Vibes for Mia Please

I would let your vet know the mirt doesn't seem to be helping as much. It is possible she's just in "recovery" mode too after all she's had to go through. She will guide you in the right direction as far as medicine. I know mirt can have unpleasant side effects sometimes, even if they seem to work well the first time or two. 

It's so hard to try and figure this out, I know. From what you say it sounds like she is still interested in life, but definitely in need of recovery. Even mild interest in food is a good thing to me (even if it's just licking). She's not on a feeding tube anymore?

Like @Donutte  pointed out the poor little thing has been through a lot and it will take time to recover, I just hope that the treatment she is on is working. When is the last time she vomited or had diarrhea?  

She still has her feeding tube in (vet said I can use it for her liquid meds to get them in without vomiting) but yesterday I started transitioning her (syringe feeding) to her grain-free novel protein canned food, because her diarrhea has been really terrible, and the vet said the liquid feeding tube diet can cause diarrhea.

She hasn't vomited since Sunday night, which is great because it had been every day.  On Monday my vet changed her meds (see earlier in thread for specifics).  She last had diarrhea yesterday afternoon.

I just read more about the negative side effects of Mirtazapine.  It doesn't sound too good.  They are symptoms that she could be having anyway though (nausea, depression, sluggishness).  It did seem to help her start eating.  But she did get more vocal with it too so maybe it made her anxious.  I'm so torn.  I'll ask my vet if there's a different appetite stimulant I can give her.

Jenny82 said:

 
She still has her feeding tube in (vet said I can use it for her liquid meds to get them in without vomiting) but yesterday I started transitioning her (syringe feeding) to her grain-free novel protein canned food, because her diarrhea has been really terrible, and the vet said the liquid feeding tube diet can cause diarrhea.

She hasn't vomited since Sunday night, which is great because it had been every day.  On Monday my vet changed her meds (see earlier in thread for specifics).  She last had diarrhea yesterday afternoon.

I just read more about the negative side effects of Mirtazapine.  It doesn't sound too good.  They are symptoms that she could be having anyway though (nausea, depression, sluggishness).  It did seem to help her start eating.  But she did get more vocal with it too so maybe it made her anxious.  I'm so torn.  I'll ask my vet if there's a different appetite stimulant I can give her.

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I understand being torn. Sometimes we just have to do what we think is best for her. The goal is for it to make her eat, but it doesn't sound like it's working so well anymore. And yes, it can make cats anxious. If it is still helping with the eating, and the side effects are not too bad, then let it be. But if it's not really helping except the day you give it to her, that's not so good then.

Have you asked your vet what they think would be best for her in terms of nutrition? I'll be honest, when they are at that "not eating" point, I tend to go for whatever they WILL eat. But you might want to run that by your vet. It's also possible that some of the "better" foods can be a bit difficult to digest when she's not eaten a lot. When I was syringe feeding Lucky, I went with the most calorie-dense foods I could find. a/d is so much easier if your vet can give you that, plus it's a lot easier to syringe feed. She may even like it on her own!

Good point!

Yeah...my vet doesn't really know much about nutrition (I gather that's pretty common).  I don't have any trouble syringe feeding Mia, but maybe she would like the A/D better.  I will ask about that again too.

Thanks!!

Here are a couple more pics of Mia. On Sunday when she was feeling a little better and it was warm outside we took her out in a stroller for a few minutes and she seemed to like that. Last night she was just laying in her favorite bed looking surly (although she has always been kind of surly).

Awww she's so adorable! I love that you took her out in a stroller

I love the stroller picture, I am so happy that Mia has such a loving family to look after her.  

Jenny82 said:

 
She still has her feeding tube in (vet said I can use it for her liquid meds to get them in without vomiting) but yesterday I started transitioning her (syringe feeding) to her grain-free novel protein canned food, because her diarrhea has been really terrible, and the vet said the liquid feeding tube diet can cause diarrhea.

She hasn't vomited since Sunday night, which is great because it had been every day.  On Monday my vet changed her meds (see earlier in thread for specifics).  She last had diarrhea yesterday afternoon.

I just read more about the negative side effects of Mirtazapine.  It doesn't sound too good.  They are symptoms that she could be having anyway though (nausea, depression, sluggishness).  It did seem to help her start eating.  But she did get more vocal with it too so maybe it made her anxious.  I'm so torn.  I'll ask my vet if there's a different appetite stimulant I can give her.

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@Jenny82   just sending more positive vibes for your Mia.    

I don't have any experience with IBD, and cannot add any more to the good advice you've gotten from Donutte, StephenQ, MargD, Zed Xyzed and others.

But I was wondering about the feeding tube, and the transition to syringe feeding.

Did your vet have any suggestions on how to stop the diarrhea using the feeding tube, to make sure that all the nutrients fed by the tube were absorbed?

Does your vet also think that the puncture to the duodenum would be healed, and that is why syringe feeding was suggested, at this point?

Or is it to get Mia back to eating on her own, as quickly, as possible?

If the sore teeth, would be an issue, then using the feeding tube would seem better, but I'm just guessing.

(Sorry, you don't have to answer any of the above questions, because I know how exhausting having a sick cat can be...so really all I wish for you both, is plenty of good healing vibes, and rest for both humans and cats, and for Mia to get better fast.)  

Thanks for the vibes!!! I just talked to my vet. She wants to double the prednisolone dose to twice a day for a few days and to keep syringe feeding. I think her reasons for syringe feeding are to try to get some weight onto her and to help with diarrhea. She thinks Mia is grinding her teeth due to nausea and not pain. I asked about feeding A/D again and she said she doesn't think I should keep switching foods. She also wants me to try one more dose of mirtazapine, tomorrow instead of Friday, to see if it helps with her appetite. I told her my concerns about it and she said she agrees there is a trade off with mirtazapine but she thinks the benefits outweigh negatives at this point and to try one more dose and see how she does.

The puncture to her duodenum was a little over two weeks ago on 12/14 so she thinks it is healed ok for food.

I just took a nap, wow that felt good, lol.

We are watching bird videos tonight.

Bird videos!! now if that doesn't cheer you up,  I don't know what will.  That is so cute.  

I think the vet's recommendation not to change foods is a good idea. What is she eating now?

She's eating canned nature's variety grain free duck with a little canned pumpkin mixed in.

Just letting you know I'm thinking of you and Mia and hoping she starts to feel better. Flowers to you. [emoji]127801[/emoji][emoji]127801[/emoji][emoji]127801[/emoji]

Thank you!

I will be home with her all day tomorrow, I have off work, in case she feels anxious from the mirtazapine.

She just had her first solid poo in a long time!

Jenny82 said:

She just had her first solid poo in a long time!

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Zed Xyzed said:

Jenny82 said:

She just had her first solid poo in a long time!

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       I 'second' what 'Zed Xyzed' posted !     With a little more dancing thrown in.         Way to go Mia!

Well Mia hasn't eaten or drank on her own today, but her behavior was a little better. She didn't seem to have any negative side effects from the mirtazapine. It has been two weeks since her second surgery so we were allowed to let her out of the room she's been staying in and be a little more active. She went to all her favorite spots in the house today, including the couch, bed, sunny spot in the hall, and cat tree. She has groomed a little and is sleeping in her tree now.

Jenny82 said:

Thank you!

I will be home with her all day tomorrow, I have off work, in case she feels anxious from the mirtazapine.

She just had her first solid poo in a long time!

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I'm a bit late to the party but WOOHOO!!!

And glad to hear she's able to go to some of her favorite spots today! Hopefully that will help the healing process.