My cat Portia who adopted me about a year ago suddenly started eating less. Other than that she was behaving normally. I took her to the vet and it turns out her fPL was at 20 and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. She was put on metranidazole and mertazapine to control the inflammation and increase her appetitie. She was ok for about 3 weeks or so and then stopped eating. She was eating barely any food at all. I rushed her to the vet who said she was looking a like jaundiced. They were afraid she might develop HL so they put a feeding tube in. After they ran the blood work and did an ultrasound, it looks like she did not have HL after all. Her bilirubin levels were at 3 (which explains why she was yellow). Her fPL was down to 1.4. Its been about a week and shes slowly recovering from the surgery. Shes on mertazapine, metranidazole, buprinex (for pain) and predisolone. She hasnt thrown up since the surgery but she wont eat by herself. Ive also noticed that she gets extremely quiet and almost sleepy while i feed her. I think the buprenex also makes her very sleepy. She still looks yellow and I think she may be constipated as she barely poops. She pees 7-8 times a day. I started her or miralax for the contipation yesterday. Its helped a little but she hasnt pooped today. Does anyone have any similar experiences? How long before the yellowness goes away? Do they usually get listless when you feed them? Does anyone know what she might have thats making her bilirubin levels be so high. Shes my precious baby and Im so scared ad worried. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
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My cat has pancreatitis and now has a feeding tube-please help
- Thread starter portia
- Start Date
What are you feeding her? Is it something special the vet gave you or her regular food? How much are you giving her at one time and how often do you feed? Sorry, I don't know why she would be listless from being fed, unless she just gets sleepy when her tummy is full.
The jaundice (yellow skin) is caused by high bilirubin. I don't know about cats, but human babies get rid of a lot of the bilirubin in their poop. I would think if you can get her pooping more that the jaundice will disappear faster.
The jaundice (yellow skin) is caused by high bilirubin. I don't know about cats, but human babies get rid of a lot of the bilirubin in their poop. I would think if you can get her pooping more that the jaundice will disappear faster.
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- #3
Hi there. Im giving her prescription food from the vet. I give her about 40cc 5 times a day. I mix one can of the wet food wth 1/2 a can of water and give that through her feeding tube. She was more alert yesterday than usual but today she went back to hiding under the bed. She still wont eat. I dont know what to do.
It sounds like she does have HL to me. Why did the Vet say she doesn't have it? She's got all the usual symptoms...no appetite, increased bilirubin, jaundice, and (I'm guessing) loss of weight?
Well, you are doing good with getting the prescription feed into her 5 times a day! And once she starts eating again on her own, you will probably still need to supplement her meals by assist feeding her, as she may not eat enough to maintain her weight for quite awhile. Normally (with HL anyway), you need to assist feed for 4 - 6 weeks. (we had to for 4 months
) And it does take awhile for the jaundice to go away. It doesn't happen overnight.
I don't remember my Bashful getting listless when I tube fed him, I remember him purring getting all that warm food in his belly. I think perhaps you need to give your Vet a call and ask if it could be the meds, and also mention the possible constipation, because that doesn't seem normal either, especially since you are adding water to the food. She is getting taking enough in that she should be having bowel movements. There could be another underlying condition that is causing all this, and if so, you need to find out what it is.
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Well, you are doing good with getting the prescription feed into her 5 times a day! And once she starts eating again on her own, you will probably still need to supplement her meals by assist feeding her, as she may not eat enough to maintain her weight for quite awhile. Normally (with HL anyway), you need to assist feed for 4 - 6 weeks. (we had to for 4 months
I don't remember my Bashful getting listless when I tube fed him, I remember him purring getting all that warm food in his belly. I think perhaps you need to give your Vet a call and ask if it could be the meds, and also mention the possible constipation, because that doesn't seem normal either, especially since you are adding water to the food. She is getting taking enough in that she should be having bowel movements. There could be another underlying condition that is causing all this, and if so, you need to find out what it is.
