DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Updates

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Re: DKA- Garland Update... Its not looking very good....

Get the tube.....don't give up. I got the "talk" to when my Kitty had DKA. BUT, she pulled through.....
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

I've been watching this thread and I'm pulling for you and Garland! Please get the tube!! 50/50 isn't that bad as far as odds go.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Been through that 3 times........get the E tube put it. Liver can come back....only organ that can. Not the stomach peg tube.....the esophageal tube......through the neck. Less invasive,less surgery time,works wonders. Prayers coming and hopefully donations will keep coming in to Venita. Liver has done this because of lack of food and she is out of DKA......she can pull through this.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

I went through two hepatic lipidosis tours with Charlie, complete with a PEG tube once and an E-tube the other. Barring a terminal diagnosis (aggressive cancer, etc.), my rule of thumb has always been to give them as much medical support as possible and let them make the decision. Cats have amazing healing abilities and a lot of grit and "heart."

Charlie looked like "death warmed over" numerous times yet pulled through and had quality time with me.

Have they had any luck getting the potassium levels up? That in itself makes them look and act punky, which then opens the door for HL.

You have some decisions to make, but I'd sure try. You're this far down the path already and a feeding tube is not difficult to manage. It would be a shame to give up now.

Sending positive vibes your direction...
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Violet, get the tube NOW, and don't worry about the costs, I am willing to send international money check as soon as I know how much the total sum I need to send will be. Also, the vet place needs tó cooperate with me with that since it will take a few days for this way of sending money, first a visit to one bank, then a visit to a second bank and filling out forms, then check has to be written out and sent to me, then I can send it to Venita. So if they just can give her the tube care and other care ASAP as she needs, I can get going with the form filling out things and eventually the money will get to the vet place for the care.


(sigh I'm off so far away and fast isn't fast because of that)
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Thank you all ((hugs)) I would be lost without all of your support. I think I have been crying for the last 2 hours :(

I think I want to do the feeding tube. I called Venita, she is calling Dr Hill to get more of an update from him bc I am awful with trying to explain medical terminology.. I need advice from you experts. E tube or peg? The dr seems to want to do the peg more??
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Dr. Hill is in a meeting. Can't get Violet back on the phone.

Violet, I am saying yes, and after reading suggestions here and Dr. Lisa's feeding tube page, go with the E Tube. ASAP.

DCIN will add another $800 to its donation, or greater if the donations exceed that.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Venita and Ennis93 said:
Dr. Hill is in a meeting. Can't get Violet back on the phone.

Violet, I am saying yes, and after reading suggestions here and Dr. Lisa's feeding tube page, go with the E Tube. ASAP.

DCIN will add another $800 to its donation, or greater if the donations exceed that.


I will too
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

$$$ will be in the mail tomorrow. I'll go across the border and send as US post works so much faster than Canadian, embarrassing to say!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Ann & Scatcats said:
Venita and Ennis93 said:
Dr. Hill is in a meeting. Can't get Violet back on the phone.

Violet, I am saying yes, and after reading suggestions here and Dr. Lisa's feeding tube page, go with the E Tube. ASAP.

DCIN will add another $800 to its donation, or greater if the donations exceed that.


I will too

Ann, you are a dear!!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Sent a small donation, sorry it couldn't be more. Praying for you both, Violet and Garland.
Theresa and Christian
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

TheresaJ860 said:
Sent a small donation, sorry it couldn't be more. Praying for you both, Violet and Garland.
Theresa and Christian


Everyone counts!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Venita and Ennis93 said:
Ann & Scatcats said:
Venita and Ennis93 said:
Dr. Hill is in a meeting. Can't get Violet back on the phone.

Violet, I am saying yes, and after reading suggestions here and Dr. Lisa's feeding tube page, go with the E Tube. ASAP.

DCIN will add another $800 to its donation, or greater if the donations exceed that.


I will too

Ann, you are a dear!!



Venita, please check your Messages at fb, I need to know your mailing address for the internationall check and the pm's here on FDMB don't work for me, so I messaged you for your address at fb instead.

