Have any of your cats stopped eating when they switched to Lantus?

[Todd's mom Heather]

Last Wednesday, 7 days ago, I switched Todd from ProZinc to Lantus. I have not created a new Lantus spreadsheet for him, but I have all of his test numbers written down, so I will do that when I get home from work.

My question is, have any of your cats lost their appetites after switching insulins? Like I said, we started Lantus (1 unit) last Wednesday, and he really cut back on eating by Monday. The past three days have been a struggle I've tried zofran in case he is nauseous, but that hasn't helped. His BG has been in the 200s-300s every single time I test him - AMPS, nadir, PMPS, before bed... (again, I'll get that on a spreadsheet later) so it's not like he's crazy high or low.... I haven't see him drinking, and he isn't peeing like a racehorse (but he is still using his litter daily).

It just seems like it's more than a coincidence that he isn't eating a couple days after changing drugs. I'm terrified of him having hepatic lipidosis again, so I am doing everything I can to coax him to eat.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

You don’t need to start a new spreadsheet for Lantus, but rather just leave a blank line labelled “Starting Lantus” and carry on with the old one.

In addition to switching to Lantus, you have also lowers the insulin dose quite a bit. Are you checking regularly for ketones? My worry is with less insulin and reduced food, something else might be brewing. I am glad you are getting some food in him. How much is he eating vs, what he is used to eating? Wha5 does he weigh?

Your previous here for continuity: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/switching-to-lantus-protocol-for-transitioning.209138/

 

[Todd's mom Heather]

You don’t need to start a new spreadsheet for Lantus, but rather just leave a blank line labelled “Starting Lantus” and carry on with the old one.

In addition to switching to Lantus, you have also lowers the insulin dose quite a bit. Are you checking regularly for ketones? My worry is with less insulin and reduced food, something else might be brewing. I am glad you are getting some food in him. How much is he eating vs, what he is used to eating? Wha5 does he weigh?

Your previous here for continuity: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/switching-to-lantus-protocol-for-transitioning.209138/

I have never checked for ketones, no. Do I have to use those strips, and test his urine as he goes? I know next to nothing about it.

I started with 1 unit because I was so nervous. I will gladly increase it! I just don't want to too fast, as everyone has advised against it, and I know it's a depot insulin. Start low, go slow, and all that.

He is eating 1/4 of the usual. He usually eats 3-4 cans of Fancy Feast per day, and I would say yesterday he ate about 1 can total by the end of the day.... He normally weighs 12lbs. I haven't weighed him this week, though. I can do that when I get home.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Yes, you can get ketodiastix at any human pharmacy. Here is a link to some tips on testing for urinary ketones. If you can never get kitty in the act or have multiple cats, there are meters that test for ketones in the blood.

If you can get some Lantus data in your spreadsheet, we can help you decide if you need a dose increase.

 

[Todd's mom Heather]

I ended up taking him to the vet yesterday. His liver values in his blood work show he is on the way to hepatic lipidosis again.. I am syringe feeding, now. Send him all the good vibes that he bounces back from this one We moved last weekend, and I think the stress must have tipped him over, and he had another pancreatitis/IBD flare up.

Thanks again for the guidance about ketones. I hope so much that he gets better, and there will be a need to use the information.

 

[majandra]

Thanks for the update- hope he recovers quickly for you.
Moves can really stress them out- that was the tipping point for my girl's diagnosis.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Oh Heather, I am so glad you took Todd to the vet. I hope that he is eating better for you.

Here is a list of things to try to help entice a kitty to eat:

-making a buffet to give him choices
sprinkle food with :
- forta flora -- a probiotic you can get at vets or online. is very smelly and cats love the taste of it.
- heating food
- parm. cheese
- smashed crumbles of dry food
- bonito tuna flakes
- halo chicken treats -- crumble into dust over food
- poor a little water from tuna in water over food ( I use low sodium/no sodium added as other kinds in water has veg. broth in it and I assume that means onions, which are toxic to cats-- check labels)
-powdered oregano. yep sounds weird . but some cats like it and it will entice them to eat.
other ideas of foods to offer your kitty to stim appy:
- trader joe tuna for cats
-baby food -- beechnut turkey and broth or chicken and broth. they have no onions or other additives. some babyfoods have onions . please read labels if you can't find beechnut.
- kentucky fried chicken
- deli turkey /chicken
- plain cooked ( boiled or baked ) chicken breast
-canned chicken for people (watch the label that their are no onions)
- chicken broth -- low sodium
* check the label and make sure it is just broth, NO ONIONS

Cats that are not eating much for a few days are at risk for hepatic lipidosis
Last resort to eat give Medium or the high carb, wet food OR even dry food.