Boomer's Caturday report

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Traci and Boomer

Traci and Boomer

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Hi LL-

I did a spot check on him today and it was 51. Holy crap. That got me a little freaked out.

His latest thing is he was diagnosed with EPI (pancreatic insufficiency) and his pancreas doesn't release digestive enzymes. I got Pancrezyme delivered this morning and I'm hopeful it helps him gain weight and solves this problem. So far he seems to be doing well on Leukeran too. He's on so many meds (the powder, leukeran, bude, remeron, reglan) but as he starts feeling better the bude, reglan and remeron will be stopped. He's playing and eating. Even though he's quite thin he seems to feel okay. The EPI causes starvation because the nutrients aren't absorbed no matter how much he eats. That makes me really sad. I'm so grateful that the IM vet had the brains to test his TLI. My regular vet didn't think of it.

So far he's eaten the food with the powder in it without any issue!!! YAY!
 
Traci,

Glad to hear Boomer is tolerating the medicine well and is eating. You have done such a great job with him, making sure he got the care he needed to determine what his health issues are. With your care, and now knowing what you're dealing with will help Boomer have many more great days.

From what I've read, the pancreatic enzymes should make all the difference for him and help him thrive.

Jason
 
I'm glad you got a diagnosis on the EPI, and that he is tolerating his meds. That is great news. I think you have a good plan in place to get him back to feeling normal.
 
He will be okay now, Traci. Thankfully, you got the results of that test and can deal with what it is....weight gain will hopefully come soon. You are doing a great job! And those numbers are all okay but they do give you a start, don't they? :lol: So happy for the good report.....hope you have a great weekend!
 
I'm glad that Boomer is better. It sound like the meds you are giving are helping and I'm glad that he's taking them with his food. I hope you continue to see improvement. Happy Caturday to you and Boomer.
 

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Traci I'm so glad to hear that boomer is feeling well these days. Yes it is a lot of meds right now, but it's all worth it right? To have him happy and starting to get healthy again. I look forward to your next report!
 
Thanks for updating us on Boomer. I am glad to hear he is acting fine and eating. Hopefully he will gain weight soon and be 100% back to normal. You have done such a great job with all this, Traci, and you should be proud of your persistence and the results you achieved. A 51 is a great # for Boomer. My two civies tested at 42 and 53, so that could be his normal range. Keep up the good work and please let us know how he continues to do. :smile:
 
HI Traci and Boomer!!! Soo happy to hear Boomer is doing better, poor kitty having to be on so many meds!!! You are an amazing mamabean to him!!! HOpe you have a great weekend!
 
It sounds like the IM vet was both thoughtful and thorough and I'm very glad you have a diagnosis. I came across this info -- I don't know if you've already seen it. The site contains a good description of EPI and its treatment.
 
PM update:

Boomer isn't feeling well. He's been in his cat carrier for hours. He won't eat for me, though he did earlier. I have no idea what is making him feel this way and I don't know what to do. He's lethargic. He's on remeron, reglan, bude, leukeran and pancrezyme powder. How the hell should I know what's making him sick on all those drugs? I feel helpless and things don't seem good. Maybe he'll magically feel better, that sometimes happens. I feel like I'm losing him sometimes.
 
((( Traci ))) I was just about to comment on what a nice WCR and now I see he's not feeling well. I hope this passes quickly and he gets back to being your purry furry.
 
I know this is yesterday's condo, but I didn't have a chance to comment yesterday. I hope Boomer will get past whatever is making him feel yucky. I know from new meds I've been taking that the side effects seem worst the first few days, then the body adjusts. If the side effects continue, then it might be time to look for a Plan B. Of course if you really do feel like you're losing him, then don't wait, get to the vet.

I'm going to paraphrase something Gayle wrote about Oliver's acro dx. She said that you can fight the known, it's hard to fight the unknown. Now that you know what is going on, you'll have better success in fighting it.
 
Hi Traci, As Libby suggests, it could very well be that a period of adjustment to the new meds is what is now happening with Boomer. We hope that he will get back on track soon. It sounds like he will be able to really recover now that you know what his condition is. Hang in there!

Ella & Stu
 
Libby and Ella-

I think you guys are right; he's adjusting. I took him to the ER today and they sent us home. He's not anemic, he doesn't have a temp, he's not lost any more weight. She gave him his leukeran for me. He's eating and will eat a little of the enzyme food now after I gave him the remeron. He needs more of it-I think. I'm currently giving him 1/4 pill every other day. Things literally change hourly. She said he's no where near death. She says he's on 5 meds and probably doesn't feel good, but it's not a death sentence. Whole Foods sells clear capsules by the 100, so I'm going to buy them and give the enzymes in the capsules when he won't eat the food. I'll hear from the vet tomorrow and I'll find out if buying the coated pill is an option. Not sure why they don't sell this stuff in a capsule in the first place since the coated pill doesn't break down consistantly according to a few vet websites. I've had an exhausting and emotional week that has been terrifying and utter HELL. I've been alone because I can't really leave him and Dave won't leave his dog. We're two of a kind. He's coming over later and his mom is watching Princess. I'm probably going to take tomorrow off. I am once again eternally grateful for all of your help and support.
 
Hi Tracy,

Check out this capsule size chart: http://www.torpac.com/Reference/Torpac% ... 0Chart.pdf

If you can't find the smaller ones locally, maybe you can find them online?

Quincy's leukeran is compounded and placed in the size 3 capsules, if that helps as a reference. I stick one in refrigerated beef baby food, and he licks up the whole thing - slides right down. I love that I can trick him into taking it (anti-jinx!) because he's tough to fill. I think it's a great idea for you to try capsules for the enzymes.

Good luck!
 
Oh goodness! I was all excited to see a good report about Boomer, but then the news that he wasn't feeling so hot!

Hopefully it really is just a period of adjustment to all the meds. I'm sure there's going to be some tinkering with doses, and we'll be keeping our paws crossed that things even out soon and he starts feeling better! I'm glad to hear he's not losing anymore weight--that's definitely a good sign!
 
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