7/21 Ivy Amps 342, +3 130, +6 267, +9 366, Pmps 400, +3 254 Libre Pancreatitis 😭

Staci & Ivy

Staci & Ivy

Member Since 2022
Amps 342 Libre
7/20/26
I can’t seem to link my previous post from the app. So I will link it after I post from the web. Odd.

I went to sleep last night hoping things were getting a little better because she ate from a spoon, so a little bit on her own.

But this morning, I came to find her in her room, and there was a big pudding poop 💩 puddle on a towel instead of in her litter box.

Since she didn’t have any stools yesterday after the initial morning round of loose stools, I did not give her any more meds for that. I think that was a mistake.

So this morning, I gave her Cerenia, Zofran, S. Boulardii, Colon Rescue.
I did give her a dose of buprenorphine last night, and I will give it again today since she clearly does not feel well.
She’s laying by her water bowl, looking miserable.

I gave her a bit of a fur trim around her butt, and used the clippers to get rid of some of the thick bushy hair that she has all around her hind legs and rear end area so we can attempt to keep that free of more matted poops 💩 😭
Let’s just say she was not thrilled.

I gave her another 1/2 dose of insulin again this morning since eating is a huge challenge.
I’d like to get her back to her regular dose, but I want to make sure she’s eating a bit on her own.

We will activate a new Libre in a little while, paws crossed that goes well 🙏

Hope everyone has a good day with all kitties feeling well 😻🐈‍⬛🐈🍀🍀🍀

She was fine on Sunday, looking good, all before the overnight crash 🤦‍♀️
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Oh no. I'm sorry to hear this update. I was hooing Ivy is on the way to recovery. Hopefully she'll feel good enough to eat during the day. We're sending all the vines we can gather and much love.
🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️
🤗❤️😻🐾🙋🏻‍♀️🥰
 
Karolina & Nestle said:
Oh no. I'm sorry to hear this update. I was hooing Ivy is on the way to recovery. Hopefully she'll feel good enough to eat during the day. We're sending all the vines we can gather and much love.
🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️🌿✨️
🤗❤️😻🐾🙋🏻‍♀️🥰
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I’d love to see her eat on her own. And get back to her regular diet.
Hoping she begins to feel better soon.
We appreciate the vines and love, Karolina 💕🙏
 
I’m so sorry to hear that, Staci. I’ve found when they have soft stool/diarrhea, it’s best to keep up with the S. boulardi for some time after even if you go from emergency stop to a little less.

The one thing I do think helps these kitties, although I know it is likely tough with her, is subq fluids. I know your vet didn’t think she needed them but the diarrhea is dehydrating. Even 50 mls daily to get them through the hump is helpful.

Sending many more vines for your sweet girl.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
I’m so sorry to hear that, Staci. I’ve found when they have soft stool/diarrhea, it’s best to keep up with the S. boulardi for some time after even if you go from emergency stop to a little less.

The one thing I do think helps these kitties, although I know it is likely tough with her, is subq fluids. I know your vet didn’t think she needed them but the diarrhea is dehydrating. Even 50 mls daily to get them through the hump is helpful.

Sending many more vines for your sweet girl.
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Thanks, Marje 🥰
I stupidly thought the stool issue was better yesterday since she didn't have any further bad stools (none at all).
But this morning it was worse than yesterday.

I gave a full capsule of S Boulardii this am mixed in food, she ate that food over a few hours.
The next round of food I will add more to it and continue to do maybe 1/2 cap each time I mix a batch of food, until I see improvement.

I am hoping she doesn't keep having the mushy poops. Or then she will definitely need fluids (either here or take her to the vet).
I may have to give fluies a try. I have never given them to her, since she's so spicy but it may be time to try :arghh:
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Thanks, Marje 🥰
I stupidly thought the stool issue was better yesterday since she didn't have any further bad stools (none at all).
But this morning it was worse than yesterday.

I gave a full capsule of S Boulardii this am mixed in food, she ate that food over a few hours.
The next round of food I will add more to it and continue to do maybe 1/2 cap each time I mix a batch of food, until I see improvement.

