA. you are testing for ketones?
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Sienne and Gabby said:
Did your vet send out for an fPLI? That is the definitive test for pancreatitis. The lipase and amylase values are no longer considered the best means of diagnosing p'titis.

I'm not sure I know all of the meds that Willow is taking. Pepsid (1/4 of a 10 mg Pepsid AC tablet) is a must with p'titis. One thing to consider with bupe -- a higher dose actually causes it to last longer. The analgesic effect is the same; it's the duration that changes. If you're going to leave Willow at the vet's office on Monday, bupe may be an option then as well as if you were concerned over the how long the meds would last.

This is Jojo's post on p'titis. I'm not sure if you've seen it before.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link to Jojo's post. I'll read through it. No fPLI was done today that I know of. It was done I believe last year and I think 2 yrs prior (I need to look this up) and Willow was had pancreatitis then. Symptoms were very similar but not as severe and pepcid seemed to make him better. He seems like he's in much more pain now and much more inappetent. More vomiting last time, but he was also eating more.

Willow's meds at the moment are:
Methyl-b12
Metacam .18ml every 24 hrs
Cerenia 16mg every 24 hrs
Cyproheptadine 4mg every 8hrs as needed

I'm also supposed to add sam-e

I need to get some more pepcid... should I be adding that to the mix now?
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Yes, I did because by this morning, he was completely refusing to eat
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

WCF... yes... he was tested at the vet and I'm testing for ketones at home. If he doesn't start eating and insulin isn't reintroduced within 24hrs (he is eating some now though and I'd like to start insulin ASAP but need help figuring out where I need to go with the dose), they planned to retest for ketones on Monday at the vet as well.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Willow may be sensitive to insulin due to the low numbers last night. Since he's still not eating reliably, I'd suggest shooting a 1.0 or 1.25u.

If Willow will eat, even if it's higher carb food, that's fine. I'd like to see him eating but I also think, like WCF was suggesting, that due to the history of DKA, getting insulin in would be a good thing.

Do you have Ketostix at home? It would be good if you could test for ketones while all of this is going on.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Hi Jordan,

I'm glad that Willow is eating a little. hopefully Willows appetite will continue to improve. No advise on insulin, others are helping you there. :razz:
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Sienne-

Willow's been offered LC, HC, and Long John Silvers fish which is usually his favorite - refused everything. He finally started eating LC and has now eaten over 1.5 cans of FF since 2:30pm... so he is officially eating. This is the most he's eaten in one day all week I think. Yay Willow!! He is also PURRRRING now!!!

I do have Ketostix and am testing. Still no ketones. He is drinking a lot so using the litterbox a little more and making it much easier to catch him in the act and since he's feeling so cruddy, he doesn't seem to care that I'm testing.

He's no longer Hi on the meter... he's down to 487 at +27. Should I wait til AM shot time to give the shot or shoot now and then not shoot again until regular shot time tomorrow night? I don't have any wiggle room for shooting on Monday... have to be back to shooting 7/7
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

I wouldn't wait to shoot. With all he has going on, withholding insulin will add to the opportunity for ketones to form quickly. Definitely shoot something tonight. It's good that he is eating well, that is one big worry to cross off the list.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

So shoot a half dose of 1u? Anything thoughts on morning shot?
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - He's finally eating a little!!

Geez. That's a tough call. Since there's no indication of ketones, I'd probably wait until tomorrow morning. I think getting Willow back on a routine will be better than shooting now and then skipping. I also think that whatever insulin sensitivity may be present, will be gone.

Thanks for clarifying on the ketones. When you said the vet would test, it wasn't clear if you were testing at home.
 
Re: 2/19 Willow - Yay Willow!!

He finally left the bedroom and is now sitting in front of me in his spot in front of the computer monitor purring. He hasn't been up here on the desk in days!!
 
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