My boy is going to have to be pts tomorrow.

[citiesofbismuth]

My 14 year old rescue cat has kidney failure, but has now developed pancreatitis for some reason. He's on a special renal diet and has been doing okay, but developed a urinary problem a few weeks ago and now the pancreas.

He's been on iv fluids overnight in the cat clinic and returned home on Friday. I have oral anti-emetic tablets to give him and morphine which I give by injection. He's stopped eating and I can't get the anti-emetic into him today. He has had an injection though, so I think he's out of pain.

I'm so sad about this. He is the most amazing cat and so nice and gentle. I don't know what could be wrong. I'm expecting results of a pancreatic blood test back tomorrow.

I don't think it's fair on him to continue like this as he hates going to the vets and there's obviously something seriously wrong.

[FekkoThePenguin]

14 is a good age for a cat though - and he is poorly. What does the vet say?

[citiesofbismuth]

The bloods on Friday indicated pancreatitis and she said he had pain around that area when she examined him. His kidney function had declined a bit, but she wasn't overly concerned.

I've mashed some salmon up into a paste and he's eaten that.

[citiesofbismuth]

He's only meant to eat renal food, but I need to get something into him.

[ArabellaUmbrella]

I'm so sorry. You are doing the right thing under the guidance of the vet, but so so hard. What a lucky cat to have been so loved for so many years. RIP dear puss

[Vinorosso74]

Has he has any steroids at all? I know they can't be given with certain health conditions so may not be an option.
Our old girl has pancreatitis (well as part of triaditisbit it's a very long story). She did have a flare up of the pancreatitis a few months but got over it with steroids and strong pain relief.
I would definitely have a chat with your vet before making a final decision but obviously you need to do the right thing by your boy.

[Vinorosso74]

Oh yes and offer small amounts of food often-boiled chicken or turkey breast still warm is often a good option.

[citiesofbismuth]

He hasn't had steroids. I can ask tomorrow. He's enjoyed that bit of salmon. I'll try him with his renal food shortly. It's such a worry. He's in good condition in general and he had most of his teeth out the other week due to them being in a poor state with infection. He recovered from that really well.

[citiesofbismuth]

He still runs around and plays.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I would definitely discuss the steroids with the vet. I think you're doing the right thing giving him salmon. I was told my boy had kidney disease last year and he refused to eat the renal food so the vet told me it was more important that he ate. He now has Ipakitine added to his normal food.

[citiesofbismuth]

He's eaten the renal lump with the anti emetic in. I added some salmon mush on top of it.

Perhaps the vet is waiting to see what the blood test shows on the pancreas before prescribing steroids.

How are the steroids given? Are they just little tablets?

[Vinorosso74]

There are tablets or injections. That's good news he's eating!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Is it acute or chronic pancreatitis? One of mine had it acutely. She was critically ill but survived against all odds. She had cefuroxime and metronidazole and was tube fed for a few days. Before that the vet was syringe feeding Royal Canin recovery milk. Mirtazipine can be given as an appetite stimulant.

[citiesofbismuth]

It was acute pancreatitis as his bloods have never indicated pancreatic problems before and he's had them done regularly.

He's in his basket in front of the fire now and looks a bit brighter and more comfortable.

I'm going to phone the vets first thing in the morning and speak to the vet nurse to give an update. My other cat is there at 10am anyway for her booster vaccinations so I could get the blood results and more meds if necessary. I've wasted anti emetic in some food that he wouldn't eat. Whole seems to go down better than crushed.

If he's comfortable and eating it will buy us some time.

[citiesofbismuth]

He was vomiting on Thursday night/Friday morning, but nothing since. No diarrhoea or anything like that. Perhaps it's his gallbladder or something. I think it might be upper gastro rather than intestine.

Could they do an ultrasound?

[Otterseatpuffinsdontthey]

[Vinorosso74]

Ours had her gallbladder removed-she had a stone and loads of gunk in her bile duct. It was a referral job so expensive. She was 12 at the time.
An ultrasound can show some stuff-stone and distended bike duct showed up on that. I can't remember if inflammation did.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

This is from a human point of view. When I had pancreatitis caused by gallstones the stones showed up on the ultrasound but the inflammation didn't. The doctors only found out how bad the inflammation was when I had my gallbladder out.

I hope you get some positive news tomorrow OP.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Snorg had an ultrasound. But st that point we were thinking she might have eaten some plastic. She had a laparotomy and it showed her pancreas was inflamed. She was on Ketamine and morphine for a few days and IV fluids for a week. I found it really bizarre that she was on drugs that we use all the time on children at work. (Nurse)

[ifonly4]

It's so hard making that final decision and knowing when the time is right for them. Be guided by the vet, but also your gut instinct as you know him best.

My boy had CKD and one day I looked at him and just realised he hadn't enjoyed his day, so I made the appointment to pts the next day. The last couple of hours I had him at home he was going downhill rapidly and vet agreed he'd had enough.

My girl was a lot harder. She had dementia and her sight and hearing slowly went. Other than hyperthyroidism her bloods and teeth were great for an elderly cat, but week I could see a minor deterioration, and I came so close to making the decision a couple of times. Then I just realised I couldn't let her live like that any more.

Let us know your decision

[FrankieChips]

Oh I'm so sorry. I hope it's good news and he gets better. When our old cat was PTS it was heartbreaking but she was stuggling so much that it was the right thing to do. He is loved and loves you xx

[citiesofbismuth]

Thanks for all the replies, it's helping me think things through rationally.

Back from the vets and he's had a steroid and vitamin b injection and she's increased his pain relief. I have more meds to keep him comfy at home and got a price for euthanasia at home if this pancreatic problem doesn't resolve.

Blood results still not back, but should be this afternoon. If he doesn't want his renal food I can give him the salmon and shredded chicken cat food as a quality of life thing.

He's definitely better on the painkillers and anti sickness meds. His food and fluid intake isn't great though and he's lost more weight.

[ifonly4]

Thanks for the update OP. Fingers crossed he's continue to pick up. It gets to the stage where it's more important to eat and if he's having some salmon, plain white fish or chicken then let him enjoy it. They weren't the best to offer, but my CKD boy liked the chicken Webbox yogurt things during his last couple of weeks. I came to the conclusion it was more important to get anything especially things containing liquid down him.

[Vinorosso74]

Hopefully he improves. It's such a worry when they won't eat. Steroids can stimulate the appetite. Fingers crossed for him. It's lovely having cats but the worry they cause!!

[Toddlerteaplease]

I thought cats were supposed to be relaxing. Fatty and Snorg were nothing but trouble health wise! Hoping for better luck with Cheddar!

[citiesofbismuth]

Yes, I agree they're a worry.

I used to give my previous old cat those meat yoghurt tube things.