Ann
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart. Your donations, your support, your knowledge, your kindness, your love for my Garland. I will never forget it. I cant wait until I can repay the kindness shown to me here by helping another DCIN patient when I can

I called and told the tech to tell Dr Hill to do the E tube. (He was in with another patient) I hope they get it going soon. She has been soooo long without food
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

I just tried (again) to call Dr. Hill. He is not available because....

...he is putting an e-tube into Garland!!! YEAH!!!

Violet told me that Dr. Hill recommended the peg tube instead of the e-tube because they could get more food into her more quickly. Violet, you (and DCIN) are paying for intensive care. The staff need to be feeding Garland very frequently once the tube is placed. I suggest that you become a pain in their butts and call them every couple of hours to ask when they last fed Garland.

Hopefully, Dr. Hill will call once he is done with the tube placement and I also can make that request of him.

Those who do Reiki or who have friends who do Reiki, please put your energy onto Garland. We pulled Tiko away from death's door. We can get Garland home to her Mom's loving arms as well!!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

My reply didn't show up at all.

Go with an ETUBE NOT a Peg tube. Maverick had a peg tube and its much more invasive with potential for lots of complications. Maverick needed two emergency abdominal surgeries.

A few things:
1. FHL is extremely nauseating. Get a prescription for an antinausea medication that works for cats. Ondansetron or dolasetron. Cerenia is used when there is vomiting. Metoclopromide/reglan is often prescribed but this doesn't work for cats, just dogs. It works for nausea on cats if stomach motility is the cause (throwing up food hours after eating).

2. Calories is the big part of FHL treatment. Cats stop eating enough for many reasons. There is a yahoo group dedicated to assist feeding that has a ton of info on FHL, tube feeding, videos on changing bandages etc. Its the Yahoo Feline Assisted Feeding group. They can support you every step of the way recovering from FHL. They do not advice on diabetes or diabetes diets. You'll learn things like the right amount of water to flush with, how to unclog a tube, tips like blending up the food and straining it before feeding, what medications you can and should not put in the tube, not to rush your cat back to eating on its own, to focus on healing the liver. A cat will eat when they are ready.

My father had liver disease and was able to communicate how miserable it made him feel. He did not eat solid food for six weeks.

3. A liver supplement has proven to improve survivability. Marin, denosyl or denamarin.

Maverick almost died from FHL in 2008 and the vet recommended euthanasia. The FAF group held my hand through his complete recovery. It is survivable but you have to get food into him and he has to keep it down. Keeping you two in my thoughts.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

I have pulled two out of Fatty Liver at home, surely the vet will bring Garland through this. You might want to ask the vet about adding Denamarin to whatever else Garland is getting. It's the one thing that helped my babies pull through.

I will keep you and Garland in my thoughts and prayers, and please, if there is anything I can do to help out, call me. I mean that, day or night, just call and I will be there.

Patricia (GAs Fluffy, Mr QT, Murphy, Jonathan, Flannel, Speedy, Angel, Rusty, Bobby, Ash, Moseley, Suzy, Zak, Kobe and Cory) Corky, Oreo & Rufus
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Smokey had triaditis when I first got him (adopted at age 14)....he was in the hospital
4 days.

Triaditis is Pancreatitis, Fatty Liver, and IBD all at once.

Garland can pull through !!!

Go for the feeding tube ASAP.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Dear Violet,
If you are to buzy w/ kids etc. to be big pain in the a**, give me the ok to speak with them, and trust me, they WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT! LOL! I have a reference list ~ lol.......

But really, I do live close by and if you need anything, let me know....

Right now, Patricia has been visiting me and helping syringe feed my Civvie Slappy and she is doing much better! Every nite so far and awaiting her for tonite, but I bet I could fit you in the schedule of mine if you need the help....give back when you can~ and that is what I feel I need to do!

