My cat is not eating right and we don't know why?

.....AND WE'RE OFF!!!!  Drove to the vet at 7:30am to get the Cerenia in him ASAP and while opening a pill out of the foil packet, I crushed it to smitherines....4 doses ruined off the bat.  Then after carefully opening and cutting second pill into quarters, that tiny little quarter did not land in the right spot and dissolved in his mouth and proceeded to make him foam up.  So there it is, I now have to wait 24 more hours to try again.  GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Yeah, those things can be a real pain to break up. I'm sorry he wound up foaming! :rub:

Can you purchase empty gel caps anywhere? I buy them from Amazon. Size 3 are the smallest (that make sense). These make it MUCH easier to pill, and you can use just a dab of butter or coconut oil to make them go down easier. But NO foaming when pills you're giving him are encased in a gel cap!

Might have to persue the caps.  Now I am worried.  He is due for his app stimulant in 3 hours and he seems to not be very interested in food.  Guess it wears off close to the time?  Also, He doesnt appear to feel well.  Not in the meatloaf position but just doesnt look that good to me.  shaking a little too when I hold him.  Is that pain?  Is it gonna continue like this?  My nerves cant take all this worry!

:rub:

Yes, the appetite stimulant wears off. With Lazlo, the first day he'd be asking for food (little bits) every 20 - 30 minutes. That definitely tapered off, and it was clear he needed the app stim after the 3 days.

....and if he's nauseous, he probably doesn't feel well. Pancreatitis can be painful. I'm not sure how to tell the difference between pain and nausea though. Maybe the vet has some thoughts on that? :dk: I wonder if the shaking is related to pain? I know cats do try to hide it, but... ???

Well I gave him pain meds.  He is zonked on the Buprenor stuff but will it help?  I just checked and now he isnt zonked but sitting in the "meatloaf position".  Gonna just give him babyfood tonight instead of the appetite stimulant to make him eat when he clearly doesnt feel well.  I figure this is a more gentle thing for his stomach and he takes it by syringe quite well.  I have GOT to get that Cerenia in him tomorrow morning.  I swear we took a step back and it kills me that that very pill could have helped him, I pray it does, oh how I pray.  I am checking a giant pet store we have around here for the gel caps or anything else they may have that would assist in getting that pill down. 

Do you have anything around the house that is in a gel cap that wouldn't be dangerous if emptied out? For instance, Cosequin for cats? :dk: Maybe some kind of herbal thing you use? Obviously there would be a very small amount of powder or whatever leftover in it, so just be mindful of what's in it. But you might be able to find something at home you can use until gel caps you may have to resort to ordering arrive?

It's possible he was in pain and nauseous. Or maybe the bigger issue is him being nauseous... now that you have all of the options for treatment available at home, you'll have to just try and see what helps the most. :rub:

I know that worry and stress. I really hope the Cerenia helps him!

Well, I am shaking but I think I got the Cerenia in him this morning.  I am definately getting something else to get it in him from now on because he still foamed a bit and I think it is the taste of it.  It seems like he held on to it for too long.  This stuff is as bad if not worse than the other pill that starts with an "M" that makes them foam at the mouth so terribly.  He didnt swallow even after I put water in the side of his mouth when I gave him the pill.  His tongue came out and I finally let him down, Was positive it was down and cant find it anywhere and I followed him like a hawk when I put him down because he started foaming and chewing like it was still in there but I dont think it was.  It is such a soft pill the butter thing might make it dissolve into nothing so I think I will order the gel caps.  He is still very laid back today but he did do some eating this morning so he has to be a little better than yesterday.  He started out like this yesterday though.  I really hope that pill works, now I am wondering if he didnt have it in his system yesterday because I never found it yesterday either but he chewed like that.  He foamed more though.  UGH.  Does this take a few days to really start working or is it one of those instant type pills.  Also (I know I am all over the place) is this all he should be on right now?  Aside from pain meds if necessary and the appetite stimulant?  What is the Prednosoline (sp)?  He took prednisone way back before he was diagnosed for 5 days but not this other drug.  Is that different? 

The Prednosoline (sp?) is for inflammation, the Cerenia is for nausea, and the Buprenor is for pain, as I understand it.  Did your Vet offer to give you the Cerenia in shot form?  I know it's available that way, but maybe they can't offer it that way as "take home"?  To me, if an animal is already nauseated, it would seem easier to give them a shot than to try to pill them with something that tastes awful.  Just like with humans, when we are nauseated, the last thing we can do is swallow something, even water.  That's why they make suppositories for anti-nausea (believe me, I know)

I don't really know much about pancreatitis, or any of these drugs for that matter.   @GoHolistic, unfortunately, has vast experience with it.  She  may be your best bet at getting your answers.

