Getting a feeding tube today

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Sherry & Tipper

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As I mentioned a few days ago, Tipper appears to have hepatic lipidosis. She's at our new vet right now, getting a feeding tube installed. I'm on pins and needles until I hear from them that (hopefully) everything went well. For the last 3 days I've been syringing pureed food into her and we've managed about 4 ounces a day. She's about 8 pounds so that isn't bad, but really won't be enough to pull her through this HL. This is obviously more than she'd been eating on her own because her BG was in the 300s this morning. I upped her insulin dose from 0.7 to 0.8 units this morning -- playing by ear but if she's getting more food she needs more insulin too. And I'm not sure yet what kind of food the vet will be sending home with her but it's probably going to be more carbs and more of it.

Tipper is 18 and has an awful lot of health problems to be juggling at once. She's still yellow and her pee is still very gold in color -- I know that's not good. They're also doing an ultrasound and I'm hoping with all my heart they don't find any tumors or suspicious masses. This vet has told us that it's a real possibility with her age and all the other things going on. It's tough when your friends get old and frail.

Sherry and Tipper (absent)
 
Thanks. The vet called. Tipper's tube placement went well and she's doing fine. My husband is bringing her home now. I guess he'll also get the scoop on the ultrasound. Fingers crossed.

Sherry & Tipper
 
Hi Sherry,

Maverick had a feeding tube for ten weeks in 2008. It is quite emotional the first week but Tipper will adjust quicker than you will. It is an amazing thing feeding tubes. You'll feel confident and glad you have it soon. It will be just like a normal routine within a week or two. When Maverick got his tube removed ten weeks later I had heart paliptations every time I saw him because he looked Naked. Like he was missing something. ohmygod_smile

I have Maverick's battle with FHL in my signature. I do everything I can to educate people on the danger of not enough calories for their cats to help prevent just one cat from fighting FHL. Very healthy cats like Maverick get FHL. In Maverick's case it was change in his environment/food. We also help out on the FAF forum because they saved his life and I want to help keep owners feet on the ground that first week.

Good for you and wishing everything goes smoothly for you and Tipper.
 
Good luck to Tipper and calm thoughts to Mommy/Daddy bean! Please let us know how she is doing!
 
Hi, Sherry.

I'm glad you got the feeding tube and I'm sure it will help Tipper. It may be difficult at first and you may get frustrated, but you and Tipper will get in a rythym and it will get easier.

Keep us posted. I hope she gets better!
 
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