Throwing up again

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Squalliesmom

Squalliesmom

Member Since 2015
Squallie repeatedly threw up again in the wee small hours this morning. I tested his BG and it was 75, down from 317 at PMPS, and then went back up to 493 today at AMPS. I am still giving him only 0.75 units of insulin because I never know when he'll have a sudden drop, like that early morning 75, but it doesn't really seem, most of the time, to be even close to sufficient to bring his BG down to a safer level. I am just at a loss to explain or understand what is going on with him. I've tested him for ketones both times he's thrown up this week and both times it's been negative. He is peeing and pooping just fine. He is eating well. He is playing. I thought he might be sneaking some of Candy's food, which is higher in carbs and also contains a supplement that has sucrose in it, but I've discontinued the supplement altogether (just because of this current situation!) and very closely monitor feeding time to make sure he gets none of her food.

So I am completely stumped. I don't really have enough in this month's budget for an unscheduled vet visit, but it's starting to look like I may have no other options.
 
Gosh, Lucy, I am so sorry to hear about Squallie. I was going to ask if there was a possibility that he was constipated because that can cause them to be nauseas and throw up and then the numbers would go up but you said he is pooping just fine. Is the throw up a lot? Is it food? Or just foamy saliva? Have you tried looking back to see what exactly he ate the night before the throwing up to see if perhaps a certain flavor or brand if you switch around, is not sitting well with him?
 
Thanks Bobbie. It's not a lot of vomit each time, it how many times he throws up. The first time it was about 8 times in the course of an hour, this last time it was probably 6-8 times in an hour and a half. Each time he vomits it's a smaller amount. It usually starts out brown-ish (food-colored) and gets tpo the point where it's clear with mucus/foam. Nothing has changed, not food, not treats, nothing. I am totally at a loss. The only difference is that he is now cranking out some very high BG levels. I'm starting to wonder if maybe there is an underlying issue causing both symptoms, but he seems fine. Any more throwing up, though, is going to mean a trip to the vetty bean, I'm afraid.
 
Has Squallie been tested for pancreatitis? A couple of things you can do is ask your vet for nausea meds (Cerenia is the one typically used) also ask about giving famotidine for potential stomach acid. The standard dose is 1/4 of a 10 mg tablet given before bed. But, again, ask your vet before giving the antacid. I have also found it helpful to feed a little later, sometimes cats will become nauseous in the night if they have little to nothing in their tummy.

I really do encourage the pancreatitis test, 6-8 episodes in one hour is a lot.
 
I'm so sorry to hear he's throwing up so much. How are his kidneys? Since he's a senior cat, it is possible his kidneys aren't perfect. I don't mean he has CKD, but like an older human, things just don't work as well as kitties get older. Kidney issues can cause nausea. As can pancreatitis but I think you'd see more symptoms like pain (meat loafing) and dehydration. But both are worth a convo with the vet when you can go in.

I used Pepcid for Marsh because she had both stomach and kidney issues. Like Anita said, the dose was 1/4 tablet but I gave it twice a day, about half an hour before food so it had time to take affect before she ate. I also gave her Ondansetron at the same time, which is a human anti-nausea med. It is dispensed in 4mg tablets and the kitty dose is usually 1 mg or 2 mg twice a day. Since he's not constantly nauseous, if you get this I would probably start with the 1 mg (1/4 of a tablet). You will need a scrip for the Onds but you might be able to call the vet and ask for a scrip and explain you can't go in to see the vet in person until next month.

I'm so sorry to hear he's throwing up so much. I agree there's some underlying thing causing the puking. :( Which means a trip to the vet when you can and expensive tests.... :blackeye: I think for now you could try the Pepcid and see if it helps. If not, then if it were me, I'd call and ask for a scrip for Ond, and if that doesn't help, then yes, it's time to see the vet.
 
Squalliesmom said:
Thanks Bobbie. It's not a lot of vomit each time, it how many times he throws up. The first time it was about 8 times in the course of an hour, this last time it was probably 6-8 times in an hour and a half. Each time he vomits it's a smaller amount. It usually starts out brown-ish (food-colored) and gets tpo the point where it's clear with mucus/foam. Nothing has changed, not food, not treats, nothing. I am totally at a loss. The only difference is that he is now cranking out some very high BG levels. I'm starting to wonder if maybe there is an underlying issue causing both symptoms, but he seems fine. Any more throwing up, though, is going to mean a trip to the vetty bean, I'm afraid.
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Even though the food hasn't changed, it's not to say that can't tolerate a certain food all of a sudden. It might be worth it to see if the vomiting is occurring after a certain flavor. It would be really nice if that was all that it was. Keeping fingers and paws crossed and sending healing vibes to Squallie!