Sebastian is the same way with any kind of pill - he immediately starts foaming at the mouth. I had to find another way, so I purchased empty gel caps on Amazon by the recommendation of the fine folks here on TCS.     I did find size 4 (which is smaller than a 3) from Empty Caps Company. I ended up getting both sizes, and I use both depending on what I'm giving him. I coat the gel caps in organic, extra virgin coconut oil (solid at room temperature), which has a consistency close to butter.

I think a lot of this was already covered above, but I'll also chime in. When Sebastian's pancreatitis is flaring up, here are the things we (the vet and I) address and what we use to address them:

• Hydration/electrolytes - with sub-q fluids, usually daily during a severe flare. Fluid therapy is extremely important for pancreatitis. Are you giving fluids at home? Fluids can really make a huge difference in helping the cat to feel better and get the inflammation down.
• Nausea/vomiting - with Cerenia and famotidine (Pepcid AC). If Sebastian is vomiting severely, I take him to the vet and get him the Cerenia and famotidine injections.
• Pain - buprenorphine at home if he's not vomiting, but needs to be given more frequently according to dosage instructions. If he's vomiting, he'll get the Fentanyl pain patch at the vet (lasts for 3 days).
• Inflammation - with prednisolone (a steroid) and metronidazole (an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties). We may opt to increase these doses during a flare. We never had to increase the pred as of yet.
• Appetite - with mirtazapine. We usually don't administer the appetite stimulant until Sebastian has gone at least 12 hours without vomiting and it showing signs of improvement (walking around more, drinking, etc.). Otherwise, if he is still extremely lethargic, then adding this into the mix would just be torture. Of course, keeping tabs on the last time he had a full meal is extremely important. Avoiding hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) should always be in the forefront of the treatment process. I have had to syringe feed on multiple occasions. You just have to be ready and prepared to do this. I always have clean syringes and Hill's A/D on hand. If your cat is not eating, do not wait. Having fatty liver on top of everything else makes things much more difficult and life-threatening.

This kind of inflammation is damaging, so the sooner it is under control, the better. It is possible for the inflammation to go down on its own without the steroid, but it may take longer. Sebastian was not on pred for his first severe case of pancreatitis and he did recover after three days of hospitalization.  But after flare two, we decided to start it as treatment for possible IBD.

As to what to expect, it's really hard to say. Every cat is different. There may be "triggers" for some that wouldn't affect others. From a maintenance standpoint, I found that it works best for Sebastian to go slow and not try to do too much at once. He seems to be sensitive to change. He is still on pred, Pepcid, and low doses of Cerenia and Metronidazole (this has carried over from the flare he had in October, and we are weening him off very slowly). I still give him sub-q fluids every 3-4 days. He also gets B12 injections every other week. This helps with overall GI health and absorption. He's on a limited ingredient, novel protein diet as a precautionary measure for possible allergies.

This is my favorite document that outlines how to treat pancreatitis: http://www.idexx.com/pubwebresource...pec-fpl-treatment-for-feline-pancreatitis.pdf

And finally, this is something that doesn't come up too often that I think is as equally important...I do address Sebastian's mental health. I, personally, think that many inflammatory/autoimmune conditions are exascerbated by stress. I keep his stress levels as low as possible. I use flower essences, Feliway diffusers, and other tricks and techniques to keep him happy.

Continued vibes for your boy!   

Thanks GoHolistic.  At the moment he gets alot of fluids on his own but I guess that is because the acute attack is over?  Never stopped drinking water thankfully from the day he came home, this I think I am quite fortunate for, although initially when he landed in the emergency vet in October which I guess was an acute attack, he was dehydrated and clearly I wasnt paying attention to what he was taking in, as I was unaware of what was about to happen and that he was not eating enough or probably drinking enough before he got so sick.  So flares are a part of this huh, go along with the chronic for a while and they have another acute attack?  Is it able to be seen coming ahead of time?  Guess not unless you go with their eating habbits changing and stuff.  I would like to avoid that overnight vet stay by having stuff on hand to help out before he gets sooo bad. As would anyone no doubt.  He did ok eating today.  Not enough yet but it isnt the end of the day yet either.  He is overdue for the stimulant and I will give it to him this afternoon.  It's funny - not really - I want him to eat but I HATE that pill.  He purrs fast and meows more on it the first day.  Nothing worse than that, just hate doing that to him.  The Cerenia seems to have done ok today or is today just a better day than yesterday?  He seems to have perked up as the day went on though so I think it has to do with that.  He is more like himself.   So having items on hand like all the drugs you mentioned which we have already tried the majority of, seems like a good plan to treat as needed.   Thanks for the link, getting ready to check it out.  Also ordering the gel caps.

