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- Oct 19, 2016
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My 9-yo Ruby has recently stopped eating. The problem has been going on for over a month at this point. We've tried steroids and anti-nausea medications as well as changing to a high fiber food (Royal Canin Fiber Response). All seemed to work for a few days and then she'd be off her food again. I've been desperate and she's been getting a lot of turkey lunch meat and lactose-free ice cream because that's all I can get her to eat. It's not substantial enough, but anything at this point.
Today we had an ultrasound to try to get to the bottom of it and the vet suspects pancreatitis and possibly cholangiohepatitis. I was suspect that hepatic lipidosis is beginning because two of her liver enzymes suddenly became greatly elevated but the vet wasn't so sure. To get her eating again she gave me some pain medication (bupenorphrine) and an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine). I administered both medications about 5 hours ago and she still has no desire to eat. I've gotten her to eat a little lunch meat and some treats, but mostly she just wants to be huddled up with big open eyes.
My concern is that it's been so long since she's eaten normally that there could be significant harm. I've tried every trick in the book for stimulating her appetite to no avail. She'll eat a tiny bit of dry kibble from my hand and that's about it. My primary vet discouraged me from syringe feeding because it could cause resentment and lead to further eating issues. He preferred they do it in office with a tube feeding, but that's not a practical solution if this goes on for several days. My specialty vet said an e-tube may be necessary but she wanted to try the drugs first because the tubes can be problematic and require lots of round-the-clock care at home—avoiding one would be best.
So I don't know what to do to make sure my baby is getting enough nutrition. Do I try a syringe? I did get a large feeding syringe and several cans of Hills A/D critical care. I know it's going to be an awful fight—but tough love is better than starvation, right? Should I risk it and give the meds a few days to work?
Today we had an ultrasound to try to get to the bottom of it and the vet suspects pancreatitis and possibly cholangiohepatitis. I was suspect that hepatic lipidosis is beginning because two of her liver enzymes suddenly became greatly elevated but the vet wasn't so sure. To get her eating again she gave me some pain medication (bupenorphrine) and an appetite stimulant (mirtazapine). I administered both medications about 5 hours ago and she still has no desire to eat. I've gotten her to eat a little lunch meat and some treats, but mostly she just wants to be huddled up with big open eyes.
My concern is that it's been so long since she's eaten normally that there could be significant harm. I've tried every trick in the book for stimulating her appetite to no avail. She'll eat a tiny bit of dry kibble from my hand and that's about it. My primary vet discouraged me from syringe feeding because it could cause resentment and lead to further eating issues. He preferred they do it in office with a tube feeding, but that's not a practical solution if this goes on for several days. My specialty vet said an e-tube may be necessary but she wanted to try the drugs first because the tubes can be problematic and require lots of round-the-clock care at home—avoiding one would be best.
So I don't know what to do to make sure my baby is getting enough nutrition. Do I try a syringe? I did get a large feeding syringe and several cans of Hills A/D critical care. I know it's going to be an awful fight—but tough love is better than starvation, right? Should I risk it and give the meds a few days to work?