New to ProZinc and diabetes and pancreatitis

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Rocky&ClaireCat, Aug 12, 2018.

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  1. Rocky&ClaireCat

    Rocky&ClaireCat Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Hi everyone! We are new to this board as of a few days ago. I have posted a few threads in the ProZinc thread, but thought I'd post an intro here. Rocky is a domestic short-hair tuxedo cat, age 10 yr 5 months, 1 week. (Born 3/1/08). I adopted him 1/21/17 after his owner died in Dec 2016. He was in a hoarding house with 16 cats and a dog, all of whom went to the shelter. He had diarrhea from day one that he came to my house and we literally tried everything for this cat. Ultrasound and blood work were perfect. Diarrhea continued until I started home-cooking chicken for him (boiled chicken breasts) and feeding Applaws brand chicken/rice/broth. But things still weren't quite right. He had tapeworms and bartonella, both of which he was treated for in July/August 2017. He was negative for the bartonella on the follow up test in November, but the other cat I adopted the same week was still high positive and continued treatment for 6 months. Rocky started to gain weight from the rounds of steroids for the diarrhea, and was hungry all the time. Fast-forward to this spring, when there were a few bouts of vomiting, as well, and some uncontrolled diarrhea (wherever he was sleeping). Blood work was perfect. He was about 23 lbs, though. In July, we started him on prednisolone again after other things didn't work for the diarrhea (tried a powder in the food - didn't work; tried treating for parasites - didn't matter). He seemed fine, except that on July 30 and 31, he started drinking a lot. On Aug. 1, he started vomiting. He threw up more than I've ever seen in the afternoon, and then a small amount of fluids in the early evening, and then dry heaves an hour later. I took him to the emergency hospital and they checked him right away. WBC was high, glucose was high, and he had a fever in the upper 103's. They treated with cerenia, bup, and subQ fluids. Said to follow-up with vet. I called the vet the next morning and they said to bring him on Friday unless he worsened. He was lethargic and not eating or drinking. I gave him food and water with a syringe. He saw the vet Friday morning and she said he needed to be hospitalized for an IV at least. I took him back to the same hospital and they started an IV and suggested an ultrasound because of his chronic GI issues. Ultrasound showed thickening in the duodenum, mottled mesentery, and pancreatitis. They did an aspirate biopsy and it looked like lymphoma. However, the pathology report came back on Saturday and it was reactive lymphatic hyperplasia. The vet said it might be cancer, though, and suggested a surgical biopsy once he's better from the pancreatitis. His spec fPL also came back on Sat. (that my vet had done on Friday morning) and that was 15.3. I brought him home and started ProZinc at home, every 12 hours. I asked the vet about home testing for glucose and she said she thought the diabetes was temporary, but that I could order a monitor, so I ordered an AlphaTrak2. Meanwhile, he was sleeping a lot, getting cerenia, pepcid, etc. On Monday morning, he looked pretty good, but started to look awful by afternoon and his third eyelids became prominent. I called the vet and took him right in. They gave him SubQ fluids and a 72-hour long-acting bup shot. Said to continue cerenia and pepcid. They also sent me home with SubQ fluids to give him at home for a few days. Fast-forward to today - Sunday --- and he's way better. I'd almost say he's back to normal. He's running, jumping, feisty when it's time for pills or checking BG with the lancet, and grooming himself. He's also pooping normally now. That started a week ago Sunday. (He hadn't pooped since the Wednesday he was vomiting like crazy, 4 days before that.) He is seeing the specialist at a really good vet hospital in the morning on August 13. (internist) I am hoping we will get a plan to manage the diabetes (even if it's temporary), figure out if the pancreatitis is lessening (seems to be), and figure out the mottling of the intestines and what that means. This poor cat has been through so much at this point. He seems happy, though, and you wouldn't know he was sick at this point. I should mention that his weight has dropped in the past 10 days while he's been sick, and he's now down to 20 lb 9.5 oz (as of Sat. morning).
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2018
  2. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2018
    Welcome Claire, Wow Rocky has been through the wars! I am so sorry to read all of the troubles, and I hope with all my heart that these issues will all be resolved and Rocky can heal and feel like a normal little kitty. Thank you for taking this all, and him, on. Please also post in the Main Forum, as not all members frequent the Prozinc forum and won't know what's going on with you and Rocky. I, for one, will want to know his progress. Please make a signature so that Rocky's pertinent information is available with your posts. Here's how: Signature
    Just FYI, I am going to "follow" you on the board. Not stalking, I just want to be notified when you post so that I can follow what's happening with this wonderful brave little guy. Lots of hugs, kisses and chin scritches to Rocky, and a huge hug of appreciation to you for caring so much about and for him.:bighug:
     
  3. Rocky&ClaireCat

    Rocky&ClaireCat Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Updated as best I could. :)
     
  4. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2018
    Apologies, I thought you were Claire. Not enough :coffee: yet! :banghead:
     
  5. Rocky&ClaireCat

    Rocky&ClaireCat Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    No worries! Claire is my young Maine Coon mix :) Her pics are on their facebook page.
     
  6. Idjit's mom

    Idjit's mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2018
    Oh, I don't have Facebook, would you be so kind to post a pic of Claire here too? My Idjit is a Maine Coon mix, and is the heart of my heart.
    Just a suggestion, you may want to amend your signature so that the type of insulin, the kind of meter you will be using, what kind of food given, is displayed. Members will ask, and you don't want to be typing that over and over.
    Here's some suggestions of things to list, it does not have to be in narrative form, just the important, succinct info. (check out my signature and other members )particularly list the other medical issues. The signature only has a few lines and you have a lot going on with Rocky that members will need and want to know
    your name,
    cat's name, age or approximate age, weight if known
    date of Dx (diagnosis)
    insulin type and dosage amount
    meter type
    what type of food given
    any other pertinent issues like if there are any food issues, history of DKA, hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, allergies, IBD, etc.
    a general geographic location either here in the signature or in the profile, so people know what time zone you are in
    Click the Save Changes button at the bottom.
     
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