Let me know and pm me if you want! GO GARLAND GO! :RAHCAT
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

I havent been able to talk with the vet. I guess they had several emergencies come in. But the tech who answered the phone said they got the tube in great. So now I am just waiting to hear back from Dr Hill. Ill keep yall posted when I hear something
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

ohbell said:
Dear Violet,
If you are to buzy w/ kids etc. to be big pain in the a**, give me the ok to speak with them, and trust me, they WILL DO WHAT YOU WANT! LOL! I have a reference list ~ lol.......

But really, I do live close by and if you need anything, let me know....

Right now, Patricia has been visiting me and helping syringe feed my Civvie Slappy and she is doing much better! Every nite so far and awaiting her for tonite, but I bet I could fit you in the schedule of mine if you need the help....give back when you can~ and that is what I feel I need to do!

Let me know and pm me if you want! GO GARLAND GO! :RAHCAT
LOL Thanks!!! I hope they will just do it without me having to harass them. But we shall see. (love the cheerleading cats) LOL
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Violet,

Prayers for Garland and hugs to you :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

Roberta
and Casey
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Dearest Violet, and, of course, you too, darling Garland,

Please know my hopeful, healing, hungry thoughts and prayers continue for your sweet furry girl. And, for you, who misses her so...

May she be home soon sharing snuggles with you after your children in bed.

Much love and countless hopeful, healing, hungry hugs for you all,
Deb and Nikki (i'm rooting for you, garland! get better soon, sweet girl, okay?) -- and, Giz, who taught me all about hope...
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

So glad Garland got the feeding tube. My Danny went thru much of what Garland has, and the feeding tube saved him. My Venture actually has a feeding tube in right now due to some different problems.

But!!! Please make sure your vet is considering the risk of "hepatic lipidosis refeeding injury"! Google this term and check out the MarvistaVet link - I think its the second one down. They can't just start feeding at full level right away, due to metabolic issues. If they are not careful, the refeeding injury can occur and basically the red blood cells are badly damaged. In that case the cat has to have transfusions -- this is what happened with my Danny. So make sure to discuss this risk with the vet and find out how they plan to avoid it!

Best wishes,
laur
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Hi!! Wanted to tell you about what the vet said really quick (baby boy is sick, so Im doing a lot of rocking tonight)

He just said the tube insertion when great, shes groggy, but once shes more alert they will start giving her small doses of water down the tube to see if she can keep it down. Then over the next 12 hours slowly start trying very watered down food. So its a waiting game to see how she does. He is going to call me in the AM to let me know how her night was.

Thanks again for the prayers and support. Its been a very rough week for me. My other cat (Connick) has been a bit mopey the last day or two. He is missing his snuggle partner. I got both cats when they were 6 weeks old. They have never been apart in 12 years... I can tell he misses her as much as me.

Ill let you know how her night was!!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Dr. Hill did call me two hours ago as he was driving away from the ER for the evening. The e-tube surgery was successful and Garland was coming out of the anesthesia as the Dr. was leaving.

Thanks for the info about refeeding injury, Laur. Copied below. Dr. Hill was telling me about that without using the term. He was talking about how they would have to start slow with food and water and "get her stomach re-accustomed" to food. They also would supplement her food. He said that after 12-24 hours, they would be able to establish a calorie target and feeding schedule. So that all makes sense to me now. (I've never been through fatty liver with one of my cats.)

Dr. Hill said that this morning's bloodwork showed Garland's potassium at almost normal--3.4. The liver values, though, keyed them into the fatty liver and they confirmed it with a urine test, which showed dark color and high bilirubin. Dr. Hill did say that the urinalysis also tested for ketones, but he couldn't recall the result with certainty.

Dr. Hill said that at this point the medical issue is only the fatty liver and getting Garland past that. He suggested maybe only 2 or 3 more days in the hospital.


From Marvistavet.

When a patient has been in a starvation state for a while and then begins to eat, some serious metabolic problems may occur in the first few days as metabolism changes. When food is delivered, the pancreas releases insulin in an attempt to store the calories. Unfortunately, insulin also drives circulating potassium inside cells and cats with hepatic lipidosis are often depleted of potassium to start out with. This sudden drop in potassium can make a cat very weak (causing drooping neck, listlessness, urine retention / inability to urinate normally, heart muscle depression and more). Similarly, insulin will drive phosphate into cells in a similar way leaving the bloodstream depleted. Red blood cells will not have enough phosphate to maintain their own structure; they burst causing severe anemia.