MrsGreenJeens thanks for the input.  I thought that when I gave him the pill and he tasted it - that had to only make his belly worse!

So he is on his second can of food today. He appears to feel better.  Burped this morning though.  I wouldnt go as far to say he is acting perfect but he is eating on the app stim and Cerenia.  He is drinking alot more than he has been.  Concerned the numbers are creeping on the Kidneys but will check that in a week or 2 according to vet.  My main concern honestly right now is ME.  I am a wreck.  This started October 13th and now that we have a diagnosis I would have expected to be better, after all this is what I wanted, a diagnosis.  I know this isnt a people site but I have to say it.  It is like I am lying in wait for something.  A physical and mental wreck.  He is actually doing better than he has in a while.  Drugs involved of course but I am not syringe feeding him so that is good.  Why am I completely a wreck?  I just dont know.

Hun, you've had over a month of worry and wondering. Now that you have a diagnosis, while comforting - the problem is it isn't a "take this pill and it cures the problem" type of thing. All of this is VERY, very stressful. On top of the holidays, no wonder you feel like you're about to have a melt down. This is why you're a wreck, sweetie. :rub: With situations like this, it's best to do your best just to take one day at a time. Make sure to give yourself some time - whether that's a walk, a bath, a day out with the girls, whatever your "thing" is, make sure you do it. :heart2: It's been a long period with a LOT of stress. Do your best to get needed sleep... and help yourself recharge your batteries. You need to do this for him, if not for you.

Great news he's feeling better!!!! :bigthumb: Hope it stays that way.

LDG said:

Hun, you've had over a month of worry and wondering. Now that you have a diagnosis, while comforting - the problem is it isn't a "take this pill and it cures the problem" type of thing. All of this is VERY, very stressful. On top of the holidays, no wonder you feel like you're about to have a melt down. This is why you're a wreck, sweetie.

With situations like this, it's best to do your best just to take one day at a time. Make sure to give yourself some time - whether that's a walk, a bath, a day out with the girls, whatever your "thing" is, make sure you do it.

It's been a long period with a LOT of stress. Do your best to get needed sleep... and help yourself recharge your batteries. You need to do this for him, if not for you.

Great news he's feeling better!!!!

Hope it stays that way.

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Yes, I totally agree.  We tend to hold it together UNTIL the situation resolves itself (at least somewhat), then we fall apart.  But you definitely need to take care of yourself too. 

And after all, he is your baby, and you've been a nervous wreck over him.  Stress is a powerful thing, does all kinds of harm

Guinness10 said:

 
My main concern honestly right now is ME.  I am a wreck.

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First of all, I'm so glad to hear that your cat seems to feeling better.      What is his name, by the way? (Sorry if I missed this.)

I was (am) also a wreck during Sebastian's flare-ups. I guess this is normal and proof of how much we love our kitties.      I had lost 12 pounds in 2 months because of how stressed I was. Not good. I tried to gravitate towards whatever I could that helped, and that was TCS, talking to my parents and SO, being in constant contact with the vet, and sleep.

Try to take it one day at a time.  We're all here to support you through this. 

