| Biggles Bonin - Lincoln, Rhode Island Male, Domestic Short Hair Born in 1999 Diagnosed with pancreatitis – August 2011 Diagnosed with diabetes ketoacidosis – September 2011 |
First Entry: November 12, 2011
Biggles was born from a stray in our neighborhood. She was a sweet girl that deserved a better life but we did our best to at
least keep her fed. She had two litters; Biggles was born in the spring, 1999. His litter was of your normal variety a few orange
tabbies, a gray tabby and a few torties. Biggles has had a few health issues (upper respiratory infection, lower urinary tract
infection), but overall a healthy cat for most of his life.
Biggles has always been a bit picky, to say the least, about his food. He has never eaten wet cat food, we have tried every
brand and flavor we can find that looks like human food. But there is something about it that tips him off that it made for cats. He
liked Max cat food until they changed the formula and he immediately turned his nose up at it. We were given a recommendation
of Felidae which he showed interest immediately.
In August 2011, I noticed one morning that Biggles was hanging around the water dish. He seemed a bit down (lethargic), and
was not really interested in his food. He had vomited a few times in the last few days and I also noticed lip smacking. I tried to
give him some cheese, another of his vises, which he also showed no interest. We called his vet and they had us bring him
down. They gave him fluids and took x-rays and did blood work. They diagnosed him with severe pancreatitis. At this time, he
weighed 12 lbs 6 oz. There was severe inflammation around the pancreas. They recommended that we bring him to the
veterinary specialist center in our area for additional testing (ultrasound), and extended fluid therapy since he was severely
dehydrated.
Ocean State did an initial physical exam in which they pushed on his stomach. Biggles growled which showed that he was
painful. They also detected a galloping heart beat which slowed the fluid treatments (heart failure was a concern due to the heart
condition with an aggressive treatment). The ultrasound was scheduled for the following morning. They admitted him and started
him on fluids, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics, and pain killers to help with his discomfort. Low dose aspirin was also
administered since blood clots can also develop with pancreatitis.
The ultrasound showed no other concerns and they continued treating the pancreatitis. Biggles remained hospitalized for 6 days.
He would not eat at all for them and did not use the litter box until they gave him some valium to relax him. They began syringe
feeding him which he seemed to take very well. A feeding tube was recommended which we were very much against unless it
was a last resort option to get food into him. Treating pancreatitis successfully requires providing good nutrition to the cat.
Because Biggles is a very picky eater, we knew he would not eat what they were offering him voluntarily.
After 6 days he improved considerably and they felt that having him home would help to get him to eat on his own. They advised
a diet of prescription food (Royal Canin Recovery RS) and providing 5 to 6 small meals a day. We syringe fed him for about a
day and then he began to eat enough on his own. We have been feeding him since his hospitalization, a diet of protein (chicken
and beef), and have cut out much of the “treats” that may have contributed to his disease (cheese, cream). We continued with the
low dose aspirin (every 72 hours), Pepcid A/C (every 24 hours), and Cyproheptadine (appetite stimulant), (every 24 hours) for 2
weeks.
We had a follow up appointment with our local vet 10 days later. Biggles was doing well by then. He weighed 12 lbs 4 oz at that
time. There have been a few times that the Pancreatitis had seemed to have flare up, he hid and vomited a few times. But
mostly he had done well with little symptoms of discomfort. I've given him Pepcid A/C when he seems to have some nausea.
About a month later we thought the pancreatitis was bothering him and called our local vet. Biggles was showing the same
symptoms as he had when he was first diagnosed with pancreatitis and he also was losing weight quickly. We brought him in
and they did blood work and gave him fluids. Ocean state did mention diabetes when they hospitalized him in August (there was
a small amount of spilling of sugar in his urine and mildly elevated blood sugar, attributed it to stress). Nothing was overly
concerning at that time for them to go further with testing. Biggles had a blood sugar level of over 300 with ketones in his urine.
An initial diagnosis of diabetes ketoacidosis was made by our local vet and we were again advised to hospitalize him. He
weighed 10 lbs 6 oz.
Biggles was admitted to Ocean State and given fluid therapy to fight dehydration. A chest x-ray and ultrasound was done. His x-
rays showed nothing abnormal for a cat his age and the ultrasound showed some pancreas inflammation. But not as bad as
when he was admitted in August. After a few days of insulin and fluids, Biggles was sent home with instructions and the treatment
for diabetes was given. Biggle’s glucose levels had come down and he was responding well to the insulin injections. Biggles will
be given 2 injections, of 1 unit of glargine every 12 hours after a meal. Biggles food (Felidae) was given an okay by his vet for
being a good diabetic food. We will also stay on a high protein low carbohydrate and low fat diet. When Biggles came home he
had terrible diarrhea and then was constipated for a few days. Both issues resolved themselves and have not been an issue
since.
