4/3 Billie AMPS 276 +5 80 PMPS 305 +4 198 pancreatitis!

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Deanna & Billie

Deanna & Billie

Member Since 2014
Hello LLL!

Yesterday: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/4-2-billie-pmps-305.135586/

Billie's test results came back, and it looks like she has pancreatitis!! Her number was 4.4 which is in the "maybe" range. I am guessing it may have been higher if she had been tested when her symptoms were worse. This is actually fantastic news considering the alternatives. It explains her symptoms, and it points away from IBD and lymphoma. The vet said that mild IBD is still a possibility because there was definitely inflammation in her small intestine in the US (although no thickening), but he said everything is most likely connected. It's a weird thing to be happy about, but the IM vet was talking IBD or lymphoma and leaning toward a biopsy, and this is not nearly as scary. I'm wondering why the IM vet didn't think pancreatitis was worth testing for. I asked her about it after she did the US and she said that because the pancreas was within normal limits in the US, she didn't think that was an issue. But as I am reading about pancreatitis, I am reading that ultrasounds are not very useful in diagnosing it or ruling it out.

Anyway, I'm pretty relieved. The regular vet thinks she should stay on the ondansetron for a couple weeks and suggested adding 2.5 mg Pepcid twice a day too. He said we could add an appetite stimulant if she seems like she needs it, but I don't think she needs it at this point. I think the worst of the flare up has passed. We can follow up with another test in a few weeks, and he said it would be worth doing another ultrasound in a couple months to keep an eye on the small intestine inflammation.

Sending vines to all the kitties and beans needing vines today!
 
Deanna & Billie said:
Hello LLL!

Yesterday: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/4-2-billie-pmps-305.135586/

Billie's test results came back, and it looks like she has pancreatitis!! Her number was 4.4 which is in the "maybe" range. I am guessing it may have been higher if she had been tested when her symptoms were worse. This is actually fantastic news considering the alternatives. It explains her symptoms, and it points away from IBD and lymphoma. The vet said that mild IBD is still a possibility because there was definitely inflammation in her small intestine in the US (although no thickening), but he said everything is most likely connected. It's a weird thing to be happy about, but the IM vet was talking IBD or lymphoma and leaning toward a biopsy, and this is not nearly as scary. I'm wondering why the IM vet didn't think pancreatitis was worth testing for. I asked her about it after she did the US and she said that because the pancreas was within normal limits in the US, she didn't think that was an issue. But as I am reading about pancreatitis, I am reading that ultrasounds are not very useful in diagnosing it or ruling it out.

Anyway, I'm pretty relieved. The regular vet thinks she should stay on the ondansetron for a couple weeks and suggested adding 2.5 mg Pepcid twice a day too. He said we could add an appetite stimulant if she seems like she needs it, but I don't think she needs it at this point. I think the worst of the flare up has passed. We can follow up with another test in a few weeks, and he said it would be worth doing another ultrasound in a couple months to keep an eye on the small intestine inflammation.

Sending vines to all the kitties and beans needing vines today!
Click to expand...
 
I was pretty sure that was what she had. The ondansetron worked too well for the other things I think. No thickening is wonderful! My lymphoma kitty had thickening without masses and had inermediate cell lymphoma which is as aggressive as large cell. I had a similar experience with Max with not testing. I had changed to a different vet that was cats only and I thought might be less conservative. After an US that was not done by a radiologist and exploratory surgery recommended I went back to my current vet. The test was done and no surgery. That's why I always strongly suggest a radiologist do the US and a p'itis test be done.

I'm almost certain that the test would have been a much higher number based on the symptoms Billie had.
 
My non sugar baby Damian has had pancreatitis your very lucky he had a flair up a month ago she'll be ok
 
Thank you all!! Elise, thanks so much for all your insight on this. I didn't realize the significance of no thickening until our regular vet read the ultrasound report yesterday. He had talked to the IM vet about her findings, but her office never faxed the report to him. He zeroed in on "no segments measured thick" as a good sign right away. Overall, he thought the ultrasound report looked a lot better than the IM vet made it sound. It's interesting that Max had such a similar experience. I really liked the IM vet, but it shows the importance of second (and third) opinions.
 
Great news, Deanna....just that you have a dx that's better than the alternative ones. Gracie's IM specialist also wanted to do exploratory surgery because of mildly elevated liver enzymes but everything looking totally normal on U/S. We refused. He did say, though, that you have to look at all the factors....tests, u/s, and how the kitty is feeling/eating, etc. Diagnosing just based on one of those is a recipe for disaster.

I try to keep in mind that you have to treat the cat and not just the numbers (by this, I mean labs, not BG).

Sending Miss Billie tons of vines.
 
Hooray! Seems strange to cheer for a P-titis dx, but considering the alternatives, I think it's worth being happy about! :) I'm so glad for you two! I'm also glad the symptoms are subsiding.

Now, Miss Billie, do your part and eat your fuds!

Thanks again for all your help and advice with the inhaler, Deanna. I really appreciate it.
 
Thank you Marje, Tricia, Carla, Marilyn, and Julie! Billie appreciates the visits and vines! I'm still so relieved. She is eating very well tonight. Very nice appy. All normal poos in the litter box. She informed me that the small cans of Instinct are much better than the big cans, and the small cans from Benson's Pet Center are much better than the small cans from Petco. She's right! They look a lot different - lighter color meat and a lot more juice. They have the same expiration date and everything else is the same as far as I can tell, so I don't know what the difference is. If they are changing their formula, I hope they stick with this one. I hope everyone is having a good night!
 
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