Need advice for cat diagnosed with acute pancreatitis

Hello,

About a month ago one of our cats was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
Her symptoms were loss of appetite, vomiting, tenderness in the cranial
abdomen, and general malaise/depression. Her initial blood tests showed
elevated leukocytes (24.68K/ul), BUN (64mg/dl), and glucose (190.5mg/dl).
Her temperature was normal. She is an 11 year old Maine Coon who spends
most of her time inside and only goes out with supervision. The vomiting
consisted of large amounts of mostly clear fluid. She was put on IV fluids
with antibiotics, pain medication, and an antiemetic. All food and water
was withheld for 48 hours and then slowly reintroduced. The treatment
worked and soon she was eating very well and gaining her weight back. But,
suddenly, it started all over again this evening. She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

Dave,
I don't have any advice to offer, except that maybe it's something
chronic she's developed? Purrs and good thoughts coming your way.

Karen

Dave Humes wrote:

Hello,

About a month ago one of our cats was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
Her symptoms were loss of appetite, vomiting, tenderness in the cranial
abdomen, and general malaise/depression. Her initial blood tests showed
elevated leukocytes (24.68K/ul), BUN (64mg/dl), and glucose (190.5mg/dl).
Her temperature was normal. She is an 11 year old Maine Coon who spends
most of her time inside and only goes out with supervision. The vomiting
consisted of large amounts of mostly clear fluid. She was put on IV fluids
with antibiotics, pain medication, and an antiemetic. All food and water
was withheld for 48 hours and then slowly reintroduced. The treatment
worked and soon she was eating very well and gaining her weight back. But,
suddenly, it started all over again this evening. She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

Dave,
I don't have any advice to offer, except that maybe it's something
chronic she's developed? Purrs and good thoughts coming your way.

Karen

Dave Humes wrote:

Hello,

About a month ago one of our cats was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis.
Her symptoms were loss of appetite, vomiting, tenderness in the cranial
abdomen, and general malaise/depression. Her initial blood tests showed
elevated leukocytes (24.68K/ul), BUN (64mg/dl), and glucose (190.5mg/dl).
Her temperature was normal. She is an 11 year old Maine Coon who spends
most of her time inside and only goes out with supervision. The vomiting
consisted of large amounts of mostly clear fluid. She was put on IV fluids
with antibiotics, pain medication, and an antiemetic. All food and water
was withheld for 48 hours and then slowly reintroduced. The treatment
worked and soon she was eating very well and gaining her weight back. But,
suddenly, it started all over again this evening. She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

I understand from your post that she went outside without supervision
and got sick again, right? Acute pancreatitis can be caused by
something she ingested while outside and that can be regarded as
poisoning. I suggest you no longer allow her to go outside
unsupervised because it really looks like she´s eating something out
there she shouldn´t. Cats love eating leaves and she might be eating
the "wrong" kind because the "right" kinds are not available. If you
can´t keep her strictly indoors and can´t supervise her every time she
is outside, get a vase and plant some of the "right" kind for her and
let her eat at will. Hopefully she will not get the urge of eating the
wrong kind when outside. She may also be eating some other thing so
keeping her strictly indoors would be safer. My cats love bamboo
leaves and it never did them harm. Other posters here use other kinds
of leaves and might give you more suggestions.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00120.htm

She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

I understand from your post that she went outside without supervision
and got sick again, right? Acute pancreatitis can be caused by
something she ingested while outside and that can be regarded as
poisoning. I suggest you no longer allow her to go outside
unsupervised because it really looks like she´s eating something out
there she shouldn´t. Cats love eating leaves and she might be eating
the "wrong" kind because the "right" kinds are not available. If you
can´t keep her strictly indoors and can´t supervise her every time she
is outside, get a vase and plant some of the "right" kind for her and
let her eat at will. Hopefully she will not get the urge of eating the
wrong kind when outside. She may also be eating some other thing so
keeping her strictly indoors would be safer. My cats love bamboo
leaves and it never did them harm. Other posters here use other kinds
of leaves and might give you more suggestions.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00120.htm

From: "Dave Humes"

Her symptoms were loss of appetite, vomiting, tenderness in the cranial
abdomen, and general malaise/depression. Her initial blood tests showed
elevated leukocytes (24.68K/ul), BUN (64mg/dl), and glucose (190.5mg/dl).
Her temperature was normal.

Has she been tested for FIP?
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

From: "Dave Humes"

Her symptoms were loss of appetite, vomiting, tenderness in the cranial
abdomen, and general malaise/depression. Her initial blood tests showed
elevated leukocytes (24.68K/ul), BUN (64mg/dl), and glucose (190.5mg/dl).
Her temperature was normal.

