Pepcid A/C and/or Metronidazole Make Him Worse?

cc0000

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Brillo was diagnosed with pancreatitis. But, now I'm told that maybe he really doesn't have that either after they first thought kidney failure when he really was just dehydrated. He is sick off and on (lethargic, doesn't want to eat for half a day part of the week).

They told me to put him on Hills Digestive. He has clear issues with peas in any food so he had to switch to a chicken and rice food without it (dry). 

Though he has had more good days, he still continues to get sick off and on. Half of the day he is lethargic and has to be syringe fed food and water, then, the next day he goes back to eating a lot. 

The vet now gave me Metronidazole and Pepcid to help him on Friday. After he was given the Pepcid, his stomach rumbled and he lost his appetite. I gave him the antibiotic later and syringe fed him.

He woke up today eating a lot and being more active. But, again, I gave him the Pepcid that is supposed to help him and it seems to actually upset his stomach and make him not want to eat.

I don't understand. I thought the Pepcid A/C (I checked to make sure it was the right one) was supposed to help him feel better, not worse. I have to call the vet on Monday about this (they are closed now), but, has anyone had this happen? I don't know what I can do to stop Brillo from being sick each week. The only other thing the vet said was steroid treatment could be used, but that seems risky long-term.
 

ruthm

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did your vet run a Spec fpl test to check for pancreatitis? It is the most accurate way to make a diagnosis.  Do you know why your vet prescribed Metronidiazole? It is usually given to treat diarrhea?  It is likely to make your cat feel unwell, also, if given in liquid form, it tastes absolutely horrible. Likewise, do you know why Pepcid is being prescribed? It is usually given for the treatment of stomach acid. It is not going to work for nausea. Pepcid is also very very bitter. If you are not using a gelcap for pilling, your cat will likely be foaming in the mouth, plus developing an aversion to pills or any food he associates with Pepcid.

  Is your cat vomiting? If so, you might about a medication called Cerenia, which was very effective for my kitty Tiger. Also, look for signs of nausea- i.e. sniffing then walking away from food;smacking lips.  Nausea is usually best treated with a med called Zofran(Ondansetron). 
 
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cc0000

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Yes, they said they ran that test (after an ultrasound showed mild stomach inflammation) and he was positive for pancreatitis. But, since he is still having issues, I called and they said it doesn't necessarily mean that is the real issue. It just shows inflammation is present and would have to be sent out to be truly accurate, which is very pricey. They said his pancreas could be slightly inflamed from another issue like IBD or gastritis, and that he had no significant thickening of the pancreas on the ultrasound.

So, they said to use the antibiotic because it would help IBD or if there is an infection. They said the gurgling he had before he was medicated (he had loud gurgling when sick with egg smelling gas) was likely stomach acid. So, he should take 1/4 tablet Pepcid A/C twice daily to prevent stomach upset.

He has no diarrhea. Never has had it. He also is not vomiting now and hasn't for over a week. Before, though, he had projectile vomiting about once a week which is why I had the ultrasound and pancreatitis test. 
 
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cc0000

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Unfortunately, he had projectile vomiting with a hairball this morning again.
 

artiemom

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Is he on a steroid??? and/or Cerenia or Zofran... both are anti nausea scripts..

The Cornelia words wonders, but only use for 5 days and then 2 days off. Use the Zofran in the interim..

My guy has IBD, and a few flares.. from what I understand the treatment is pretty much the same as what there is for pancreatitis...

I would also seek out a second opinion... even from an Internal Medicine VEt...
 
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cc0000

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He is not on a steroid yet, but, it looks like that is what will be needed. I'm calling the vet again tomorrow. He is supposed to be on a food trial, see if that resolves things, then go back for steroid treatment if the food doesn't fix things.

He is not on anti-nausea meds. I've taken him to 2 different vets multiple times for this problem. All they ever give is injections (Cerenia and Buprenorphine) for nausea and pain. They never give home treatment for either.

From the beginning I thought he has to have IBD or early stage lymphoma so I had many blood tests done and an ultrasound. He has projectile vomiting off and on, hairball issues, and gas and gurgling. I just hope the steroid treatment helps him.

Vets here aren't too great about home treatment (fluids, pain meds). I actually had a tech tell me that cats don't feel pain like people. The sad part is, this is at the better animal hospital here and I live in NYS. I'm thinking about trying to get him to a vet at Cornell to be examined.
 
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