Pancreatitis

Hi there, new to site. One of my cats, the black and white one, Rocker, has recently been diagnosed with pancreatitis, he may also have a mass in his stomach area. He is 14 years old, and we have him and his brother, Cfer. The vet has given us some pain medication as well as a med to help make him eat more. We thought we were getting the pill spdown, but found 2 of the 3 later. I have crushed it up and put it in chicken broth then syringes it, but unfortunately he just vomits after.
He does eat a bit and drinks some water, but of course not near as much as before. He has basically turned into an old cat. I think he has probably come out of his attack as he doesn't seem to be holding himself in pain. But he doesn't run anymore, goes down the stairs slowly, he basically justs lies on the couch in our basement, but not upstairs, but he isn't hiding. His meow is very quiet now. We took him back to the vet last week and he isn't dehydrated. My question to those whose fur babies have gone thru it, do they come back at all, or do I just accept that my little kitten is an old man know? He was probably diagnosed 4 weeks ago, and he has probably lost about 4-5 lbs, he is just over 11 lbs, which is healthier, but I hate feeling his bones.
Any suggestions, or ideas is greatly appreciated. As I sit here and write this, I have Cfer lying on my right arm and Rocker on my left side looking for affection

Welcome to the site and apologies for no replies to your thread! We have quite a few member's on site here dealing with Pancreatitis in cats. I had one too! It is nothing that can be cured but certainly can be managed enough to keep the cat comfortable. Diet does play a big role as your vet probably mentioned as well. Here is an article that another member posted at one time and it is very, very informative and will give you a better understanding of the condition. https://www.idexx.com/files/small-a...pec-fpl-treatment-for-feline-pancreatitis.pdf

We have many threads as well and if you are interested in reading them I would be happy to pull them up for you. for Rocker. :rub:

did your vet give an anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medication?

How are they sure it was pancreatitis?  My cat is having some stomach issues -- well throwing up and they took an x-ray and there is no blockage.  The vet did not recommend a food change and put him on an anti-biotic specifically for tummy and colon issues.  He got a shot of something before we left the vet's office.  My cat dry heaved and vomited clear liquid, it was at times a bit frothy - all day long.  If he drank any water it came right back up via vomiting.  I chose not to give him the pill medication that evening.  He ate some food and managed to keep it down.  But then he drank water the next morning and vomited it up.  The vet recommended I give him Pepcid AC - which ain't cheap and I never use the stuff.  But I got some and crushed the tablet to give him the correct dosage.  He threw it up with the bit of food that he tried to eat 15 minutes earlier.  The cat continued to vomit anything that was taken in-- and I limited what he did intake.  I did give him the prescribed pill that morning.  He continued to vomit clear liquid during the day and did not eat anything.  I decided to switch to a different food.  He managed to eat some of it and did not vomit.   I gave him a few kibbles at 7, he kept it down.  I gave him a few more at 8 he kept it down and wanted to eat more, but I withheld more from him scared he would vomit.  He kept more down at 9 and drank water.  I did not want him to drink too much as he vomited up water.  He ate more at 11 and has not thrown up.  He had more food this morning and is still not vomiting.

But I don't think he has pooped at all since having diarrhea Monday morning before I took him to the vet for an x-ray.

The vet who I have talked to on the phone says this could be pancreatits and we may need to do exploratory surgery?  I am looking for answers.  How long before my cat poops - and do I need to be worried?

He seemed quite normal when I checked on him at lunch.  But the not pooping is a concern to me at this point and how do you decide if it is pancreatitis?

Thanks

2catlady said:

How are they sure it was pancreatitis?  My cat is having some stomach issues -- well throwing up and they took an x-ray and there is no blockage.  The vet did not recommend a food change and put him on an anti-biotic specifically for tummy and colon issues.  He got a shot of something before we left the vet's office.  My cat dry heaved and vomited clear liquid, it was at times a bit frothy - all day long.  If he drank any water it came right back up via vomiting.  I chose not to give him the pill medication that evening.  He ate some food and managed to keep it down.  But then he drank water the next morning and vomited it up.  The vet recommended I give him Pepcid AC - which ain't cheap and I never use the stuff.  But I got some and crushed the tablet to give him the correct dosage.  He threw it up with the bit of food that he tried to eat 15 minutes earlier.  The cat continued to vomit anything that was taken in-- and I limited what he did intake.  I did give him the prescribed pill that morning.  He continued to vomit clear liquid during the day and did not eat anything.  I decided to switch to a different food.  He managed to eat some of it and did not vomit.   I gave him a few kibbles at 7, he kept it down.  I gave him a few more at 8 he kept it down and wanted to eat more, but I withheld more from him scared he would vomit.  He kept more down at 9 and drank water.  I did not want him to drink too much as he vomited up water.  He ate more at 11 and has not thrown up.  He had more food this morning and is still not vomiting.
But I don't think he has pooped at all since having diarrhea Monday morning before I took him to the vet for an x-ray.
The vet who I have talked to on the phone says this could be pancreatits and we may need to do exploratory surgery?  I am looking for answers.  How long before my cat poops - and do I need to be worried?
He seemed quite normal when I checked on him at lunch.  But the not pooping is a concern to me at this point and how do you decide if it is pancreatitis?

Thanks

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Welcome, 2catlady, to the site. I am so sorry your kitty is unwell. I wanted to suggest that you start your own thread on your cats health issues right here in the Health Forum. The box to start your own thread is to the right of the "post a reply" box. It says "Start a New Thread". I just want you to get the most replies and help you can for you and for your cat and starting your own thread will be seen by many other member's.

p.s. There is a Pancreatitis blood panel test. My cat had one done. I would see about asking for that before any exploratory surgery. IF he had real bad diarrhea on Monday then it could take a few days for things to process through for a normal bowel movement. I know this was the case with my cat who suffered with IBD and Pancreatitis. The bouts of diarrhea and then a couple of days with no bowel movement.

The doctor gave my cat the pancreatitis test which came up positive. They also did blood test which showed the enzymes in pancreas and liver was high. You should have your vet give your cat an anti nauseous shot. My cat has thrown up intermittently all his life, but it was a couple of vomiting where he vomitted 5-6 times in a row is when I took him down.
His attack does seem to be over as he is eating again a lot, but now he has become an old cat. He doesn't stay upstairs very long, and sleeps a lot. He still loves to be petted and he has jumped up on our bed in the middle of the nite again.
Our vet says the only way to tell for sure as to what is going on, and if he has a mass in his stomach is to do exploratory surgery, but that would be $1500-1800, which although I love my cat, at his age would be too hard on him. I will have to keep an eye on him in the future, and be more aware.