I am hoping she doesn't keep having the mushy poops. Or then she will definitely need fluids (either here or take her to the vet).
I may have to give fluies a try. I have never given them to her, since she's so spicy but it may be time to try :arghh:
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It’s not a bad idea to at least try at some point.
 
Get well soon Ivy 💚🍃🍃🍃🍃

I hope the fluids help! That seemed to really help Xander when he had his first pancreatitis episode. It's scary how sudden they go from perfectly fine to impossible to feed
 
Albert & Xander said:
Get well soon Ivy 💚🍃🍃🍃🍃

I hope the fluids help! That seemed to really help Xander when he had his first pancreatitis episode. It's scary how sudden they go from perfectly fine to impossible to feed
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Thank you, Albert 🥰 you are exactly right. She was just fine Sunday, then yesterday all went to hell
I've been dreading fluids with her, but I think it's inevitable :arghh:
 
Staci, Her little face...she's not happy with any of this ish and wishes to send it all to h eee double hockey sticks. Keeping you and Ivy in my thoughts and prayers and sending all the healing vines🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃. I wish you all the best in administering the fluids. I did it with two of my cats and my dog, and it usually went smoothly, but then they were not Ivy. So 🤞🤞and paws crossed and hopes for protection for you and your son.
 
Mary & Jude said:
Staci, Her little face...she's not happy with any of this ish and wishes to send it all to h eee double hockey sticks. Keeping you and Ivy in my thoughts and prayers and sending all the healing vines🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃. I wish you all the best in administering the fluids. I did it with two of my cats and my dog, and it usually went smoothly, but then they were not Ivy. So 🤞🤞and paws crossed and hopes for protection for you and your son.
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Thank you Mary :bighug:
We "attempted" fluids. Kind of Laurel and Hardy. But at least we have a better idea how to do it with Miss Ivy. She was very fidgety and not wanting to sit still.
I'm not sure how much she got since we couldn't get the clamp to stop the drip!

I think our line is too long (we have an 85" and it was taking too long (maybe since the line is so long. I think 67" would be better, so I will have to try to order that online )
Kind of a pain since I will need the vet to approve it and then have it shipped.
So I can be better prepared for a date down the road.

Sigh...but I gave her some baby food as a reward and she ate that up (laced with more S Boulardii), Maybe the mirtazapine was doing its magic 🙏🙏

Thanks for checking on us!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Thank you Mary :bighug:
We "attempted" fluids. Kind of Laurel and Hardy. But at least we have a better idea how to do it with Miss Ivy. She was very fidgety and not wanting to sit still.
I'm not sure how much she got since we couldn't get the clamp to stop the drip!

I think our line is too long (we have an 85" and it was taking too long (maybe since the line is so long. I think 67" would be better, so I will have to try to order that online )
Kind of a pain since I will need the vet to approve it and then have it shipped.
So I can be better prepared for a date down the road.

Sigh...but I gave her some baby food as a reward and she ate that up (laced with more S Boulardii), Maybe the mirtazapine was doing its magic 🙏🙏

Thanks for checking on us!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
I'm glad you got some fluid into her. It will go easier the next time. My first attempts were Laurel and Hardy-ish, too. Since I was alone in doing it, I used an IV bag stand, which was indispensable and freed me up to focus on the process. My kitties would get fidgety too. I'm sure you've read a lot about tips, etc., but warm fluids seemed to help the fidgeting. I put the bag in a crock pot on top of a towel and set it on the lowest setting. Also, you may know this as well, but the Terumo needles are the best, or at least they were when I was doing this. A bit more expensive, but well worth it in terms of ease of sliding in. I'm sorry, but I cannot remember the gauge, but Tanya's site is where I learned about the Terumo brand, and I'm sure they mention the gauge. Sorry to be redundant if you know most of this.

I'm so glad to hear that the mirtazapine is working! Eat, Ivy!!!
 
