Mina is very sick

jennyr

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Mina is my daughter's cat, a foster kitten of mine from 4 years ago. On Saturday she stopped eating, vomited and went under the bed for 24 hoursd. On Monday she was admitted to the vet hospital with fever and a distended belly. After various tests she underwent exploratory surgery (they suspected a tumour) but she was found to have advanced pancreatic infection. The vet actually phoned my daughter during the procedure to ask if she wanted her to continue, as it was so bad. Anyway, her abdomen was cleaned up and Mina is now awake, but is reckoned to have less than 40% chance of making it through the next few days, and if she survives is likely to be left with permanent diabetes. To add to the misery, today was moving day for DD, who is starting a new job in a new house 40 miles away. She went from seeing the removal men off with all her possessions to the vets to see Mina before her surgery, then drove to meet the removal truck at her new home. She is so stressed out and worried out of her mind. Her other cat, Bilbo, Mina's brother, is already freaking out with the move and missing his sister, as well as suddenly finding himself in a strange place.

The magic TCS vibes are needed badly. And any relevant experience would be welcome. Faith has total trust in this vet, who has treated Mina for 4 years, so she knows all is being done that can be. But please keep her in your thoughts.
 

ldg

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Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: for Mina AND for your daughter! :grphug2:

I have no experience with pancreatitis - only from others here on TCS. I do know there are acute and chronic forms, and acute is "easier" (even though that's not really the right word) to manage, usually with antibiotics, and I believe steroids (usually prednisone) for the inflammation... though how that factors into the potential diabetes, I don't know.

Jim Peterford's Noelle suffered from Triaditis, which included pancreatitis. He's always willing to help ( :heart2: ), so you may want to PM him? :dk: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/240929/feline-triaditis-my-experience-and-concerns-questions

I do know that if Mina's eating kibble, it's important to switch her to a grain-free canned food, best if high protein, not so high in fat - both for the diabetes and the pancreatitis, both the water and the protein being important.

Here is a site that should be helpful as re: the diabetes: Dr. Hodgkin's is considered one of the leading U.S. experts on feline diabetes: http://yourdiabeticcat.com/

Oh how distressing! More vibes! :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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More healing
coming Mina's way.  Poor little dear!  And I just can't imagine what your daughter is going thru, with everything that is going on. 
 
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jennyr

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Mina survived the night, and they are going to increase her drip feeding up from 50% of her metabolic rate to 75%. She is still on antibiotics and pain meds but is greeting everyone with a purr. Faith's house move went OK and she said she lay and cuddled Bilbo all night. She is going to travel back to see Mina this afternoon. The vet says everything is going OK for the moment, but there could be a reversal any time, so she is by no means out of danger. And of course if she survives the immediate surgery there is a very long recovery time ahead, with Faith starting her new job at the beginning of January. The real danger time will be when they try to get her feeding again, to see if the pancreas has recovered sufficiently to deal with the normal digestive processes. Faith has run up £3,000 of vet fees so far, so that is something else that has to be dealt with.
 
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ldg

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Oh that's wonderful she made it through the night! :clap: :heart2: Sending more needed :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: for her continued recovery. (And for Faith and Bilbo!) :heart2:
 

cao cao

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My cat Nono suffered from Upper Resperatory infection that was 2 viruses in him 5+ dangerous than our natural cold 50% he will survive BUT GOD SAVED HIM IL7mdillilah other cat died [emoji]128547[/emoji]
 
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jennyr

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Jenny, I PM'd you with some information. :vibes:
Thanks - I have forwarded the link. Mina is still hanging on and the vet says they made the right call in going for treatment. But she is still in grave danger and will stay in the hospital over Christmas, assuming she lives till then. She had a good night and is not so listless.They have remnoved one of her tubes to make her more comfortable, and are now administering drugs and nutrition through the same drip. She is still not interested in eating. Faith had a friend to stay with her so she feels better at not being alone. Thank you all for the vibes and support
 

finnlacey

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Yes, this is very dangerous. I'm sending you BIG positive vibes!!! 
 
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jennyr

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The news tonight is not good. Faith went to see her and found her very listless and obviously in pain - she did not want her back touched, though she purred and rubbed her head against Faith's hand. She was sick too, and was given an anti-nausea injection. Faith said she could not stand up to pee, but did it lying down, which perhaps shocked her more than anything. The vet is going to go back to a 50% feeding regimen for a day or two, but I think Faith is telling herself that it is too late. She knows her cat better than anyone. But we can try to keep hoping.

Faith has to go to a drinks party tonight at her new school - it will be the first time that all the teachers and some parents and volunteers will meet her, and she cannot get out of it, and has to make a good impression. But I can think of nothing worse.
 

ldg

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Oh poor Faith - I can't imagine having to put on a happy face with all this worry. :heart2: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

I was SO hopeful. I'm adding vibes that this is Faith's fear talking, not a reflection of Mina's will - and ability - to fight this. :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:

And vibes for Faith. :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes: :vibes:
 

finnlacey

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I agree, I feel so bad for Faith! I know this pain all too well Jenny. My Alex survived fatty liver, IBD and pancreatitis only to die of a pancreatic infection. This is a horrible ordeal they are both going through. Many, many prayers and vibes for them! 
 
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