My cat has pancreatitis and now has a feeding tube-please help

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portia

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I know. it's so hard to let yourself celebrate. You're afraid of jinxing it right? I know the feeling, believe me. These diseases are a roller coaster ride of emotions. 
You
 
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Youre exactly right!! Everytime I think her appetite is improving she turns around and stops eating. I just wish we could go a week with her eating well. But again, I am happy that she's eaten pretty well the last 4 days. Thats a start. Not having the feeding tube in is of course complicating things a lot. I would like to avoid syringe feeding her because it seems to stress her out and shes stressed enough as it is! Anyway, shes been good for a few days so  
 that this continues
 

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It's hard not to want to feel good about things. You want so badly to believe that things will stay on an even keel but I have to say realistically it probably won't. You were right to say that you need to expect good days and bad days but the hope is that things for the most part keep going in the up and good direction. She's a fighter and she's come a long, long way already. 
 
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portia

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Portia continues to eat well. She had 6.5oz yesterday although her appetite today is a bit down (only about 4.5 oz). I have a question though. I've noticed that the fur on her neck, below her snout has become some what oily. The rest of her looks ok (maybe more oily than normal) but around her neck its noticeable. Does anyone know why that maybe? Shes has become very quiet and barely moves even though she's eating well. I dont see her grooming herself very much either. It maybe because the cyproheptadine is making her that drowsy but Im not sure. She was def more active last week (even though she wasnt eating as well. this was before she started the cypro). Any thoughts? She also hasnt pooped in 2 days. Should I be concerned?
 

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The cypro definitely makes them very tired but she needs to continue eating and her body will get used to it. The oil around her fur, that's because her body is so out of whack. This happens quite often with kitties that have gone through this. Try wiping her down with some kitty wipes if you can. The not pooping for 2 days though concerns me. If she still hasn't pooped tomorrow I'd call the vet.
 
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portia

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The cypro definitely makes them very tired but she needs to continue eating and her body will get used to it. The oil around her fur, that's because her body is so out of whack. This happens quite often with kitties that have gone through this. Try wiping her down with some kitty wipes if you can. The not pooping for 2 days though concerns me. If she still hasn't pooped tomorrow I'd call the vet.
Thanks Finnlacey!! So far shes been eating relatively well, especially after we started her on the cypro so Im defenitely going to keep her on it! Its sad to see her so lethargic. The only time she gets up is when she wants to eat but I suppose thats ok. As long as she's eating!! Good to know about the oil. What are kitty wipes and where can I find them? I was planning on calling the vet tomorrow if she still hadnt pooped. Ill keep you posted. Thanks for your help again 
 

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You're so welcome. It's wonderful to hear that she's eating. Yes, I know it's awful to see her so blah like that but keep in mind that it's not forever! She needs this nutrition badly and there will come a day when she's eating fine on her own and you can take her off of it. Kitty wipes are like baby wipes. I get the ones that are from Tropiclean and they are free of any perfumes or additives. If you want for now, just take a plain paper towel, nothing else and soak it in water and try wiping her with that and see if it helps. Keep us posted on her poop! 
 
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You're so welcome. It's wonderful to hear that she's eating. Yes, I know it's awful to see her so blah like that but keep in mind that it's not forever! She needs this nutrition badly and there will come a day when she's eating fine on her own and you can take her off of it. Kitty wipes are like baby wipes. I get the ones that are from Tropiclean and they are free of any perfumes or additives. If you want for now, just take a plain paper towel, nothing else and soak it in water and try wiping her with that and see if it helps. Keep us posted on her poop! 
Hahah.. Will do. Ive never wanted to see poop this badly in my life! The things I look forward to these days!!!
 
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Portia pooped today. It was tiny pellets but there was poop!!!
 

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Good! Hopefully she'll poop some more. Ask the vet if you can try a little Miralax. Ask the vet first because I don't know if that will be okay with her conditions.
 
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The vet said to put her back on the miralax so I mixed it into her food this morning. Hopefully, she'll eat it without tasting the miralax. I have another question. Ive noticed that sometimes Portia seems to breathe very deeply. Im not sure if Im imagining this or not.Ive tried to watch her closely and she doesnt always breathe like that but as soon as she eats, I think her breathing gets deeper. Has anyone else noticed that or knows why that may be?
 

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Miralax doesn't usually have a taste to it so hopefully she'll eat it. As for the breathing, I know when I eat sometimes my breathing and my heart feel like it's just a pinch faster because I'm digesting my food. Maybe you're just watching her so closely these days you never noticed it before? Something to keep an eye on but as long as she's not gasping for air or doesn't have labored breathing I wouldn't worry too much about it. First sign of that though call the vet. 
 
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I have been watching her soo closely. Its probably nothing. Shes not gasping for sure but Im not sure if this can be calssified as labored breathing. Like you said, its probably just that Im watching so closely! Ill keep you posted if anything gets worse. Thank you so much Finnlacey:))
 
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Hi all. Just wanted to keep you updates. Portia has been very well (about 7.5-9oz everyday) 
. I cant tell you how happy I am to see her stuffing her face. Shes also become very interested in human food. The other day, she actually jumped on the table and polished off a slice of pizza.  She even made a sizeable whole in plastic container containing bones from a rotisserie chicken. Shes never been interested in human food before so Im guessing this is because of the appetite stimulant. The vet has asked to stay on all the meds for another two weeks and if she continues to do well, then we'll slowly start to reduce her medication. Im so happy and I've been waiting to share this news because I dint want to jinx it. Thank you all for your support. I will keep you posted.

@Spencer's mom: I hope spencer is recovering as well. 
 

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Holy cow!!! Please please PLEASE no more pizza or anything like that! No more human food PLEASE!!!! This is very dangerous to do with pancreatitis and you risk it coming back as she is supposed to be on a high protein, low fat, low carb diet. NO junk!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. NO MORE of that stuff. 
 
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portia

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I usually would not have given her any human food. She ate it at night. I got rid of the stuff as soon as I saw her and have been much more vigilant about keeping food out. She's never been interested so I wasnt very careful before. The only human food I used to give her was yogurt but even that was rare and in very small quantities. But I have to admit, it was very good to see her interested in food again. She dint actually eat the whle slice. She ate the cheese and a piece of pepperoni and left all the bread behind!! Needless to say, no more pizza on the table!!
 

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Okay good! Phew! I just don't want her to get sick again when she's clearly doing so well which is GREAT to hear!!! 
 
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