Pepper Threw Up Blood & May Be Much Sicker Than I Relalized

The test results are back and the vet said that he has hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease. He doesn't have all of the symptoms though because some of his blood work is normal when it should be very high. This disease is caused by stress, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and infection. He has all of these. He's been stressed out from going to the vets so often, he has more sugar in his urine so he still has diabetes, he probably has irritable bowel syndrome, and he has an infection which is a bladder infection. The vet thinks that he should be able to make a full recovery. I sure hope so. I now know what a vet tech feels like.
I have to force feed him 2 cans of Hills Prescription Diet a/d each day and then give him 2 units of insulin 2 times a day after he eats. He also gets 1 pepcid tablet 2 times a day, 1tsp. of kaopectate 3-4 times a day or as needed, 1/2 periactin pill to help increase his appetite 2 times a day, clindamycin hydrochloride drops 11/2 ml 2 times a day to help his infection, and denosyl sd4 1 tablet 1 time a day for his liver. I also force feed him water and I can give him liquid by IV subcutaneously as needed. I'm also keeping him cooped up in my room during the day so I can monitor his food and fluid intake and output in the litterbox. Storm and Sunny aren't too happy about this since they like to sleep in my room during the day. Oh well they'll have to adjust because it could take a while for Pepper to recover. He'll also have to be on a special diet for his irritable bowel. I sure hope he makes it through this. If all of this doesn't work then I have to be referred to an internal specialist because the vet and radiologist have done everything that they can do. I'm also baffled. He goes in to the vet again on Friday morning for another blood glucose test. I sure hope it's normal. He really needs some prayers and positive energy sent his way. Thank you.

Oh Pepper! You are surely in my prayers, and what good news that the vet thinks you will be all better soon! Bassett says she knows how you feel - all that pilling and crap.. but hey.. as soon as you are all better - no more fuss!

You are all in my prayers! Good luck!

This is very depressing Pepper. All those medicines! How awful for you.:( But all we want is for you to get better! Please hurry and get better.

Oh Pepper you're going through the mill aren't you lovely furboy.
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. With the love and care of yoour lovely Mummy you're going to beat this and be back to your normal lovely self before you know it.
{{{{Hugs}}} coming for you Tracey - you've got such a lot on your mind, just to let you know I'm thinking of you and sending lots of positive thoughts your way xxxxx

Lynne

Pepper you are in my prayers. You have to be good and take all your meds for your mommy. I know it will be hard. I'm praying you will have a speedy recovery.

Well, I think Pepper has one major positive thing going for him, and that's his loving, devoted, and patient meowmie! My head spins just reading the list of meds and procedures he needs each day, but it sounds like you have got it under control. I can't even imagine going through this; I hope you both can get back to normal soon so you can spend more time smooching instead of force-feeding. He is a lovely boy kitty, even with the little shaved parts!

Thank you All Creatures for putting into words what I am thinking, and so much better than I could for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
Well, I think Pepper has one major positive thing going for him, and that's his loving, devoted, and patient meowmie! My head spins just reading the list of meds and procedures he needs each day, but it sounds like you have got it under control. I can't even imagine going through this; I hope you both can get back to normal soon so you can spend more time smooching instead of force-feeding. He is a lovely boy kitty, even with the little shaved parts!

---

Tracey, all that I want to add is that sweet Pepper boy and you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Chris

Well, Pepper, now that meowmie knows what ails you, you have to be a good boy and help her help you out! That means: eat your food, take your meds and use the litter box. You will be spoiled beyond your wildest dreams. Taking care of a sick kitty can sure be intimidating.

Good luck and everything that can be crossed is! that's a lot of fingers and paws.

Poor Pepper, you are certainly going through the mill, aren't you! :eek: I hope so much that all that medicine will help to get you back to your normal self!

Lots of nosescritchies and hugs to you and your loving mum. :)

Get well soon, Pepper!! We'll be crossing everything here for you.

Tracey, I emailed you separately, but I want to add here that without a doubt you are the very best Mom a kitty could even dream of having.

Hugs from Rascal and Gini

Oh my! :eek: What a lot of medicines for one poor kitty. :( And what a schedule your poor mommy has to remember to make sure you get everything at the right time! If the vet thinks Pepper can make a full recovery then I know he will because I know you'll do everything in your power to make it happen. When he starts fighting the meds, then you'll know he's getting better. ;)

Hugs, prayers, positive thoughts, hugs and whatever else you may need are going out to you and Pepper. Please take all your medicines like a good boy, Pepper, and hopefully you'll be all better soon and all those trips to the white coats will be over with.

