Kidney Failure [moderator pls merge to Lantus]

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

She mostly wants water and ate some of the gravy canned this am but not typical volume. Small vomit overnight. Count was 167 this amps.

Concern of pancreatitis. What to ask vet?! I have to leave shortly to old vet because the new vet I wanted to try can't see til late tomorrow and I believe she is down about a pound from a few days ago.

Help comments please soon.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Max has had chronic pancreatitis for over 6-7 years. I give him ondansetron for nausea but others use cerenia. Other support is buprenex for pain and sub-q fluids. Ask for both ondansetron and cerenia as ECID and some need both. Vines. I've been battling it for a few weeks with Max and he's on ondansetron.

 

[Lydia--(Rosie & Basil) GA]

The vet will know what to do if it is pancreatitis. Just try to remember as many details as you can about vomiting, acting as if she is in pain, etc. Losing a pound in a day would be fluid loss mostly.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Here's the primer on pancreatitis but Elise hit the big ones: something for pain, nausea relief, and also fluids. Ondansetron and cerenia work different modalities for nausea vomiting so Elise is right that it's best to have both on hand.

Be sure you check ketones! Not eating and vomiting can also be associated with increases in ketones.

Sending prayers.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Typically fluids, anti-nausea/anti-vomiting, and pain meds are given. Syringe/assisted feeding ma also be required

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Kari, sending you lots of healing vines and hope all will be well. Please update when you can

 

[billysmom (GA)]

A regimine of B12 shots may also help.

 

[Critter Mom]

I second the recommendation about the course of B12 injections.

I'd also add an appetite stimulant to the suggestions above. Mirtazapine is very strong and may induce serotonin syndrome (potentially life-threatening - effect may be increased by co-administration of buprenorphine). Cyproheptadine (aka Periactin) is gentler in action. It is an antihistamine and it may slightly increase the sedative effects of buprenorphine. A small dose of cyproheptadine can be quite effective (1/8 of a 4mg tablet for 10lb cat). You may not need to give the appy stimulant but it is a very useful medicine to have at home in order to address inappetence issues promptly.

Here are the IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines. It's got details of all the treatments you need to ask your vet about. Sending prayers for Mocha to feel better very soon.




Mogs


EDITED TO ADD:

WARNING: The IDEXX guide references Tramadol as a possible treatment for pain relief. There is a MAJOR drug interaction in humans between Tramadol and ondansetron (Zofran). Combining these meds can increase the risk of inducing serotonin syndrome. The bupe/ondansetron combo is usually fine.

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[Mocha aka Cold Play]

Max has had chronic pancreatitis for over 6-7 years. I give him ondansetron for nausea but others use cerenia. Other support is buprenex for pain and sub-q fluids. Ask for both ondansetron and cerenia as ECID and some need both. Vines. I've been battling it for a few weeks with Max and he's on ondansetron.

so sorry about this journey for you, thanks for the info, I await the blood results today. She is still struggling, posted to Lantus.

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

I second the recommendation about the course of B12 injections.

I'd also add an appetite stimulant to the suggestions above. Mirtazapine is very strong and may induce serotonin syndrome (potentially life-threatening - effect may be increased by co-administration of buprenorphine). Cyproheptadine (aka Periactin) is gentler in action. It is an antihistamine and it may slightly increase the sedative effects of buprenorphine. A small dose of cyproheptadine can be quite effective (1/8 of a 4mg tablet for 10lb cat). You may not need to give the appy stimulant but it is a very useful medicine to have at home in order to address inappetence issues promptly.

Here are the IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines. It's got details of all the treatments you need to ask your vet about. Sending prayers for Mocha to feel better very soon.




Mogs


EDITED TO ADD:

WARNING: The IDEXX guide references Tramadol as a possible treatment for pain relief. There is a MAJOR drug interaction in humans between Tramadol and ondansetron (Zofran). Combining these meds can increase the risk of inducing serotonin syndrome. The bupe/ondansetron combo is usually fine.

.

Great info. I will print the doc and review so when he has the results I am up to speed. It is interesting you note about Ultram. I take Ultram for pain and I know so well you can't hardly take anything with it. So it is very true about the serotonin syndrome.

We have a 2nd show @ our home tonight and need to go sometime to check on things before then. Snow to remove, etc. I pray I can get her higher so I can leave for an hour. Under 80 is not comforting to me, with kibble left.

 

[tiffmaxee]

While awaiting results, did your vet give him anything for nausea? In appetences in a cat is almost always caused by nausea even though they don't always vomit. I would never give an appetite stimulant to a nauseous cat because the result can be food aversions. I too have used just a sliver of cyproheptadine to get Max eating but only after a dose of ondansetron. Have you tried all meat baby food? Some will eat Beechnut but Max and all my other cats for that matter prefer Gerbers 2nd. They are all meat but contain cornstarch which is still pretty low in carbs. Max likes ham the best but eats the beef, chicken, and turkey too.