A week after his treatment began for diabetes, a glucose curve was done on Biggles in which he stayed at the vets for the entire
day. The vet was pleased with the numbers and she believes we should stay with the current insulin dosage. He had a spike of
glucose in the morning after his injection, but stayed within good levels (under 200) for a good portion of the day and then nearing
his next injection, spiking again over 300. He weighed 10 lbs.
Biggles had a 3 week recheck Nov. 5th, with a testing of his urine. He had gained ½ lb since the beginning of October and the
test showed no ketones in his urine and only slightly elevated glucose levels. The condition of his coat had improved greatly
which was noted by one of the vet technicians. Biggles has been introduced to a wet cat food, Weruva, the Paw Licken Chicken
variety shows to be a good diabetic food and high in protein and low in carbs. He took to it almost immediately. I am hesitant to
try other varieties as the carbohydrate numbers are higher. Some contain vegetables which he will most likely leave anyway.
Four days later Biggles woke up and was once again lethargic and not eating or drinking. I brought him to the vets early morning
for evaluation. He was running a fever of 103.6. The vet treated him with subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics. Urine testing was
also done in-house. He was sent home with a recheck scheduled later in the day. Biggles began to show slow improvement
throughout the day. He was still not himself when I brought him back to the vet. Blood work was recommended to look for
infection or a possible flare up of his pancreatitis.
He was retaining the fluids given earlier in the day and his temperature had gone down by mid afternoon. The urine sample
showed nothing of concern. She recommended antibiotics for 7-10 days or a long duration antibiotic injection. It is much more
expensive than a bottle of Clavamox, but will ensure that Biggles gets the full affect. I went with the injection.
The next day Biggles vet contacted me with the results of the blood work which showed some bacteria. She also noted that there
was some indication in his blood work that he had a flare up of the pancreatitis. By that time, however, he was no longer lethargic
and eating and drinking on his own. He will go back in 10 days for more blood work to check if the bacteria has cleared up.
Update: March 5, 2012
The follow up appointment in November, 2011 showed the infection had cleared up and his glucose and triglycerides were good.
Biggles' vet feels the dosage for his insulin is accurate. We will continue to monitor his glucose every 4 weeks going forward.
Since December Biggles has been treated twice for lethargy and lack of appetite. The episodes occurred again in early January
and then again in late February due to his pancreatitis. However, an additional issue with trying to regulate his diabetes
continues to be addressed.
Fortunately once a change in his behavior is visible, both episodes are very short in duration. Getting Biggles to his vet and
administering fluids has been helpful in limiting the duration and intensity of his pancreatic flare ups. Usually within 8 hours of
administering the fluids he is alert, active, and eating again. Biggles was also given a shot of diphenhydramine to help with
nausea. The sign of a flare up for Biggles begins with him becoming finicky with the food he does enjoy. Then he only eats a
small amount for a day or so. Then he doesn’t want to eat much of anything and he becomes quiet and withdrawn. Biggles
vomited the morning we brought him for fluids. When he does vomit with a pancreatic attack, it is generally a yellow bile color.
Note that he does not always vomit when he is not feeling well.
We have had his blood tested (glucose, liver, and kidney values) and urinalysis done on both occasions. The only concerns that
were seen were signs again of elevated bacteria in his urine indicating an infection. I allowed the antibiotic Covenia (January,
2012) to be administered which I have concerns about going forward. We have not administered any antibiotic as of yet for his
most current episode. Other clinical signs showed a fever in January, but not the most recent time in February. Diarrhea was also
seen in the most recent episode in February. Biggles' vet attributes the reoccurring infections to not having his diabetes
regulated which she noted can bring on urinary tract infections. This most recent episode showed Biggles having a high glucose
number around mid day of over 300. He had a similar reading in January at the same time of day. The initial curve done in
October, 2011 was in the 200s during the same time of day.
Other items of note, Biggles very much enjoys the Weruva cat food variety of paw licken chicken. After a day or two of eating it,
however, he has very bad diarrhea. This is very disappointing because as I have noted before, this is the only wet cat food he
has ever taken to. I can only give it to him in small quantities as a treat. Biggles most recent pancreatic attack occurred on
Tuesday, February 21st. As of today he is eating well, active, and is only showing a lingering issue of diarrhea.