I cant thank all of you enough for the information and support from the bottom of my heart!  I am fighting with my head to try and get "right" with everything.  And what a fight it is.  Also, I have 3 kids, while they would all be absolutely devastated if Guinness (his name) left us, the little one would be completely wrecked.  My husband dislikes cats, including this one, but told me to do what I felt was right with this situation.  He understands what this cat means to the rest of us.  I cant really sit down, discuss and together make decisions "with" him and feel I am on my own as it is more than my kids should have to deal with.  I talk to my parents and friends and my vet has been out of this world through it all.  Since it all began I check in with him morning and night.  Sundays included per his request!  He has met me on his way home from work to give me pills to make sure they got in him that same night....and on and on.... Any sanity I have left is because of this man.  Guinness is doing ok right now as far as I can tell.  His eating is slowing down again but he is do for the appetite stimulant tomorrow morning so that explains it in my opinion.  Still eating, just not quite what it was.  He is a sleepy boy today.  I just cant help but worry what is coming around the corner and that has alot to do with the anxiety.  Concern for leaving over the weekend and my neighbor feeding and pilling him is there as well.  I trust her, she has helped me pill him before and knows what is up.  I just received #4 gel caps in the mail this afternoon and might try his Cerenia tomorrow a.m. in that and give her one of those to give him filled with it for Sat. A.M.  She can pop in throughout the day and check on his food intake.  I need that time away so desperately though.  I also have my oldest son on backup incase anything really bad were to happen.  I am not that far away either if need to come home.  The vet also told me to contact him if my neighbor had any questions.  He gets his appetite stimulant right before I leave on Friday (trying to wait until Friday although Thursday is when he is due) and I am home on Sunday by noon so Saturday is the only day he needs to be given a pill and the only day he will be left from me for the entire day.  He seems a bit off right now.  meatloaf position but not sure if it is just to sit like that or if he is feeling lousy.  I look at that and the food intake decreasing and instant panic is instilled.  Holiday tomorrow and all.  I guess he will have days where he doesnt feel right but it doesnt mean he is going into the emergency vet.  This is my greatest fear as I dont think we could financial do this all over again.  Makes the risk quite greater.  Does it make sense to have pain pills and antibiotics and all that stuff on hand so if it comes down to it I can jump on it and keep him from spending nights at the vet?  Is it the dehydration what winds up putting them in the vet?  Or the entire attack?  He is doing an awful lot of drinking but his kidneys are at a 3 and vet said that is why.  Gotta have them checked in about 2 weeks.   He wants to switch him over to kidney food gradually but I have to wait till when I get home to start that transition.  One we already tried and he hated.  Being that he is a Siamese and predisposed to chronic pancreatitis, I guess that means there isnt an underlying condition...say IBS or things like that.  Does that help his prognosis?  .....wonder if we can keep the attacks at bay...the acute ones that is.  The every other day Cerenia....does that keep the attack at bay or just make them feel better?    I am rambling and there is now a cat on my keyboard

I will try to help you. Your cat needs to see a vet. It sounds like you might be dealing with kidney failure. This often leads to loss of appetite and dehydration. IV may need to be an ongoing treatment. I would also recommend having his pancreatic enzymes screened.

She has her cat under a vet's care.  An acute bout of pancreatitis is what he is being treated for at the moment.

I'm glad to cat is under a vet's care. Cats with pancreatitis will show an increased heart rate. They will also become very lethargic. Pancreatitis was my second guess. Has the vet done a blood panel? Make sure the food you are feeding is easily digestible.

Of course the vet has done a blood panel. Just READ THE THREAD!


Guinness, you need this break, and it sure sounds like you have covered every single base. You have a wonderful, amazing vet! Take solace in that. :nod:

The Cerenia doesn't cure anything. It only helps prevent the nausea, but like the other supportive care, the main thing is that it improves the quality of your kitty's life. :heart2: Right now, that's what matters.

I really don't know enough about chronic pancreatitis to know what the prognosis is. It seems like something where if you manage the symptoms, and work on the diet - reduce the inflammation - that all of this will contribute to his well-being. I forget - is he on pred as well?

Ming Loy was on

Pred (to reduce inflammation)
Cerenia (to stop vomiting and help prevent nausea)
Mirtazapine (appetite stimulant)
Fluids (helped her feel better)
Buprenorphine (for the pain - she only needed it for 2 days)

I feed a raw diet - during her flare-up, I fed her a very small amount every two hours. Frequent small meals seems to help.

You may want to have fluids on hand, and give him 50ml every 2 or 3 days, if he tolerates taking them well. It's something to discuss with the vet when you get back. If you decide to go that route, you may need to supplement some potassium - but again, all of this can be discussed with the vet. :rub:

I have a kitty with idiopathic cystitis. I give her fluids every few days to help keep her flushed, even though she gets a lot of hydration from her diet. This seems to help prevent her flare-ups. In fact, when I let that lapse, she had a flare-up. She LOVES being brushed, so we have a routine established where I brush her in the bathroom every evening - whether I'm giving her fluids or not. She doesn't even notice that she's getting fluids, at this point, as we keep our "bathroom brushing" date every day. :heart2:

And Lazlo also sits in the meatloaf position when he's not nauseous. The difference is that when he is, his head is usually down and he looks uncomfortable. He looks ... relaxed, when he's just hanging out. It takes time, but you'll be able to see the difference. :heart2:

I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving, and please do TRY to enjoy getting away!