911 Not Eating

[scienceofcats]

Reposting from main forum.
Lola won’t eat her wet food this morning. She is breathing more heavily (but not more rapidly) than usual (background - she is asthmatic). Her AMPS bG = 8.7 mmol/L (156 mg/dL). That’s normal for her; typical PS is between 8.5 (154) and 10.5 (190). I will update my spreadsheet too.

I obviously can’t give her insulin (she is on 0.5 units ProZinc twice daily), but I’m more worried about what is going on with her. She has crustiness around her butt that smells like diarrhea. She also went to the litter box twice this morning. What could be going on with her? How worried should I be?

 

[Rachel]

Did she eat last night? Will she eat any treats or tuna or anything?

What did she do in the litter box? Have you managed to get a ketone test?

 

[scienceofcats]

Did she eat last night? Will she eat any treats or tuna or anything?

She ate fine last night. She doesn’t like treats, but I did try some cat nip on the food. It interested her briefly, but she still wouldn’t eat.

What did she do in the litter box?

I don’t know; our litter box is automatic, so whatever was in there disappeared by the time I got down.

Have you managed to get a ketone test?

No; I’ve never had much success except when she pees in the bathtub. But I just showered, so even if she did pee in the tub, it would be diluted by the water that’s already there.

Are you thinking DKA?

 

[Rachel]

It’s a possibility. DKA is more likely at high numbers but not unheard of at low ones. Not eating is a sign of it.

What with the possibility of diarrhea, I might take her in. You could keep an eye on her and see if she eats but it sounds like SOMETHING is going on. Not saying it’s DKA but you just never know.

Kind of your call...if you’d rather wait a bit and see that’s fine. You could watch to see if she eats and if she keeps going to the box or take her in first thing and see what the vet says. If she won’t eat by midday or keeps going to the box I’d take her in for sure.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Another idea based on my recent experience: pancreatitis can have a rapid onset where they go from eating well to not in a very short period of time. It can also cause diarrhea. Pancreatitis is vague in its presentation and variable cat to cat. Treatment is aimed at symptoms - antinausea meds, pain meds, maybe subQ fluids. etc.

 

[PussCatPrince - GA]

Another idea based on my recent experience: pancreatitis can have a rapid onset where they go from eating well to not in a very short period of time. It can also cause diarrhea. Pancreatitis is vague in its presentation and variable cat to cat. Treatment is aimed at symptoms - antinausea meds, pain meds, maybe subQ fluids. etc.

This went through my mind when I read @scienceofcats post.

I'd be another for a vet check & perhaps try to get a good squizz at the poop.