9/10 - Frosty still in the hospital. Still poor appetite

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Ana & Frosty (GA), Sep 10, 2018.

  1. Ana & Frosty (GA)

    Ana & Frosty (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2018
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/9-9-frosty-hospitalized.202855/

    Apparently, he ate a little this morning but refused everything thereafter. They offered him every type of food, wet, dry, different brands, tried feeding him, tried giving him privacy - nothing has worked.

    His Cr came down to 1.7, but BUN is still in the 70s. The blood work that was done at the same hospital in may showed a baseline Cr of 1.2 and BUN of 27. He may have even been slightly dehydrated at that time too so this definitely isn’t normal. The vet mentioned the possibility of some baseline kidney disease and I almost fell out of my chair. I cannot add another problem to this list, I will go insane.

    From what I recall, there were no abnormalities seen in his kidneys on his 2 abdominal ultrasounds, but once he’s home I’m definitely gonna contact the internist to discuss this in more details. She is away this week, and obviously our biggest challenge right now is just to get him to eat, hold food down, and get him home. I can give him fluids or K supplements or whatever he needs at home but if he doesn’t eat we will be back where we started, so I’m more concerned about that.

    He mentioned a possibility of keeping him another night and trying to add an appetite stimulant. Dan and I just looked at each other like HUH? This is FROSTY. He steals food from our plate. He raided our bread box and ate all the bread when we were out of the house, this cat will eat anything and everything at any time no matter how many times he was fed. What the hell is going on...

    I’m feeling really down so I’m skipping the gym tonight, I’m gonna wait for Dan so we can go visit Frosty in a little bit. I’m gonna bring his food and his bowl and see if the sound of the can opening and his bowl will maybe get him interested in eating once we’re there. Fingers crossed.

    Thanks everyone for your support.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2018
  2. Sean & Rufus

    Sean & Rufus Well-Known Member

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    Jan 10, 2018
    Hope Frosty feels better soon! Sending prayers for all involved
     
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  3. Amanda & Shmee

    Amanda & Shmee Well-Known Member

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    Feb 18, 2018
    I am glad you get to visit him soon and give him a hug. I really hope he eats for you and if not the appetite stimulant sounds like a great plan. Mirtz worked wonders on Shmee a while ago, I really hope something gets him to eat so you can move forward. Hugs to you and vines for sweet Frosty :bighug:
     
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  4. PussCatPrince - GA

    PussCatPrince - GA Well-Known Member

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    Nov 25, 2017
    Have a good visit with Frosty . :bighug:
     
  5. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    When Sheba used to get a pancreatic flare up she went from a cat who would steal food to a cat who would eat nothing.
    Sending healing and apply vines to Frosty.
     
  6. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    More healing vines for Frosty. I hope that you will have an encouraging visit with him tonight.
    :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  7. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 19, 2012
    Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  8. Bronx's dad (GA)

    Bronx's dad (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Nov 30, 2016
    I hope Frosty eats for you, sending appy & healing vines :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  9. Beck and Philly

    Beck and Philly Well-Known Member

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    Jun 4, 2018
    Same here. We're going through it right now. C'mon Frosty. Eat something for your mama.
     
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  10. Beth 73

    Beth 73 Well-Known Member

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    Aug 2, 2016
    Sending prayers for healing to sweet Frosty and huge hugs to you , Ana :bighug: Keep bringing a piece of your recently worn clothes to him so he has a bit of you there with him ❤️
     
  11. Ana & Frosty (GA)

    Ana & Frosty (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2018
    Thanks everyone, I would thank you all personally but it’s late and I’m tired and we just got back from the vet.

    We decided to leave him at the hospital one more night. He’s really not himself. He ate 3 licks of food from my finger then turned the other way from us.

    He was also breathing fast, I brought it to the vets attention and she said it may be because he got more fluid than he needed. They said they already scaled back. If that’s the case, I don’t understand why his BUN/Cr is still off. Am I missing something? I know I only know human physiology, but this doesn’t make sense to me. And why are his electrolytes LOW and not high, like you would normally see in acute kidney failure with dehydration? Like I said before, his kidney function labs were normal in January and in May. Did something change? I don’t understand this.

    My plan is to call his IM doctor tomorrow and let them know what’s happening and what we are doing. I’ll ask them if there is anything they would do differently. My major concern is, how do we know for sure it’s pancreatitis? I mean, his other abdominal organs looked normal, but his pancreas is chronically abnormal so it will look the same during a flare. Could there be something else going on? WHY CANT HE TELL US WHATS WRONG :arghh:

    We really miss him at home. It was hard even for Dan to see him like that - I think he is really worried about him :(. I think regardless of what happens we will bring him home tomorrow and see if a change in setting will help. I’m really out of ideas otherwise.
     
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  12. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Like Sheba, Max would not eat during a flare. In fact that was my sign to start meds. He also would not eat when hospitalized. Try not to worry about the kidney values. Even if kidney disease (which is no sure thing) it would be at the very earliest. His creatinine is well in the normal range. Is he being given cerenia? Mirtazapine or my fave cyproheptadine is a good idea. I’m glad you are going to visit. Prayers and hugs.

    If given too much fluids, which is concerning, it can be hard on the heart. That would explain the rapid breathing. If on an IV drip it needs to be slowed down. This happens way too often.
     
