When Gillian Stopped Eating And How Internal Medicine Helped Her Turn a Corner

Gillian, a sweet cat with a history of chronic kidney disease, began to slow down in a way that felt different. She became lethargic and stopped eating, and her family could tell something wasn’t right.

They brought her to Pinnacle’s Emergency Service, where our team stepped in right away to help. The ER team was very concerned that Gillian had not eaten in days. We placed an IV catheter, started fluids, and ran diagnostics to get a clearer picture of what was going on.

Bloodwork showed mild abnormalities, and an ultrasound revealed chronic kidney disease along with significant changes in her gastrointestinal tract. Gillian’s loss of appetite was very alarming to our staff.  In cats, not eating is a medical concern that can escalate quickly, so it’s critical to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.  Delaying treatment can put the patient at real risk.

The next day, Gillian’s care was transferred to Internal Medicine. After a thorough discussion with her owner, we moved forward with advanced diagnostics. Gillian underwent a gastroduodenoscopy to evaluate her GI tract and collect biopsies, and we placed a feeding tube to support her nutrition, hydration and for administration of medications. The feeding tube can also help protect her from complications related to poor food intake.

During her hospital stay, Gillian received IV fluids, electrolyte support, and medications to help stabilize her. Our technician team kept a close eye on her vitals and continued to monitor her blood work. Biopsy results confirmed chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE).

After going home, Gillian returned two weeks later breathing heavily with recurrent lethargy. Testing showed she had developed anemia, likely related to her kidney disease. She was admitted and received a red blood cell transfusion, responding well with improved energy and strength.

Once stable, Gillian returned home again with her feeding tube. With time, patience, and support from her family, she began eating on her own. As her appetite improved, her feeding tube was no longer needed.

Today, Gillian continues to be followed by our Internal Medicine team, with regular monitoring of her kidney and and gastrointestinal health. What began as a worrying change turned into a complex journey, but with steady care and close follow-up, she’s back to enjoying life at home.

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