Bloated hard belly

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Dutcher

Dutcher

Member Since 2015
I'm just wondering if anyone knows why my 14 year-old cat, Jillie, might be getting a hard bloated belly after giving her an insulin shot. She also seems to sleep right after. I'm not monitoring her at home but take her into the vet about every 3 weeks for a reading. The vet and I are just waiting to see if she can handle this disease or not. She also sometimes walks like a porcupine .... her back is arched. I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing by Jillie by making her go through this.
 
Hello and welcome. I feel your pain, as I too wondered if I was doing right by Colin as he seemed to be so tired and sad. The people here have given me hope that Colin can live a long happy life if I'm willing to do my part. I don't know about the hard, bloated belly, but Colin sleeps after his injections too-it sometimes looks like he's been hit by a truck! I think that's just the high glucose from eating before the shot kicks in. A little more info may help people to better help you. What and how much are you feeding Jillie? What type and amount of insulin is she on? And how long ago was she diagnosed? Don't be afraid to ask questions that's how we learn and the more educated you become the better you can help Jillie.
 
She was diagnosed about 3 months ago. She actually went into remission for a week but then went back to being diabetic. She has dry food for grazing but she doesn't eat this very often since I've started giving her Performatrin wet cat food. Protein in this cat food is 10% and it's gluten free. She gets a 1/3 of the can twice a day and in one of the servings I have just started putting about a teaspoon of pumpkin to help with constipation. She is getting 2 units twice a day of Lantus and her weight is at 13 pounds. It's the hard belly that concerns me the most.
 
I'm sorry I don't know what causes a hard belly. Is it only after she eats and gets her shot, or all the time?
 
It happens quite a bit and usually after her shot. I thought it was constipation but the pumpkin has helped with that. I think I'll take her into the vet for another check-up although I've talked about this with them and they didn't know either. I just thought maybe someone in this forum has had this problem and might know what is going on. I've read some other posts and I think I'll get her some B12. I never know if some of her behaviour is from being old or from being diabetic.
 
Since it's after her shot, then it's after feeding too. Does she eat at other times during the day, or just before the shot? Maybe it's related to the eating. Wish I knew more. Sometimes Saturdays are a bit slow around here, hopefully someone that knows more than I do can help you. If you can, try to get her to the vet while she's bloated so they can see what you're talking about.
 
I believe bloated hard belly can be a symptom of worms if I'm not mistaken. Is he an outside cat at all? I'd guess roundworms
Roundworms (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonine) are one of the most common parasites with which your cat may come in contact. They are two to four inches long, are usually a milky white or tan color, and have tapered ends. Your cat passes them either through vomiting or in his or her stool, and they look like spaghetti.

The presence of roundworms can cause a cat to:

  • Look pot-bellied
  • Constantly feel hungry.
  • Vomit
  • Have chronic diarrhea
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Is there any way you could start home testing? Would really give you a 'leg up' on this, and diabetes is completely manageable, but you have to home test. A vet visit every 3 weeks won't show you anything useful, and the $25-30 you spend on that visit would buy you probably a month of testing supplies.

I have never heard of lantus/insulin causing a bloated, hard belly. Lantus typically takes 4-7 hours to really 'do anything', so immediate lethargy doesn't sound like it has anything to do with the insulin but rather eating.

How are your kitties teeth? Does the breath stink?
 
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I'm not familiar with the Performatrin food. Is it possible there's something in it that can cause her bloating(gas). Was she eating that food before her diagnosis, or started on it since?
 
Thanks for answering. I think I'll bite the bullet and start testing at home. I'll also give her some worm medicine. Thanks!
 
Dutcher said:
Thanks for answering. I think I'll bite the bullet and start testing at home. I'll also give her some worm medicine. Thanks!
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I use this kit and buy the strips from amazon in bulk (300 for $60).

http://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-Testing-Contour-Active1st-Solution/dp/B00NG0MSPQ/ref=sr_1_2?rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1440871638&sr=8-2&keywords=bayer contour next&pebp=1440871639988&perid=00FFC0M2E4AG9PH4ZYG5

I think I'd guess roundworm.. not sure if you can buy that over the counter or need an Rx.

Very well could be the food too. Maybe try something like Friskies Pate or Fancy Feast Classics and see if that helps? Probably cheaper then what you're using as well.

I have a little video in my signature showing how I test Luna - it just shows that it's not too hard once you get past the first week of doing it (the first week is hard lol).
 
Sharon ... I've switched her to this food after she was diagnosed. This poor cat is also asthmatic (the steroids caused the diabetes). That's why I was waiting to get totally into home testing to see how she would be with all of this. It definitely is a commitment.
 
