I am starting a new thread to try to get more ideas about Buddy. These are his results from the "full blood work-up" from Thursday, January 26th for his fPL and thyroid as well as the results from the last time the were tested. I took him in Thursday because he has had a decreased appetite and soft stools that started with two BMs of soft stools and one of diarrhea within two hours on Saturday, January 21, 2012 .
1/26/12 T4 result: 5.0 reference range: 0.8 - 4.7 units: ug/dL
7/23/11 T4 result: 3.2 reference range: 0.8 - 4.7 units: ug/dL
1/26/12 special fPL result: 3.6 reference range: > or = to 3.5 ug/L Serum Spec fPL concentration is in the normal range. It is unlikely that the cat has pancreatitis. Investigate for other diseases that oculd cause observed clinical signs. 3.6 - 5.3 : Serum Spec fPL concentration is increased. The cat may have pancreatitis and Spec fPL should be reevaluated in two weeks if clinical signs persist. Investigate for other diseases that could cause observed clinical signs.
9/10/11 special fPL result: 2.1 reference range: > or = to 3.5 ug/L
The vet, a new one to Buddy and my vet office, said she thought Buddy may have some other issue that is causing his values to be elevated. She is concerned about the loss of weight from when he first came to this office in June of 2011, (14 lbs.) and on January 3rd of 2012, (11 lbs.) and Thursday, January 26th, 2012, (9.15 lbs.).
Buddy was prescribed METHIMAZOLE in 5 mg tablets for the thyroid. Directions are 1/4 of a tablet per 24 hours. PERIACTIN for the loss of appetite in 4 mg tablets. Directions are 1/2 tablet/day for 2 days or when he is not eating.
The vet said buddy appeared slightly dehydrated, did not admin sub Q's because she didn't know what the blood/protein levels were. Today she said they looked fine but did not request Buddy come in. I asked for sub Q's today when I picked up his meds, the would have given them but they were out. Supply comes on Monday, I'll get some on Tuesday if anyone here feels it is necessary OR Buddy doesn't begin eating better in the next day or two. He IS eating and drinking, just not as much as usual. Thursday I asked about using a high cal food, purchased Royal Canin Recovery (high cal) from vet but Buddy turns up his nose. Am mixing some in Nature's Variety canned rabbit and duck, which is what he will eat.
1/26/11 Total Protein result: 6.1 reference range: 5.9 - 8.5 units: g/dL
What are your ideas or experiences with either Methimazole or Periactin? Thyroid and/or pancreatitis? Good sites for information on either, don't need to be frightened by horror stories but want to know what to look out for.
I believe Buddy is not ready to be given peace, this morning, as is usual, he cuddled and purred. This evening, as I was changing the sheets he got "stuck" under them, when I went "looking" for him he began playing with my hands. I think he is feeling something but is still hanging in there and enjoying me.
I will post any lab results anyone would like to know about and I will try to add anything else I can think of as it comes up.
I drove to my mom's on December 28th, a 300 mile drive, and took Buddy with me. He does not like the car and while at my mom's he did not want to eat. I tried baby chicken food, different types of canned, including fancy feast, and boiled chicken. I mixed a generic pedialyte in with his food and tried to make sure he ate something everyday. I took him to the vet up there on January 3rd, and was given a tablet for nausea to try to get him to eat again. That was a disaster as Buddy was strung as high as a kite all night long. He drug himself up and down the trailer all night long and cried to me. He wanted to lay down and sleep but could not remain in one place for more than a few moments. After the dose wore off he still didn't want to eat. As soon as I returned home he began eating as normal. I figured it was all because of being out of his environment and being in the car. He was good and seemed to put a bit of weight back on until Saturday, January 21st, when he had the soft stool and diarrhea. Oh, he has only had the one BM with diarrhea, all others have been shaped but soft stools until Friday the 27th which was firm, the consistency of clay. (I "examined" it.)
Wednesday night, before the vet visit, he ate two slices of ham, the best he has eaten all week on his own. The vet said that was alright because he was eating, which is what I thought when I gave it to him. After the appointment and the blood work, I wasn't told not to give him any more, but upon researching pancreatitis, he won't be getting any more of it. Unfortunately, last night I gave him one more before I found the information.
