GI and Pancreas Testing

[Casey Warner]

It had been recommended by a specialist that Brownie should have a few GI tests: Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity (TLI) and vitamin B12 and Folate. But Brownie also needs regular blood work done to check her kidneys and anemia. If I have to choose between the two tests, I'm inclined to go with the regular blood work to see how bad the anemia is. I believe the vet can also do a Spec fPL test since they use Idexx labs. Would that test be something that you all recommend since I may not be able to do the GI panel on Brownie?

My understanding is that because she may have CKD, it can throw off the results of the Spec fPL test or that pancreatitis can make it look like she has CKD.

I need to find the cause of the anemia, and so the GI panel may need to come last even though that may be the cause, I don't know - too many possibilities. One step at a time.

Brownie stopped eating on her own on the 24th. I am now syringe feeding her. But the good news is that her glucose started coming down a few days before this happened. It's now around 140 at preshot. I do not have my spreadsheet up-to-date online yet, but it's up-to-date on paper. I'll try to update it online today (Sunday).

 

[Kris & Teasel]

If she's not eating on her own I'd get the full range of tests done to see what's going on. The full panel from IDEXX including the Spec fPL would give you a lot of info and it runs about $200+. If your regular vet is interested he/she can call IDEXX to ask one of their IM vet consultants for help in interpreting the results - or your own specialist (IM vet?) could do it.

Testing is expensive but it can be hard to know which tests are most important in a situation like yours. If you can afford it go for the wide ranging panel. If funds are an issue ask your vet for guidance on what to start with. We can't really advise because we aren't vets.

 

[Casey Warner]

Thanks. My vet has been useless. I was going to get that GI panel done in July, then I got a message from her saying she recommends the urine culture over the GI panel. I relunctantly did that and it was an expensive mistake. The culture was negative which tells us nothing. She's so clueless that she doesn't even know that a cat can have a kidney infection and the culture still be negative. I think I may just ask for two months worth of Baytril. The ultrasound showed something going on with the kidneys and blood work suggests possible kidney infection.

This morning, Brownie ate three Sheba Perfect Portions all by herself! I hope she continues. I'm thinking that maybe she stopped eating because I temporarily ran out of methyl B12. I give her one 500 mcg capsule twice a day and she hadn't had any for 1-2 weeks. My order got delayed and none of the local stores carry that kind of B12. My order finally arrived Friday. The B12 injections may be better, but with all the ear pricks and insulin injections, I feel like she could use a break if the oral B12 works.