If you need to give small amounts of fluids, you may want to try doing it via syringe to winged infusion set. The bag of fluid is the same, you just draw out via a larger needle into a 60 ml syringe, then you insert the syringe into a winged infusion set and insert into subq layer, and slowly push the fluids. I was able to give Maverick 60 mls at a time and it was faster than a drip.
 
Christie & Maverick said:
If you need to give small amounts of fluids, you may want to try doing it via syringe to winged infusion set. The bag of fluid is the same, you just draw out via a larger needle into a 60 ml syringe, then you insert the syringe into a winged infusion set and insert into subq layer, and slowly push the fluids. I was able to give Maverick 60 mls at a time and it was faster than a drip.
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I’m not familiar with this process. I will have to look into it. Thank you Christie 🥰
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Thank you Mary :bighug:
We "attempted" fluids. Kind of Laurel and Hardy. But at least we have a better idea how to do it with Miss Ivy. She was very fidgety and not wanting to sit still.
I'm not sure how much she got since we couldn't get the clamp to stop the drip!

I think our line is too long (we have an 85" and it was taking too long (maybe since the line is so long. I think 67" would be better, so I will have to try to order that online )
Kind of a pain since I will need the vet to approve it and then have it shipped.
So I can be better prepared for a date down the road.

Sigh...but I gave her some baby food as a reward and she ate that up (laced with more S Boulardii), Maybe the mirtazapine was doing its magic 🙏🙏

Thanks for checking on us!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
I use the 85”. Thrivingpets.com has a little shorter and you don’t need a script.

Christie has a great solution, too, which works well for fussy cats, small amounts, and temporary fluid giving.
 
Mary & Jude said:
I'm glad you got some fluid into her. It will go easier the next time. My first attempts were Laurel and Hardy-ish, too. Since I was alone in doing it, I used an IV bag stand, which was indispensable and freed me up to focus on the process. My kitties would get fidgety too. I'm sure you've read a lot about tips, etc., but warm fluids seemed to help the fidgeting. I put the bag in a crock pot on top of a towel and set it on the lowest setting. Also, you may know this as well, but the Terumo needles are the best, or at least they were when I was doing this. A bit more expensive, but well worth it in terms of ease of sliding in. I'm sorry, but I cannot remember the gauge, but Tanya's site is where I learned about the Terumo brand, and I'm sure they mention the gauge. Sorry to be redundant if you know most of this.

I'm so glad to hear that the mirtazapine is working! Eat, Ivy!!!
Click to expand...
Thanks Mary. I’m so glad I’m not the only one. It was quite an event 🤦‍♀️
I appreciate your tips!

I did warn them up and I have Terumos 20 and 21 gauge.
I think my line was too long, 85”.
Maybe that’s why it took so long to drip?
I hung the bag on the top of the medicine cabinet mirror in the bathroom. Put her on a big towel on the sink.

I hope it gets easier. Can’t believe I did this by myself with my prior kitty 20 years ago. Either I was more talented or she was the easiest kitty ever….she was 💞
 
Marje and Gracie said:
I use the 85”. Thrivingpets.com has a little shorter and you don’t need a script.

Christie has a great solution, too, which works well for fussy cats, small amounts, and temporary fluid giving.
Click to expand...
That’s where I got my supplies last year. Are you sure no script for the lines?

Do you know where to get this other setup Christie mentioned?
Is there a video for that procedure?
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Oh interesting, so the needle comes attached?
🥰
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Yup, that’s the small needle to insert into the skin, and you use a separate needle to attach to the syringe and draw out from the bag. The butterfly sides seem to help keep the needle flat when you insert into the skin, and the fluids go through a small line. I found it easier doing solo than the drip line. This is the syringe pic. And the needle to attach to syringe and into the bag was an 18 gauge.
 

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I’ve done subQ more time and on more cats than I can count (and a few dogs). I don’t think it’s the line length as much as the needle gauge.

As for the line…just make sure the cat is lower than the bag AND that you’ve unsquished the “flatness” caused by the clamp. In other words, once you’ve unclamped, move the clamping device up or down the line a bit and make sure the line is rounded where the clamp had been. You might need to tweak it with your fingers.

