Meet Papito!

He’s a 3 year old make neutered Persian.  We call Papito our “Miracle Kitty” and here’s why………….

Papito came to Victoria Park Animal Hospital 2 months ago for 2 YEARS of vomiting daily, lethargy, and weight loss.  After years of failed attempts at treatment and not improving, he came to see Dr. Birken for one last try to hopefully become healthy. 

On physical examination, Papito was depressed, emaciated (he weighed 4 pounds- a far cry from his normal 10 pound healthy physique), and he was dehydrated.  Blood work revealed a low albumin (from chronic mal nutrition) and an extremely elevated White Blood Cell Count (from chronic infection).  A barium study was performed and radiographs were taken to examine his gastrointestinal tract.

A Barium Study is a medical imaging procedure used to examine the GI (gastrointestinal tract), which includes the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestines, and large intestines.  Barium sulfate is a type of contrast medium that is visible on X-rays. As the patient swallows the barium suspension, it coats the gastrointestinal tract with a thin layer of the barium. This enables the hollow structure to be imaged by radiograph.

                      Here are some pictures of Papito’s Barium Study:

 Dr. Birken reviewed the barium study and diagnosed a partial outflow obstruction right at the Pyloric region of the stomach.  Something was preventing food and liquids from going into the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.  Papito was getting some nutrients, but not enough to keep his weight up and maintain his health.  The next step was surgery. 

Papito was hospitalized, placed on IV fluids to hydrate him, a plasma transfusion was administered to increase his plasma proteins and prepare him for surgery.  Once Papito was stabilized Dr. Birken took him to surgery and here is what she found.  Once the stomach was exposed, a large mass was isolated right at the position where the barium study showed an obstruction.  The mass was located right at the portion of the stomach where the Common Bile Duct and Pancreatic Ducts flowed into.  Therefore, Dr.Birken could not remove the mass.  This created a huge dilemma.  If she could not remove the mass, which was causing the obstruction, than how was Papito going to keep food and nutrients down without vomiting? 
Dr. Birken performed a gastrojejunostomy- which is a procedure that connects the stomach to the small intestine.  She created a bypass for the food and nutrients to leave the stomach and enter into the small intestine completely bypassing the mass.  A biopsy of the mas and lymph node was taken for analysis, a feeding tube was placed, and Papito was recovering and waking up from surgery.

Post operatively, Papito was maintained on IV fluids, hourly tube feedings, antibiotics, and his vital signs were checked every few hours.  He did well and was sent home after 2 days for the owner to continue hourly tube feedings and care. After one week the feeding tube was removed and Papito began eating on his own and gaining weight.  The mass and lymph node came back as benign hyperplasia (it was not cancer!)

Here is the new barium study  that was done after the surgery. 

            See how the contrast material now splits and moves in 2 directions




Papito and family

 Papito was in for a recent recheck.  He has gained 2 pounds, is eating readily, with very few episodes of vomiting.  His owner reports he is running around, jumping up on the refrigerator, playing with his sister, and eating up a storm.  She told Dr. Birken that her kitty has not been this active and happy in years and she could not be more pleased with his recovery and progress.  Dr. Birken felt the same!

A special thanks to his adoring, wonderful, attentive, devoted, and dedicated mommy.  Without her continued perseverance and faith that Papito would fight and get stronger, he would not be doing so well.  And of course to Papito for being the strong little fighter and sweet natured “Miracle Kitty” that he is.