Phoebe needs help!

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EricH.

EricH.

Member Since 2016
Thank you to everyone that has been so kind and concerned. Phoebe is so fighting the forced feedings. I was just told too try sardines or anchovies. Any one now about this method?
 
Did you give the mirtazapine yet? I don't use that one very often - it can have weird side effects - what dose did you give her?
Did they give her anything for nausea?
There is a recipe for a liver shake somewhere on the website that is supposed to be highly successful in situations just like this - I'll try to find the link You should be able to get all of the ingredients at a good grocery store here is the link liver shake
 
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ask your vet tomorrow about giving you some ondansteron for nausea, cerenia for vomiting and cyproheptadine - another appetite stimulant but can't be used with mirtazapine
also I am not clear what exactly is wrong with Phoebe right now - does she have pancreatitis or IBD flare or infection - has she ever done anything like this before (stopped eating) If you go to the feline health & FAQs forum - there's links to a lot of helpful topics, including getting kitty to eat (looks like @Sharon14 beat me to it :))
 
No she's never done this before and she's always had an appetite. The mirtzapine really doesn't seem to help. Phoebe was diagnosed with Insulin Dependent Mellitus. But tentative diagnosis is diabetic ketoacidois. This worse she's ever been.
 
When you see your vet ask about the cyproheptadine and other meds Carol mentioned. Her cat has bouts of not eating and she's learned a lot about appetite stimulants.
They must have checked her for ketones at the emergency clinic, did they check today?
 
Sharon14 said:
When you see your vet ask about the cyproheptadine and other meds Carol mentioned. Her cat has bouts of not eating and she's learned a lot about appetite stimulants.
They must have checked her for ketones at the emergency clinic, did they check today?
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I'll be at Richmond Veterinary Clinic when they unlock the door! This has been an eye opening and humbling experience. I was able too get some more food into little Phoebe.
 
The appetite stimulants take -weeks- to really start working. They are of no use in with ketones or DKA, as they don't treat nausea, which is one of the barriers to eating when ketones are involved. Please ask for and anti-nausea medication.

Also, are you still giving insulin? This is very important. If you skip doses, the ketones will form more rapidly and make everything worse. You need to be testing blood sugar to make sure that she doesn't go low in order to give it.

Did they check potassium? This is the other major barrier to eating as low potassium causes weakness and causes the digestive tract to slow down or stop completely.
 
Also, ask your vet to switch to a long acting insulin (lantus or levemir) and show you how to do subQ fluids at home. The best treatment honestly is for your kitty to stay a night or two and get stabilized before you take her home. PLEASE ask your vet if they have experience treating DKA and what the outcomes are. Lots of vets have little to no experience, and will recommend euthanizing, or treat wrong and have bad outcomes. DKA is treatable, but has to be done in the right hands.
 
Meya14 said:
The appetite stimulants take -weeks- to really start working. They are of no use in with ketones or DKA, as they don't treat nausea, which is one of the barriers to eating when ketones are involved. Please ask for and anti-nausea medication.

Also, are you still giving insulin? This is very important. If you skip doses, the ketones will form more rapidly and make everything worse. You need to be testing blood sugar to make sure that she doesn't go low in order to give it.

Did they check potassium? This is the other major barrier to eating as low potassium causes weakness and causes the digestive tract to slow down or stop completely.
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No Meya14 I'm not skipping her dose today. She had one at 9am and will the 2nd at 9pm. I've been watering down her wet food too syringe feed it to her easier. She's still trying to resist but at least I'm getting food into her. She hasn't thrown up either thank god! Everything you mentioned will be addressed at 9am.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Just wondering the basis for that statement. I have used both mirtazapine and cyproheptadine on several cats and they started working in about 30 minutes or so. They worked very well but I only got abut 48 hours vice 72 hours using the 72 hour dosing for mirtazapine.
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These drugs act on histamine and serotonin systems and although they have a shorter time than SSRI for a therapeutic effect (1-2 weeks vs 2-4 weeks), they still take time. They are more of a maintenance medication for chronic poor appetite rather than a treatment for anorexia due to nausea. We use them extensively in elderly (mirtazapine) and children (cypro), and although I understand the physiology is different, the effect of most medications in animals are extrapolated from human use anyways.

Also, the initial lethargy both these medications causes takes a few days to stabilize. This can actually reduce oral intake at first.
 
Meya14 said:
These drugs act on histamine and serotonin systems and although they have a shorter time than SSRI for a therapeutic effect (1-2 weeks vs 2-4 weeks), they still take time. They are more of a maintenance medication for chronic poor appetite rather than a treatment for anorexia due to nausea. We use them extensively in elderly (mirtazapine) and children (cypro), and although I understand the physiology is different, the effect of most medications in animals are extrapolated from human use anyways.

Also, the initial lethargy both these medications causes takes a few days to stabilize. This can actually reduce oral intake at first.
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After reading what you wrote l wish l never gave her the mirtzapine. I've gotten 70ml. of watered-down canned purina pro plan veterinary diets dm. into her.
 
