Bisou has acute pancreatitus and can't stand to be even lightly touched!

Anyone who can please, please help me with my sweetie who came from such abuse!

Everything Sebastian has gone through, my beautiful, sweet, loving long haired baby has gone through, and then some. Bisou was a rescue that I turned around from the edge of death, 6 years ago.

He has had terrible bouts with texbook pancreatitis. But this time it is SUPER BAD!

Bisou is a kitty who is so happy to live with me, that he pads contentedly, continuously. Toes up in the air? Padding. Standing for pets...padding. Almost napping? You got it. Padding. He loves and gives pets. Over the past two days, as he has been assist fed by me for the better part of two months, even that has gotten difficult, he hasn't been able to take even the lightest pets without turning around and giving a light bite to say "ouch". What the hell? I can't stand the idea of losing him and him suffering after we have come so far! Here is my post from Sebastian's pancreatitis thread:

"My Gosh! My sweet, sweet, fluffy little boy of 6 and a half is suffering from the same hell! He came to me in pieces at age 1, from an abusive back ground. Someone had broken his pelvis. He had endless diarrhea, next to no fur, and kitty asthma. Within a few months with me, he blossomed into this magnificent, gorgeous baby, with the most darling personality. Gentle, and fearless around people, guest dogs, other kitties- You name it, he loved it. He's had several rounds of hell with pancreatitis.

I believe there might be a common thread with these kitties ingesting weird things. I've often wondered about that clay in kitty litter, and if it bungs up their insides, and also...PLASTIC! My kitty loves to eat plastic. Other places on the net, I've read of kitties with this compulsion, and pancreatitis. For some reason, they don't seem to put two and two together. I think there is something to it.

Right now, we are in the throes of Bisou not eating for almost two months, but what I feed him by hand. He even had a little blood discharge from the eye. I almost died.

I'm in Los Angeles. What Chinese herbs have you gotten, and from where? I was looking for someone who might try accupuncture on Bisou. Maybe cats are impossible to do that to?

'Which excellent sounding vet gave you the vitamins?

Bisou is currently on a combination kitty Pepsid thing, and something for pancreatitis.

He spits up the appetite stimulant like nobody's business. I mean, frothing and mucus, and utter mess. I don't think he's absorbing it.

Is that the Cerenia? For fear of overtaxing his liver, I have stopped the appetite stim.

The problem is, I fear he is in pain. He comes running for love and kisses, but the moment I touch his back or face, no matter how lightly, his ears go down, and he turns to bite me- all be it gently. This is a kitty who ADORES hours of pets, and pets back! (Head mashes, kissies, people grooming, constant padding, even whilst standing or semi snoozing.) I just can't stand it for him. I am heartbroken for my little sweetie's trials and hard life. He landed in kitty paradise with me, but I fear his early trauma has caught up to him.

Also, to complicate matters- another weird and appalling thing. There was a strange smell emanating from the apartment below in a back closet area where my kitty liked to sleep. This went on for a couple of months. It was noxious! Come to find out there was some drug guy cooking crystal meth! Not having any experience with drugs of any sort, I bought that there was some weird building problem, and kept calling the manager. The smell still lingers in that closet a month after they threw him out!

Can ANYONE shed any light on how I can save my kitty and return him to his sweet and purring self?

So so grateful for any assistance."

I am so sorry your kitty is going through this.  Pain control is important with pancreatitis.  He can be given a pain killer called buprenex.  Another members kitty had a fentanyl patch.  Fluids really help pancreatitis, the member whose kitty had the fentanyl patch also gave sub-q fluids.

The cerenia is for nausea, I don't know if that's what your kitty is taking or not.  He could be so nauseated that everything causing the reaction that you describe.  The vet can give a cerenia shot to get him started.  There are two different things used as an appetite stimulant.  If a kitty can't tolerate one they often can tolerate the other one.

I would be very concerned about having lived above a meth lab.  I know, not by personal experience, but through the media that there is a lot of decontamination that should be done.  I know with old homes that are pretty much worthless they are just torn down.  Even with a tear down there is decontamination that is done first.

I don't know anything about the herbs or a holistic vet in your area.  There are others here that do and they will probably post too.  I have heard of acupuncture being done on cats but I don't know how effective it is.

Did a bit of googling. Some building materials are porous (not good) and then there are the air ducts (how well were they decontaminated? You could contact your landlord (it's the landlord's responsibility for the clean-up) and ask what was done. Also, there are meth lab residue tests available. I took a quick glance here: http://www.methinyourhouse.com/two-kinds-of-meth-residue-test-kits.html#.U34QNdy4nHg

Personally, I'd be looking for another apartment.

Oh, my God! I don't know what to do about that smell that is still in my good clothes and that is my little recording studio! My vet couldn't find any connection with my kitty bleeding from the eye and having respiratory distress. But I can tell you, we were BOTH sick for months, not knowing what was going on!!

