Little nervous - any experience?

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littleone

littleone

Member Since 2017
Hey all!

2 years ago our cat was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 11. Right before being diagnosed, he was struggling looking for cold places, drinking a lot of water, would constantly run to water if it was turned on. He would barely eat. He was diagnosed with diabetes and we've been doing the shots for 2 years. The dosage was recommended lower and lower and he eats special canned food for diabetes, but gets treats after his shot.

Just at the beginning of the week he started sneezing a lot. Then he started going back to looking for water and drinking a lot of water. This time even dipping his paws in the water. Yesterday/today he won't eat at all and looks miserable. He's really struggling. He's looking for cold places to lay and just looks really bad. He's now 13 and has a vet appointment tomorrow. Obviously concerned/nervous at this point.

Any suggestions or experience with this? Could it just be that time? Thanks for any input you have.
 
I don't have any experience with your situation but I hope he starts feeling better soon. Do you test him? If so, what is his current blood glucose level?
 
I am actually just reading the user guide for newbies and boy have I been missing out. We were taking to the vet for tests. I had no clue we could do it ourselves. :(
 
A lot of people don't and a lot of vets don't recommend doing the tests at home but it is so much better that way. Less stress for your at so you get a more accurate test anyway. Plus, a lot of vets prescribe too large of a dose fairly often. Testing before a shot makes sure they aren't too low for shot and possibly going into hypo. There is a ton to learn here and we can help you start testing and making sure he's doing ok. Plus it will save you a ton of money.
 
All the sneezing tells me he could have an upper respiratory infection. He'll need antibiotics for that.


No need for expensive perscription food. Most of us feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods.

You absolutely can and should be testing at home. Is the best way to know if a dose is too much or too little. We can help you learn how and tell you what to buy if you're interested in starting that. (Video in my signature below shows how I test my cat CC.)

13 Years old is a senior, but not super old. I'm willing to bet he has some good years ahead of him.
 
Janet, thank you for the response. That's what grabbed my attention as that was very different from the last time we identified diabetes. But the bad thing right now is some of the symptoms of trying to find a cold place, being uncomfortable, and not eating. Those seem diabetes related. And if tomorrow goes well, i'm going to watch your videos over and over.

Luckily we have a vet appointment tomorrow morning. I just don't know if we should turn it into an emergency visit tonight since he's really taken a dive today.
 
littleone said:
Janet, thank you for the response. That's what grabbed my attention as that was very different from the last time we identified diabetes. But the bad thing right now is some of the symptoms of trying to find a cold place, being uncomfortable, and not eating. Those seem diabetes related. And if tomorrow goes well, i'm going to watch your videos over and over.

Luckily we have a vet appointment tomorrow morning. I just don't know if we should turn it into an emergency visit tonight since he's really taken a dive today.
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If you're concerned I would listen to that inner gut feeling telling you to go. If it is an Upper respiratory infection things can progress to pneumonia quickly.

A different cat of mine was uncomfortable and seeking cool spots when he had very high blood pressure.

Not eating could be an infection, constipation, pancratitis....
The only way to know for sure what's going on is a check up.
 
I would say it's been 2 solid days now. We do have a vet appointment tomorrow morning, but I also don't want to wait 14 hours if that's make or break. He is walking, up/down stairs, but then goes to water or cold places and just looks uncomfortable.
 
littleone said:
I would say it's been 2 solid days now. We do have a vet appointment tomorrow morning, but I also don't want to wait 14 hours if that's make or break. He is walking, up/down stairs, but then goes to water or cold places and just looks uncomfortable.
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After 24 hours they can start developing fatty liver. I would take him in.
 
See if you can get him to eat anything. Try tuna, chicken... Some like parm cheese sprinkled on food.
 
I agree with Janet. If he was my cat, I would take him to be seen by a vet, especially if I couldn't get him to eat. Have you tried plain meat baby food (with no onions or garlic or anything else added)?? My little guy will always eat Gerbers especially if it's warmed a bit because it has a strong smell.
 
Unbelievably, we put tuna, wet food, and dry food out there and he actually ate the tuna! He didn't eat much, but he definitely ate. That is a huge relief in general.

