Pancreatitis - Yikes!

[Kathleen and Fred]

Thinking it was the end of the road for Fred (turns 16 on July 26th), I took him back to the Internist for an ultrasound with a heavy heart. He looked alert, but slow and wasn't allowed to eat anything. She already said he has chronic kidney failure (CKF).

Bottom line, his hydration is normal, heart & lungs sound normal, and she didn't feel any mass in the abdomen. He has cystic lesions on his liver, suspected to be benign cysts. His pancreatic ducts are dilated, but the remainder of the pancreas appeared normal. There is evidence of CKF, based on blood work, but just in one kidney - the other seems OK. His chronic mild anemia is probably due to the CKF and pancreatitis.

She wants me to hydrate him with NormosolR (100 ml every other day and every day if needed. Also, he is to take Mirtazapine (1/4 tab) every other day for appetite stimulation and Famotidine (1/2 tab - 5 mg) once a day for upset stomach. I am to test his BGs AM & PM and only give insulin if it goes over 140. He usually stays under 100. He's been food regulated for 6 months.

He has a slightly dilated eye and a small lesion under it. She thinks this could be anything from feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency disease, feline infectious peritonitis and/or toxoplasmosis. We're not treating this now.

We'll go back in three weeks for follow-up labs if things stay the same .......play, poop, eat, sleep. If anyone has been down this road, please let me know what you think about the diagnosis and suggested treatment - also, what I might expect going forward. This is the best place for a second opinion on the planet!!

Thanks!!

 

[Anitafrnhamer]

For kidney failure, this site is the best: felinecrf.org

As for pancreatitis, I found with Squeaker that a B12 injection worked wonders for him. You might also consider asking your vet for Cerenia for nausea which is an issue with pancreatitis. The Famotidine is for stomach acid and I would suggest giving a 1/4 of a tablet in the morning and again in the evening right before bedtime. If necessary the vet told me I could give up to 1/2 tablet twice a day.

Is there a reason your vet advised NormosolR? This type of fluid can sting. The norm is to give lactated ringers.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Also, he is to take Mirtazapine (1/4 tab) every other day

What is that dose in mg?
Mirtazapine comes in different "size" tablets with a popular one be 15 mg tablets. The standard dose is 1/4 of 15 mg tab every three days but that is to high for a lot of cats

 

[BJM]

Primer on Pancreatitis

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

Pancreatitis in manageable--managing symptoms is not a breeze but it is doable for sure

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

My girl couldn't handle Mirtzapine.... it made her crazy.... and meow constantly....

I recommend cyproheptadine.

I didn't seen any mention of pain medication for the pancreatitis. It can really help.
I got the best price for bupenorphine from www.diamondbackdrugs.com $41 ( included delivery) for 10 mL
your vet would fax in a prescription.
Shadow couldn't handle much pain medication so she was on the tiniest dose of 0.1 mL .... sometimes the normal dose of 0.3mL is too much
depending on the cat.

 

[tiffmaxee]

My girl couldn't handle mirt either so I never tried it with Max. Cyproheptadine works as does Zyrtec which is over the counter. I started Zyrtec for sneezing , 1/4 a regular 10mg pill and got the bonus of it acting like an appy stimulant. I'd read it can work and it does for him. Just a sliver of cypro works too. He's had chronic pancreatitis for nearly 8 years. Ondansetron for nausea makes an appy stimulant not necessary much of the time.

 

[Critter Mom]

He has a slightly dilated eye and a small lesion under it. She thinks this could be anything from feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency disease, feline infectious peritonitis and/or toxoplasmosis. We're not treating this now.

I suggest getting a second opinion and a thorough eye exam (including checks for uveitis and glaucoma) from a veterinary opthalmologist. Diabetes leaves eyes vulnerable at the best of times but I found out the hard way that pancreatitis can lead to secondary inflammation problems in the eye. (My little one lost an eye earlier this year due to this.) Be sure to check blood pressure regularly; high BP is a common issue in CKD cats and hypertension can make eyes more vulnerable to diabetic/pancreatitis-related complications.

Watch for signs of unusual squinting in the eye, and also keep a look-out for your kitty possibly rubbing at the eye with a paw. Even if it's only intermittent behaviour, if you see it get your kitty's eyes checked.


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