If the blood phosphate level drops below 2.2 mg/dl, an IV supplement will be needed. After the phosphate level has started to rise, an oral supplement of phosphate (usually lactose-free cow's milk works well). Expect the cat to be monitored in the hospital for the first 3 days following initiation of nutritional support.

Refeeding injury can be usually avoided by starting with half (or less) of the required amount of Calories at first and gradually working up to the full nutritional requirement over a few days. Having a low blood potassium level at the time of the initial lipidosis diagnosis is associated with increased chance of death.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

((hugs)) been following for a couple days with lots of thoughts and prayers being sent your way. This is an amazing family here, and I'm telling you, the folks here can work miracles!

Sent a small donation tonight. Sorry it couldn't be more!
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

Also following along and praying for Garland. We also had a kitty who had to have a tube (PEG back in those days) and it saved his life. I'm so glad you did it, Violet.

It sounds like your doctor is great and we will just keeping sending healing thoughts and prayers Garland's way.
 
Re: DKA- Garland Update... Not looking very good....Fatty Li

MORNING UPDATE AFTER E TUBE

Hi!! I called first thing this morning to see how Garland did last night after getting her feeding tube. The morning vet tech had only been there a few hours, but she said she had fed her an hour ago and so far nothing has come back up. I asked how she did last night and all she could tell me was based on the notes on her chart she was fed every 2 hours (very small amounts) and nothing came up. (based on the notes) YAY!! Im so happy she hasnt been throwing up. It gives me a newfound hope for her :)

Dr Hill is supposed to call me later for more details, but I just wanted to share this good news with you all :)
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Come on garland, once you get your fuds in you are on the road to recovery!! Many prayers from us to you!!
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat Food staying down is great news.
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Great News! :-D

Hopefully the good reports will continue!
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Go Garland!!! We are all pulling for you!! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT dancing_cat dancing_cat dancing_cat
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

:RAHCAT Go Garland Go :RAHCAT

Prayers and Purrs still coming from the Great Plains.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Thanks everyone!

Another quick update: Garland still is keeping the food down. Her BG was low earlier, but they got it back to where it needs to be. Dr Hill is getting optimistic, so thats a good sign. Its still a waiting game to see how she does. Ill be back later with another update, my kids are screaming at my feet right now. I just wanted to pop on and tell you shes still doing pretty good with the tube :)
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Awesome, Christian and I are keeping you both in prayer, (Shihtzu drooler is as well!) :YMHUG:
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

I was just talking to the hospital operations director about a rescue discount for the bill. She was saying that Garland is really cracking them all up with her talking and talking and talking.
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Yay for talking!!!

Bet she is saying, "I WANNA GO HOME!" "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" & "WHERE IS MY MOMMA? YOU ARE NOT THE MOMMA"

Keep it up Garland, and eventually they will let you go home, just to get some peace and quiet...lol.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

I came home to dancing kitties, smilies, and positive updates. Can't tell you how happy this makes us. Jessie, Church, and I will keep the prayers coming.
Stay strong, Garland! And you too, Violet! Many hugs to you!
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

YAAAAAH Garland!!!!! Go girl go!!!! :RAHCAT Sending healing thoughts and good vibes all the way from Nova Scotia, Canada
 
Re: DKA/FHL/ETUBE- Garland Update... Day 5 ICU

Dearest Violet, and, of course, you too, chatty Garland,

Keeping food down and talking, talking, talking?!?!?! Oh be still, my heart...

Our hopeful, healing, hungry prayers continue for your brave furry girl and her brave loving mom. And, I hope your son is feeling better today.

Much love and countless hopeful, healing, hungry hugs for you and yours, Violet,
Deb and Nikki (i'm sending special paw pats for you, garland, and for your buddy, connick) -- and, Giz...
 
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