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- Sep 10, 2023
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After hours of forum digging and a couple of stumped vet visits, I thought I'd consult the biggest kitty community I've found to see if anyone else has had a similar experience with their cat's e-tube (esophogostamy tube in neck). Everything seems fairly textbook about his feedings, EXCEPT, every day, even if almost no air goes INTO Charlie Toaster (because we're very careful about avoiding air bubbles), he seems to be producing gas that comes back UP the tube, forming a long bubble in the part of the tube that's outside his body, usually a few hours after a feeding-- I'd say every day, at least a 1-2" bubble worth of gas accumulates there. (Unlike some e-tubes I've seen, Charlie's is a clear/transparent tube.) I can't easily "pull" the gas bubbles up and out of the tube using a syringe; almost like it has extra vacuum pressure? The vet also found it strange, but not overly concerning, since he's otherwise doing well and I guess she didn't hear anything worrying when she checked him out quickly listening in with a stethoscope. She's extremely busy currently, so we haven't been able to do much following up or additional tests since his e-tube was placed and his emergent constipation problem was solved, though we're moving toward a diagnosis of IBS I'm guessing.
A bit more context if it helps-- for now, Charlies's back to normal or maybe even better-than-normal functions peeing and pooping perfectly with a combination of diet change (now on Royal Canin Fiber Response Gastrointestinal Diet) and lactulose (for stool softening), with Cerenia daily to suppress nausea, and plenty of water. On the flip side, he's still more lethargic than usual, and he hasn't fully regained his once healthy appetite. He avoids all forms of wet food, even the Churu treats he once loved. He only seems able to handle about 50 max cc in a single sitting of any combination of food and water and meds, before it's clear he's feeling full and might vomit, and we always stop when those signs begin. I'm wondering if both the inappetence and what I'm guessing is his obvious gassiness might be related to the lactulose medication? We'd love to taper that off, and we're sort of just waiting for our vet to have the time to help us evolve his care plan. So-- biggish pockets of air going UP the tube, from his tummy or esophogus-- is that okay? Normal? Possibly a clue to his IBS (or another) diagnosis? I'd love to know if anyone else ever saw the bubble effect come up the tube, to either put my fears at ease or give me some more insight to take to our vet. Thank you!
A bit more context if it helps-- for now, Charlies's back to normal or maybe even better-than-normal functions peeing and pooping perfectly with a combination of diet change (now on Royal Canin Fiber Response Gastrointestinal Diet) and lactulose (for stool softening), with Cerenia daily to suppress nausea, and plenty of water. On the flip side, he's still more lethargic than usual, and he hasn't fully regained his once healthy appetite. He avoids all forms of wet food, even the Churu treats he once loved. He only seems able to handle about 50 max cc in a single sitting of any combination of food and water and meds, before it's clear he's feeling full and might vomit, and we always stop when those signs begin. I'm wondering if both the inappetence and what I'm guessing is his obvious gassiness might be related to the lactulose medication? We'd love to taper that off, and we're sort of just waiting for our vet to have the time to help us evolve his care plan. So-- biggish pockets of air going UP the tube, from his tummy or esophogus-- is that okay? Normal? Possibly a clue to his IBS (or another) diagnosis? I'd love to know if anyone else ever saw the bubble effect come up the tube, to either put my fears at ease or give me some more insight to take to our vet. Thank you!