ETA: It could very well be too much acid, when my dog had to problem it was always I the wee hours of the morning. I put her on the famotidine (Pepcid) for a while and made sure she had a snack before she went to bed and that did the trick.!
 
In the fall, the pet food manufacturers may have a change in the mixtures they use for cat food, due to the fall slaughter period. This may change the food enough to provoke GI issues.
And sometimes, there's just a bad batch, or a bad plant online. Check the packaging for product ID codes and contact the manufacturer, plus check for recalls online.
 
G
BJM said:
In the fall, the pet food manufacturers may have a change in the mixtures they use for cat food, due to the fall slaughter period. This may change the food enough to provoke GI issues.
And sometimes, there's just a bad batch, or a bad plant online. Check the packaging for product ID codes and contact the manufacturer, plus check for recalls online.
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Good information, thanks!
 
I can only comment based on my Smokey's bout of vomiting.

He vomited constantly when my parents had him. But he was fed what I call no frills food wet and canned.

I have a civvie who can only have grain free dry. Therefore all my cats get it. But Smokey continued to vomit. They were free fed.

After many months of trial and error it was found he needed to eat every 2 hrs and pate form. Was not home testing at the time. Vomiting became a lot less.

In July when I started really getting involved with his diabetes all dry food was removed and cooked chicken given instead. Frequency of meals went back to every 2 hrs. Vomiting has reduced even more.

When I started home testing, a pattern emerged, he vomits when he is running high for extended periods. Remember ECID, Smokey's highs are 485 and up when he starts vomiting.

Now I have him on no dry of any kind at all. We switched insulins. He was fed pretty much every 4-5 hrs wet food. He hasn't vomited in months.

Only a few days ago we started DM and the amount he receives has more than doubled. He eats every 5-6 hrs now. His BS even though still moderately high we are getting better. Still no vomiting.

If medical conditions have been ruled out, it could just be a matter of changing feeding schedule and/or food for a little while until his BG gets a little more controlled.

I'm one of the lucky few that Smokey has absolutely no other medical conditions . So it's just a matter of tweaking food and times he eats.
 
woodsywife said:
I can only comment based on my Smokey's bout of vomiting.

He vomited constantly when my parents had him. But he was fed what I call no frills food wet and canned.

I have a civvie who can only have grain free dry. Therefore all my cats get it. But Smokey continued to vomit. They were free fed.

After many months of trial and error it was found he needed to eat every 2 hrs and pate form. Was not home testing at the time. Vomiting became a lot less.

In July when I started really getting involved with his diabetes all dry food was removed and cooked chicken given instead. Frequency of meals went back to every 2 hrs. Vomiting has reduced even more.

When I started home testing, a pattern emerged, he vomits when he is running high for extended periods. Remember ECID, Smokey's highs are 485 and up when he starts vomiting.

Now I have him on no dry of any kind at all. We switched insulins. He was fed pretty much every 4-5 hrs wet food. He hasn't vomited in months.

Only a few days ago we started DM and the amount he receives has more than doubled. He eats every 5-6 hrs now. His BS even though still moderately high we are getting better. Still no vomiting.

If medical conditions have been ruled out, it could just be a matter of changing feeding schedule and/or food for a little while until his BG gets a little more controlled.

I'm one of the lucky few that Smokey has absolutely no other medical conditions . So it's just a matter of tweaking food and times he eats.
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I wondered if it was his foray back into very high BG that was making him vomit. I would imagine that would make anyone feel pretty crappy. I don't know why his BG has been so high, it's driving me crazy trying to figure out what has caused it, but NOTHING is different or has changed from when he was in very low numbers. I just don't get it, and now I'm having a terrible time trying to get him regulated again. It's getting very discouraging, and I worry so much about him, I'm afraid these high numbers are going to kill him if I can't get them under control.
 
"(Quote)I don't know why his BG has been so high, it's driving me crazy trying to figure out what has caused it, but NOTHING is different or has changed from when he was in very low numbers."