Thanks for reading this, any thing you can offer, advice, vibes, would be appreciated.
Janice and Buddy
1/26/12 T4 result: 5.0 reference range: 0.8 - 4.7 units: ug/dL
7/23/11 T4 result: 3.2 reference range: 0.8 - 4.7 units: ug/dL
1/26/12 special fPL result: 3.6 reference range: > or = to 3.5 ug/L Serum Spec fPL concentration is in the normal range. It is unlikely that the cat has pancreatitis. Investigate for other diseases that oculd cause observed clinical signs. 3.6 - 5.3 : Serum Spec fPL concentration is increased. The cat may have pancreatitis and Spec fPL should be reevaluated in two weeks if clinical signs persist. Investigate for other diseases that could cause observed clinical signs.
9/10/11 special fPL result: 2.1 reference range: > or = to 3.5 ug/L
The vet, a new one to Buddy and my vet office, said she thought Buddy may have some other issue that is causing his values to be elevated. She is concerned about the loss of weight from when he first came to this office in June of 2011, (14 lbs.) and on January 3rd of 2012, (11 lbs.) and Thursday, January 26th, 2012, (9.15 lbs.).
Buddy was prescribed METHIMAZOLE in 5 mg tablets for the thyroid. Directions are 1/4 of a tablet per 24 hours. PERIACTIN for the loss of appetite in 4 mg tablets. Directions are 1/2 tablet/day for 2 days or when he is not eating.
The vet said buddy appeared slightly dehydrated, did not admin sub Q's because she didn't know what the blood/protein levels were. Today she said they looked fine but did not request Buddy come in. I asked for sub Q's today when I picked up his meds, the would have given them but they were out. Supply comes on Monday, I'll get some on Tuesday if anyone here feels it is necessary OR Buddy doesn't begin eating better in the next day or two. He IS eating and drinking, just not as much as usual. Thursday I asked about using a high cal food, purchased Royal Canin Recovery (high cal) from vet but Buddy turns up his nose. Am mixing some in Nature's Variety canned rabbit and duck, which is what he will eat.
1/26/11 Total Protein result: 6.1 reference range: 5.9 - 8.5 units: g/dL
What are your ideas or experiences with either Methimazole or Periactin? Thyroid and/or pancreatitis? Good sites for information on either, don't need to be frightened by horror stories but want to know what to look out for.
I believe Buddy is not ready to be given peace, this morning, as is usual, he cuddled and purred. This evening, as I was changing the sheets he got "stuck" under them, when I went "looking" for him he began playing with my hands. I think he is feeling something but is still hanging in there and enjoying me.
I will post any lab results anyone would like to know about and I will try to add anything else I can think of as it comes up.
I drove to my mom's on December 28th, a 300 mile drive, and took Buddy with me. He does not like the car and while at my mom's he did not want to eat. I tried baby chicken food, different types of canned, including fancy feast, and boiled chicken. I mixed a generic pedialyte in with his food and tried to make sure he ate something everyday. I took him to the vet up there on January 3rd, and was given a tablet for nausea to try to get him to eat again. That was a disaster as Buddy was strung as high as a kite all night long. He drug himself up and down the trailer all night long and cried to me. He wanted to lay down and sleep but could not remain in one place for more than a few moments. After the dose wore off he still didn't want to eat. As soon as I returned home he began eating as normal. I figured it was all because of being out of his environment and being in the car. He was good and seemed to put a bit of weight back on until Saturday, January 21st, when he had the soft stool and diarrhea. Oh, he has only had the one BM with diarrhea, all others have been shaped but soft stools until Friday the 27th which was firm, the consistency of clay. (I "examined" it.)
Wednesday night, before the vet visit, he ate two slices of ham, the best he has eaten all week on his own. The vet said that was alright because he was eating, which is what I thought when I gave it to him. After the appointment and the blood work, I wasn't told not to give him any more, but upon researching pancreatitis, he won't be getting any more of it. Unfortunately, last night I gave him one more before I found the information.
Thanks for reading this, any thing you can offer, advice, vibes, would be appreciated.
Janice and Buddy