  13. Beth 73

    Beth 73 Well-Known Member

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    Aug 2, 2016
    :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: Praying all 3 of you get rest tonight .
     
  14. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2016
    Hi Ana.
    Last year Little Dude got in a rare cat fight and lost. He had a big tear in his chest and wouldn't leave the staples alone. So he went to the cat hospital (1/2 mile away) for about 9 days. He didn't eat for 4 days, and didn't pee for 3 or 4 days. Then he didn't know how to use the little box in his cage and he ended up being coated in his own pee. Maybe the lowest point of his whole life.

    I'm saying sometimes cats just don't resume normal activity at a vet. It's a scary place for some of them. When Little Dude finally did get used to them, he was eating fine, and just barely able to learn the litter box. Then it was time for him to come home. At that point he was starting to give them some head butts and leg loving - a loverboy at heart.

    So Theresa and I use the animal hospital for whatever resources they can provide, then we try to get our cats home as soon as possible. Maybe Frosty is the same way.

    I'm hoping Frosty gets well soon and you can bring him home. He will be a lot more comfortable.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  15. Beck and Philly

    Beck and Philly Well-Known Member

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    Jun 4, 2018
    I am so sorry. I wish I had answers, but unfortunately Grandpa and Frosty are going through this step-by-step beside each other. I'm forcing myself away from dire thoughts and trying to just concentrate on the next hour. We are syringe feeding baby food. A week ago he was stealing everyones' dinners. It's scary and it sucks.

    I'm only sharing that because I want you to know you're not alone in this. I think we need to be patient and let each little step we take do it's job in healing if healing is to happen.

    Frosty is in my prayers.
     
  16. Tracey&Jones (GA)

    Tracey&Jones (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Dec 12, 2016
    Major healing and food eating vines for Frosty. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  17. Mandy & Rex (GA)

    Mandy & Rex (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Mar 22, 2017
    Everyone here has said what I would say. All I can offer is these.. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  18. MyTitan (GA)

    MyTitan (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Jul 20, 2017
    Healing and appy vines for Frosty, Dan and you :cat::bighug:
     
  19. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2017
    From time to time my cats need an appetite stimulant and especially Buddy, who has chronic pancreatitis. There are test that can be run to see if Frosty has pancreatitis. I am surprised that has not already done. Is he receiving anything for pain, or nausea, if not this would cause him not to eat.

    Forgive me if this has already been brought up.
     
  20. Amanda & Shmee

    Amanda & Shmee Well-Known Member

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  21. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2017
    I thought Frosty was still in the hospital, but I was wondering about the appetite stimulants, bupe and the pancreatitis testing. I think the Spec FPL (hope that is right name) is very accurate. Just thought if this had not been mentioned to the vet, it would be a good idea while he was still in the hospital. Disregard this if already mentioned.
     
  22. Ana & Frosty (GA)

    Ana & Frosty (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Jan 19, 2018
    Thanks, I’ll ask. Is this feline pancreas specific lipase? The IM doctor sent some labs but i don’t know what they are exactly - they are some kind of pancreatic panel to determine if he needs enzyme supplementation. Is this a part of this test or no?

    Right now Frosty is getting an echo because he didn’t handle IVF well, and there’s question about his heart function, as well as a possible mass in the chest. When they call me back with results I will ask about the test.
     
  23. Ana & Frosty (GA)

    Ana & Frosty (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Jan 19, 2018
    It says feline maldigestion test on my receipt. I’ll google it to see if it contains this test.
     
  24. Mandy & Rex (GA)

    Mandy & Rex (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Mar 22, 2017
    I don't think it tests for pancreatitis. I know there are 2 other tests that test for cobalamin and folate levels. They tell you if the cat has malabsorption issues.
     
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  25. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

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    Dec 28, 2009
    There is a Spec fPL and a Snap fPL (Feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) test. The Spec version, requires being sent out to a lab (IDEXX) vs the Snap which is an in-office test that looks like a pregnancy test -- you get a yes or not reading for pancreatitis vs a lab value.

    Re. the malabsorbtion - were they concerned about GI issues at the time the cobalamin and folate were run?

    I'm so sorry that you and Frosty are going through all of this.
     
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  26. Ana & Frosty (GA)

    Ana & Frosty (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Jan 19, 2018
    Ok thanks I’ll ask about that test today while he is in the hospital.

    The doctor sent the malabsorption panel last Saturday when he was already having symptoms. She said she wanted to check exocrine pancreas function to see if he needed pancreatic enzymes.

    It’s hard to believe anything chronic is going on with his heart, kidneys, or any kind of mass or cancer considering he’s gaining weight. But I guess we will see
     
  27. Pamela & Amethyst

    Pamela & Amethyst Well-Known Member

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    Dec 11, 2016
    Amethyst will not eat OR go to the bathroom when she is in the hospital. Love light and healing for Frosty:bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  28. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Nov 15, 2013
    I’m glad an echo is being done. It sounds like they might have also suspected an acute pancreatitis episode since the insufficiency panel was run. :bighug::bighug:
     
  29. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2017
    Hopefully, everything will work out fine, praying for you and Frosty.
     
  30. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2016
    Continued healing vines for Frosty. He is a fighter, and a sweet kitteh also.
     

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