The tuna got him to bite and that is a blessing so far. Should I hold off on the shot tonight or give him a usual shot? He didn't get his morning shot because he didn't eat. :(
 
littleone said:
Unbelievably, we put tuna, wet food, and dry food out there and he actually ate the tuna! He didn't eat much, but he definitely ate. That is a huge relief in general.

The tuna got him to bite and that is a blessing so far. Should I hold off on the shot tonight or give him a usual shot? He didn't get his morning shot because he didn't eat. :(
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What is his usual dose?
 
littleone said:
We use Lantis insulin. We use the insulin needle to the first line, per the vet. It's below the 5.
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So is he on 1.0U or 4.0U?? Also, you can remove the 911 from your thread title. There's an option for "Thread tools" top right area, Edit title, then save.
 
Can you or someone go buy some ketone test strips from the pharmacy, if you don't already have them?
 
Tomorrow after the vet (unless you take him tonight)
Head to Walmart and pick up:
1. Relion micro or confirm meter (not prime as it needs a larger sample) $17
2. Box of 100 extra test strips ($36)
3. Box of 100 28 gauge lancets ($4-10 depending on the brand you buy)
4. Cotton cosmetic rounds $3
5. Neosporin ointment with pain relief $5

Not a bad idea to get ketone testing strips as well.
 
Unfortunately the poor guy threw up the tuna he tried to eat. :( It is a little foamy/mucus/dry heaves mixed. It doesn't smell like nail polish in any way though.

I am sorry.. I suck with all this knowledge. The thing we use is a .3ml needle. It has lines on it up to 30 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30). We fill it up to basically 2.5 which is half way to the 5 line. SO from looking at the picture, it is a very small amount in terms of what the syringe can hold.

insulin-syringes-with-6mm-needle_RC_DC_IN_0616-0002.png
 
littleone said:
Unfortunately the poor guy threw up the tuna he tried to eat. :( It is a little foamy/mucus/dry heaves mixed. It doesn't smell like nail polish in any way though.

I am sorry.. I suck with all this knowledge. The thing we use is a .3ml needle. It has lines on it up to 30 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30). We fill it up to basically 2.5 which is half way to the 5 line. SO from looking at the picture, it is a very small amount in terms of what the syringe can hold.

insulin-syringes-with-6mm-needle_RC_DC_IN_0616-0002.png
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2.5 is not a small dose actually. My cat was only on a dose like that a short time before needing it lowered. If he can't hold down food it could very well be pancratitis or ketoacidosis -- both of which are serious. I wouldn't wait.
 
If it's pancratitis they will most likely give him sub q's there and for at home, cerenia for the vomiting possibly famodadine for nausea, and bupe for pain (pancratitis is very painful). If he doesn't start eating they will have you syringe feed.... If that doesn't work then a feeding tube.

If it's ketones then he will probably be hospitalized on an iv for a few days.
 
littleone said:
I am sorry.. I suck with all this knowledge.
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Don't be too hard on yourself, it is A LOT to take in when you're newly exposed to all the information here :bighug:. If he really hasn't eaten for 2 days and couldn't hold down his little bit of Tuna tonight, I think an ER visit might be a good idea. My boy wasn't eating much due to nausea for about 24 hours but he was eating (of course Saturday night into Sunday :rolleyes:). Got him to the Vet first thing Monday and he had pancreatitis. Even with catching it early and doing conservative treatments (all I could afford to do) it's taken us over 3 weeks to get over his flare. The not eating for 48 hours and chance of fatty liver can complicate things more and as Janet said, DKA can require hospitalization. Better to jump on it soon.

Let us know what you decide to do and keep us updated. We do worry about all the kitties :cat:
 
One less thing to worry about is the water/paw dipping. We have 2 now that do this on occasion, a glass drinker and a splasher. It's just something cats do, they might be trying to tell you something or they're getting eccentric.
 
littleone said:
The thing we use is a .3ml needle. It has lines on it up to 30 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30). We fill it up to basically 2.5 which is half way to the 5 line. SO from looking at the picture, it is a very small amount in terms of what the syringe can hold.
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Those needles are very short, is your cat a short hair? A "fur shot" is when you've completely missed getting the insulin in the cat. Noah is a big boy with very long hair and it's much easier working with a longer needle.
 