Way to keep up the courage, meowmie! Pepper will get better, once at least one of his symptoms go away. Did you think about arranging for a home visit from a traveling vet? Just a thought, cause it does eliminate some of the stress involved, which may help the IBS....Good luck with your progress! Hugs to Pepper that his Pep comes back really soon.

Dearest Pepper,
Sweet boy, I'm so sorry you've gotten sick. But...you have some good news...you're going to get better and this will all be over soon. Please cooperate with your mawmee and eat your new yummy food. Just think, you get "special food", Sunny and Storm don't. ;) So, eat it up and drink lots and lots of water. That's what hooman white coats tell us to do. Know that you are in our prayers right now, that there are A LOT of people that care about you and are sending you strength and love. You take care and get better...Sunny and Storm are eager to play with you, like usual. We love you, sweet boy.

Love, Kelly

Tracey,
I'm going to PM you. :)

Oh, my dear Pepper! You sure have a lot on your plate, sweetie! Please try and help you Mawmee by taking all of your meds, eating and using your potty. She loves you SO much and is the best Mawmee a furkid could hope for! You've been so brave so far and finally you're on the road to recovery!!

Tracey, maybe you could look into a visting vet or vet tech. I know friends who have been in your situation and found them to be of great help; physical as well as emotional. You can use all the support you can get. Love to you both. Sandra, Mr. B and Oliver!

My god, poor Pepper. We are thinking of you and Pepper and hoping like crazy that the final tests bring some good news. Be a good boy and help your mummy get you well again.

Prayers are still on the way from me too.
**hugs**

Well Pepper seemed to be doing better but some time between 2:30pm and 8pm he threw up the food that I had fed him at 2pm. It also looks like he threw up the pill that's supposed to help his liver. I gave him this at about 6:45am so I don't know why it wouldn't have been absorbed by his body by then. I gave him more meds and fed him again at around 8pm or so. I sure hope that he's able to keep the food down. If he starts throwing up I really don't know what I'm going to do. :( I really hate to see him like this and I'm becoming emotionally and financially drained.

Oh, poor Pepper and pooe Kak - we can only send our hope and our best wishes.
Headbumpie from Filou for Pepper and a nosekissie from Tigris.

Better to fight a devil you know than a devil you don't know. Thankful for the diagnosis....my thoughts are with you and Pepper.

Tracey, I'm so very sorry to read the news about Pepper. :( Throwing his pills up is the last you want! What does the vet say to this? Do you think you could get a vet or assistant to come to your place and help? You have so much to deal with right now and must be exhauated. :(

We'll keep our fingers and paws crossed here for you and sweet Pepper! :)

Please get well, Pepper!!

hugs from us all,
Fister, Rand & John

Dear Pepper:
Your pills are supposed to help you and how can they if you keep throwing them up?? Please try to keep them down! I know you and your meowmie are going through alot right now and you are all stressed out and we've asked God to help you through it all. We miss your usual self so please get better soon!

luv
slick
max & speckles

Oh, no:(:(:( I'm just wondering if his tummy isn't getting upset by all of those medications. Was the medic. a capsule or a pill? Have you tried crushing the pill or emptying the capsule and mixing it wil some of his food?? He will abosorb it much more quickly that way. I hope the vet was able to give you some help and advice. I too know what it's like to feel so emotinally drained and frustrated when trying to nurse your baby back to health. You know that all of us here will share with you all of our strength and support to help you through this difficult time. My Mr. B was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we're trying hard to get him regulated,eating, etc. Please know we're thinking of you and sending our prayers. Mr. B and Oliver send you and Pepper purrrrs, paw pats and headbumpies...and of course lots of love. Sandra

How is Pepper doing now? Did he keep his pills and food in today??

Poor baby! :(

I just want to thank everyone for your support, prayers, and concerns for Pepper. Today was a better day. He threw up a little bit of food early this morning and this was after I had given him his liver pill. This food was also from last nights feeding. So far he's kept down all of his meds today. He did have a little bit of diarrhea this afternoon. I'm mixing in a tsp. of nonpreservative plain yogurt in with his food to help his diarrhea. I have to leave it out at room temperature for at least 4 hours before I give it to him so that bacteria will grow on it so it will help his tummy. So far it seems to help some of the time but he still has a little bit of diarrhea. Pepper is also becoming more fiesty so I hope that this means that he's starting to feel better. He still won't eat or drink on his own and he's not peeing very much at all. He probably still has a bladder infection. He goes to the vet tomorrow morning for his blood glucose test. I sure hope that his blood sugar is back to normal. I'll update you when I know any more info.

