Tarragon - UPDATE #3

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Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

They are planning on doing an ultrasound this afternoon or tomorrow morning and did mention pancreatitis. I will ask about that again this afternoon when the vet calls.

Charlie, our lab, and Tarragon are best buddies. Every time I get home he is at the door looking for Tarragon. When he's not with me, Charlie hangs his head and goes into the living room and lays on "their" bed. I think this is harder on Charlie and Turnup than me, which seems hard to believe.
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Also glad to hear the encouraging news. I hope they OK him to be home- I bet he'd recover faster there. Happy thoughts for the evening!
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

How about cross posting on Health? There are several vet techs who frequent that board and maybe they'll have an idea.
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

((((Melissa)))(((Tarragon))))
I heard from Karrie as I don't come to FDMB lately...sorry to hear Tarragon is having such hard time....will for sure add you to my list of people & kitties I pray for daily.....

sending you cyber hugs and many prayers your way
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Melissa & Tarragon said:
They are planning on doing an ultrasound this afternoon or tomorrow morning and did mention pancreatitis. I will ask about that again this afternoon when the vet calls.
Click to expand...

The blood test for pancreatitis is called the fPLI. An ultrasound would also show inflammation if pancreatitis is present. As you were mentioning issues with diarrhea, poor appetite, working on a hairball, and treatment with Metronidazole, that could all be consistent with inflammation in the GI tract spreading to the pancreas.

My civie, Teddy, goes downhill very quickly with pancreatitis attacks. He once became severely ill in the space of a few hours, and went into shock. I wonder if Tarragon might have gone through something similar. An ultrasound sounds like a good idea.

If they do discharge him, to see if he is happier at home, they might consider leaving the IV catheter in place and lightly bandaged, so that if he does have to go back in, it will be quick to hook him back up.

It is frustrating, I am sure, to have no idea what is going on, but it is good news that a lot of serious conditions have been ruled out. The one thing that still leaves me curious is the smell of ammonia on his breath. Has that gone away?
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

I just wanted to let you know that I've been thinking of you guys all night and all day. I'm feeling encouraged, too, that all of his tests have come back normal, too. Yes, it's frustrating to not have an immediate answer, but hopefully it's a good sign. Many hugs - and give Charlie some scratches for us, too!
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE

Melissa & Tarragon said:
Just got back from visiting Tarragon. He is still very weak and on an iv. They are running more tests and will call me by 5 and let me know if he can come home tonight. They are stepping away from the kidney theory it sounds like. They are stumped. Everything is coming back normal. Is it possible he just got a bug? Anyone have any thoughts? No infection, blood work normal, urine normal, lungs and heart clear, x-rays fine. I am pushing for him to come home since I know he would be more comfortable at home. They are going to have a copy of his labs ready for me when I go back.

Thanks again everyone.
Click to expand...


Wow...now wondering if it was a stroke? Possible he fell and had/has a head injury?
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Been thinking about you all day long! This at least, sounds so much more promising today!
Praying every hour for Tarragon to be better tonite-Putting my Faith into every prayer-
We want update #3 to say Tarragon is better & is coming home!! Paws & all fingers Crossed!!

What you think about, you bring about--I am thinking
complete recovery for our buddy Tarragon! Hugs & Love from us!
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Melissa, I know you are relieved that his tests came back normal but scary not knowing what is causing Tarragon to be so sick. I go to a prayer group every Wed. and tonight I sent tons of healing thoughts and prayers to you and Tarragon. And I know there are many, many more here on LL praying for Tarragon. Hope you get some encouraging news tonight and that your boy go home tonight. I know he will be so much more comfortable around his wonderful bean.
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Melissa, you and Tarragon have been in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully Charlie and Turnup will get to see their buddy soon. Healing thoughts to Tarragon and hugs to you!!
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

(((((Melissa))))) (((((Tarragon)))))
We continue to send our prayers that Tarragon will recover from this mysterious illness. I hope that he will have a better night and that he will continue to present encouraging signs.

Many hugs to you and the whole family,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: Tarragon - UPDATE #2

Just got back from the hospital. They did an ultrasound today and he has pancreatitis and now has DKA. He looked a lot better tonight. Of course they all wanted to know if he was always this sweet. Yes he is!

He will be there for 24 to 48 more hours. They need to keep the iv going until his ketones are gone. On a good note, his kidneys and liver are functioning perfect. He also ate a full meal while I was there. I read all of your sweet notes to him while I rocked him and he hung on my every word. Tarragon loves to be rocked like a baby.

Thank you all. The magic of LL is definitely working!
 