Has she been tested for FIP?
________
See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe
Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html
http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html
Declawing Info: http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

In article ,
(Liz) wrote:

She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

I understand from your post that she went outside without supervision
and got sick again, right? Acute pancreatitis can be caused by
something she ingested while outside and that can be regarded as
poisoning. I suggest you no longer allow her to go outside
unsupervised because it really looks like she´s eating something out
there she shouldn´t. Cats love eating leaves and she might be eating
the "wrong" kind because the "right" kinds are not available. If you
can´t keep her strictly indoors and can´t supervise her every time she
is outside, get a vase and plant some of the "right" kind for her and
let her eat at will. Hopefully she will not get the urge of eating the
wrong kind when outside. She may also be eating some other thing so
keeping her strictly indoors would be safer. My cats love bamboo
leaves and it never did them harm. Other posters here use other kinds
of leaves and might give you more suggestions.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00120.htm

Actually - they don't seem to know what causes Pancreatitis in cats.
My cat is currently suffering with this, and he is strictly an indoor
cat. I don't have plants around that he eats, although I am looking at
changing his diet in general. Right now, he won't eat *anything* - and
I'm having to feed him small amounts with a syringe (Hill's A/D
prescription) which he still vomits up at least once a day (which is
better than the 3-5 times a day it used to be). Fortunately, he is
drinking water. I think it's going to be off to the vet again on Monday.

I know that's not much help, though. My vet did tell me that it can
take quite a while for this to heal, and it can come back again.

Bonnie

Bonnie

In article ,
(Liz) wrote:

She had been fine for
nearly a month, eating like crazy, playful, active, etc. And now it looks
like she's right back where she was a month ago. Since she went from being
fine to quite sick in such a short amount of time, I have to think of the
possibility of poisoning. Although we try to watch her 100% of the time
when outside, it's not always possible. I wonder if there's something that
she's eating, some plant/weed possibly, that's causing this. Or, is this
just how pancreatitis can be, fine one day and very sick the next. It just
doesn't make sense. Any advice would be most helpful.

--Dave

I understand from your post that she went outside without supervision
and got sick again, right? Acute pancreatitis can be caused by
something she ingested while outside and that can be regarded as
poisoning. I suggest you no longer allow her to go outside
unsupervised because it really looks like she´s eating something out
there she shouldn´t. Cats love eating leaves and she might be eating
the "wrong" kind because the "right" kinds are not available. If you
can´t keep her strictly indoors and can´t supervise her every time she
is outside, get a vase and plant some of the "right" kind for her and
let her eat at will. Hopefully she will not get the urge of eating the
wrong kind when outside. She may also be eating some other thing so
keeping her strictly indoors would be safer. My cats love bamboo
leaves and it never did them harm. Other posters here use other kinds
of leaves and might give you more suggestions.

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB...00/PR00120.htm

Actually - they don't seem to know what causes Pancreatitis in cats.
My cat is currently suffering with this, and he is strictly an indoor
cat. I don't have plants around that he eats, although I am looking at
changing his diet in general. Right now, he won't eat *anything* - and
I'm having to feed him small amounts with a syringe (Hill's A/D
prescription) which he still vomits up at least once a day (which is
better than the 3-5 times a day it used to be). Fortunately, he is
drinking water. I think it's going to be off to the vet again on Monday.

I know that's not much help, though. My vet did tell me that it can
take quite a while for this to heal, and it can come back again.

Bonnie

Bonnie

Actually - they don't seem to know what causes Pancreatitis in cats.
My cat is currently suffering with this, and he is strictly an indoor
cat. I don't have plants around that he eats, although I am looking at
changing his diet in general. Right now, he won't eat *anything* - and
I'm having to feed him small amounts with a syringe (Hill's A/D
prescription) which he still vomits up at least once a day (which is
better than the 3-5 times a day it used to be). Fortunately, he is
drinking water. I think it's going to be off to the vet again on Monday.

Sorry about your kitty. Did you have a chance to read the article on
that link I posted? They mention some possible causes and state that
whenever possible, the inciting cause should be removed. I think
changing his food entirely is a good idea, preferably to a canned diet
without carbs. Carbohydrates put a lot of strain on a cat´s pancreas.
You could also try to sprinkle some digestive enzymes on his food to
give his pancreas some rest. There are many supplements of digestive
enzymes out there that you can use. Has he had it for a long time?
What kinds of foods have you tried?