waiting for blood test results

I hate this part. My Levi as been losing weight so we went to the vet yesterday. He has gone from 14 pounds down to 11 pounds 11 oz, in the last 6 months. He is still eating, so the obvious suspects are diabetes and hyperthyroid. I'm really hoping for hyperthyroid. I will deal with whatever happens, but finances are tight for me right now so diabetes would be very difficult for me to treat. Are there any ways to know if it is one or the other before the blood test comes back? I might hear today but more likely tomorrow as there is no vet in my vets office on Thursdays. I am sure if his blood sugar is off the charts the techs will call the vet and she will call me, so maybe no news is good news? I don't know I just cant focus right now.

Many vibes for Levi. I don't think there is any way to know without the blood test results. But the good news is that both are treatable. Diabetes can sometimes be treated with food alone, although insulin may be needed for a time. Here's some good info about it. http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes

Hyperthyroidism is also treatable, although the radioactive iodine (or surgery) is the only cure. Hyperthyroid medications (methimazole) can help but they aren't a cure. I would not recommend using Hill's y/d. Again, more info about it. http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinehyperthyroidism and

http://www.animalendocrine.com/yd/

There really isn't anyway to know.  There are classic symptoms for each but not all cats display symptoms.

Diabetic cats will sometimes drink and pee a lot, hyperthyroid cats often have a ravenous appetite and do the catterwauling at night.  You will have to wait for the blood test results.

Diabetic cats often respond very well to diet changes which cuts down on vet expense.

Still waiting. Like I said the vet was out of the office yesterday. I would think if his blood sugar had been at a dangerous level they would have called me. It did give me a little time to do some research on hyperthyroid treatment. I found that UW Madison has a research study going on about hyperthyroid. If that is what he has I will give them a call to see what the study is about. I will also find out how much radioactive iodine treatment costs there. After the treatment, he would have to stay with my Mom or at my vets office for a week. I'm sure my vet would willingly help me out with that. My only concern with leaving him with my Mom is that she is disabled and caring for him might be difficult for her.

So all of Levi's Kidney, blood sugar, and thyroid values were normal. His Amylase was slightly elevated, so Pancreatitis is the next suspect. The vet is asking them to run an add on panel for pancreatitis. I'm really not sure what to think. I'm glad it is not diabetes, but scared that he could have cancer hiding somewhere and that is why all his blood values were normal. How do vets even go looking for cancer with no outward signs of illness other than weight loss? Now I'm worried / scared.

Did you Vet mention cancer?  It sounds like he mentioned pancreatitis.  Best not to worry needlessly.  I know it's hard not too, but TRY.  As to how they go about looking for cancer, I have no idea...I know sometimes they do Ultrasounds, but I thought that the WBC might be out of whack

 

She did not mention cancer, but I asked and she said if the pancreatic enzymes are high we will treat for pancreatitis and if he doesn't get better then she would suggest and ultra sound. She tries not to worry people needlessly by mentioning cancer, but I know just enough to make myself scared. His white blood cell count was slightly elevated, but she wasn't worried about that she said it was the kind of elevation they see as a result of stress. I was in charge of coordinating the veterinary care of a local No-Kill shelter for 3 years, and I have more knowledge than your average cat owner. Pancreatitis is not one I have much experience with.

Yes, I've heard WBC's can be slightly elevated from stress of Vet visits.   I still say TRY not to worry before you have something concrete to worry about.  When will she get the results of the pancreatitis tests?  Soon, I hope, because it's painful for the cats, that's why they don't want to eat , so if that's what it is, the sooner he can get some treatment, the better.

She hopes to have them tomorrow, if not it will be Monday.

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
Yes, I've heard WBC's can be slightly elevated from stress of Vet visits.

Click to expand...

  Agreed. And IF it is pancreatitis, the WBCs can be elevated. My Sebastian has chronic pancreatitis.

I saw your thread where it is officially pancreatitis.  At least it's not cancer, so that's good news.  Now to work on fixing what the problem.  In your new thread you said the vet said just to give him Pepcid A/C every day?  Honestly, I've never heard of doing ONLY that for pancreatitis  .  I, personally, don't have any experience with it, but lots of people here do, so I'm sure they'll be along shortly with comments on it.