Deanna & Billie
Member Since 2014
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...methylprednisolone-pills.193811/#post-2167089
Hello all!
Mega vines to Rusty recovering from his surgery and all the other kitties and beans in need of vines.
When I checked in a couple weeks ago, Billie had just started methylpred. It did not go well. She started acting very lethargic and also seemed to be having muscle weakness. I noticed her having a little trouble getting up a couple times, and she was sometimes a little wobbly when walking. I stopped the steroid (she had only been on it for 5 days) and those symptoms stopped by the following day.
The vet's next suggestion to treat Billie's triaditis (pancreatitis, IBD, liver disease) is Atopica. I'm super hesitant based on what I have read about the side effects and based on Billie's recent bad experiences with methylpred and mirtazapine. I worry that she isn't up to metabolizing these drugs. I feel like we're playing Russian Roulette every time we try a new one. And Atopica's list of side effects is quite intense. In a study of 205 cats, 35% experienced vomiting, 20% lost weight, 15% diarrhea...and 3 cats developed fatty liver disease. I'm also reading that it can accelerate cancer growth. I don't know if Billie has cancer...her IM vet thinks it's unlikely based on how how slowly her liver disease has progressed. But I of course worry about her IBD progressing to lymphoma. She has had plenty of ultrasounds and bloodwork, but I've always opted not to biopsy.
The reason to try a new med is mainly due to Billie's progressive weight loss and elevated liver enzymes. Also, she is very mildly anemic as of her most recent bloodwork from last month.
Another thing I read, though, is that Atopica is contraindicated in cats with compromised liver function...???
Her appetite has been excellent, which makes the weight loss confusing. Her BG has been stable. Occasional hairball but no chronic vomiting. Poos ranging from normal to soft. She's slowing down a bit in terms of energy level but still very engaged and seems content. Runs to the door when I get home, jumps all the way up on the back of DBF's desk chair.
If Atopica can help her quality of life, I don't want to not try it...but I worry about it making things worse. Of course, I also worry about everything getting worse if we don't explore more treatments. If anyone has experience or ideas to share, or opinions on what you would do if you were me, they're all very much appreciated!! Thank you so much!
Billie is currently taking Denamarin, Cannapet, Keppra for focal seizures (cause unknown), probiotics, and weekly b12 shots. Plus her insulin and inhaler for her asthma.
Hello all!
Mega vines to Rusty recovering from his surgery and all the other kitties and beans in need of vines.
When I checked in a couple weeks ago, Billie had just started methylpred. It did not go well. She started acting very lethargic and also seemed to be having muscle weakness. I noticed her having a little trouble getting up a couple times, and she was sometimes a little wobbly when walking. I stopped the steroid (she had only been on it for 5 days) and those symptoms stopped by the following day.
The vet's next suggestion to treat Billie's triaditis (pancreatitis, IBD, liver disease) is Atopica. I'm super hesitant based on what I have read about the side effects and based on Billie's recent bad experiences with methylpred and mirtazapine. I worry that she isn't up to metabolizing these drugs. I feel like we're playing Russian Roulette every time we try a new one. And Atopica's list of side effects is quite intense. In a study of 205 cats, 35% experienced vomiting, 20% lost weight, 15% diarrhea...and 3 cats developed fatty liver disease. I'm also reading that it can accelerate cancer growth. I don't know if Billie has cancer...her IM vet thinks it's unlikely based on how how slowly her liver disease has progressed. But I of course worry about her IBD progressing to lymphoma. She has had plenty of ultrasounds and bloodwork, but I've always opted not to biopsy.
The reason to try a new med is mainly due to Billie's progressive weight loss and elevated liver enzymes. Also, she is very mildly anemic as of her most recent bloodwork from last month.
Another thing I read, though, is that Atopica is contraindicated in cats with compromised liver function...???
Her appetite has been excellent, which makes the weight loss confusing. Her BG has been stable. Occasional hairball but no chronic vomiting. Poos ranging from normal to soft. She's slowing down a bit in terms of energy level but still very engaged and seems content. Runs to the door when I get home, jumps all the way up on the back of DBF's desk chair.
If Atopica can help her quality of life, I don't want to not try it...but I worry about it making things worse. Of course, I also worry about everything getting worse if we don't explore more treatments. If anyone has experience or ideas to share, or opinions on what you would do if you were me, they're all very much appreciated!! Thank you so much!
Billie is currently taking Denamarin, Cannapet, Keppra for focal seizures (cause unknown), probiotics, and weekly b12 shots. Plus her insulin and inhaler for her asthma.
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Billie also has a history of food allergies, but luckily she has been open to novel proteins (she's currently eating Koha kangaroo pate). It's so hard to figure out what to do in these situations, especially with a med that has those side effects. Thanks for letting me know about the kidney concerns as well. I wasn't aware of that aspect, but that's a concern for us too. Billie's kidney values are normal, but she really only has one strong kidney. Her left kidney has always been abnormally small, but on her most recent ultrasound, the vet thought it looked like it was starting to atrophy. So, I definitely don't want to put her right kidney at risk since it's doing a great job holding down the fort right now.