Squeaky was not constipated yesterday, soft stool. He is drinking water. Vet said to give fluids today since they appeared to help him and to see what the tests show tomorrow. He has been urinating normally. He is still interested in and eating some dry food. Temperature was normal today. I asked, she did not weigh him. She said urine now appeared concentrated, will get specific gravity value tomorrow.
Hope he also eats wet food tomorrow. I will ask her about the foods you suggest. Is there a non-prescription food which comes close to those or is low fat, low protein? What percentages or values are low for fats and protein? Would a senior food be better than the usual? I asked today about a lowfat, low protein food but she wanted to wait until the test comes back. Only problem, it will be hard to get back to buy them (long way), maybe can get them at PetsMart. Will see what the tests are tomorow at any rate.
Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
I wouldn't recommend any commercial food for a GI problem like pancreatitis, the diet should be somewhat bland (to increase palatibility/prevent nausea and vomiting, should have soluble fiber, formulated to be highly digestible). Hill's presription I/D or Eukanuba prescription Low-Residue are ideal for this. If one MUST feed a commercial food, I would suggest a senior formula (in the Hill's or Iams brands). The key is what is going to be palatible to the cat, and is easily digestible so that nutrients are absorbed. One should have both canned and dry available, because ill cats will be finicky and may want one or both types.
I'm in agreement with your vet about waiting for test results before choosing the diet, but in the immediate sense, he needs to eat to keep his nutritional needs met, energy levels met, and to prevent sudden weight loss and dehydration. If she thinks or determines there is a kidney issue going on, she will probably recommend to start using the K/D you already have for Petey, although if Squeaky won't eat it, ask your vet for samples to try or a different veterinary renal diet (like Purina prescription NF), in both canned and dry forms. Otherwise, ask her if Hill's or Iams Senior formulas would be appropriate, in which you can get these at Petsmart.
I'm in agreement with your vet about waiting for test results before choosing the diet, but in the immediate sense, he needs to eat to keep his nutritional needs met, energy levels met, and to prevent sudden weight loss and dehydration. If she thinks or determines there is a kidney issue going on, she will probably recommend to start using the K/D you already have for Petey, although if Squeaky won't eat it, ask your vet for samples to try or a different veterinary renal diet (like Purina prescription NF), in both canned and dry forms. Otherwise, ask her if Hill's or Iams Senior formulas would be appropriate, in which you can get these at Petsmart.
..........Traci
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
Hi, I got the sedond lab results for Squeaky. Kidney values are okay, amylase is down from before, just a little high now. Liver enzymes are okay. Urine is now conentrated. However, neutrophils are high, very high it seems to me. Traci, will try to send you the lab report. In light of everything, what are your ideas about why neutrophils are high? Infection or inflamnation somewhere?
Vet says the next step is an appetite stimulant which sounds okay but I am still wondering about the neutrophils and the whole sequence.
He ate a little dry food today and drank the liquid from some soup I made with wet food.
Will try to call vet, ask her about the neutrophils and food.
Again, thanks for your ideas and valuable advice.
Vet says the next step is an appetite stimulant which sounds okay but I am still wondering about the neutrophils and the whole sequence.
He ate a little dry food today and drank the liquid from some soup I made with wet food.
Will try to call vet, ask her about the neutrophils and food.
Again, thanks for your ideas and valuable advice.
Helen
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
The neutrophil count might be indicative of infection somewhere, or some anemic episode (due to dehydration, poor nutritional support, bacterial infection, etc). Even though both renal and liver values are normal, I would ask your vet about Heska's ERD screen test, only takes minutes, and results in about 5 minutes, this is an early indicator test for renal disease (measures microalbumin in urine).
