10/31/2025
Beefers is finally starting to feel himself!
Ignore the mess, I'm currently filling 300 candy bags for tomorrow (I put on a yearly display so I get a LOT of kids!) And Beef HAS to be in my proximity if not directly on top of me at all times 😅
He's very clearly doing much better. The appetite stimulants are working wonders so he's finally getting the hydration he requires. He's still got diarrhea but it's slowly starting to form. His poor bottom is sore and he looks a little bloated. He's getting lots of extra fluid though. The gabapentin makes him very loopy and a little sedated. I hate it but I also know pancreatitis is painful. So keeping him pain free as he gets back to eating and drinking is huge in his recovery. Fluids especially is very important with pancreatitis. Lots of fluid is required to help flush the pancreas.
We're not in the clear at all, but we're absolutely going in the right direction! My anxiety is high with worry but I at least feel like I can breathe. It's hard to not remember the fear that I almost lost him not long ago!
I will be going over all kinds of details with his vet as soon as they can get us in. Although not 100% confirmed it's extremely likely and all symptoms/signs point to pancreatitis. No expense was spared and full testing was done the first time it happened. Nothing at all was found aside from an angry pancreas. He was otherwise in great health and his organs looked great. In saying all of that. I think I want to see if there's any other avenues both diagnostic or otherwise that I should be exploring to ensure I can mitigate this as much as I can or to make sure there's not something else causing this. In my research, I read that nothing really stops it from happening but there's absolutely ways to significantly minimize its likelihood of reoccurring.
In the meantime, I went to PetSmart to explore even more limited ingredient options. Beef prefers novel proteins like rabbit and venison. He also really likes lamb, various seafood and duck. I buy strictly grain, veg, fillers etc free food. I ordered him fortiflora and will be making that part of his regular diet from here on out. It comes tomorrow. I'm going to start making homemade shredded toppers and broths to add in to his regular diet as well. I'm starting with turkey. Trying to keep things lean with good fats.
This is where we're at.
I'm so grateful for all of you. You are our village. You have helped us in so many ways, supported our adventures, advocated for our efforts, shed tears with us when we've lost. We're honored to be part of this adventure.
When I first started Beef content it was never intended to be anything at all. Friends and family had encouraged me to share our adventures that we had already been enjoying in private. So I made an account and that was that. I had no idea the joy he would bring, the adventures we would have and the community we would build.
This experience will forever be cherished and I'm eternally grateful that Beefs life won't just be cat naps and scritches... Although that is pretty amazing 🥰 His life will be filled with spreading joy, advocacy and love... He gets to live a life filled with new experiences, delicious eats, maybe a little spoiled 🙄 and loved fiercely.
I'm at the mercy of the universe that she grants us the blessing of good health and a long life. The lengths I'd go to for him to just be ok permanently. I loves him so very muchly.