I am so worried that this has changed my kitty's brain chemistry. He has NEVER EVER bitten or been aggressive!

I can't believe I was so naive and DUMB believing it was work someone was doing in the building on the pipes!

I am so afraid for my kitty's life.

Heartbroken, and sick to my stomache

A doctor's visit and a vet visit is in order, I think. You might try a phone call to your local SPCA as they have most likely encountered the combination of meth labs and pets a lot.

What exactly is Bisou currently taking to help with his pancreatitis? You're post was unclear, and it seems you are not sure.    Has he been to the vet for this flare-up?

A really bad case of pancreatitis sometimes requires hospitalization. Fluids are important, as well as pain management. Here's a good document that explains how pancreatitis it is treated: https://www.idexx.com/pdf/en_us/sma...pec-fpl-treatment-for-feline-pancreatitis.pdf. Unfortunately, the exact causes of pancreatitis are unknown, so the best thing we can do is supportive care. Sebastian doesn't eat litter or chew plastic, so I can confidently say that is not the cause of his chronic pancreatitis.

If Bisou has not been eating well for two months, his liver is at risk. Has he has blood work done?

Yes. We have been to the vet 6 times in the last few weeks. It would have been many more times, but he gets hysterical in the car now, and I feel it depresses his already fragile immune system.

I feed him by syringe the stuff the doctor gave me- Hills's CD, critical care high calorie stuff. I used to feed him raw kibble by Instinct, and before that Evo. Only high quality, no filler stuff- till the Hills. At this stage, I just want him to eat something!

I had taken him to a holistic doctor three years ago, to keep him in great shape- at a time when he was almost three pounds heavier and fluffier, but the herbs seemed to have triggered off a bout of pancreatitis. Or perhaps it was just bad timing.

He is on Kitty Pepsid, for the nausea.

That was combined with a motility medicine, as there was fecal matter in his lower colon. Famotidin and Metocloprmd  0.5mltwo times per day.

We have put the appetite stim on hold, (Mertazipine) per the vet, as to not overmedicate him. (He spat and frothed it out anyway). He had also been on Cerenia.

Yesterday, we got in as all of a sudden, he seemed to not be able to bear being stroked, even in the lightest. The vet said cats sometimes get this condition dermal oversensitivity, that seems almost like pain. He could not tell me what it was caused by, I am assuming it is all the drugs and stress. Prednisolone. 0.8 ml once per day fo r15 days, then once every other day. I don't like the idea of a steroid.

No pain meds, apparently. The doc said it would make him lethargic. OMG. I can't stand the idea of my kitty in pain, but he can't live a zombie life either!

Bisou is even having a time of eating the stuff I am injecting into his mouth.

I am at my wit's end. I have tried every kind of healthy food- one protein, one starch, and every flavour you can imagine. Same as Sebastian.

What am I going to do to save my kittie's life?!

He is leaking from the eye, right now.

Thank you, thank you for being here. Love and appreciation. xxoxoxoxoxo Rajia. Bisou's mommy.

I am going to ask the vet about pain killers again, come Monday. Does anyone know any that do not knock our little sweeties out?

Love and appreciation.

Also...He was on Urinary SO for a while as he seemed to be forming crystals. From Dr. Jean, on this site, for previous kitty issues I read,
" The best way to prevent urinary tract problems is with canned food (or a similarly wet diet such as homemade or raw). I would rather see any cat be fed the world's worst canned food instead of the world's best dry food, that's how bad dry food is for cats. http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...=show&item=017"

BUT...my kitty won't touch wet food. Unless I have a syringe in his mouth, he can't seem to masticate it.

You've mentioned my Sebastian a few times, so I will respond to some of your comments and questions based on what I would do for Sebastian.

Rajiakitty said:

 
Yes. We have been to the vet 6 times in the last few weeks. It would have been many more times, but he gets hysterical in the car now, and I feel it depresses his already fragile immune system.

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If my Sebastian was as bad off and it seems your Bisou is, I would have had him at the vet for hospitalization for however long it was needed to stabilize him. If his eating did not pick up, we would probably consider a feeding tube.

Rajiakitty said:

I feed him by syringe the stuff the doctor gave me- Hills's CD, critical care high calorie stuff. I used to feed him raw kibble by Instinct, and before that Evo. Only high quality, no filler stuff- till the Hills. At this stage, I just want him to eat something!

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The first food Sebastian ate on his own was 9 Lives Real Flaked Tuna (canned). It's certainly not great, but it's something. Perhaps you could try this.

Rajiakitty said:

He is on Kitty Pepsid, for the nausea.
That was combined with a motility medicine, as there was fecal matter in his lower colon. Famotidin and Metocloprmd  0.5mltwo times per day.

