Pancreatitis - need help

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amandazzle

amandazzle

Member Since 2013
Hey it's Amanda and Sugar Kitty Foster again.

The other day Foster vomited extensively and I took him back to the vet. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis. They gave him fluids and sent us home with antibiotics and some anti nausea/vomitting pills.

Unfortunately, he will not keep down the antibiotics. It appears to be VERY bitter and makes him drool and vomit. And while he is eating some food, he really isn't eating enough that I feel comfortable giving him insulin.

I have given him everything...various types of canned wet food, tuna, homemade food, and even some high carbohydrate snacks and dry kibble. I just need him to eat anything at this point.

I am terrified, broke, and feel like I have failed him. He is angry, sad, and clearly feels awful.

Anyone have any experience with pancreatitis? Suggestions for getting a cat to eat and take his antibiotics?

Thanks again for all your help,
Amanda
 
When you pill him you need to make sure you pop it way back in his throat so it goes down without him tasting it. You could also try wrapping it in cheese before you pop it in. Try some cat grass (wheat grass) to settle his tummy. Just let him nibble on a few blades, it works wonders.
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I seem to be struggling getting the metronidazole (a liquid) down his throat. I am trying to avoid the tongue, but I can't seem to put it all down in one dose before he gets super ticked off and moves his head. It is supposed to be tuna flavored, but apparently it is not.

I am afraid that the metro is making him have even less of an appetite and if he doesn't get eating again they will have to hospitalize him.
 
I am also wondering if I should still be administering his insulin? The vet said since he was eating nothing when I brought him in, it was good that I didn't give him his insulin. However, he glucose is really high and clearly his pancreas is not functioning properly being that he is a diabetic.

Should I administer and check frequently?

Amanda
 
One of our members wrote a good post about pancreatitis. I hope you find some answers in there. There are some tips for helping kitty eat. Good luck.
 
You need to get some gel capsules to put medication into . I use size 3 and 4 that I got from thrivingpets.com. Since you need them now is there a compounding pharmacy near you? They might give or sell you some until you can get some by mail. They hide the taste of the bitter pills and no more drooling. I then chase the gel capsule with a syringe of baby food meat. Once the nausea med works your cat will eat the baby food by himself. What med were you given? I use ondansetron for Max who has had chronic pancreatitis fir 4 years now. Cerenia works well for lots if cats too but not reglan. Ince the nausea goes away the appetite will improve. Lots of cats need buprenex for pain.
 
Hello,

Metronidazole is a very bitter tasting antibiotic and I am suprised the vet gave it to you in a liquid form. It is also for mostly diarrhea.
I would hold off giving him that for awhile and see if he eats. When they have pancreatitis they need anti-nausea and pain meds mostly. I would request something for pain like buprenex. Pancreatitis is painful for the cat.
I have to question why they gave him the metronidazole unless he did have diarrhea.

Terri
 
When Cosmo was having a flare, I would heat up a bean bag pack for him (the one you microwave, put in a fleece sleeve, and is used to wrap around your shoulders) and let him snuggle with it.

I did fluid therapy (always warming the fluids first), which he loved (he got fluid therapy every day, but a bit more if he was having a flare). I would also administer mirtazipine for his appetite (usually the second day I noticed a lack of appetite) and give cerenia or some sort of injectable anti-emetic (I can't remmeber name of the second kind). BOTH will sting when injected. I kept them in the fridge to lessen the sting. Cosmo did NOT appreciate this medication. I also gave oral buprenex (liquid). Mostly, I had him cuddle next to me and tried to make him as comfy as possible. I also gave liquid famotodine (pepcid). Anti-emetic usually stopped the vomiting, and he'd usually be back to himself within 1-3 days.

After it became obvious that Cosmo would have flares on a semi-regular basis, the vet I worked with allowed me to keep supplies at home so I could administer as soon as I noticed the onset of a flare. That said, I had been working closely with this vet for over a year after Cosmo got diagnosed with diabetes/CRF and he knew how hypervigilent I could be.

Best of luck. I know it feels horrible to feel helpless when your sweet furry one is not feeling well.
 
Pancreatitis is VERY painful; I have no idea why your vet did not send you home with pain meds, buprenex is the best for pancreatitis.
Also, the 2 other things needed would be fluids every day along with pepcid AC or cerenia.... something for the nausea.

Of course you should continue to give insulin and you will likely find that the numbers when you home test will be higher and you may need to raise the dose until the pancreatitis flare has been calmed.

Gayle
 
I see Wendy linked my Primer on Pancreatitis for you.

As others have mentioned, he should be getting fluids. Here is a video that we did with our kitty Gus showing how to give subcutaneous fluids at home:
[youtube]TtSzMuDgx78[/youtube]
 
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