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- #5
So we repeated her blood work yesterday and liver enzyme levels now appear to be moderately elevated (they were normal last week when they put the feeding tube in). Her bilirubin has also gone up a lot. It was 3 last week and 10 this week. Ive made an appointment with the internal medicine specialist. Ive been feeding her all week so I dont understand why her liver would be doing worse now that before. She was also moving around earlier this week but today she hasnt come out from under the bed. I dont know if something is wrong now or if shes just healing and its taking sometime
When Patches was going through this and he had the feeding tube in, his numbers continued to go up for a while. They even went up after he was eating on his own and obviously felt better. When they started to drop they came back down to normal quickly.
This sounds worrysome. Sorry you two are going through all that. Wish you the best
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- #8
So Portia seems to be doing worse today. She just sits there and obviously doesnt want to have any interaction with us. She also doesnt like the tube feeding. She tries to get away when I feed her. Did you notice that with Patches? Did he have days when he was ok and others when he wasnt ? how long did it take him before he returned to normal and can she actually have a long happy life after something like this? Im going to meet the sepcialist on monday but i doubt there is anything he can really do as portia is taking every pill possible and she looks so sick today. I feel soo awful and helpless. Im at such a loss.
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- #9
Thank you for your wishes. Its just terrible. Ive never had to deal with a sick animal before. Its been an awful few weeks for both of us and I dont know how much longer we can take it
I am so sorry that you are going through this. My daughter has just had a cat with pancreatitis who is now recovering, though still being monitored closely. Here is her thread:
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252412/mina-is-very-sick
There are some useful links in it.
Many vibes for a successful outcome
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/252412/mina-is-very-sick
There are some useful links in it.
Many vibes for a successful outcome
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- #11
Thank you for the information. Portia is still hiding under the bed. The vet says shes stable as of now because shes being fed. Was Mina uncomfortable while being tube fed? Portia hates it.. Shes always trying to get away and stop the feeding. Do you think something is wrong with her tummy? She also doesnt poop everyday. Is that normal when tube feeding? I hate seeing her like this. It breaks my heart.
Mina hid under the bed for ages. Most of the time she was tube fed was when she was in the hospital, but she still had the tube when she came home, covered with a large soft collar/bandage. But she didn't like it and ended up by pulling it all off, and breaking the end of the tube in the process. When tube feeding it is normal for there to be many fewer stools, as there is no 'filler' or rubbish in the food. It is such a horrible disease, I do hope things take a turn for the better.
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- #13
It really is a horrible disease. I hope Mina and Faith are doing better. The problem is I dont know why Portia deteriorated so much. Her fLP levels had reached normal levels when her bilirubin started to spike. I suppose these are all questions I can ask the internal medicine specialist. I was also wondering if anybody knows if these cats develop acidity and/or anemia that can make them lethargic and unwilling to eat. Her yellow color seems to have come down a bit but shes looking quite pale. Since she also seems to be uncomfortable when I feed her, I was wondering if she developed some acidity or a stomach ulcer or something because of all the pills and thats making her feel lousy. Does anyone have any information about this?
Patches was sick for about 2 months and he is still on a small daily dose of a steroid. He has been symptom free for two years now. I know the constant use of a steroid will shorten his lifespan but he is well, happy, and almost 10 years old now. He didn't like the tube feedings either. He usually would settle down after we got started but then he would start trying to get away again when he had enough. I can imagine that it isn't pleasant especially for a cat that is nauseated.