We have put the appetite stim on hold, (Mertazipine) per the vet, as to not overmedicate him. (He spat and frothed it out anyway). He had also been on Cerenia.

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Pepcid is not an anti-nausea medicine. It is an acid reducer that can alleviate discomfort and nausea caused by excess stomach acid, which is a problem in a lot of cats. But it will not help with nausea caused by the pancreatitis itself, which is when Cerenia can be helpful. I would talk to your vet again about Cerenia.

Rajiakitty said:

Yesterday, we got in as all of a sudden, he seemed to not be able to bear being stroked, even in the lightest. The vet said cats sometimes get this condition dermal oversensitivity, that seems almost like pain. He could not tell me what it was caused by, I am assuming it is all the drugs and stress. Prednisolone. 0.8 ml once per day fo r15 days, then once every other day. I don't like the idea of a steroid.

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Sebastian does not like to be touched or be around noise when he is flaring. I remember petting him one time thinking I was providing him comfort, but it just made him vomit. I let him rest and made very little noise.

Is Bisou still on a steroid?

Rajiakitty said:

No pain meds, apparently. The doc said it would make him lethargic. OMG. I can't stand the idea of my kitty in pain, but he can't live a zombie life either!

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Please do talk to your vet about pain meds. Pancreatitis is very painful and pain alone can cause a cat to become anorexic. Sebastian was put on a Fentanyl pain patch while he was in the hospital. It lasts for three days. They sent me home with Buprenex (buprenorphine), which is a short-lived painkiller.

Thank you so so much for taking the time to answer me. Having seen how miserable he is at the vets, and gone back into the cages with the vet techs, I know he is better off with me at home.

Bisou has started eating. I am cautious though. The first two days after he got that steroid, he ate so much, and came for his loves and cuddles- his favourite thing, to be brushed for half an hour, or till my arm falls off. I was soooo encouraged. However, two days later, my utterly gentle sweetheart, and I mean UTTERLY sweet, and relaxed, and comfy with anybody lil Bisou, seems to have had a total change in personality. He doesn't know what is going on with him, so he rushes up and down the hall by my side, meowing unhappily, and looking up at me to do something. But he is aggressive! I sat on the bed, he rushed up to be next to me, and then literally rushed at me and bit me, then looked sooo sorry. He hissed when my hand got near him, and cowered. OMG. What is happening to my sweet little kitty? He is now snoozing next to me, in a little ball. He is fine with having his face and chin stroked. He likes to have his head resting on some part of me, but can't get petted on the body when awake. Thank you for telling me about this same experience with your darling Sebastian. If your kitty doesn't eat, how do you get vitamins etc in his mouth? Do you mix and syringe? And how much do you use? Lysine seems to also be good as an anti viral and immune booster, but in humans, I know it does interfere w cholesterol processing, so perhaps I should stay away from it. I went to a holistic/Chinese herb vet a couple of years ago. It might have been timing, but the dried herbs seemed to have triggered a cystitis episode. Oh, Bisou!

I think you need a referral to a specialist. Ask your vet for one. But he needs some real help here and if you are not comfortable with his being hospitalized at the vet you have (and rightly so) find a specialist or a university teaching hospital that can help you. this is to complex a disease to have a regular vet treat if it is going south. When I worked at the specialist we would let people sit with their pets all day if they wanted to . I would even let them sneak in at night when I worked overnights. It does improve the attitude of the patient.

Does anyone know a super specialist in Los Angeles for Bisou. He is eating, and following me from room to room. But he is meowing like he is either in pain or confused and mad, and really wants to bite. His ears are down, like a kitty who is about to get into a fight. Please recall this is angel baby. What the hell is going on with my little sweetheart? Every review I read online about vets have such mixed stories. I need a kitty super specialist, asap!

Dr, Shulman at the Animal Specialty group on Colorado blvd in LA.

I don't know her or the place. I see the mixed reviews. I looked up her experience and it looks good. I don't know of course but it is a start. I think I heard her lecture once. I think it was her. Anyway you can look for doctors also you just want to find one that has experience in pancreatitis in cats as well as the DACVIM after their name.

My kitty is eating and drinking on his own. Thank God! He is still following me from room to room, and sleeping next to me. But is still agitated or uncomfy when I touch him. Even at times when I don't. It looks like he has a little shock of pain or something, and thinks I'm doing it. The vet had prescribed Prednisolone .8 ml every day fir 15v days, then .8 every other. Due to his change in personality, he said to lessen the frequency right away. I am not sure that is what is causing the change, though it may be, with the mix of Famotidine and the motiliity med. I think he was super sensitive to touch before that, which might have gotten worse. I just don't know. I need a cat specialist. I'm looking into Schulman between working. This is exhausting and so so worrisome. Bisou and I also did not do well in that back closet (my recording booth) with the residue of the crystal meth fumes- even though you can barely smell them in there. Awful. Vomiting. Good grief!

