My cat has pancreatitis and now has a feeding tube-please help

[spencers mom]

Can you compensate by assist feeding what she's missing? It's doable! I know it's so frustrating dealing with vets sometimes... Being sent away from one who says nothing's wrong, only to have to make a $600 visit to the emergency vet the day after...

 

[portia]

I dont know how to assist feed. Do I just take a syringe of food and slowly drip it into her mouth? I tried doing that yesterday and she struggled a lot and tried to get away. Is that normal? It took me about 15 min to get maybe 6cc in her. Im also afraid of food aversions. My other concern is, I dont know why she isnt eating as much now. Its been 4 weeks since she was first diagnosed and all her liver enzyme levels and bilirubin levels are going down (even though they are not completely normal as yet). Shouldnt she be eating enough on her own by now? Im afraid something else is wrong!! Thats why I wanted to see the specialist!

 

[finnlacey]

I just sent you a PM with instructions.

 

[portia]

I just got off the phone with my vet (she actually called from home!!). They want me to bring her in tomorrow to make sure she's doing ok (in terms of weight and hydration). If she is, they are going to try increasing her dose of metranidazole to the original amount and see if that makes a difference. The vet doesnt want to put the feeding tube in unless its absolutely necessary so Im happy about that. I hate trigger hungry vets! She says its not uncommon to have pets eat well for a few days and then stop which makes me feel better. Im hoping the cyproheptadine and increased metranidazole help. Ill keep you guys posted.

 

[portia]

I just sent you a PM with instructions.

Thanks. I just replied to you:-)

 

[spencers mom]

For assist feed I open Spencer's mouth with one hand and squirt food with the syringe in. He actually chews and swallows it but my ve told me he's one of the easiest one. When he tries to get away I stop for a few minutes but although I feel guilty about bothering him like that, it is the best for him. Man I wish he'll be better soon.

 

[portia]

Portia saw the vet on saturday. She said portia had lost a little more weight from the previous visit (0.2lbs) but otherwise looked good. She was not jaundiced and was reasonably well hydrated. So we've decided to increase her dose of netranidazole back to 75mg 2x a day instead of 35mg 2x a day. Shes been eating well over the weekend, about 5.5-6oz a day which is great because I havent had to assist feed her! I dont know whats made the difference. It could be changing the appetite stimulant or the higher metranidazole or the vet threatening to put the feeding tube in but whatever it is, Im glad its working. The vet also said to keep her on the  buprinex but I really dont think she's in any pain becasue the only thing that changes when I give her the buprinex is the amount she sleeps. Her appetite seems unaffected by it. Since Im already stressing her out enough by giving her 4 pills  twice a day, I've decided to not give her buprinex. I hope this is the right decision. I dont see her sitting in the meat loaf position at all , which she used to do a lot a few weeks back. Im hoping thats a sign that her pain is gone. She still hides under the bed a lot but that may be the stress of seeing the vet and having me push 4 pills down her throat every day. the poor thing:-(

@Finnlacey: As you send in you PM, Portia is def sleeping a lot more and Im assuming its the cyprohetadine

So far, I guess alll this is good news. I hope she keeps her appetite up. As long as she eats 5.5 oz, she should be ok. Im taking her back next week to repeat her blood work.

Thank you all for the positive thoughts and advice!!

Ill report back in a few days but yayyyy for now 

 

[finnlacey]

yes I'm bettering it's the cypro making her sleepy. As long as she's eating that much, then it's easy to deal with it! She may get used to it and not feel so tired within a week or so. This is great news! 

 

[finnlacey]

ugh! I meant "betting" it's the cypro. LOL. 

 

[vball91]

Hooray that Portia eating and feeling better. Poor baby. I'm sure it's hard on her and you, but you're taking such good care of her. Thanks for the update.

 

[spencers mom]

Hooray for Portia!! Glad to hear the good news, and btw I have some of my own as Spencer has started eating on his own again this weekend! I still have to feed him with the syringe to make sure he's getting enough, but definitely a step in the right direction!

