Update on Ben

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Likameow

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Most of this has been covered on the health forum but I thought I'd post something here for Ben's Prozinc buddies.

On Dec 10, I took Ben in for his annual exam and vaccinations. He only get the rabies since he has been allergic to the other shots since he was a kitten. They were out of the 1 year cat specific rabies so I opted to get the three year one instead of coming back later. To quote Pretty Woman "Big mistake, huge!" Four days later, he was lethargic and eating poorly but still eating. Back to the vet, we go. The vet was hoping it was just a reaction and prescribed injectable Benadryl since Ben is impossible to pill. Tried that for a couple days until he stopped eating completely. Off we go to the vet again.

So on Dec 17, he is admitted to the animal hospital with pancreatitis. I lectured the vet about treating his blood sugar conservatively. And I wasn't very nice about it. But they have screwed up his doses before. And an example of how little they think about diabetes, they compounded one of Ben's meds in strawberry syrup. The vet was a new vet who I am now convinced thinks I'm a crazy pet owner. :) She let him go home the next day with injectable meds. She told me that she couldn't believe she was letting a cat go home less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with pancreatitis. "But you being you, I'll let him go." Thanks to critter mom here on the FDMB, I got the right medications to help him.

After a couple stressful days of only eating a little bit, Ben was feeling better. Although he now prefers Sheba perfect portions to FF. (we are going to have to work on that). Then yesterday he developed a full blown upper respiratory infection. Runny eyes and snotty nose and all. Poor furball can't catch a break.

But he is eating his Sheba cat food and an occasional snack of Young Again. We are keeping paws crossed that he doesn't become so congested that he stopped eating again.

So that is where we are at now. I'm hoping he recovers quickly so I can continue my quest for the ideal insulin dosage for him.

If you have made it this far, thanks for reading Ben's tale of woe.
 
Poor Ben. Healing vines sent. Sometimes I wonder where the brains are in these vets. Ben will be better at home where you can look over him.
 
Awww poor Ben! Sending lots of healing vines.

You're doing such a great job with him! When a vet says something like "you being you, I'll let him go" you know that's a great thing. :) Hugs to you!
 
I'm so sorry you and Ben have had such a hard time, Lisa. What a great job you have done being his very best advocate. I hope things continue to improve.
 
So sorry to hear about Ben having such a hard time and feeling bad. He is much happier and safer at home with you and good news that he is eating, even if Sheba! Take care and we are all sending healing vibes to Ben.
 
Lisa, I hate to hear about the multiple issues with Ben. I really can relate to multiple issues ensuing at once, and although I have never heard of "healing vines" (learning SO much on this MB!;)) I will send them... in the hopes that they are some misspelled version of vibes. :joyful:
May Ben continue to eat for you and heal under your loving care!
 
Most of this has been covered on the health forum but I thought I'd post something here for Ben's Prozinc buddies.

On Dec 10, I took Ben in for his annual exam and vaccinations. He only get the rabies since he has been allergic to the other shots since he was a kitten. They were out of the 1 year cat specific rabies so I opted to get the three year one instead of coming back later. To quote Pretty Woman "Big mistake, huge!" Four days later, he was lethargic and eating poorly but still eating. Back to the vet, we go. The vet was hoping it was just a reaction and prescribed injectable Benadryl since Ben is impossible to pill. Tried that for a couple days until he stopped eating completely. Off we go to the vet again.

So on Dec 17, he is admitted to the animal hospital with pancreatitis. I lectured the vet about treating his blood sugar conservatively. And I wasn't very nice about it. But they have screwed up his doses before. And an example of how little they think about diabetes, they compounded one of Ben's meds in strawberry syrup. The vet was a new vet who I am now convinced thinks I'm a crazy pet owner. :) She let him go home the next day with injectable meds. She told me that she couldn't believe she was letting a cat go home less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with pancreatitis. "But you being you, I'll let him go." Thanks to critter mom here on the FDMB, I got the right medications to help him.

After a couple stressful days of only eating a little bit, Ben was feeling better. Although he now prefers Sheba perfect portions to FF. (we are going to have to work on that). Then yesterday he developed a full blown upper respiratory infection. Runny eyes and snotty nose and all. Poor furball can't catch a break.

But he is eating his Sheba cat food and an occasional snack of Young Again. We are keeping paws crossed that he doesn't become so congested that he stopped eating again.

So that is where we are at now. I'm hoping he recovers quickly so I can continue my quest for the ideal insulin dosage for him.

If you have made it this far, thanks for reading Ben's tale of woe.
Hi Lisa - I believe my Murphy has chronic pancreatitis - can you share some of his symptoms/treatment experiences? I've read the literature on it, but if you get a chance, I'd like to hear about his symptoms. thanks and happy holidays
 
I'm sorry to hear the poor little guy is hurting. I am glad you are tough about his care and I will learn from this for my little guy. I hope he recovers quickly.. Sending the vibes his way for sure.
 
Hi Lisa - I believe my Murphy has chronic pancreatitis - can you share some of his symptoms/treatment experiences? I've read the literature on it, but if you get a chance, I'd like to hear about his symptoms. thanks and happy holidays

I've had two cats with pancreatitis. Bella, my non-sugar cat was way sicker than Ben. Ben just was lethargic and wouldn't eat. He would also go to the water dish but not drink. This was probably from the nausea. Bella also wouldn't drink or eat but also was throwing up and had horrible watery diarrhea. All these symptoms had a sudden onset.

As far as treatment goes, but Bella spent a week in the vet clinic. So by the time I got her back she was pretty much back to normal. Ben on the other hand I treated mostly at home. Over on the health form, there's a thread called "Ben has pancreatitis". In it, critter mom gives me some fantastic advice. I pretty much just did what she said and asked for the meds that she recommended. Also in that thread is a link to a primer on pancreatitis that someone put together.

Hope that's helpful.
 
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