Shadow's not feeling well

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Shadowboy

Member Since 2013
I've been noticing that Shadow isn't eating well ( Since Sunday) . Some days he'd only lick his food other days he'd eat about 1/2 a can- this was VERY abnormal for him. He was also having some clay colored loose stools. We went to the vet today and the vet thinks it's most likely his pancreas. She mentioned that only 25% of cats show pain with pancreatitis even though we know with dogs and humans it is painful. Started him on Buprenex and SubQ fluids. She said there is no real treatment for pancreatitis, just supportive care with pain medicine.

I think I've read something about Buprenex on here, but don't see a search function. Also, what do you guys do with your cats when they have pancreatitis? Anything else I can do for Shadow?

Hope he's feeling better soon.


* We didn't do lab tests today- please understand we are a nonprofit rescue that runs only on donations and the proceeds we get from adoptions..... we need to be conservative while still treating Shadow and ensuring he is not suffering. ( we've spent over $2000 on him since April)

* Also, please know I realize our spreadsheet isn't complete with BGs every day, multiple times a day. I just had 3 pregnant dogs (pulled into rescue from a puppy mill) deliver at my house- we have been crazy busy. Trust that I'm doing the best I can for Shadow while I realize it's not as much as many want me to do or as much as many of you are able to do at home.... I'm trying.
 
Healing and get well thoughts are being sent by the fat ginger tabby Stewart and myself to Shadow.

Feel better, Shadow.
 
A Primer on Pancreatitis

The light colored stool makes me wonder about exocrine pancreatic insufficiency - basically a lack of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas.

Discuss this idea with the vet and if he thinks that is likely, consider an empirical trial (ie no expensive test) of some over-the-counter feline digestive enzymes. Mercola makes one.
 
Aw Shadow... sorry you're not feeling well. You have a good mommy who loves you.

Hugs and Headbutts!

:YMHUG:
 
I thought Gayle had great advice for pancreatitis here:

Blue said:
I posted over in Tootoo's thread all about pancreatitis.

The vet said it was a mild case.... what does that mean?
Pancreatitis is confirmed with a test, for the fPLI test, under 3.5 is negative, over 5.0 is positve, and in between is the iffy area.

Yes, you will see much higher BG numbers with pancreatitis but no problem, you just adjust your insulin dose until the flare has passed. When the cat starts to feel better, the BG numbers will come down, and you can decrease the dose again.

If your cat is already vomiting, the vet can give you cerenia; a shot of famotidine would be best to settle the stomach first, then you can give 1/4 tab of Pepcid AC (2.5mg) twice a day.... the daily max for cats is 5mg, so get the regular strength Pepcid or the generic famotidine pills.

Pancreatitis is very painful; do not let a vet tell you it's not..... humans who have suffered with pancreatitis will confirm it is extremely painful. Many cats will hide and also sit in a meatloaf position, all hunched over. Buprenex is the best for this type of pain. Get pain meds for your cat for sure.

SubQ fluids are needed to flush toxins from the body..... get a fluids kit from the vet, and if you have not given fluids before, the vet can show you or many people here can help you with it. I forgot to mention the needles to get from the vet for the fluids..... none of my cats like the 18ga needles - too big and the fluids went in too fast, so they were squirmy. I prefer a smaller needle size; tell your vet you want 20ga needles.

Last thing that helps with pancreas inflammation is B12 shots. Talk to your vet about getting a bottle of B12 and you can give weekly shots to prevent more CP attacks.

So you want nausea meds, pain meds, and subQ fluids. You can treat at home very easily.

Gayle
Click to expand...

I believe all these things are really helping my Ozy who has chronic pancreatitis.
 
Thanks for all the information and well wishes. Just gave him his first Sub Q fluids- he wasn't much of a fan =) Only got in ~50ml before he freaked out. Will try again tomorrow. I forget what the rule of thumb is for giving SubQ and insulin.... do I have to separate the two by a certain amount of time or areas of the body?

Thanks
 
Yes, its a good idea to do them in separate areas of the body. Lantus is an acidic pH and if it is infused with a neutral pH fluid, it will crystalize quickly and may dissolve incorrectly.

Doing the fluids at the scruff/shoulder areas and the insulin near the flanks should work well.
 
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