? 4/13 More trouble for Gus

[elizabeth and gus]

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/diabetes-diagnosis.133684/


Gus had very good morning, was active eat small frequent meals, cuddled with me and was purring. As soon I sat down on the sofa he was on my lap. His BD was high but it was going down (ketones-neg). He didn't get any meds this morning.

Around 1PM He started to walk around and meow just like he was asking for food. I noticed frequent trips to utility room where his LB was so I followed him. He had small normal BM. Shortly after he peed very small amount (twice) on the on the floor and later in LB. Again peed more large paddle on the floor close to his LB.

At 2:00 PM gave him pain meds (buprenor). It is hour later and he is resting in his bed.

I am lost. In one month so much is happening. Vet really has no explanation for the urination he offered different pain medication (patch). I was going to take him for fluids tomorrow???. I really can't' expect vet to have crystal ball but this would be thirt blood and urine work this is really draining us financially. Is there anything that I do???

History:
This was a repeat of 3/14 incident where we took him to the vet. He got senior package, complete blood and urine work and urine culture and Orbax just in case it is UTI. The urine culture was negative so vet told us to stop Orbax. The other results were indicative of CKF. There was no further treatment at that time.

On 3/25 Gus was not feeling well and throw-up after drinking water. Another trip to the vet. Blood and urine work was ordered including fPLI. Gus got fluids, Cerenia and Famotidine injections. Gus was fine after we returned home. Vet called with lab results all was good except fPLI. The CKF was ruled out he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Guided by members of this board I called the vet and requested nausea and pain med.

On 4/10 Gus was sick so he got pain and nausea meds. He was improving and Sunday he was much better so this morning no meds. and it started so good.


Elizabeth

 

[tiffmaxee]

I think and hope that the problem is you stopped the support meds too soon. I have learned to wait until Max acts and eats normally for at least 3-4 days before stopping.

 

[elizabeth and gus]

I think and hope that the problem is you stopped the support meds too soon. I have learned to wait until Max acts and eats normally for at least 3-4 days before stopping.

Thank you

Vet prescribed pain meds only for Three days. In your experience what would be best way to recover from this? and why urinating outside the LB?
Should I request more pain meds??
Another thing vet recommended is a ultrasound. I am trying to avoid more costly tests.

Thank you so much
Elizabeth

 

[tiffmaxee]

Are you treating for pancreatitis? Were you given cerenia or ondansetron to give at home? Max always gets nauseous with it. I feed him small amounts at a time. My vet said one mistake most make is when they act hungry they feed them as much as they want which makes them feel sick. It does sound like pain to me. You say he pooped a small amount. Do you think he might be a little constipated? What was his creatinine level and urine specific gravity? Did you post all the labs with his ss?

 

[elizabeth and gus]

Yes all my labs are in his ss. His CREA 1.6 USG 1.02. I have both Cerenia and Onda as well as appetite stimulant. Yesterday and today he ate small portions several times nothing more than 1 oz at the time. I am thinking that it might ce constupation.

Elizabeth

 

[tiffmaxee]

Was he given fluids before the labs? His creatinine is good but the USG is low. The ALT is slightly elevated which is not of any concern. It happens to Max with pancreatitis though. If there isn't an infection there is definitely inflammation which makes me think pancreatitis. His specific fPL shows it as well. I bet the symptoms are from that. I would continue with either the cerenia or ondansetron and wait it out before any more tests since he started to feel better before you stopped them. You might want more pain med too.

 

[Deanna & Billie]

So sorry to hear that Gus still isn't feeling well. It sounds like he has been eating better since you started the ondansetron yesterday or the day before, if I am remembering correctly? So I would definitely continue the ondansetron. We are new to pancreatitis too, but I have found that the ondansetron really helps Billie's nausea and her appetite. I tried skipping a dose a few days ago, and her appetite diminished even after just one skipped dose, so I'm keeping her on it for as long as she needs it.

