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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Malfoy has pancreatitis and high calcium

62 replies

sunshinesupermum · 27/04/2017 14:24

Please can anyone reassure me that these aren't serious? Our gorgeous Battersea boy has only been with us a couple of months and is 14 years old but right as rain until yesterday :(

Malfoy has pancreatitis and high calcium
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tabulahrasa · 28/04/2017 23:52

If you're trying to tempt eating, you can try heating the food to body temperature, that sometimes helps.

If they think it's cancer when the test results come back, get a referral to a specialist - treatment for cats isn't anything like the invasive treatment it is for people and it's definitely worth looking into.

My cat had five years of really good quality of life on chemo for lymphoma.

Pills, the easiest way is just to pop them straight in the back of the throat, shut their mouth and then rub their throats till they swallow, you need to be quick though, no hesitating and don't be too gentle.

Vinorosso74 · 29/04/2017 09:59

How is Malfoy this morning?

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 29/04/2017 10:12

Good news is that Malfoy is eating! A Dreamie in the middle of the night and then he helped himself to a tiny amount of his normal food this morning :) So the vet agreeing he would be better at home was correct. He also began cleaning himself again which he wouldn't do while in hospital.

Vinorosso I'll suggest some chicken breast to DD as we know Malfoy enjoys that.

I don't know which meds he's been given - DD says he's refusing them but DP will help her with them when we get home later. Si far so good. Now it's waiting for test results re cancer.

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Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 29/04/2017 10:17

Thanks Troodiedoo cool name yourself! Malfoy was the name given him by his previous owner. He is a very beautiful boy :)

tabulahrasa thanks for tip about referral - our vet is one of the best in London (known him for years since we had our first dog) and practises holistic medicine so will def talk to him once we get test results re any referral if necessary. Glad that I don't have to leave DD on her own to do this. She is 31 but this si the first time she has had responsibility for a living being and it's like she's caring for a new baby lol DP used to have cats so he also knows what to do. I'll send her your comment about how to give Malfoy his pills, thanks again.

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Tigerblue · 29/04/2017 10:28

I don't know if you've tried but he might eat a little cooked chicken, white fish or my vet suggested scrambled eggs when my boy was so ill - they might tempt him as a treat and might be lighter going down. My boy loved lick-y-lix - it's a little chicken yogurt for cats. You can buy it from Tescos, Pets at Home, Wilko and I think I've seen it in Sainsburys.

Don't be afraid to ask if it's appropriate to give Mirtazipine, or whether increased appetite will be too uncomfortable for him. My lad had it before we knew there was nothing further we could do for him. The first day he eat loads and the next two he eat normally - the end was the same for him but it gave him the chance to get some nutrition and energy. There might be something else he can have, but again not be afraid to ask.

I know it's not easy for you to watch him go through this, but hold onto the fact you've given an older cat a loving home. He now has somewhere he's loved, looked after and safe and that goes a long way.

troodiedoo · 29/04/2017 10:55

Great news that he's grooming and has eaten! Mine always likes boiled chicken when he's poorly.

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 29/04/2017 12:10

He's been back to the vet and DD has been given something to put in his mouth to help him take his pills. He only needs one tonight and DP will be there to help.

Thanks Tiger I am bearing it in mind should (and when) the worst happens to explain to DD that what she has done has been such a good thing. Still no test results but at least he has improved since Wednesday night! The cooked chicken is def a favourite of his so will try that too.

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Vinorosso74 · 29/04/2017 21:42

I'm pleased he's eaten and sounds like he's a bit brighter. Fingers and paws crossed for him.

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 30/04/2017 12:40

Update: Malfoy was happy to see his DGM (me!) and DP yesterday. He's eating his normal food but we're feeding smaller portions at a time. Not sure how much water he's taking (but his food is liquid) Pain seems to have eased and he's happy to be stroked, tickled and scratched and is following us around and no longer hiding.

Next appt at vet is on Tuesday after work - test results back then. Keeping fingers crossed news isn't bad as if it is cancer DD had been told they will not operate. Thanks again everyone for your support. She's very grateful as am I.

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Wolfiefan · 30/04/2017 12:42

Good luck for Tuesday. He does sound much happier.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2017 12:50

That sounds really good. Fingers crossed that he gets a clean bill of health.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/04/2017 12:57

Fingers crossed for Tuesday, I hope it goes well

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 30/04/2017 17:19

Thanks - will update after vet visit. So far so good your good vibes seem to be helping loads xxx from Malfoy

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Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2017 18:17

The people on the litter tray were an amazing support when Magic was poorly. It would have been even more awful without their good wishes.

Vinorosso74 · 30/04/2017 20:56

Brilliant to hear. Good luck for Tuesday.

Tigerblue · 01/05/2017 21:06

Brilliant news. If he's eating wet, then he'll be getting quite a lot of liquid through his diet. Your DD can always ask the vet if he's hydrated when he goes back on Tuesday

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 02/05/2017 20:25

So the vet says that the test results on the cells they took last week are inconclusive so Malfoy has to have an exploratory/biopsy either Friday (if they can fit him in) or next Wednesday. Results could take quite a few days to come back and he has to stay in hospital while waiting for them. DD was so hoping we'd know for sure today. Good news is that at least he is no worse and is eating, drinking and pooing normally.

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troodiedoo · 02/05/2017 20:29

Sorry to hear that. It's not nice being in limbo. Really good that he's eating and drinking though. Give him a stroke from me.

IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst · 02/05/2017 20:32

Best of luck with him, he's a beautiful cat and so nice that he's got a loving and caring home in later life Flowers

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 03/05/2017 00:47

Thanks troodie will do!

Thanks Ilporcupino even after such a short time of having homed him DD is devoted to him. He couldn't have better care I'm certain.

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Vinorosso74 · 03/05/2017 08:39

It's hard waiting but at the main thing is he seems ok. Best of luck Malfoy!

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 03/05/2017 16:15

Malfoy has to have exploratory op and biopsy on Friday as the cells they took last week weren't able to confirm whether he does have cancer or not :( The test results will take a few days afterwards and he will have to stay in hospital meanwhile unless they are certain he is able to take in food. DD is off work next week so can visit him every day.

So more waiting for news and the poor little fellow isn't too happy although is still eating and coming for head scratches etc.

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Toddlerteaplease · 03/05/2017 21:40

Magic had a lump in her neck that caused her pancreatitis. The results of the slide taken at the vets was that it was 'unusual' and they had no idea what it was. It was just a necrotic lymph node. I laughed when the vet told me what it was because we get kids in at work with that all the time, she'd never come across it before. I k de I should have just taken her to work with me and popped her in a cot. My manager thought I might be favourist towards her. Can't image why!! Grin

IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst · 03/05/2017 22:24

Ah bless, hope he isn't too upset- keep us posted.

Original poster
sunshinesupermum · 04/05/2017 19:31

Ok so op is tomorrow (Friday) and I have tickets booked to go back to France with DP on Saturday but now don't know whether to stay and support DD during next week while waiting for test results and possible bad news. She had already booked the week off as holiday so will be home alone with nothing to distract her.

When II mentioned to DD's sister that I wasn't sure whether to stay or not her response was 'it's just a cat' which wasn't the response I expected and obv upset me.DD's sister has two little boys but doesn't get that the cat is like a baby to us :(

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