Just to update everyone - we just got our little guy back from his nice little visit. The doctor thinks it's an infection that possibly caused the diabetes to flare up.
- They gave him an antibiotic that is supposed to last up to 2 weeks
- They gave him an anti-nausea pill Cerenia
- They said his glucose was very high (500ish)
- They said he had something show up on the labs for his liver values escalated but his one kidney is normal and the one slightly elevated should mean it's not ketoacidosis, but definitely something to always keep in mind and watch.

He is back home and will be re-evaluated Monday! We have an IV bag for this weekend to give him 1.5 units of IV if he's not eating/drinking as normal. He was very dehydrated last night.
 
littleone said:
Just to update everyone - we just got our little guy back from his nice little visit. The doctor thinks it's an infection that possibly caused the diabetes to flare up.
- They gave him an antibiotic that is supposed to last up to 2 weeks
- They gave him an anti-nausea pill Cerenia
- They said his glucose was very high (500ish)
- They said he had something show up on the labs for his liver values escalated but his one kidney is normal and the one slightly elevated should mean it's not ketoacidosis, but definitely something to always keep in mind and watch.

He is back home and will be re-evaluated Monday! We have an IV bag for this weekend to give him 1.5 units of IV if he's not eating/drinking as normal. He was very dehydrated last night.
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The elevated liver is probably from not eating. I'm glad he got an antibiotic. Was it the shot? Covenia? That one is hit or miss.... I've had it not be strong enough twice, so if he's still showing symptoms then let the vet know so you can switch to oral antibiotics. I'm glad he got sub q's to keep hydrated.

Now find time to get those home bg testing supplies so we can help you get this boy regulated. :)
 
Oh I'm spending this entire weekend on this website researching and hopefully one day I can provide the love/care to others in this situation. Only way to continue building the growth.

He goes back for a check up Monday morning so I do like the comfort of the quick turn around time. I cannot thank everyone enough here. Just awesome information and support.
 
littleone said:
Oh I'm spending this entire weekend on this website researching and hopefully one day I can provide the love/care to others in this situation. Only way to continue building the growth.
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Since you'll be sticking around a bit :smuggrin:, let's get your Signature set up: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
For when you get your home testing supplies in order, this is the Spreadsheet template. If you need help, just ask ;): http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
And will add this to your reading too! Better to be prepared but I hope you never need it: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Keep us updated over the weekend on how he's doing :bighug:. Hope you get a picture of him on your avatar too :smuggrin:
 
JanetNJ said:
Was it the shot? Covenia? That one is hit or miss....
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There is a great deal of controversy regarding Convenia. Many cats have had severe adverse reactions to it, some fatal. It was developed to treat skin infections in dogs, and is not effective against UTIs in cats. It stays in the system up to 60+ days so if your cat has an adverse reaction the only thing you can do is treat the symptoms, you can't get the med back out of the cat! My understanding is that the risk increases each time the drug is administered. I will not allow it to be given to any of my cats and have had their files marked, in big red letters, NO CONVENIA! Read THIS from Dr. Lisa Pierson for further information.
 
Yong said:
Yet 2 old Vet's told me "I've never had a cat react badly to Covenia" :mad::banghead::(. That is just ONE reason why they are old Vets :smuggrin:
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Some cats never do, but I personally have known three who suffered side effects; two died. :(:( To me, it's not worth the risk. And vets keep giving it for UTIs in cats and it won't treat them, it's the wrong type of AB for UTIs! Makes me furious!:mad::mad:
 
Squalliesmom said:
Some cats never do, but I personally have known three who suffered side effects; two died. :(:( To me, it's not worth the risk. And vets keep giving it for UTIs in cats and it won't treat them, it's the wrong type of AB for UTIs! Makes me furious!:mad::mad:
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Indeed that's why when I took Maury in to make sure he didn't have one, Vet still wanted to give him the shot. Everything came back clear so I told her No. I've read about it and if he has no reason to get it, why would I risk it? :banghead::arghh:.
 
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