If you’re going to be doing fluids frequently, I “second” the idea of an IV bag stand. I love mine. Before that, I used cabinet doors and modified clothes hangers.

Needle gauge impacts the flow rate more than anything, in my experience. I’ve seen vets use 16 gauge needles (absolute harpoons) to get fluids in an animal quickly. I would NOT use that on a cat. Mostly I used 18, 19, or 20 gauge depending on the cat, its tendency to “leak” liquid back out of the hole, and how tolerant the cat is. Typically the lower the syringe gauge, the faster the fluids flow.

Again, remember to hang the bag high, check that the line isn’t compressed where the clamp had been, and perhaps flush the line briefly before starting (to make it’s running properly and remove any air bubbles). BTW, a few air bubbles aren’t dangerous subQ, just preferable not to have too many.

Hope Ivy feels better soon. Been there with pancreatitis and it sucks.
 
Christie & Maverick said:
Yup, that’s the small needle to insert into the skin, and you use a separate needle to attach to the syringe and draw out from the bag. The butterfly sides seem to help keep the needle flat when you insert into the skin, and the fluids go through a small line. I found it easier doing solo than the drip line. This is the syringe pic. And the needle to attach to syringe and into the bag was an 18 gauge.
Click to expand...
Very interesting🥰
How is this the first time I’m learning about all of this? 🤦‍♀️

So I buy all of this from say Thriving Pets or piecemeal from wherever?
 
JL and Chip said:
I’ve done subQ more time and on more cats than I can count (and a few dogs). I don’t think it’s the line length as much as the needle gauge.

As for the line…just make sure the cat is lower than the bag AND that you’ve unsquished the “flatness” caused by the clamp. In other words, once you’ve unclamped, move the clamping device up or down the line a bit and make sure the line is rounded where the clamp had been. You might need to tweak it with your fingers.

If you’re going to be doing fluids frequently, I “second” the idea of an IV bag stand. I love mine. Before that, I used cabinet doors and modified clothes hangers.

Needle gauge impacts the flow rate more than anything, in my experience. I’ve seen vets use 16 gauge needles (absolute harpoons) to get fluids in an animal quickly. I would NOT use that on a cat. Mostly I used 18, 19, or 20 gauge depending on the cat, its tendency to “leak” liquid back out of the hole, and how tolerant the cat is. Typically the lower the syringe gauge, the faster the fluids flow.

Again, remember to hang the bag high, check that the line isn’t compressed where the clamp had been, and perhaps flush the line briefly before starting (to make it’s running properly and remove any air bubbles). BTW, a few air bubbles aren’t dangerous subQ, just preferable not to have too many.

Hope Ivy feels better soon. Been there with pancreatitis and it sucks.
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Track you so much. Good tips about the line being crimped. Maybe it was.

I’m not sure the bag was high enough (it was taller than we both were on the medicine cabinet). But we needed it to be at a height I could see the line of the fluids to read the markings to know when it was done.

Sorry you've dealt with pancreatitis too 😭
Should she be feeling better after 2 days? Or is it just too soon to be recovering yet?
Am I missing something else I should be doing??
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Track you so much. Good tips about the line being crimped. Maybe it was.

I’m not sure the bag was high enough (it was taller than we both were on the medicine cabinet). But we needed it to be at a height I could see the line of the fluids to read the markings to know when it was done.

Sorry you've dealt with pancreatitis too 😭
Should she be feeling better after 2 days? Or is it just too soon to be recovering yet?
Am I missing something else I should be doing??
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I used to draw a thick line at my stopping point on the fluid bag with a sharpie so I could see more easily from down below when to stop.
I hope Ivy is starting to turn the corner! Hopefully she’ll be better in the morning! 💚🌿🌱🍃
 
Elaine and Ember said:
I used to draw a thick line at my stopping point on the fluid bag with a sharpie so I could see more easily from down below when to stop.
I hope Ivy is starting to turn the corner! Hopefully she’ll be better in the morning! 💚🌿🌱🍃
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I did the sharpie line, but from up way high I couldn’t see it being down with her 😭
Thanks Elaine! 🥰
 
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