Oh, I am so relieved that you have an answer, that he's looking better, that ate a full meal with you. We're still praying here!!!

C'mon, Li'l T...we miss you lots here in LL, but you're in all of our hearts!!!
 
So glad you know what is going on. What is the treatment plan for him? Make sure you tell them no metacam right ;)
((((((Tarragon)))))) I bet he gets them all loving him :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
 
It is so good to hear that Tarragon is feeling better tonight and that you have a diagnosis. I am sure that with the expert care he will have a full recovery.

Thinking of you and sending healing vines and hugs,

Ella & Rusty
 
AW! Poor baby! I am so glad you have some answers and that he is responding to treatment. Eating is always a very good sign.

Also glad his kidneys are okay. So, he should make a full recovery under your loving care and he has all of our prayers.

Hope you are feeling some relief.
 
(((Melissa))) so glad that you now have a diagnosis and can move forward. I love that you rocked Terragon and read all our messages to him. Prayers continuing and hugs and love to you and sweet Terragon.
 
The treatment plan is iv drip, adding in R insulin when his ketones go down. He also had some blood in his urine so they have been giving him antibiotic injections as well. I did mention no metacam. :). I did remember something with all the info overload.
 
It seems like that ammonia odor you noticed was probably more like acetone. You and Tarragon are very lucky. It sounds like there's been a very positive turn around.

Just a curious question. When they did blood work at the ER, didn't they check electrolytes? Potassium and phosphorus values are typically off with DKA as are ketone levels.
 
Still sending vines and light to Tarragon. What a relief to have a treatment plan they can start on. Speedy recovery, Lil T.
 
Oh Melissa, i've been gone and just jumped on here quick and saw this.
So sorry to here about Tarragon and hoping everything turns out ok!!

I'll be checking in for updates tomorrow when I get a chance. Hang in there buddy!
 
They are confused by that as well They did check his potassium and phosphorus levels last night and again this afternoon and they are in tolerance. His BG has been between 150 - 250 as well. The ketones finally showed up this afternoon in a urine sample. The vet can't figure out why is BG levels are so low with DKA and no insulin for 36 hours.

We did get lucky. I am very thankful I took him in when I did. Poor guy. I still have no idea how things went so horribly wrong so quickly though.
 
I'm so glad to hear you have a diagnosis and Tarragon is getting the treatment he needs!!! I've been so worried. I'll keep the prayers coming and hope he gets to go home soon!!
 
It's so good you have an answer! Now they can do what they need to to make him better! We'll continue sending warm healing thoughts your way! ((((Melissa and Tarragon))))
 
*whew* how is it that DKA and pancreatitis can sound good? i feel relief that you have a diagnosis and relief that so many people here have experience with those things and can help you navigate through this.

tell tarragon we're all cheering for him and can't wait til he's home!
 
Melissa & Tarragon said:
They are confused by that as well They did check his potassium and phosphorus levels last night and again this afternoon and they are in tolerance. His BG has been between 150 - 250 as well. The ketones finally showed up this afternoon in a urine sample. The vet can't figure out why is BG levels are so low with DKA and no insulin for 36 hours.

We did get lucky. I am very thankful I took him in when I did. Poor guy. I still have no idea how things went so horribly wrong so quickly though.
Click to expand...

It may be the pancreatitis and liver.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/pancrea ... line_.html

The link may answer some questions.
 
Will Tarragon be able to beat the DKA and Pancreatitis? I don't know much about those.
I hope its not serious and glad its sounding better! I couldn't handle it and jumped from the top to the end of the thread to find out how Tarragon was doing. Couldn't handle going through all the posts!
 
Also on Garland's condo - her kitty recovering from DKA and FHL - the urine being a different colour - most likely due to bilirubin from the FHL made reading the dip sticks unreliable. I hope they have a meter they can check the blood with.
 
Brent - It all happened within about four hours yesterday. I left for work. When my husband left a little later, he picked up Tarragon to give him a kiss and smelled what he thought was ammonia. (we now know it was acetone.). I came home at lunch and Tarragon acted tired and his BG was 186. I came home at 4 and he was unconscious and had vomited. Ran to the ER.

They believe that he can beat both. It just has to go slow. The first thing was to get him hydrated again with the iv. With DKA, if they do it too fast, his potassium and phosphorous will drop quickly. So they have to go slow and add those two items in the solution as they do it. Once the urine is clear of ketones, they are going to put R insulin in the drip to slowly reintroduce insulin since he hasn't had it in 36 hours.