Dutcher said:
Sharon ... I've switched her to this food after she was diagnosed. This poor cat is also asthmatic (the steroids caused the diabetes). That's why I was waiting to get totally into home testing to see how she would be with all of this. It definitely is a commitment.
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You got that right. Trust me though once you do it for a week or two (home testing) it becomes nothing. I spend less than a minute a day home testing (in total, doing 5-6 tests).

It could be that careful regulation/monitoring is all you need, and your 14 y/o will be much more active in a few months once you find a good insulin dose. If you head over to the LANTUS subforum you'll find lots of good info regarding lantus use/home testing, etc.
 
I'm reading the comments on the amazon site and it's saying something about a control solution. Should I be ordering this too?
 
Yes, try the worming and food change and begin home testing. I don't know what the carb count is in the food you're using, so if you change foods, it would be good to test before you give the insulin. As Pevsfreedom says, the Fancy Feast Classics or Friskies pate are low carb. Make sure not to get the ones with gravy, they are high in carbs.
 
Dutcher said:
I'm reading the comments on the amazon site and it's saying something about a control solution. Should I be ordering this too?
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It comes with it. It's the little white/blue bottle in the image. Also if it doesn't come with it you can call the # on the box when you get it and they'll send you a free solution. That's just to test that your test strips are calibrated, which 99% of the time they are. You only use the control solution every time you open a new bottle of test strips - though to be honest I've only ever used it once.
 
Dutcher said:
She also sometimes walks like a porcupine .... her back is arched
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I would definitely take this serious. Ask your vet about pancreatitis. I don't know enough about it myself.
Here's a primer
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/a-primer-on-pancreatitis.83108/
I do know about roundworms. I regularly worm mine for them, as a couple were feral and had them congenitally I believe. You can buy pyrantel pamoate suspension on Amazon cheaply. Google roundworms for symptoms, etc.
Mine actually like the stuff.
Just an FYI: You really must be home testing if you are going to be changing to low carb food!! It can drop numbers significantly! Your current dose could very well be entirely TOO MUCH and put her life in serious jeopardy.
You must be extremely vigilant in checking her numbers now. A cat going hypo can happen in an instant. Sometimes they don't even exhibit outward symptoms, therefore the blood must be tested.
Once you start testing, anyone on Lantus forum can guide and inform your dosages. Or any thing else you might need!
All the best
-Brenda
 
Since I just bought a bunch of this food, I'm going to have to phone the company on Monday (I tried today and it's closed). What should the carb content be? Thanks!
 
I'll give the company a call on Monday and if it's too high, I'll get the recommended food. I'm so glad I found this site and wish I had gone on it sooner. Thanks for the help.
 
I'm just reading the pancreatitis thread and I'll have to ask the vet about this one. It might be the deal breaker for me as I had this when I was younger and it was incredibly painful. I'm really hoping she doesn't have this.
 
I've not had experience with pancreatitis, but many people here have and can help you manage it. I know it seems overwhelming, but don't get ahead of yourself. Take her to the vet as soon as you can, it may not be as bad as you think. In the meantime, do some more research ( there are lots of threads here on the subject)that way whatever the diagnosis, you can make an informed decision.
 
Hi there,

My cat has chronic pancreatitis. She was diagnosed in June 2014. It can take a while to find a good food to help, but with that and the right meds and supplements it is definitely manageable. Saoirse was also diagnosed diabetic at the same time. The insulin treatment helped the pancreatitis side of things, too. I'll post more information for you later. (Not feeling very well tonight.)

I agree with Sharon. Jilly is a beautiful girl. :)


Mogs
.
 
I really don't think the hard tummy is tied to the shot, I think that's coincidence. Maybe you're watching closer knowing you just gave the shot? I know the following can cause the hard belly:

* Worms - rather than just going after one kind, get a broad spectrum parasite killer like Nemex available at most vets. That won't affect the bg
* Constipation - I have a 'poopy' kitty altho' not my diabetic but he does have asthma and small decending colon. I have to give him Miralax daily to help him keep things moving. I did have to put him on Reglan for a short time to help strengthen the muscles to move things thru quicker.
* Fluid from something pulmonary such as hydro cardio myopathy. The vet would be able to tell if it was fluid vs. something else

Hopefully it's just worms! I'm THRILLED you're starting to test!
 
Hello and welcome to the FDMB!

Before you give Jillie any medication, including meds for worming, please talk to your vet. While members can share their thoughts and opinions we cannot diagnose over the Internet. We also do not have kitty's full medical history to know if some meds might be contradicted.

Happy to hear you're willing to learn to hometest! Hope to see you posting often!
 
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