Biggles was born from a stray in our neighborhood. She was a sweet girl that deserved a better life but we did our best to at
least keep her fed. She had two litters; Biggles was born in the spring, 1999. His litter was of your normal variety a few orange
tabbies, a gray tabby and a few torties. Biggles has had a few health issues (upper respiratory infection, lower urinary tract
infection), but overall a healthy cat for most of his life.
Biggles has always been a bit picky, to say the least, about his food. He has never eaten wet cat food, we have tried every
brand and flavor we can find that looks like human food. But there is something about it that tips him off that it made for cats. He
liked Max cat food until they changed the formula and he immediately turned his nose up at it. We were given a recommendation
of Felidae which he showed interest immediately.
In August 2011, I noticed one morning that Biggles was hanging around the water dish. He seemed a bit down (lethargic), and
was not really interested in his food. He had vomited a few times in the last few days and I also noticed lip smacking. I tried to
give him some cheese, another of his vises, which he also showed no interest. We called his vet and they had us bring him
down. They gave him fluids and took x-rays and did blood work. They diagnosed him with severe pancreatitis. At this time, he
weighed 12 lbs 6 oz. There was severe inflammation around the pancreas. They recommended that we bring him to the
veterinary specialist center in our area for additional testing (ultrasound), and extended fluid therapy since he was severely
dehydrated.
Ocean State did an initial physical exam in which they pushed on his stomach. Biggles growled which showed that he was
painful. They also detected a galloping heart beat which slowed the fluid treatments (heart failure was a concern due to the heart
condition with an aggressive treatment). The ultrasound was scheduled for the following morning. They admitted him and started
him on fluids, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics, and pain killers to help with his discomfort. Low dose aspirin was also
administered since blood clots can also develop with pancreatitis.
The ultrasound showed no other concerns and they continued treating the pancreatitis. Biggles remained hospitalized for 6 days.
He would not eat at all for them and did not use the litter box until they gave him some valium to relax him. They began syringe
feeding him which he seemed to take very well. A feeding tube was recommended which we were very much against unless it
was a last resort option to get food into him. Treating pancreatitis successfully requires providing good nutrition to the cat.
Because Biggles is a very picky eater, we knew he would not eat what they were offering him voluntarily.
After 6 days he improved considerably and they felt that having him home would help to get him to eat on his own. They advised
a diet of prescription food (Royal Canin Recovery RS) and providing 5 to 6 small meals a day. We syringe fed him for about a
day and then he began to eat enough on his own. We have been feeding him since his hospitalization, a diet of protein (chicken
and beef), and have cut out much of the “treats” that may have contributed to his disease (cheese, cream). We continued with the
low dose aspirin (every 72 hours), Pepcid A/C (every 24 hours), and Cyproheptadine (appetite stimulant), (every 24 hours) for 2
weeks.
We had a follow up appointment with our local vet 10 days later. Biggles was doing well by then. He weighed 12 lbs 4 oz at that
time. There have been a few times that the Pancreatitis had seemed to have flare up, he hid and vomited a few times. But
mostly he had done well with little symptoms of discomfort. I've given him Pepcid A/C when he seems to have some nausea.
About a month later we thought the pancreatitis was bothering him and called our local vet. Biggles was showing the same
symptoms as he had when he was first diagnosed with pancreatitis and he also was losing weight quickly. We brought him in
and they did blood work and gave him fluids. Ocean state did mention diabetes when they hospitalized him in August (there was
a small amount of spilling of sugar in his urine and mildly elevated blood sugar, attributed it to stress). Nothing was overly
concerning at that time for them to go further with testing. Biggles had a blood sugar level of over 300 with ketones in his urine.
An initial diagnosis of diabetes ketoacidosis was made by our local vet and we were again advised to hospitalize him. He
weighed 10 lbs 6 oz.
Biggles was admitted to Ocean State and given fluid therapy to fight dehydration. A chest x-ray and ultrasound was done. His x-
rays showed nothing abnormal for a cat his age and the ultrasound showed some pancreas inflammation. But not as bad as
when he was admitted in August. After a few days of insulin and fluids, Biggles was sent home with instructions and the treatment
for diabetes was given. Biggle’s glucose levels had come down and he was responding well to the insulin injections. Biggles will
be given 2 injections, of 1 unit of glargine every 12 hours after a meal. Biggles food (Felidae) was given an okay by his vet for
being a good diabetic food. We will also stay on a high protein low carbohydrate and low fat diet. When Biggles came home he
had terrible diarrhea and then was constipated for a few days. Both issues resolved themselves and have not been an issue
since.