Rajiakitty said:

 
Thank you so so much for taking the time to answer me. Having seen how miserable he is at the vets, and gone back into the cages with the vet techs, I know he is better off with me at home.

Bisou has started eating. I am cautious though. The first two days after he got that steroid, he ate so much, and came for his loves and cuddles- his favourite thing, to be brushed for half an hour, or till my arm falls off. I was soooo encouraged. However, two days later, my utterly gentle sweetheart, and I mean UTTERLY sweet, and relaxed, and comfy with anybody lil Bisou, seems to have had a total change in personality. He doesn't know what is going on with him, so he rushes up and down the hall by my side, meowing unhappily, and looking up at me to do something. But he is aggressive! I sat on the bed, he rushed up to be next to me, and then literally rushed at me and bit me, then looked sooo sorry. He hissed when my hand got near him, and cowered. OMG. What is happening to my sweet little kitty? He is now snoozing next to me, in a little ball. He is fine with having his face and chin stroked. He likes to have his head resting on some part of me, but can't get petted on the body when awake. Thank you for telling me about this same experience with your darling Sebastian. If your kitty doesn't eat, how do you get vitamins etc in his mouth? Do you mix and syringe? And how much do you use? Lysine seems to also be good as an anti viral and immune booster, but in humans, I know it does interfere w cholesterol processing, so perhaps I should stay away from it. I went to a holistic/Chinese herb vet a couple of years ago. It might have been timing, but the dried herbs seemed to have triggered a cystitis episode. Oh, Bisou!

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There is a trade-off between being more miserable at the vet (if that is where he can get the care he needs) and being more miserable ill and in pain.

When Sebastian was not eating, I was syringe feeding him with Hill's A/D. Any medications prescribed by the vet were put in gel caps and given orally. I was not giving him any extra vitamins at the time. The A/D is a supplemented commercial cat food, so our goal was to make sure he was getting enough to eat and getting the pancreatitis under control. Sebastian is still on a daily steroid.

Are you still giving Bisou the mirtazapine? My Sebastian is also very sweet, but mirtazapine made him super aggressive and mean to the other cats.

Oh, my goodness! You have gone through all of this too with your little darling, Sebastian. You are clearly an excellent parent. ANd a really good hearted person to take the time for other kitties suffering.

Here's where we are. Bisou is eating lots and lots on his own- which is a dang miracle. He has three different kinds of high quality kibble out. One chicken and single carb, one beef and carb. one fish with fruits and vegetables. It seems he rotates himself with taste, and frankly, I'm relieved as his tummy used to not tolerate a single variance in food. So that is good.

He is also drinking very well.

He doesn't eat wet on his own. He has never been able to masticate it, or maybe "feel" it. I suspect his jaw might have been slightly misaligned when he had his accident, before I got him. But that's conjecture. So eating- YES!

The dermal sensitivity is still there. And I pet him very gingerly to make sure he is not hurting or uncomfortable. (Poor Sebastian with his vomiting on strokes. Hope he is better.)  He is coming to be close continuously, and he is tolerating his chin and side of his face to lightly stoked. We are still having an issue with aggression, which I am concerned about. He hasn't been on the Mirtazipine for a long time, but is now on a higher dose of the Prednisolone- Which makes me nervous. He is at the end of his Famotidine and Pepsid combo medication.

The vet did not want to put him on pain meds as he was concerned that Bisou would stop eating again. It had been two and a half months of not eating, so he said let's let him gain a little weight, and wait on pain meds.

I wish he could tell me how he is feeling, and where.

That is great that Bisou is eating! If he is now on a higher dose of prednisolone, that may be why you are seeing improvement. Pred helps decrease inflammation and increase appetite. Aggression can also go hand-in-hand with stress and not feeling well, so hopefully you will start to see improvement with his behavior once he starts feeling better. 

Hi im new to the site and was really hoping for some advise 8 weeks ago my 3year old cat charley button who has always been super healthy had snapped his tooth I took him to the vets were the said he would need it out while I was there the vet encouraged me to have a booster injection becausehe hadnt had one since being a kitten the reason being Iwatched a programme telling me they were unsafe but after being made to feel guilty Ilet her give him the jab the day after he started being sick vomiting , lethargic and in pain after various bloodtests and over a £1000 in vets bill they told mehe has pancreatitus so far theyve gave him 4 courses of antibiotics , anti acids , anti inflammatorys and anti sickness drugs and still he is vomiting at the moment hes only eating boiled chicken I tried him on the prescription food but he threw it straight back up hes having good and bad days at the moment but im at the end of my teather I cant stand seeing him ill and not being able to help him I really dont want to pump his bodywith any more drugs cause there clearly not working I would be so grateful for any advice