Oh Pepper, please get well soon! Your mommy doesn't like it when you are ill. She gets all worried. :( Hope you get well soon and are back to your healthy self in no time!

Pepper my boy! Good to know you are doing a little better, and you are more playful! You are all still in my thoughts and prayers!

Come on Pepper, get better! I hope the white coat visit today goes well. Looking forward to the update!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by krazyaboutkatz
Pepper is also becoming more fiesty

---

Yea!!! Fiesty is good! Come on Pepper, we can tell you're trying, and you mommy's doing everything she can so between the two of you, and a little help from the vet, I know you'll be better in no time!

Still thinking, praying, crossing and sending good vibes for both of you. Hopefully there will only be good news today. :)

Dear Pepper,

I have been away since the day you first posted till today. I only have limited access to a computer. I'm so sorry you feel bad.

Please be a good big boy and help your mommy get you better, ok?

Where are those two fire dogs to help explain why you have to take those nasty pills?


Get well soon, Pepper.

Pepper, so glad you becoming more fiesty! That is a good sign. Please be good and know that all these meds are for your own good and will hopefully make you feel even more better fast! We know you can do it!

luv and prayers
slick
max & speckles

Pepper, we're still thinking of you and sending good vibes for a positive result tomorrow at the vet. Glad to hear you've been able to keep more food inside. :)

Get well soon dear Pepper! ;)

It is good to hear of Pepper being even a tiny bit better. Continuing prayers for the both of you. Hope there are good results from the vets.

love and hugs
Chris

Dear Pepper, How are you, buddy? I've been so worried. Are you feeling any better at all today? I sure hope you can be back to your old self real soon.
Jen

Dear KAK, Thinking of you and your handsome darling and hoping for an update. Fingers and paws are crossed here for even MORE feisty. Feisty is GOOD!

How,s Pepper? I am used to getting a nightly update. (talk about spoiled). They say "no news is good news", but I worry.

Hi everyone. Thanks again for all of your concerns. I didn't log on yesterday because I was just too tired. Pepper's blood glucose level was about 130 so the vet said that the insulin is working. He has to go back on Wed. for a blood glucose curve test which will last all day. I asked the vet about his urine sensitivity test. This is supposed to tell us which antibiotic will be best for his bladder infection. Well some how the test was never done so they took more urine from Pepper and hopefully I'll know something by Monday. This time his urine looked normal because last time it was a red brown color. Since Pepper is having such a hard time keeping his pills down, I'm now crushing up his pills in his food and I'm using a product called Viokase-V which is a digestive enzyme medicine. I have to put 1/2tsp. of it in his food and let it sit for 20 minutes at room temperature. I sure hope that this makes it easier on Pepper's tummy. Pepper has also gained some weight back. :) He's now about 15.03lbs. which is a perfect weight for him. He's still not interested in eating or drinking by himself but like I said before he's becoming more fiesty and he even ran down the hall yesterday because he didn't want his food.

Thanks for the update Tracey, it is good to hear that Pepper has made some more small steps forward:) hope he will be making bigger and bigger ones each day.

Love and hugs to you both (and a hug each for Storm and Sunny too!:))

Chris

Well I wish that I had some good news about Pepper. He's still throwing up and I just don't know what else to do for him. :( I need everyone's advice. If you don't want to post it publicly you can PM me about it. Right now I'm emotionally drained and I really don't know if I'm going to be able to deal with Pepper's illness much longer. I already owe my vet over $1000 dollars and I don't even know how I'm going to pay him for this amount. I know this probably sounds like I'm being a bad mommy but it just seems like nothing is working and I really hate seeing Pepper feeling so badly. :( Maybe it's time to say goodbye to him. :( I love him very much and it's going to be the hardest thing that I've done in my life but maybe this is my only other alternative. :( Please help me here. I just don't know what to do any more. :(

Be strong, Tracey. I PM'd you.

Tracy,
Hold on!!!! You never know what is just around the corner!!!