Derry: An answer at last (take 2)

[Note: I'd previously posted parts of this, but then the vet contacted me again and suggested the pancreatic-specific blood test using Friday's sample still at the lab, so I unpublished this post to wait for those results--negative.]

Wednesday September 15th:

I'd had Derry at the vet last Friday the 10th for an ultrasound (looked fine, but I'm now having the images sent to the radiologist just to be on the safe side) and further bloodwork. It was less expensive to just re-run a complete senior wellness panel with T4, sodium, B12 and folate than to do them separately, so even though he'd had the senior panel (minus the T4 and extras) in August, I told the vet to go ahead.

Last Friday afternoon, back from the vet.

Dr. P called me late Monday afternoon; Derry has the blood chemistry of "a five year old cat." Everything was fine, even his T4 and his glucose (he drinks a ton of water these days, I figured something was amiss). The sodium levels that were so high in August (probably the diarrhea and all the additives I was giving him to try to stop it) were down to more normal levels. His B12 was fine; however, his folate was high and this can be indicative of small intestine bacterial overgrowth or an issue with the pancreas. (Pancreatic test was negative, per the note at the top.) So it looks like the problem has been caused by SIBO, what I have. The course of action would be antibiotics (if needed) and Prednisolone (if needed), plus diet. (He's already getting high fibre dry now, coupled with a greatly reduced amount of his favourite Fancy Feast.)

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I'd like to say a particular thank you to John at "I Have Three Cats," who's cat health advice was so helpful last weekend as I dealt with Derry being overcome from the stress of the previous week (tradespeople in the house last Tuesday and Thursday plus his big vet appointment on Friday).

Derry actually stopped eating and drinking, and was drooling a bit from nausea. After 30+ hours of monitoring him I took him to emerg on Saturday evening. He got a cerenia injection and a mirtazapine pill, and is much improved now, though he's not quite back to his pre-ordeal self. However, he's been eating and has kept his food down, so that's a win. 

I'd also like to acknowledge my long-time co-worker, B (he does not read my blog or even know I have one), who, because of the kind of person he is, came and took us to the regional after-hours pet hospital. Without having had supper.

I reached out to him because he's the only co-worker in town (everyone else lives outside the city) and I'm so grateful he was able to help. I would have taken a taxi if he had been otherwise occupied, but I'm glad I didn't have to, as it would have been an hour's wait to be seen, all the while standing in the parking lot with Derry in his carrier on the ground beside me, in the growing dark. But bless B, he came and took us, spent two hours of his Saturday evening helping a co-worker and her sick cat. That was beyond kind, and I will be picking something up as a "thank you."

So it was another rough weekend, and while I initially regretted taking Derry in on Friday for further tests, given his stress reaction, now that we have a [presumed] cause of the problem, I'm glad I did. 

But that's it, no more. My sweet Derry-Bear needs a long break from any further vet visits (if at all possible!), and so do I.

After supper yesterday

Peace.

P.S. I had booked off on Thursday and Friday October 7 - 8 before our long Thanksgiving weekend, but every time I take days off before a long weekend the sh*t seems to hit the fan in the house in one way or another (Derry or water leaks!). I've now cancelled those days, because I'm too paranoid, though am taking the week of Thanksgiving off (with great trepidation).