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- #15
That is so good to hear. Im so happy for you and Patches. I really hope that Portia will also recover. Everyday is a new nightmare. How long before Patches began to eat by himself? Portia seemed like she was getting better early last week but the lat 2 days have been bad. Shes been hiding and very unwilling to cuddle or even come near me. Fortunately, she hasnt been throwing up (knock on wood) so atleast shes keeping her food in. I wonder whats making her so lethargic and antisocial. I hope Patches keeps up his good health :-)
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- #16
Im taking her to the internal medicine specialist on monday. Hopefully he can give me some answers. Its really frustrating and scary not knowing whats happening with her. its been 2 days since she stopped moving around and started hiding. I have to carry her out from under the bed for every feed! The poor thing. I really feel sorry for her.It sounds like she does have HL to me. Why did the Vet say she doesn't have it? She's got all the usual symptoms...no appetite, increased bilirubin, jaundice, and (I'm guessing) loss of weight?
Well, you are doing good with getting the prescription feed into her 5 times a day! And once she starts eating again on her own, you will probably still need to supplement her meals by assist feeding her, as she may not eat enough to maintain her weight for quite awhile. Normally (with HL anyway), you need to assist feed for 4 - 6 weeks. (we had to for 4 months) And it does take awhile for the jaundice to go away. It doesn't happen overnight.
I don't remember my Bashful getting listless when I tube fed him, I remember him purring getting all that warm food in his belly. I think perhaps you need to give your Vet a call and ask if it could be the meds, and also mention the possible constipation, because that doesn't seem normal either, especially since you are adding water to the food. She is getting taking enough in that she should be having bowel movements. There could be another underlying condition that is causing all this, and if so, you need to find out what it is..
Good luck for tomorrow, that you get some positive answers
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- #18
Thank you. Portia's doing a little better today. The yellow in her ear seems to have gone down a bit. She was also up and about till I fed her. After that she hid under the bed and now refuses to come out. If only she could see that Im trying to help her!!! I tried giving some friskies canned food today and she licked at it. I know its terribly unhealthy but I just wanted to get her to eat something by herself as she wont go near her regular food. Im going to try gerbers chicken and gravy in the evening. Hope everything goes will tomorrow. Ill keep you posted. Thank you for all your help and input:-)
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- #19
The internal medicine specialist was happy with Portia's progress. He said her jaundice was much better (which is a good sign of recovery). Her vitals looked good so he's happy. We dint do blood work or repeat the ultrasound. She's scheduled to go back next tuesday to repeat her blood work. Until then, I guess we just hope and pray. The bad news is, Portia is still behaving very strangely. She wont come near me. She just sleeps all day and wont respond to my calling. Shes also still refusing to eat. I know those are signs that the cat is not happy but at this point, I dont know what else to do. I hope shes just stressed out because of all the visits to the vet and the feeding and will eventually settle down and become her normal self again. Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming. Shes not out of the woods yet;-(
Well...since she got a good check-up, I'd say she is just not happy right now with everything that is going on, doesn't like the feeding tube, I'm sure she really doesn't feel like her old self, etc. Some cats don't mind being "assist fed", but apparently Portia isn't one of them. Maybe with time she will get used to it.
Are you warming her food? Not too hot, just warm, like for a baby? And are you just very slowly injecting it into her tube? If she is struggling, have you tried wrapping her up in a blanket (like a burrito) to keep her still and warm?
What did the Vet say about the fact that she seems to be uncomfortable when you feed her, as if she might have an ulcer or something? Did you mention that to him? Did he recommend Pepcid A/C or anything? Many of us have given our cats that, but mainly because they throw up froth, which is an indicator of over acidity. I wouldn't think she would have that if you have feeding her 5 times a day.
that she starts feeling better soon and has a complete recovery
Are you warming her food? Not too hot, just warm, like for a baby? And are you just very slowly injecting it into her tube? If she is struggling, have you tried wrapping her up in a blanket (like a burrito) to keep her still and warm?
What did the Vet say about the fact that she seems to be uncomfortable when you feed her, as if she might have an ulcer or something? Did you mention that to him? Did he recommend Pepcid A/C or anything? Many of us have given our cats that, but mainly because they throw up froth, which is an indicator of over acidity. I wouldn't think she would have that if you have feeding her 5 times a day.
