Phil P. wrote:

First off - are you sure he has pancreatitis and not IBD?

Nope. Not sure. The vet says she "suspects" pancreatitis based on his
symptoms. (a vomiting episode, lethargy, fever, lack of appetite)

The usual treatment for pancreatitis - *only* if the cat is vomiting and as
long as there's no evidence of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome), is
withholding food and water for 24-36 hours to rest the pancreas. But this
dietary therapy was extrapolated from canine pancreatitis. I've seen some
compelling evidence against withholding food and water for more than 24
hours in cats. Yet some vets still swear by it. If food must be withheld
any longer than 24 hours, a feeding tube should be used.

Before I'd go that route, I'd try feeding small meals and see if he
tolerates its without vomiting. I've had pretty good luck with boiled
chicken (white meat) and rice. I've also had some luck with Nutri-Cal. I
don't think cats with pancreatitis are affected by fat as much as dogs are.

A serious complication of pancreatitis is hepatic lipidosis - which is why I
wouldn't withhold food for more than 12 hours (only if the cat is
vomiting) - especially if the cat hasn't been eating.

Good luck,

Phil

Jasper has eaten next to nothing since Thursday. Today we fed him a
little bit of turkey, but he returned it. The vet did not suggest
witholding food but to see if he would eat anything at all. She
suggested feeding him anything he would eat...whether it be his regular
wet food or cooked chicken or whatever. The rest of the treatment at
this time is to administer antibiotics for a week and a regimen of
prednisone starting tomorrow if he doesn't eat first...which it's
looking like he isn't going to do. I'm hopeful that will kick start his
appetite. Would you think it is better to give him a few days to try and
get back to normal or get him back to the vet for more in-depth testing
right away? The vet sent Jasper home with us last night because he was
SO agitated there that they couldn't do much for him. His being blind
and deaf must only complicate the natural hate for the vet's office that
an animal feels. He was/is very relaxed and calm at home with us.

Pam