Also ask about the sensitivity of her blood analyzer on the amylase level. The lipase usually always tends to rise before amylase, so neither should be used singly to diagnose pancreatic activity. Also, amylase might be high in some cats and might still be considered normal for that particular cat. According to you, Squeaky isn't truly showing obvious signs of pancreatitis (other than anorexia and fever activity, the antibiotics seem to have addressed the fever at this point), the main symptoms being vomiting, painful abdomen, anorexia, diarrhea, severe dehydration. The fever could have been from an infection.
Inflammation, particularly intestinal, GI tract inflammation (like IBD or a mass, intestinal inflammation) is still possible, so I would ask for at least an xray, I call them kitty-grams, use an 11x14 film to get both thoracic and abdominal view. One can also spit the view, meaning one side of the body on 1/2 of the film, the other side of the body on the other 1/2 of the film. (saves cost, otherwise, she might end up doing two or three 8x10 films). Again, is his oral health optimal or could he have diseased teeth/ulcers that are causing infection, painful eating and therefore anorexia?
Did she say anything about the food? He definately needs to start eating more, ask also about continuing sub-q fluids support too, since he isn't eating enough. Do ask about the I/D to at least tempt him or as a start, and the Euk. Low-Residue if necessary.
Let me know what she says....
Also ask about the sensitivity of her blood analyzer on the amylase level. The lipase usually always tends to rise before amylase, so neither should be used singly to diagnose pancreatic activity. Also, amylase might be high in some cats and might still be considered normal for that particular cat. According to you, Squeaky isn't truly showing obvious signs of pancreatitis (other than anorexia and fever activity, the antibiotics seem to have addressed the fever at this point), the main symptoms being vomiting, painful abdomen, anorexia, diarrhea, severe dehydration. The fever could have been from an infection.
Inflammation, particularly intestinal, GI tract inflammation (like IBD or a mass, intestinal inflammation) is still possible, so I would ask for at least an xray, I call them kitty-grams, use an 11x14 film to get both thoracic and abdominal view. One can also spit the view, meaning one side of the body on 1/2 of the film, the other side of the body on the other 1/2 of the film. (saves cost, otherwise, she might end up doing two or three 8x10 films). Again, is his oral health optimal or could he have diseased teeth/ulcers that are causing infection, painful eating and therefore anorexia?
Did she say anything about the food? He definately needs to start eating more, ask also about continuing sub-q fluids support too, since he isn't eating enough. Do ask about the I/D to at least tempt him or as a start, and the Euk. Low-Residue if necessary.
Let me know what she says....
..........Traci
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
Hi, Squeaky has eaten more today. He will eat both kinds of dry food which I have--modified (Petey's) and Science Diet, still not as much as I would like, but he is doing much better, I think.
His teeth and gums are fair, the teeth were cleaned about 10 months ago with some treatment applied and I have been it reenforcing weekly with something the vet sold me. However, there is reddness around his gums and I told the vet I wanted them cleaned this year too. This will probably be done in about a month, vet prefers to clean teeth yearly but not usually sooner. I do not think the problem is bad enough to cause a systemic infection but I will ask her and we could certanly go ahead with the cleaning so far as I am concerned. I tend to be careful with the kitties' teeth and gums, partly because I have to take care of my own.
I received an email from the vet today with the lab results. She asked that I call her and I left a message asking about the neutriphils, fluids, and the food. If I do not hear from her tomorrow, I will probably give him fluids tomorrow again (that would be the third time)--this based on his earlier improvement after the fluids and what she said before. I think I will hear from her, however, and that she will say to go ahead with fluids. If there is not a kidney problem, I am assuming he does not need to eat k/d or modified, tho, when he gets better.
Thanks for your information about the foods. I can certainly get Iams Senior food easily and will try to get the I/D or Eu low residue. He is better and I certainly want the trend to continue.
His teeth and gums are fair, the teeth were cleaned about 10 months ago with some treatment applied and I have been it reenforcing weekly with something the vet sold me. However, there is reddness around his gums and I told the vet I wanted them cleaned this year too. This will probably be done in about a month, vet prefers to clean teeth yearly but not usually sooner. I do not think the problem is bad enough to cause a systemic infection but I will ask her and we could certanly go ahead with the cleaning so far as I am concerned. I tend to be careful with the kitties' teeth and gums, partly because I have to take care of my own.
