Pancreatitis

[John Popp]

Not finding destroyed toys that are missing parts.
The only thing was that half ear and that was
missing quite a long time before this episode. If it
were the issue is would not show up on an Xray do to
it being a biological item.

With Dooley, we are guessing the piece of rubber was in his stomach for 3 or 4 weeks before we had any issues. Also when reading about the bully sticks we use to encourage Dooley to eat, I recalled reading about how difficult pig and cows ears are to digest. I looked for the article to no avail.

 

[Sean]

Tetsu was down to 94º when I took him in. I had found him in the
bath tub and that is part of what made me take him in.

I called about him today and as of a bout 11:30 PST we are still waiting on radiology
to get in at 12 and then it just waiting in line. He was still lethargic and not really eating
when I called.

Right now I just have to wait.

 

[Patti]

I recalled reading about how difficult pig and cows ears are to digest

Any animal part with skin (which is essentially leather) will expand when it becomes wet (e.g., saliva, gastric juices) so becomes prone to causing bowel obstructions.

 

[John Popp]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and Tetsu. Was he shivering being that cold or just completely lethargic? as cold as that seems, I believe it's only mildly hypothermic for a cat.

 

[Rafiki]

Sean, do you know how to administer sub-Q fluids? If not, you may want to ask the vet/techs to teach you.

 

[Sean]

They are thinking that it's lymphoma after the ultrasound.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

They are thinking that it's lymphoma after the ultrasound.

I sincerely hope not...but I would caution you to be very sure of that diagnosis. My own vet attended a lecture some time ago where the point was demonstrated that a partial obstruction can easily appear identical to lymphoma...and that even the biopsy needs to be carefully interpreted.

 

[John Popp]

Sorry to hear this. Is there a path to verify its lymphoma? What did the abdominal ultrasound identify to make the diagnosis?

 

[admin]

sean, I am so sorry to hear about tetsu. I am of the same mind as Brigitte...I cannot tell you how often I have heard the diagnosis of lymphoma and it was always something else...vets often say lymphoma when they really don't know.

I think they will have to stabilize Tetsu and at some point, you may need to bite the bullet and let them open him up, so they can find out what the issue really is.

 

[Sean]

Well he is home for the night and I will have to call my Vet.
We will go from there.

He got some prednisone to try and bring down inflammation.

Also I made ca call to the Vet school in Pullman WA to
see what they think. I will need to call back tomorrow
when the oncologist is in.