Diabetic Cat Vomitting Only in Early Morning

[Stella's Mom]

Hi -

So this isn't a question about my cat Stella, who is doing a lot better by the way. This is in regard to my parent's cat Sebastian, who they recently found out was diabetic also. Sebastian is 14 years old and hasn't had any health issues before this. My parents took Sebastian in to be checked after I had the DKA episode with Stella and that's when the vet found the diabetes (his BG was 500 when they took him). My parents switched Sebastian's dry food to FF and per the instructions of the vet, they started him on 2 units, twice per day of ProZinc. That's actually been helping him a lot because his doseage has already been lowered to 1 unit twice per day and his BG was 98 when they took him in today which is good. However, my mom has been noticing that Sebastian vomits early in the morning, around 4 am or so, and he's been doing it for a couple of mornings in a row. She said that it's not a lot and it's not food or a hairball - she said that it's clear. I asked my mom if she told the vet about it and she did, but the vet didn't know what it was and didn't give her any ideas what to do. So I thought I would turn to the wisdom of the Feline Diabetes board to see if anyone has any experience with anything similar and if they would have any recommendations on what to do. My mom said that Sebastian's last feeding is at 7:00 pm. Should she be feeding him a little later to help with the vomitting? Do you think famotidine would help at all in this situation? Any insight/advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Oh and I forgot to mention that she said that he seems to have gotten a bit of diarrhea because his stools are no longer solid. She said they're really mushing now...could the switch from wet to dry food have caused this?

 

[manxcat419]

Should she be feeding him a little later to help with the vomitting? Do you think famotidine would help at all in this situation? Any insight/advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

It's quite possible that Sebastian is suffering from excess stomach acid from going a long time without eating. She could try giving him some food just before bedtime so his stomach isn't empty for as long. And yes, if he's vomiting from excess acid, 1/4 of a Pepcid AC or generic equivalent (as long as it only contains famotidine) could help too. It's also possible that if he had a reading of just 98 at the vet, that he's dropping low in the early hours of the morning. Are your parents testing his BG at home to make sure he's staying above 50?

I'm glad to hear that Stella is doing better - and that Sebastian's numbers have improved quickly even though he's vomiting.

 

[Jeanne & Dottie]

That does sound a lot like it's acid and reflux. I've noticed that sometimes manufacturers of food products and over the counter drug items will frequently throw in minor forumula changes, something that won't affect 99.9% of people..and they don't feel a need to advertise the change unless it's an additive the FDA feels important.

But some of those additives, however innocent they are towards us, might affect our pets. So always look at the container's label before you buy, in case they toss in something new, harmless to us, but dangerous for furkids.

 

[Mogmom and Goofus]

They might also try smearing the food around the dish so that it takes longer for kitty to eat. This will often help reduce the "scarf and barf" syndrome.

 

[Critter Mom]

Sebastian vomits early in the morning, around 4 am or so, and he's been doing it for a couple of mornings in a row. She said that it's not a lot and it's not food or a hairball - she said that it's clear. I asked my mom if she told the vet about it and she did, but the vet didn't know what it was and didn't give her any ideas what to do. So I thought I would turn to the wisdom of the Feline Diabetes board to see if anyone has any experience with anything similar and if they would have any recommendations on what to do. My mom said that Sebastian's last feeding is at 7:00 pm. Should she be feeding him a little later to help with the vomitting? Do you think famotidine would help at all in this situation?

If it's clear and it's after a long fast then it does point to the possibility that Sebastian's tummy may be getting irritated by excess stomach acid when there's nothing in his stomach.

Also, based on anecdotal observations here and in my own (plus reports from human diabetics online) I think it is possible that some cats may get a bit of an upset tum when being treated with insulin.

I'd suggest getting a multi-compartment timed feeder and divide Sebastian's night time food allowance into smaller portions. (Petsafe 5 feeders are reliable, burgle-proof, and it can dispense up to 4 timed feeds - it's the best of all the ones I've tried.) Try setting the timed feeder to dispense a mini meal every 2-3 hours. Make sure that you give most of the food in the meal just before he gets his insulin. If you do go for this approach, I'd suggest getting spot checks for BG right through the first night you do it to make sure Sebastian doesn't go too low.

See if that (or something similar) works before going to other remedies or medication. There's good information on nausea symptoms, vomiting, and treatments for same here at Tanya's Site.


Mogs
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[Shenandoah]

I have trouble with barfing some small amounts of clear vomit if Shenandoah goes all night without eating. Since I don't yet have a timed feeder, I've started putting down 1/4 can of frozen meatsicles when I go to bed. It's a couple hours before she can eat them, so she has more in her stomach come morning. The barfing went away after I started that.

 

[Critter Mom]

Since I don't yet have a timed feeder, I've started putting down 1/4 can of frozen meatsicles when I go to bed.

Great tip!


Mogs
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[Olive & Paula]

If it's possible for your mother, Sebastian might benefit from frequent small meals throughout the day. My sugar cat needs to eat every 3-3.5 hours. Occasionally he can go 4 hrs but that's asking for vomit on the floor.

Setting a auto feeder for 1am and 4am has taken care of the problem. My vet calls it empty stomach syndrome. I don't know if it exists.

 

[Critter Mom]

My vet calls it empty stomach syndrome. I don't know if it exists.

It's not the exclusive preserves of diabetics; my civvie also vomits white foam if she fasts too long. (Doesn't help that her mammy has sleep and concentration problems ... )


Mogs
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[Olive & Paula]

Mogs, I know it's not exclusive. I don't know if there is such a thing as empty stomach syndrome as my vet calls it or if it's just something from fasting to long. I do know there is gastroparesis which can be diabetes related. I find it funny that only my sugar cat has this problem. Even with previous civvies throughout the years only this one has the problem. I do have a civvie who has to have grain free or she vomits. But that's it.