Just throwing out ideas here. Make sure your measuring his insulin correctly and it's good (not old)? Possible tooth problem or infection somewhere? Double check labels on food make sure you have the right ones.

Maybe he needs a change in food for awhile. Smokey dropped some when I started the Purina DM. I didn't transition much. Just mixed half old and half new for 24 hrs. Then the inbetween main feedings i just gave 1/2 oz old for 24 hrs. Then stopped old altogether. And he poops better. Didn't know he had a problem with that.

It's probably something very easy. It's like being a detective isn't. Gotta find the clue.
 
woodsywife said:
"(Quote)I don't know why his BG has been so high, it's driving me crazy trying to figure out what has caused it, but NOTHING is different or has changed from when he was in very low numbers."


Just throwing out ideas here. Make sure your measuring his insulin correctly and it's good (not old)? Possible tooth problem or infection somewhere? Double check labels on food make sure you have the right ones.

Maybe he needs a change in food for awhile. Smokey dropped some when I started the Purina DM. I didn't transition much. Just mixed half old and half new for 24 hrs. Then the inbetween main feedings i just gave 1/2 oz old for 24 hrs. Then stopped old altogether. And he poops better. Didn't know he had a problem with that.

It's probably something very easy. It's like being a detective isn't. Gotta find the clue.
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Oh my gosh, it's making me insane. Nothing at all has changed. Same food, same flavor, new insulin 2 weeks ago (haven't left it out, either,like the last bottle!), nowhere for him to be getting contraband food or carbs. I'm just baffled. I'm upping his dose to 1.5 U today but I really think I should raise it to 2U.
 
See how he does on 1.5. I think it's wise to start with 1.5 and monitor since he has a history of dropping a lot. If 1.5 isn't enough, you'll know quickly and you can up him to 2 tomorrow. I know it's worrisome to see those high numbers. :(
 
Thanks, Mary! Yes, if he's under 200 we usually don't recommend shooting. Some more experienced members do, though, and will help you, if you are getting low numbers, to adjust your dose accordingly. :)
 
Vegetable said:
@Squalliesmom maybe you just got a bad batch of insulin. Does Squallie eat any dry food? Maybe Squallies little body decided it doesn't like the dry food anymore or maybe it's a bad batch of food. Good luck figuring out whatever it is that's causing his bs to go up.
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Thanks! He doesn't eat any dry at all; I did wonder if maybe this batch of food (FF Cl Turkey and Giblets, the only flavor he eats because of my IBD kitty) was different somehow than usual? *shrug, sigh* I may never know. Right now I just need to get him back on track and get these high numbers down!
 
Squalliesmom said:
Thanks! He doesn't eat any dry at all; I did wonder if maybe this batch of food (FF Cl Turkey and Giblets, the only flavor he eats because of my IBD kitty) was different somehow than usual? *shrug, sigh* I may never know. Right now I just need to get him back on track and get these high numbers down!
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About six months ago I think we got a bad batch of FF Classic. It wasn't expired or anything. My kitty threw up and then he stayed so nauseated he refused to eat for a few days (this was my non diabetic cat). Had to take him to the vet and they gave him something for nausea and an appetite stimulant. I ended up pitching the whole box out. BTW, my diabetic kitty loves FF Classic and Friskies Pate but his numbers were not budging despite insulin increases. It was only when I reduced his FF Classic portion and started adding in Merrick Pate that I saw his numbers make any real movement downward.
 
Walker's Mom said:
About six months ago I think we got a bad batch of FF Classic. It wasn't expired or anything. My kitty threw up and then he stayed so nauseated he refused to eat for a few days (this was my non diabetic cat). Had to take him to the vet and they gave him something for nausea and an appetite stimulant. I ended up pitching the whole box out. BTW, my diabetic kitty loves FF Classic and Friskies Pate but his numbers were not budging despite insulin increases. It was only when I reduced his FF Classic portion and started adding in Merrick Pate that I saw his numbers make any real movement downward.
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Thanks, Mary! Sorry to hear you got a "bad" batch of FF, but good to hear it can happen, as that's the only thing I can think of that may be causing a problem for Squallie. I'm thinking about trying Hounds and Gatos for him, it's low carb and also lower in phosphorus, and since he has an enlarged kidney I think it might be better for him.
 
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