24/2 Mo - Pru visit update

Yesterday

Mo really outdid himself today. He is currently staying at the vet with Pru because he was so aggressive, she couldn't get a blood test done. So now they have to sedate him to get the tests done. If only I could explain to him that if he let them do it, he could have come home with me. But no

The appointment this morning went well. I have had to ignore some things she said because I really disagree. Like feeding him temptations to fatten him up. They are those high carb cat treats that will really do nothing for him. In the past they made him vom, so I did what everyone told me and smiled and nodded

She agreed that we need to up his insulin dose so that's something! She didn't say by how much, but that's really all we discussed regarding his diabetes. We stayed focused on the pancreatitis. She was able to feel his tummy and said everything was very soft, so she thinks his nausea could possibly be a side effect of the Bupe. We are going to reduce him back down to twice a day of the bupe and see if he perks up. We are upping the dose of Cerenia and sticking with the gabapentin. His temperature is normal, he hasn't lost more weight since last week which is GOOD! Still 5kg. We will be putting him on pancreatic enzymes as well. She said it may or may not help but it's worth a try. But long term, we will be keeping him on the Cerenia.

She wants to run blood tests to make sure the liver and kidneys are still ok and doing another fructosamine to see how he was doing at 4 units. I didn't bother telling her he's at 5 units now and still not stable but you know. Pru also wants me to bring in a stool sample but I'm hoping he will do a nice poo while he's there so I don't have to cart around poo.

All in all, I think this visit was more positive than the last. She seems to know what to do in regards to pancreatitis (correct me if I'm wrong though). I think we will continue to see her regarding Mo's pancreatitis but I will rely on the wonderful people here for insulin advice

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support. I honestly can't imagine what kind of a wreck I would be without you all.

 

Sorry your boy is staying at the vet, but well done on the nodding and smiling! Brava!

 

Well done nodding and smiling.
Hope Mo is home with you soon.

 

Don't feel badly about the sedation for testing. Luci is such a little meanie they have to give her a little gas every time we go in for labs. She just isn't going to cooperate...and I mean under any circumstances - so I have to drop her off and pick her up a few hours later for all the blood tests and exams...

Sometimes I think it's better that way - at least she doesn't get so upset - they just calmly administer a little gas and she gets a little sleepy so they can take her labs without the fuss...they tried the burrito wrap before and she just came out of that as mad as a hatter...Miss Grumpy Pants!

I'm glad you were able to pull off the 'uh huh'...mm hummm...and nod and smile routine today - it's just easier than trying to get into a big argument with a vet who isn't going to listen...just keep those thoughts to yourself, do what you know to do...and pay for the rest ... and be on your way! You are doing the right thing...although at this point the fructomasmine is worthless - you can see the numbers and do the averaging yourself...but oh well...pick your battles.

Have a good evening Katy!

 

Thank you Sue, that makes me feel a lot better!!! I'm glad you now know what helps Luci to have a better time at the vet. Mmm gas.




I just got a call from Pru to say Mo is doing really well and he's "eating his face off", so that definitely shows that the bupe was upsetting his tummy. We are going to start weening him off that over the next few days but keep him on the gaba and cerenia. He also did a poo there ***YAY***. Now I don't have to drive around with poop in my car

Going to pick him up in about an hour and a half. Excited to have him back home

 

It sounds like things went well overall. I'm glad Mo is feeling better and eating. I hope you get good test results back.

 

Thanks Carla

 

This does sound like a much better vet visit than that last one with Pru! I found staying away from the topic of diabetes helped me too.

Neko could be a terror at her regular vet's clinic. They didn't allow me in the room at the time. I saw them go in with towels and a muzzle when they needed to take blood. At her acupuncture vet, I helped hold her once when they took blood and it was no problem at all.

Paws crossed Mo will be better now.

 

Katy

I want to strongly caution you on using the pancreatic enzymes. Be sure the vet isn’t talking about digestive enzymes which are very different. Pancreatic enzymes should only be given to cats who have been diagnosed, via a blood test called TLI with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. They should never be given to cats that just have chronic pancreatitis.

There are digestive enzymes which are different and are labeled just as digestive enzymes and are safe to give. Pancreatic enzymes are very caustic and can cause erosion of the esophagus if they aren’t given properly. I’ve found that some vets don’t understand that pancreatic enzymes are not for cats who suffer just from pancreatitis. I had a vet prescribe them for one of my cats and I’m glad I did the research because my kitty did not have EPI.

It is not uncommon for a cat with EPI to have chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, and/or IBD but that doesn’t mean that every cat with those conditions has EPI.

 

You are right. DO NOT GIVE PANCREATIC ENZYMES !!! PLEASE LISTEN TO MARGE. My first vet recommended them for Phoenix. They burned his esophagus. He ended up in an oxygen tent for 2 weeks and I almost lost him. He also developed pneumonia.

I do give Phoenix raw beef pancreas and they do help if you can find a source. But if you can't, I would not give anything.

As for as blood work and shots. Go to a wildlife supply website and purchase a squeeze cage. Buy one that one side pulls forward and sqeezes the animal up against the side. Remember old scary movies about the walls closing in? You can give Mo injections in seconds. We learned a trick on Phoenix's last visit. Since Phoenix's old vet gave him the pancreatic enzymes and burned his esophagus, he has respiratory issues when sedated. We turned the squeeze cage on its side so Phoenix was lifted to the top of the cage. He was then lying down flat and the vet could get blood work. Vaccinations everything done in minutes.

 

Glad it went relatively well today at the specialist today, and that stress and their food doesn't shoot his BGL sky high!
You're doing great!!

 

Oh wow, she did not mention anything like this to me...She has given us Pancreatic Enzymes called Creon. Thanks for letting me know!!

 

That's terrifying, I'm so sorry you had to go through that with Phoenix! Poor thing!! What was the brand name you were given?

I'll look into the squeeze cage, thank you

 

Creon is the same as Viokase which is definitely a pancreatic, not digestive enzyme.

 

I will look up the brand name today and get it for you. I will have to go through my vet receipts but I know I have it. I changed vets after that. Phoenix also had to have medicated breathing treatments 3 times a day for over 2 months. Please don't even consider pancreatic enzymes at all. They should be taken off the market as far as I am concerned. The cost of just the vet visits and blood work while he was sick came to $6,000. That is without the portable oxygen machine I had to rent and all his medications. I would pay it again if I had to. I am trying to spare you and Mo from going through what I did. Listen to Marge.

The squeeze cage works great and they are not very expensive. Wildlife facilities use them to vaccinate and examine raccoons, possums and other wildlife. I feed Phoenix in his squeeze cage every day to keep him used to it. I don't close the doors on it so he just walks out after eating. On vet day, I just walk over and latch the door. It is not a great addition to my living room but I can easily pick it up and move it if company is coming over.

 

I just looked up the pancreatic powder I was given. It was Thomas Labs Bio Case Plus Pancreatic Support Powder dog & cat supplement. Price $80. to almost kill my cat.

 

Katy, please don't give Mo the Creon. I looked it up. It is almost the same stuff as what I was given Phoenix. I am begging you not to give it to Mo. Phoenix has done fine without it. He only ever had that one pancreatititis episode. It has now been a year and he is doing fantastic.