Diabetes, pancreatitis, what's your experience

[Genlilliana]

So, what we thought was unmanaged diabetes is really pancreatitis. I'm very concerned- Barney's diabetes isn't managed and now this. I'm also scared, as this is a very serious health issue.

Good, bad or ugly...if your diabetic got pancreatitis...what was your experience with it? Please share...

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Bump.

 

[Wesley and Spicoli]

Hi My boy had pancreatitis earlier this year. He was vomiting everywhere and clearly in pain. When I took him he was given anti-nausea meds and subq fluids. When I brought him home they didn't give us any nausea meds or pain meds. I went back the next day and requested some, but all they would give us was some for nausea. Anyways, we had to force feed for 2 days and it took him about a week to start getting back to normal. Some cats take longer so don't let it discourage you if he's not moving as fast as youd like. Its a tough thing to deal with but very doable. The most important thing you can do is give kitty whatever they will eat (preferably wet food), and if you have to, then force feed. Its not as bad as it sounds, but can be very messy A kitty that doesn't eat for 24 hrs is at risk for developing hepatic lipidosis - fatty liver. Keeping them hydrated and fed really is key. If he's not eating you could ask for an appetite stimulant. At minamun he should be sent home with nausea meds.

I hope Barney gets to feeling better soon

here's A Primer on Pancreatitis http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/a-primer-on-pancreatitis.83108/

@Yong @Rachel @Kris & Teasel

 

[Olive & Paula]

Hello. I can only tell you my experience. I only had Smokey the last 2 1/2 yrs of his life. Although I knew him his whole life was 18 1/2 when he received his wings. He was dx with p'titis in March 2016. He was diabetic, uncontrolled since 2010. Now that I know about p'titis I suspect he had it most of his life but no one (other than me) investigated his symptoms. Even my vet didn't think he had it. I insisted they run the test to humor me and while waiting for results I had the ultrasound which confirmed it.

You treat the symptoms. Anti nausea, anti emetics, subq fluids help, sometimes an appetite stimulant is necessary. Pain medication is paramount. Smaller more frequent feedings, they need to keep eating. Smokey had to be fed every 3 hrs around the clock, p'titis was one of the reasons for his meals. Depending on the kind of p'titis, it can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Do not be to quick to stop the meds because they seem better. It can come back with a vengeance. Try not to miss any insulin shots. If appy is off assist feeding might be needed.

Here is some info on p'titis.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/a-primer-on-pancreatitis.83108/

Keep us posted

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Oh I did not get a notice I was tagged! Just meandering through the threads .
Also, just my personal experience. My boy was diagnosed with a mild pancreatitis flare; noticed diarrhea Saturday morning in the box, evening before he wouldn't touch his wet foods and displayed signs of nausea. Monday went to the Vet to get SNAP fPL test (just says yes/no for pancreatitis). So it took about a month for him to fully recover. I had to treat conservatively since 1) I couldn't afford the aggressive treatment and 2) Vet was OK that he didn't seem to need the aggressive treatment and just kept her updated if anything changed.

Treatment:
Vet visit - He was given a little bit of fluids, just to be safe, a shot of Cerenia and I think appetite stimulant (lasted maybe 24 hours).
At home - We were given Cerenia pills that I had to cut in to 1/4 pieces and Mirtazapine as appy stimulant, cut into 1/8 pieces , and Buprenex for pain. Suggested I could give Famotadine (pecid) but he never seemed to have extra acid.

Big things for him was nausea and pain management. He would only willingly eat his YA dry food and I was able to get him to eat some MC wet foods after initial few days. Pretty sure I put all the notes in his SS, starting evening of 16 June. Think last day of consistent meds was 08 July.