I don't have any thoughts on the urination, but hopefully someone might have an idea. I hope he feels better soon

 

[BJM]

If he has felt pain when in the litter box, he may avoid it for that reason.

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

You've gotten great advice - i just wanted to add a little support. It's so hard when our kitties don't feel good. I agree with Elise that continuing the relief measures for pancreatitis are important. In fact, many cats have chronic pancreatitis and continue to get those meds for much longer term. I don't recall how long I gave them to punkin, but a long time.

Vitamin B-12 injections can really help with pancreatitis too. My vet gave me little test tubes of it to give punkin at home.

I would probably go with more extensive pancreatitis support for a few more days before opting for more tests. He could also have sterile cystitis, which isn't uncommon. That can cause painful urination but there is no infection present. It's an inflammation instead. Pain relief helps with it. There is a lot of info about it on Dr. Lisa's site, www.catinfo.org. Take a look there and see if it's describing what you're seeing with Gus.

 

[elizabeth and gus]

Gus is feeling better now. He eat 1tsp pumpkin pure and was asking for food so he is eating FF but not very much. He will finish it overnight. I will continue with ondansetron, pray and see what tomorrow brings.
Honestly I can't remember if his blood was drawn before fluids or after.

Thank you all for helping.

Elizabeth

 

[elizabeth and gus]

Julie thank you so much for your reply.

This all comes together now as I recall previous incident it was straining in the LB and not having BM one day. Possible constipation, belly pain in addition to pancreatitis. I am going to call vet tomorrow about B12 injection. The long term B-12 supplement that you mentioned should come soon.

Elizabeth

 

[elizabeth and gus]

I couldn't resist. This is my sweet Gus just chilling after his evening meal.

 

[suki & crystal (GA)]

Lovely pic of Gus, so handsome!

 

[Deanna & Billie]

What a charming guy!! He's a darling.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I love the picture. Max has had chronic pancreatitis for nearly 5 1/2 years. The first time he was on ondansetron for a few months. With subsequent episodes I learned first that he wasn't getting enough ondansetron for his size (not your problem) and to start it at the first sign of symptoms.

 

[elizabeth and gus]

I love the picture. Max has had chronic pancreatitis for nearly 5 1/2 years. The first time he was on ondansetron for a few months. With subsequent episodes I learned first that he wasn't getting enough ondansetron for his size (not your problem) and to start it at the first sign of symptoms.

Thank you for sharing. That gives me hope. How often Max had episodes? Do you have any other tips for preventing episodes??? Did you use pumpkin for constipation??

Elizabeth

 

[tiffmaxee]

Max got them a lot at first. Since he became diabetic he didn't have anything major until his dental. At that time I had to give him Ondansetron for several days. He becomes inappetent and nauseous so if I see any sign of it I medicate. The only symptom I've always seen with ondansetron was constipation. Now it seems chronic with Max so I'm giving him miralax every morning, 1/8 teaspoon which I mix in his baby food treat after his gel cap of amlodipine every morning. I am also giving him a tiny amount of pumpkin once or twice a day mixed in his meals. I feed him small amounts from AMPS/PMPS until +4 or +5 depending on how hungry he is. He has gained weight since becoming diabetic and I think if I could get him to lose he might do better but I'm having no luck. At least he is stable. He's 17 and always been a lazy cat that didn't play much except to chase his sister who passed around the time he got pancreatitis due to the stress of her illness and passing I suspect as well as the dry CD he had been eating because he blocked when he was 5 and I nearly lost him.

I wish I knew how to prevent episodes. For some it's linked to IBD and a grain free or novel protein diet helps. For Max it seems that it I stress related and vet visits trigger it. All I can do is treat the symptoms as they occur. If Gus is having an acute attack it might go away and not come back. If chronic it becomes a way of life. I know some cats that need constant support and can't get off the meds but many more like Max.