My 2 year old cat is in hospital following surgery to remove a foreign body during which they also discovered she has pancreatitis.
By way of background, she had been vomiting and losing weight for three weeks before the foreign body was discovered. I first took her to the vets two days after the vomiting started but they couldn't find anything wrong at that point. She went downhill over the next few days and I took her in again, at which point they did scans and blood tests. Nothing showed up on the scans but bloods showed an elevated white cell count so she was started on antibiotics.
She improved significantly on the antibiotics but was eating only tiny amounts and still losing weight so I took her back again and was given a second course of antibiotics plus ranitidine. The fourth time I took her in I asked for her to be referred. She was seen the same day as an emergency case at the animal hospital. They found a foreign body and operated on her the next day.
The surgery didn't go brilliantly as there were some problems in her duodenum caused by the foreign object which meant that part of it had to be removed. The surgeon has concerns about whether the sutures will hold.
They took some biopsies during the surgery as they suspected pancreatitis and the results came back over the weekend. It appears to be quite severe. My cat is not eating at all although has a feeding tube and is being gradually given more food through that.
Despite all this she seems to be doing OK - she loves it when I visit her and groom her and purrs away. She's on a lot of pain medication and seems comfortable.
The surgeon is being (understandably) quite guarded about her prospects for recovery. Immediately following her operation he put it at 60% but that was before they knew the severity of the pancreatitis. I'll be speaking with him again later today (3 days post-surgery).
Does anyone have experience of similar circumstances? Did your cat recover? If so, how long did it take? I am so worried about her.
Thanks for reading.
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Pancreatitis
Lanhydrock · 15/01/2018 08:38
I'm from Cornwall originally and have so many happy memories of visits to Lanhydrock. It's a lovely place.
Thanks so much for your post, it really helps to hear a positive story and I'm so glad your cat recovered. Sorry for the late reply - unusually long day at work!
I had a call from the vet earlier today. My cat is still not eating but they did another ultrasound and were happy with what they saw so she has been started on anti-nausea meds to try to help with her appetite. I really hope they work.
The costs spiral so quickly, don't they? My cat is insured but we've already gone over the claim limit 
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Thanks again for sharing your cat's story 
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Well I heard from the surgeon today and apparently she started eating by herself this morning, so they are happy to discharge her tomorrow. So looking forward to having her home! Her brother is too - he's been really out of sorts since she was taken in to hospital.
I've set up a special cat tent for her so she can enjoy some R&R (and not be tempted to jump up on things). Also I need to monitor her eating etc.
What is the mitazapine you suggested for?
I'll post a picture of her once she's home .
Thanks both . Lady Grey is now home 
. I haven't been able to get a good picture yet but she is fast asleep on her bed in her tent and seems very content. She is on a restricted diet and I have to gradually increase her calories (the vets are worried about 'refeeding syndrome'). She ate her (extremely tiny) meal this evening and will have another before bed.
Mousehole is beautiful Pink - I hope you enjoy your holiday.
Snorg sounds like a lovely cat, Toddler. I'm glad she's doing so well now.
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