I received an email from the vet today with the lab results. She asked that I call her and I left a message asking about the neutriphils, fluids, and the food. If I do not hear from her tomorrow, I will probably give him fluids tomorrow again (that would be the third time)--this based on his earlier improvement after the fluids and what she said before. I think I will hear from her, however, and that she will say to go ahead with fluids. If there is not a kidney problem, I am assuming he does not need to eat k/d or modified, tho, when he gets better.
Thanks for your information about the foods. I can certainly get Iams Senior food easily and will try to get the I/D or Eu low residue. He is better and I certainly want the trend to continue.
Helen
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
If you're able to get to a Petsmart nearby, you can certainly pick up a few cans of Hill's Science Diet Senior formula or Iams Senior Formula to have on hand, and it probably wouldn't hurt to tempt Squeaky with it. Otherwise, keep tempting with dry if possible, and as bland as possible for canned food.
I don't think there's any harm in giving a bit of fluids if he hasn't had any today.
If it turns out this is only an infection of some sort and if it resolves, your vet may just suggest he is started on K/D simply because of his age or because of the convenience since you're feeding it to Petey too. Although, 10 years of age is still fairly young in my book and if he has taken well to his normal food over the last couple years, don't change it unless vet advises. However, I'm not keen on Nutro foods, that's something you and your vet should discuss.
Hang in there and let me know what she says, ok? Give Squeaky and Petey kisses for me and know you're all in my thoughts and prayers!
I don't think there's any harm in giving a bit of fluids if he hasn't had any today.
If it turns out this is only an infection of some sort and if it resolves, your vet may just suggest he is started on K/D simply because of his age or because of the convenience since you're feeding it to Petey too. Although, 10 years of age is still fairly young in my book and if he has taken well to his normal food over the last couple years, don't change it unless vet advises. However, I'm not keen on Nutro foods, that's something you and your vet should discuss.
Hang in there and let me know what she says, ok? Give Squeaky and Petey kisses for me and know you're all in my thoughts and prayers!
..........Traci
Vet presribed an appetite stimulant and pepcid (acid reducer). The pepcid seemed to help and he is eating now. He still looks somehwat tired and a bit dazed, not the alert Squakey to whom I am accustomed, but I hope this will pass as he continue to improve. Vet seems to think this was all caused by stress induced by my absence--it started duing a 5 day trip on my part. I do not think this was the cause for several reasons but do not completely rule it out.
Helen
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
I wanted to let everyone know that Squeaky seems okay now--very interested in eating and back to his alert self. Thanks, Traci, for all your help. Should this reoccur, I know better what the possilibities are. Also, I do not really use nutro--when I forced him I was using nutri-cal, a nutrient paste which I mistakingly called nutro. What is the problem with the nutro foods?
I hope this illness is all behind us--he was really sick. It is very good to have a normal Squeaky again. I am still giving him the acid reducer.
I hope this illness is all behind us--he was really sick. It is very good to have a normal Squeaky again. I am still giving him the acid reducer.
Helen
Re: Cat not eating, dilute urine, help!
Glad to hear Squeaky is doing so much better!
JMHO, I think Nutro is sub-standard, based on hype, and unnecessary added nutrients of no value, particularly the claims made about "natural" ingredients, etc. I've heard more and more complaints about this food causing vomiting and diarrhea in cats, I think the nutrients quality is really lacking.
JMHO, I think Nutro is sub-standard, based on hype, and unnecessary added nutrients of no value, particularly the claims made about "natural" ingredients, etc. I've heard more and more complaints about this food causing vomiting and diarrhea in cats, I think the nutrients quality is really lacking.
..........Traci