Sharon14 said:
Good you got the food in her. Is she accepting the syringe feeding better?
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Yes! She's still fighting it but once I figured out a technique and the perfect wetness for the food it started going a lot better! She will be ready for that 9pm insulin. I just PRAY that she fully pulls through! She's been moving to her favorite spots today. And even in her weak state can still climb the stairs. I have hope!
 
we have hope too!! as far as appy stimulants, I agree that need to be sure nausea is taken care of - ondansteron is the best anti-nausea.

I have had great luck with 1 or 2 mgm of cyproheptadine (an antihistamine) and it almost always works within an hour - (but I do always give it with ondansteron) keep doing what you are doing and see what your vet says
did you ever get the strips to measure ketones in the urine?
 
Glad you worked out the technique! It's a good sign that she frequenting her favorite spots. Good thoughts and prayers sent!!!
 
For goals: Try to feed at least one 5.5oz can of food a day and give an extra 150ml of water.

If you have treats or dry food she likes, by all means, set it out and see if that helps her eat on her own. Don't set out the same food you are syringing, as cats usually get aversions to foods they are syringe fed. Hopefully the vet is helpful tomorrow. It always helps to make a list of things you want to ask about and just give it to them so everything gets addressed.
 
Meya14 said:
For goals: Try to feed at least one 5.5oz can of food a day and give an extra 150ml of water.

If you have treats or dry food she likes, by all means, set it out and see if that helps her eat on her own. Don't set out the same food you are syringing, as cats usually get aversions to foods they are syringe fed. Hopefully the vet is helpful tomorrow. It always helps to make a list of things you want to ask about and just give it to them so everything gets addressed.
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Thanks Meya she seems really week now. We stopped at 930pm to go too bed. This is tearing me apart.
 
She's alert. I'm just not used too seeing her like this. I'm going to start force feeding her again right now. I wish l was wealthy and could of left her at the vet. This is cruel punishment.
 
Good that she's alert! Feed her all she'll eat. Depending on what your vet says today, please consider contacting DCIN, they will help with the costs of treatment. The link is in a post above.
 
Sharon14 said:
Good that she's alert! Feed her all she'll eat. Depending on what your vet says today, please consider contacting DCIN, they will help with the costs of treatment. The link is in a post above.
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Thanks Sharon!: Ijust got done feeding her and giving her water. She's about the same as she was yesterday I guess she was able to make it up and down the stairs now she's hiding behind my dresser because she's had enough of the syringe feeding but before that she did go to the litter box and didn't urinate which is good thing!
 
This came from an old post
DCIN is Diabetic Cats in Need. I am the director. (Pumpkinsmom) Please contactme at 410-499-3390 via text or voice.
If the link isn't good, maybe try to contact this person.
 
Please help save Phoebe! xyz set this up for Phoebe.

_Any and all fundraising efforts by or for individuals or groups must be approved by the Board Admin, Robert and Echo, prior to posting on the FDMB. Link to fundraiser has been removed by Moderator pending Admin approval.
Fundraising on FDMB
 
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Sharon14 said:
How is she? What did the vet say?
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She started treatment for Diabetic Ketoacidosis at 845am. She will require an overnight stay maybe more. They said l did a great job nursing her along just to get her too today. Phoebe, Bobo, and l thank you ALL for your valuable support and advice!!! I would of never made it without ALL of you!!! The kind generous people at Diabetic Cats In Need are truly angels as all of you are! I'm indebted to all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
 
So happy to hear Phoebe is getting the treatment she needs and hopefully you can get a little rest and relaxation in until she gets home again knowing she is in good hands!
 
We're so happy she is at the vets and it does not sound like in that bad of shape. You did an amazing job caring for her over this long holiday weekend - please keep us updated on her progress
 
Eric I am so glad Phoebe is getting the treatment she needs. You have done a great job looking after her over the long weekend with the help of the wonderful people here on FDMB. Please keep us updated with her progress. Sending vines for a full recovery.
 
Thanks again for the encouragement this has been the longest weekend in my entire life. Easily the worst 4 day stretch I can ever think of. I am so thankful that Phoebe will get a chance. I'm so overwhelmed and blessed. She is currently undergoing treatment that could last possibly two days. Bobo and l are looking forward to her return home. Things aren't the same with her not around. :(
 
I just want to let everybody know I spoke to Premier Veterinary Clinic in Grayslake this morning at 6 a.m. to check on Phoebe. The doctor on duty said when he came in yesterday Phoebe was laying in her cage and they just started the new insulin that'll help remove the ketones from her system. He said now she's up and about moving around in the cage and her blood sugar levels are headed towards normal now but she's still not out of the woods but definitely an improvement!
 
That's great news!

When she's ready to come home, make sure your vet sends you with:
A bag of subQ fluids for home
Ondansetron or cerenia
A prescription for lantus or levemir
 
EricH. said:
Please help save Phoebe! xyz set this up for Phoebe.

_Any and all fundraising efforts by or for individuals or groups must be approved by the Board Admin, Robert and Echo, prior to posting on the FDMB. Link to fundraiser has been removed by Moderator pending Admin approval.
Fundraising on FDMB
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dear moderators - he had no idea about this (neither did I frankly) Eric started posting over the long 4th weekend when his beloved cat developed DKA - he couldn't afford the emergency vet treatment so the FDMB members helped him nurse her until he could get her to his regular vet yesterday morning - He was referred to xyz in his previous thread over the weekend I believe.
 
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