7/13 Carl new to Lantus still not eating

[EarthyCarbonCookie]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...ter-crisis-of-not-eating.249686/#post-2817522

labs came back slightly elevated for liver but pancreas and kidneys look fine. Vet thinks because his sugar was high for so long that he might have stopped eating. He did eat a teaspoon or so on his own last night, but today I have had to force-feed him and it was a challenge to get 20 ml of royal Canin recovery mousse into him this morning and again at +5. He had Cerenia tablet this morning as well

he’s also not drinking so I gave him approximately 50 ML of LR.

I tested every three hours overnight and it was very nice to see the gentle change in numbers although they are on the rise today. I think I stay in a holding pattern for a week before changing, correct me if I’m wrong.

The first dose last evening was probably more like 1.25U than 1.5, as there was an obstinate bubble.

Prior to this he was on vetsulin 3U twice a day and it was not helping

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Could I ask a favour of you. Could you put a blank line in the spreadsheet after the last cycle of Vetsulin and before the first cycle of Lantus. And label it something like "start Lantus". That makes it easier for us to spot the change. And yes, you hold the initial dose for 5-7 days, depending on what dosing method you want to follow. I think you are following SLGS (could you add that to the signature), so 7 days. Unless he goes below the reduction point - which is 90 on SLGS.

Vet thinks because his sugar was high for so long that he might have stopped eating.

Never heard that one before. Most cat are much hungrier in high numbers. Another thing to consider, Cerenia isn't the best drug for anti-nausea for cats, ondansetron (Zofran) works much better. If he still looks nauseous but doesn't eat in a day or two, I'd ask for a prescription for ondansetron. It's a human med you can get at any pharmacy, but you need the prescription from the vet.

 

[EarthyCarbonCookie]

Thank you I will make those changes.

I have zofran 4mg for him and gave to him Sat night and Sun morning, but Monday the first vet gave him an injection of cerenia with pills for home. I have no problem going back to zofran.

The last vet we saw, 7/12, said that his liver would take a few days to recover and for him to regain his appetite. How much should I be aiming for as far as food intake? He is 18.8 pounds and not obese.

Thank you for helping.

 

[EarthyCarbonCookie]

They also gave Entyce to him, which did not work. On another thread I saw that is not the best appetite stimulant but did not list a suggestion. Is that also something I need to ask for?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I have zofran 4mg for him and gave to him Sat night and Sun morning, but Monday the first vet gave him an injection of cerenia with pills for home. I have no problem going back to zofran.

Some cats do better on both but I think the usual starting dose of zofran is 2mg.

On another thread I saw that is not the best appetite stimulant but did not list a suggestion. Is that also something I need to ask for?

Other appetite stimulants are mirtazapine (or Mirataz which is applied to the ear) and cyproheptadine (a human antihistamine that has the added effect of stimulating appetite). You can give the cypro more often than the Mirtazapine which is why I tend to like it better but finding something that works is most important.

18.8 pounds (if that's an ideal weight) generally takes 360-380 calories per day to maintain (the amount of calories is listed on the label somewhere, usually in tiny print near the nutritional analysis)

 

[tiffmaxee]

I like ondansetron and cyproheptadine too. If you can’t get cyproheptadine, regular strength Zyrtec works too, 1/3 x1/4 a pill

 

[Wendy&Neko]

You can give both Cerenia and ondansetron, though ondansetron is better for nausea. For a 18.8 lb (or 8.5 kg) cat, and dosing of 0.5 mg/kg, you would give 4 mg of ondansetron. You can start with twice a day and move to 3 times a day if that's not enough. Sounds like you were giving the right amounts and twice a day on the weekend.