Help for chronic diarrhea, pancreatitis

[kim and simon]

Simon is an OTJ cat.
Simon had one incident in December that turned out to be low potassium. His kidneys were ok on the labs at that time. I am not sure if he still urinates high volume, losing potassium, due to past diabetes or just has early kidney issues that aren't showing on the blood test yet. We have been supplementing him but he remains on the low side of Potassium levels. He then had an acute pancreatitis episode in January which may or may not have been triggered by switching to a gel form of potassium, Renal K. The vet had another cat with the same symptoms and bad pancreas values the next week on that gel, but nothing is sure. I think Simon had another mild incident last month with one day of lethargy and not wanting to eat. Since that final episode, he has had terrible diarrhea.
Can you direct me to some ideas about chronic pancreatitis (digestive enzymes? Brand?) Vet feels it could be flaring pancreas or IBD but truly all of his systems seem to be tiring out. Simon is still happy with normal bg. We have been to the vet so much but I kind of feel like we don't really know the root cause of all this. I hoped that maybe you guys would have suggestions.
Of course he needs another dental but with potassium so low vet is reluctant to put him under.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall]

Renal K is awful ... can't imagine what mental giant thought maple flavor and artificial sweetener would appeal to a cat. Mine hated it so I'm using NOW brand pure potassium gluconate, comes in a powder and mixes easily in wet food. Here's a chart with dosing information: http://www.zzcat.com/CRF/supplies/potassium.htm

A good support group for pancreatitis: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feli ... s_Support/

 

[BJM]

Pancreatitis can respond to Vit B-12 shots.

It also may indicate other cells in the pancreas are not doing their job. Here is a post on Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

What does his poop look like? Voluminous stool may be a sign of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, especially if they are light colored, almost pasty.

This is a digestive enzyme mix I bought to try with Spitzer:

Dr Mercola Healthy Pets Digestive Enzymes 5.26 oz
Has Betaine, pancreatin (protease, amylase, lipase), Ox Bile extract (45% cholic acid), Bromelain, and papain.

Amylase breaks down starch
Lipase breaks down fat
Protease and papain break down protein (papain comes from papaya and is found in meat tenderizer.

 

[kim and simon]

I got the Mercola enzymes. I think it might be helping! I have yet to catch Simon in the act, and we have an 8 month old kitten as well, but I haven't found any major poo puddles in the last day.

I unfortunately found out that the Potassium Gluconate powder is just as good as the Tumil-K. . .right after dropping $75 for a refill at the vet. We will have to use those up and then will try some powder. That will make it easier for the pet sitters this summer to be able to mix the powder in food.

I will investigate the group you linked. Thanks so much!

Does it seem that once a cat has had an acute flare of pancreatitis that he's going to deal with it for life? And if his BG is under control, does it mean the problem is now with the exocrine side? I need to do some reading. I love to read and understand these things, but sometimes my time is limited these days with 3 kids, a geriatric dog, a geriatric cat, and a kitten :lol:

 

[BJM]

Otheres whose cats have had pancreatitis previously report their cats seem more susceptible to attacks. You can do a search on pancreatitis posts by entering the word in the upper right search box. The topic comes up a lot!