 

[Critter Mom]

@tiffmaxee -

Hi Elise,

I'm sorry to hear that Max is having a bad time of it at the moment. I hope he feels better very soon. Knowing what hard going it is when dealing with a bad flare, I hope that you're bearing up alright. Sending prayers and healing thoughts for you both.




Mogs
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[Critter Mom]

I would never give an appetite stimulant to a nauseous cat because the result can be food aversions. I too have used just a sliver of cyproheptadine to get Max eating but only after a dose of ondansetron.

Good point, Elise. I should have clarified that the appy stimulant should not be given until after an anti-nausea treatment was in place. Thanks for catching my oversight.


Mogs
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[tiffmaxee]

Thanks for the well wishes @Critter Mom . I never thought I would say this but the big jump in the CKD fight is much more alarming than his pancreatitis (anti-jinx).

 

[Critter Mom]

I never thought I would say this but the big jump in the CKD fight is much more alarming than his pancreatitis (anti-jinx).

In the same boat here. Saoirse has been dx'd with early stage II - and very similar thoughts have gone through my head. It is much harder trying to do part of the job of a kidney; so many more variables and so few things one can monitor at home.


Mogs
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[Mocha aka Cold Play]

One good thing was the weight was the same @ the vet as the last visit. 7.5lbs. So, it may have been how I leaned when holding her with me and let her down and weigh myself. She just felt lighter to me. No stool yet. She still will only touch kibble and is leaving it for water. I am not feeling good about the phone call to come.

To all who have posted. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for sharing and giving info for what I fear could be going on. Since she did not flinch with the blood draw, I just sense something is really amiss.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Fingers and Paws crossed and continued healing vines!

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

While awaiting results, did your vet give him anything for nausea? In appetences in a cat is almost always caused by nausea even though they don't always vomit. I would never give an appetite stimulant to a nauseous cat because the result can be food aversions. I too have used just a sliver of cyproheptadine to get Max eating but only after a dose of ondansetron. Have you tried all meat baby food? Some will eat Beechnut but Max and all my other cats for that matter prefer Gerbers 2nd. They are all meat but contain cornstarch which is still pretty low in carbs. Max likes ham the best but eats the beef, chicken, and turkey too.

The vet has not directed any action yet because the results will be probably a few hours more. But, I do want to know about Ondansetron, it is over the counter right?

What is the dose you give for 8lbs and how?

If she is not touching wet food, would you syringe it with water and smash it?

I will pick some up to have but I thought I read a page that said to be careful to give these meds before you know what underlies as some meds worsen the condition.

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

Max has had chronic pancreatitis for over 6-7 years. I give him ondansetron for nausea but others use cerenia. Other support is buprenex for pain and sub-q fluids. Ask for both ondansetron and cerenia as ECID and some need both. Vines. I've been battling it for a few weeks with Max and he's on ondansetron.

I am still waiting for blood results. I have Zofran in 4mg and 8mg tablet.
@tiffmaxee
What dose are you giving?
How when they don't eat wet?
How often?
He may suggest I come in for something late today but in the meantime she is still not wel.

I would like to know what I can do and if this won't hurt any other issue (kidney, liver)?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Max needs 2mg twice a day of zofran. Many are fine with 1mg. The first time he became inappetent I couldn't get him off cyproheptadine. I finally was told his dose was t enough for his size. He was 14 1/2 pounds at the time. So start with 1mg and if it doesn't work try 2mg. It's safe to give up to 4mg.

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

Guess it does not matter.

Kidney failure, very advanced. I had no signs.

Got an iv and a 3wk antibiotic.

Her immune system is horrible and has always been.

I went thru this 8 years ago with my first fur baby. He lost his battle.

I feel she has lost it before we began. I am heartbroken.

I probably will just leave the forum for awhile.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Max has CKD too. What are his creatinine, BUN, Urine specific gravity, phosphorus? There are supplements. I've dealt with it twice and am having a hard time dealing too. Pancreatitis can make the numbers worse as can dehydration.

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

Max has CKD too. What are his creatinine, BUN, Urine specific gravity, phosphorus? There are supplements. I've dealt with it twice and am having a hard time dealing too. Pancreatitis can make the numbers worse as can dehydration.

all was normal but kidney, I don't have the test results. my head is on the floor with my heart. I will ask tomorrow. If you have seen them rebound, please let me know the bun number they had.

 

[tiffmaxee]

BUN is partly influenced by what has been eaten. The test for pancreatitis is not done in house. Was the sample sent to IDEXX? The more important number is the creatinine. Was a urinalysis done to check for infection. It's also good to send out for a culture to make sure there isn't an infection. If this came about suddenly something likely caused it. Can you get a complete copy of the labs and post them here?

 

[Mocha aka Cold Play]

BUN is partly influenced by what has been eaten. The test for pancreatitis is not done in house. Was the sample sent to IDEXX? The more important number is the creatinine. Was a urinalysis done to check for infection. It's also good to send out for a culture to make sure there isn't an infection. If this came about suddenly something likely caused it. Can you get a complete copy of the labs and post them here?

yes, idexx, will get them tomorrow. no urinalysis.