The pancreatitis was acute, or sudden, so the best thing for that was not eating. He didn't eat for 36 hours so that helped. The pancreas wasnt as inflammed as they had seen, so it was probably already healing. They are giving him small amounts of pain killer to help with the pain.

Lastly, they are giving him antibiotic injections for the blood in his urine.

Whew!
 
Oh wow, that is scary as hell, I wish you guys the best!
I'm out of town tonight for my appointments in the morning and now i'm worried about Tiggy being home alone!

That was soooo quick, wow. Hang in there kiddo!
 
Wow, Melissa, you've taken in a whole lot of information and learned so much in a short time. I can't get over how fast it all happened, and I'm learning a lot here just from you and Tarragon. How fortunate it was that your DH picked Tarragon up to give a kiss and knew something was wrong and then your fast action getting him to ER. You're a great Bean and handling everything well and strong for Terragon. He is one miracle kitty. So many vines and prayers are going up for Tarragon and you and family. Hope you can get some rest tonight although I know it will be hard. Hugs and love to you and Terragon.
 
Glad they finally discovered the problems and now you can move forward with treating him and getting him back to normal. It sounds like he has stolen the hearts of the people at the ER. Sending you lots more prayers and hugs!
 
Oh Melissa, that is such a relief to find out what was wrong with him.......now to get Tarragon better. I've been thinking about you guys all freakin day long!!

Leo and I send our love and smooches to little T, get better!!!! (if we could send him flowers we totally would)
 
Hi Melissa - I am glad that tarragon is improving, and that you now know or sure what is wrong. I am amazed at how quickly it all happened. Hugs to all, and many many healing vines to Tarragon.

Hey Tarragon, it's me, Mannie.... I am so sorry that you are so sick. My bean says you are getting better, but it will be little while longer before you can come home. I was wondering if maybe me and the KTSS can come and pay you a visit in the hospital... we would like to ring you some chicken soup, cuz it fixes everything! we are real good at sneaking in so we won't get caught or get you busted or anything.... See you later, Maybe? ~~ Mannie
 
Oh, Melissa and Tarragon! Good vibes to you both!!! I'm glad they figured out what was going on with him. Good luck to you both!!! I appreciated your kind words to me and Samwise when we came on with Lantus.
 
Melissa: I'm so glad you got a diagnosis and a plan. Please give your boy lots of hugs and scritches from us all!!! We are sending healing vines and prayers!
 
(((Melissa))) I'm glad to hear that your vet figured out what was going on and has a plan of action for Tarragon. The unknown is so hard to deal with.

Hang in there! Be strong Tarragon, sweet kitty. It made me smile to hear the vets ask if he is always this sweet. ♡♡♡
 
So glad to hear the news that you have a diagnosis and treatment plan! I told Anne about Tarragon and she was very sorry and is hoping for his steady (if not exactly speedy) recovery.
Liz, BIC
 
Baby Boy Tarragon - what an ordeal...but so glad, happy, & thankful that you are doing so much better. What a strange combination of events. Thank heavens your Ma got you to the vet...take care buddy, we are thinking of you & keeping you & your family in our prayers! Love, Lanky
 
Crying tears of happiness for you & Tarragon!! I have been so worried, as this was so so sudden! Just goes to show us why we monitor, why we chat with each other every day, why FDMB has saved so so many lives--
Because we are in this together--A Family--a source of so much knowledge of Cats with FD and all the ailments that go with it....And that makes us all aware!! Your quick actions saved his life!

Prayers & Healing Vines to our sweet friend Tarragon, and To his beans, Melissa & DH-You saved him!!!
LL Has sent prayers & another Miracle has happened- And we continue to do so!
Love & Hugs From us!!
 
Melissa, this is good news to wake up to this AM. I am now saying prayers of thanks for this news. Keep up the good work Tarragon. Mom is worried.

Pattie
 
I'm glad we have a dx and it is being treated, and that he ate for you. :-D
Nice steady recovery vines are coming to Tarragon......
 
I am so glad you have an answer and can go forward with Tarragon's treatment. Sending him lots of healing vines and cyber kisses.
 
I am glad Tarragon is improving now!!!
Peoples here at LL & I'm sending healing vines and prayers to u, you'll recover very very soon!!!!!
 
They found blood in his urine? So there was a UTI.

FYI -- urinary ketones can take a while to develop. A cat has to wait for a full bladder and then to urinate, unless they did a cytocentesis. Why didn't they test for ketones in the blood sample? (This is the same explanation for why we do BG tests vs. urinary glucose -- the information isn't current. Whenever you test via urine, there is time needed for urine to collect.)
 
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