New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis-

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Andrea&Tennessee (GA)

Andrea&Tennessee (GA)

Member Since 2014
Hi Everybody,
My name is Andrea and my cat is Tennessee. He is 13 years old, currently 16.8 lbs (big boy) and was diagnosed with FD on 9/30/14. The vet gave us 1 week to get it under control with just change of food (of course they also had us use their high fiber food). So when diet change did not do it, we were stated on Lantus 1unit BID. That same day, I switched him to only canned food- friskies pate and fancy Feast.

I have been testing at home with a relion micro.
We had slowly worked up to 2 units BID, then 2 weeks ago, went to the vet and had a fructosamine (sp?) test done. It came back as well regulated.

In the past 2 weeks I have noticed Tennies BG slowly inching up, so I tried 2.25 units BID. It seemed to help at first, but then the numbers kept creeping up.

Monday he refused to eat and was vomiting and somewhat lethargic, I reduced his dose to .5 because no food. Tuesday he was doing better- eating when I put food in front of him, getting up to drink water, but still lethargic. I upped his dose because he was eating OK.

This morning he refused to eat much at all, so again I reduced his dose. I tried syringe feeding him and he did not keep it down at first. Later he was able to keep 1 ml of food down and did drink some water.

Soo, off to the vet we went today. She ran a blood test and did an xray and told me he has pancreatitis and gave him subcutaneous fluids, a pain killer and a anti nausea shot. I was told to hold off on his food and insulin tonight and try to feed him in the AM. She said to base his shots tomorrow on how much he is eating.

So here we are. I am so discouraged because he was doing so well! Now he is sleeping in his carrier (I took the top off for him). I was given more pain killers for him, ant nausea meds and an appetite stimulant to give him if I think ha needs it.

I am scared and just looking for some support. Things were going so well, then to have this come up has really thrown me for am emotional loop.
If anyone has any advice about dealing with the pancreatitis and his dosing in general I would appreciate it.

I have been keeping a spreadsheet for him but I am not sure if I have attached it correctly!

Andrea
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Thank you BJM!
I have read it and am trying to read every post I can on dealing with pancreatitis. We seemed to have caught it early, so I am trying to be optimistic.
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Getting it under control can be tough.

Even if she doesn't eat, if her glucose is high, she may need some insulin, perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 of the normal dose. This can help improve appetite by lowering the glucose levels below maybe 300 mg/dL and higher. Do discuss a dose and level to shoot with your vet.
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Yes, the vet said to use my discretion- she suggested I not give him more than 1 unit (he was getting 2.25) based on how much he eats.
Right now I am feeding him with a syringe and he is managing to keep it down. but it is only small amounts right now - 8 ml.
I'm going to try to test and shoot at his regular time, even if it is a decreased dose.
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

My cat Lily went through a vicious episode of pancreatitis in late October/early November. I won't give you the whole story, but after two stays in the hospital, she's home now. I am very aware of her eating--it's so important that she eats. This is why: When she wasn't eating, her BGs were lower, in the normal range--so I was encouraged by those numbers. But she went into severe DKA. Not to scare you, but just something to be aware of. Before this, I had no idea that a cat could go into DKA while having low BG numbers.

Pancreatitis is treatable. Keep in close touch with your vet. I will say a prayer for your kitty. I know this is terrifying! But still treatable. Hang in there my friend. :)
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Thank you for your support.
I am kind of freaking out and don't know how far to take this. My boyfriend says that I am torturing the cat by feeding him by syringe.

When I am home I am trying to feed him as much as possible without causing him stress and making him vomit it all back up.
When I am at work, like now, I am kind of just freaking out
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Oh, I completely, completely understand. I would say--you just got the diagnosis today, correct? That's SUPER early. He could start eating on his own right away, and the syringe feeding would only last a day or two. I would definitely give him a few days. I suspect the syringe feeding could be very temporary and he'll be eating on his own again. And you're not torturing him.

You're a great cat mom!
 
Re: New Here - and just diagnosed with pancreatitis- Scared!

Yes that is what the vet said give him a few days, but I cant stop thinking about the "what if's".

I'm trying to do what is right for him. I cannot afford a hospital stay right now. I probably spent about $2,000 in the last 5 months between Tennie and his brother Quall.
Quall got diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in August, and is doing well but the cardiologist appointments are soo expensive.

I HATE that I even have to consider the financial part of all this.

He just looked so miserable when I left him to go to work today. I know part of that is the pain meds that he is on.
I think that I am going to try the appetite stimulant that the vet gave to me if he is not eating better tonight.
 
Hi @Mogmom,
I just saw your reply- I've been busy at work lately with not much time to check things out here.
Tennie is doing well- eating well, and pretty happy in general. We ended up getting him some iv fluids at the vet and both appetite stimulants and that got us through it.

I am still struggling with getting his numbers down. Every time I go up with is dose, I get a few good cycles and then it is back to high numbers.
I'm planning on another dose increase tomorrow night.

I've been wondering if his arthritis is influencing his numbers- It has been soo cold up here in Maine lately-
 
Really glad to hear that Tennie is doing well and is in good form. :)

Maybe the arthritis might be a factor affecting his BG. Pain is a stressor.
 
So glad to hear he's doing better! We went thru hell with Goof for about 5 weeks, several times we thought we'd lose him, but he's regulated now and back to his old goofy self. Only have to test few times a week now. I agree with Critter Mom, the arthritis could be a factor as strees will certainly cause numbers to rise.

I know what you're saying about the money factor too, OUCHIE! I was very seriously considering retiring in the spring, but now with all of the additional vet/insulin/testing/ special food costs, I'm thinking I can't. Plus, I rescued a nearly 15 year old Pekingese (sp) dog from some people who were not caring for him and he's on 3 different heart meds and vets appts about every 2 weeks.
 
I am nowhere near retirement, but I can understand how having animals that need special care would influence NOT retiring!
The things that we do for our animals!
Going to do an increase tonight, and along with that we should be having warmer weather coming in, so I am hoping that everything will come together soon! His numbers were so much better before the pancreatitis popped up- but it was also much warmer then. I'll bet like you and Aine said - it's all connected somehow.

I understand the about feeling like you might loose Goofus, it can all be really stressful. I didn't get much sleep for a couple of weeks because I kept getting up to feed him little bits. Still now, when he doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night for food, I worry that he might stop eating again.

How nice of you to take on a dog with heart issues too! Tennie's brother, Quall, is being treated for cardiomyopathy (sp?) and seems to be doing well on his 2 meds. It looks like a pharmacy at my house!!
 
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