A week after his treatment began for diabetes, a glucose curve was done on Biggles in which he stayed at the vets for the entire
day. The vet was pleased with the numbers and she believes we should stay with the current insulin dosage. He had a spike of
glucose in the morning after his injection, but stayed within good levels (under 200) for a good portion of the day and then nearing
his next injection, spiking again over 300. He weighed 10 lbs.
Biggles had a 3 week recheck Nov. 5th, with a testing of his urine. He had gained ½ lb since the beginning of October and the
test showed no ketones in his urine and only slightly elevated glucose levels. The condition of his coat had improved greatly
which was noted by one of the vet technicians. Biggles has been introduced to a wet cat food, Weruva, the Paw Licken Chicken
variety shows to be a good diabetic food and high in protein and low in carbs. He took to it almost immediately. I am hesitant to
try other varieties as the carbohydrate numbers are higher. Some contain vegetables which he will most likely leave anyway.
Four days later Biggles woke up and was once again lethargic and not eating or drinking. I brought him to the vets early morning
for evaluation. He was running a fever of 103.6. The vet treated him with subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics. Urine testing was
also done in-house. He was sent home with a recheck scheduled later in the day. Biggles began to show slow improvement
throughout the day. He was still not himself when I brought him back to the vet. Blood work was recommended to look for
infection or a possible flare up of his pancreatitis.
He was retaining the fluids given earlier in the day and his temperature had gone down by mid afternoon. The urine sample
showed nothing of concern. She recommended antibiotics for 7-10 days or a long duration antibiotic injection. It is much more
expensive than a bottle of Clavamox, but will ensure that Biggles gets the full affect. I went with the injection.
The next day Biggles vet contacted me with the results of the blood work which showed some bacteria. She also noted that there
was some indication in his blood work that he had a flare up of the pancreatitis. By that time, however, he was no longer lethargic
and eating and drinking on his own. He will go back in 10 days for more blood work to check if the bacteria has cleared up.
Update: March 5, 2012
The follow up appointment in November, 2011 showed the infection had cleared up and his glucose and triglycerides were good.
Biggles' vet feels the dosage for his insulin is accurate. We will continue to monitor his glucose every 4 weeks going forward.
Since December Biggles has been treated twice for lethargy and lack of appetite. The episodes occurred again in early January
and then again in late February due to his pancreatitis. However, an additional issue with trying to regulate his diabetes
continues to be addressed.
Fortunately once a change in his behavior is visible, both episodes are very short in duration. Getting Biggles to his vet and
administering fluids has been helpful in limiting the duration and intensity of his pancreatic flare ups. Usually within 8 hours of
administering the fluids he is alert, active, and eating again. Biggles was also given a shot of diphenhydramine to help with
nausea. The sign of a flare up for Biggles begins with him becoming finicky with the food he does enjoy. Then he only eats a
small amount for a day or so. Then he doesn’t want to eat much of anything and he becomes quiet and withdrawn. Biggles
vomited the morning we brought him for fluids. When he does vomit with a pancreatic attack, it is generally a yellow bile color.
Note that he does not always vomit when he is not feeling well.
We have had his blood tested (glucose, liver, and kidney values) and urinalysis done on both occasions. The only concerns that
were seen were signs again of elevated bacteria in his urine indicating an infection. I allowed the antibiotic Covenia (January,
2012) to be administered which I have concerns about going forward. We have not administered any antibiotic as of yet for his
most current episode. Other clinical signs showed a fever in January, but not the most recent time in February. Diarrhea was also
seen in the most recent episode in February. Biggles' vet attributes the reoccurring infections to not having his diabetes
regulated which she noted can bring on urinary tract infections. This most recent episode showed Biggles having a high glucose
number around mid day of over 300. He had a similar reading in January at the same time of day. The initial curve done in
October, 2011 was in the 200s during the same time of day.
Other items of note, Biggles very much enjoys the Weruva cat food variety of paw licken chicken. After a day or two of eating it,
however, he has very bad diarrhea. This is very disappointing because as I have noted before, this is the only wet cat food he
has ever taken to. I can only give it to him in small quantities as a treat. Biggles most recent pancreatic attack occurred on
Tuesday, February 21st. As of today he is eating well, active, and is only showing a lingering issue of diarrhea.
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Living With Pancreatitis - Biggles B.
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