 

[vball91]

Hooray for Spencer as well! Eating on his own again is a huge step in the right direction.

 

[vball91]

Hooray for Spencer as well! Eating on his own again is a huge step in the right direction.

 

[portia]

Yayyy!! This is defenitely good news all around! Im glad to hear Spencer's eating a little on his own. Its been about 12 days for Spencer right? Thats about how long it took for Portia as well. Just keep at it. I have to keep reminding myself that some days are good and some are bad and that I shouldnt freak out and panic just because shes having a rough couple of days.  Also, are you giving Spencer any pain medication? Im only asking because I myself am debating whether I should give Portia any. Its so hard to tell if they are in pain so if you have any tips about signs I should look out for let me know. So far I've got:

1. Meat loaf position for extended periods of time-bad

2. not eating-bad

but thats about it.

please keep us updated on Spencer. Sending good thoughts his way!

 

[portia]

ugh! I meant "betting" it's the cypro. LOL. 

Hahah... I understoood 

 

[spencers mom]

Yes it took 12 days before he started eating again. He's not eating enough though, the vet says 1can 1/2 per day but at least it's a start. AND he started purring, grooming, and hanging out with us again - all this weekend. Huge milestone!
He was on Buprenex like Portia at the beginning, but the prescription ended and I haven't had to give him anymore. He doesn't look in pain. He does the meatloaf too when in pain. And he tends to sleep with his head turned towards the wall, or the back of the couch, etc. like he doesn't want to look at us. But he stopped doing that like a week ago, so I don't think he's hurting anymore, or not as much anyway.
Now he's on cerenia, appetite stimulant, metronidazole (last one tonight! I'm hoping going off it will improve his appetite) and Sam-e, which I understand is a supplement for the liver.

 

[finnlacey]

Oh this is wonderful news about Spencer as well!!! 

 Cerenia is a really great drug! It actually helps with pain along with inflammation and anti-nausea. Wonderful news about both Spencer and Portia! I'm so happy!

 

[portia]

Yes it took 12 days before he started eating again. He's not eating enough though, the vet says 1can 1/2 per day but at least it's a start. AND he started purring, grooming, and hanging out with us again - all this weekend. Huge milestone!
He was on Buprenex like Portia at the beginning, but the prescription ended and I haven't had to give him anymore. He doesn't look in pain. He does the meatloaf too when in pain. And he tends to sleep with his head turned towards the wall, or the back of the couch, etc. like he doesn't want to look at us. But he stopped doing that like a week ago, so I don't think he's hurting anymore, or not as much anyway.
Now he's on cerenia, appetite stimulant, metronidazole (last one tonight! I'm hoping going off it will improve his appetite) and Sam-e, which I understand is a supplement for the liver.

I would check with the vet about taking him off metranidazole. Portia's been on it for a while now and when we reduced the dose, her appetite dropped again. Not sure if her appetite drop had anything at all to do with the metranidazole but when we increased her dose back up her appetite went up too. My vet says it takes a long time for the inflammation to go down and for the liver to fully regenerate and until her values are completely back to normal, she should remain on everything. Shes currently on cyprheptadine, metranidazole and predizalone. Shes probably only eating 5-6 oz a day and Im hoping thats enough to stave off HL. So if Spencer's getting 8oz a day thats great!!!  

 

[portia]

Oh this is wonderful news about Spencer as well!!! 

 Cerenia is a really great drug! It actually helps with pain along with inflammation and anti-nausea. Wonderful news about both Spencer and Portia! I'm so happy!

Me tooo.. As usual, Im afraid to be too happy because you never know how tomorrow will be but baby steps right!

 

[finnlacey]

I know. it's so hard to let yourself celebrate. You're afraid of jinxing it right? I know the feeling, believe me. These diseases are a roller coaster ride of emotions.