Brand new member and cat. Just diagnosed.

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Shell

Shell

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Hello. My name is Shell and Amy the cat was just given the diagnosis of being diabetic yesterday. For some time I suspected that she may be developing something due to the increased water intake and heavy urination. 2 mornings ago, Amy woke me up vomiting water everywhere. I assumed it was a hair ball, but it was water. This was very concerning because she has never done this before. She is a senior, maybe around 12 or 13. 20 pounds. She has always tended toward being heavy and I know that this is another factor that plays into many diabetic cats. I've tried to diet her, but no luck. Since there are other cats, she usually found food elsewhere.

Back to the main topic. The fact that she would not even take treats, would not drink water and there was no heavy urination in the litter box told me something was really off. I made a frantic scramble to find a vet that would take a new patient on an emergency appointment and one was found. I took her in. She had a fever! They did bloodwork. Yesterday I went back to meet with the doctor who told me - "Amy is Diabetic" I wanted to take home Sub Qs because I am all concerned with dehydration. But, she said I just can't give water to a Diabetic patient the way it can go to a Kidney patient. Not sure exactly why, but I will trust her judgement. She sent me home with insulin. Warning me that Amy must eat before she has Insulin. I asked if I could force feed and she said yes. Home I went and forced about a quarter can of wet food. Gave Amy 2 units of her 1st dose and she has been taking it twice a day since yesterday afternoon now. I brought Amy back this morning to get more Sub Qs because I was concerned with dehydration and they gave it to her. The doctor asked if she was eating. Amy has not had an appetite since the day this started. But, she has been holding down the food she is force fed. The doctor seemed pleased with that and hospitalization was not recommended at this time. I am freaking Amy out with the food now though, because she is under an ottoman instead of out in the total open. I feel bad, but she must eat in order to take insulin and she isn't eating on her own again yet. I hope she will. I got some Pediolyte for her too. Because I discovered that in cases of any sort of Ketoacidosis, the cat will have insulin therapy, fluids and get their electrolytes balanced. Not saying this is what happened, but I do know that something occured to bring this on so suddenly.

Since starting insulin, she is starting to demonstrate a little bit of strength. Especially when feeding, she is very STRONG! And, not a fan of it. My concern is that she isn't having the same litter habits she was just a few days ago. I don't know how long she will take Insulin before having her appetite again??? I feel like I really need to fight for her to help her right now to get her stabilized. At least to the point where she becomes an independant eater again, which she has always been. I'm relieved to learn that Feline Diabetes can be managed. I am however, still greatly concerned after the incident of a few days ago.
 
Welcome Shell and Amy sorry no one has gotten back to you yet.
What kind of insulin are you using
Are you home testing we highly recommend that you do to be sure it's safe to give Amy insulin
Depending on where you live we can suggest which meter to buy and how to home test and what else you will need
What are you feeding low carb wet or combo lc wet/dry?
Does she still have a fever
We give sub fluids here at home all the time, don't know why your vet told you that you couldn't

Once you full out your signature I can tag a few experienced members for you

If you can please fill out what we call our signature that would be very helpful
To set up your signature which you will see is at the end of everyone's post in gray, click on your name up top and then tap on the word signature and add this information
  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
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Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

Take a look at mine
Here is the link to set up our spreadsheet where we record our cats BG it will also explain how it works
If you need help just ask we have a member who will help you
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

You can look at mine to get an idea what it looks like , I don't have many tests for 2022 because Tyler is now in remission with the help from this awesome group.
You can tap on 2020 and 2021 to get a better idea the years are at their top of the spreadsheet
Tap on where it says Tyler's Spreadsheet at the end of my signature or any other members
 
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Hi Shell and Amy,

did your vet do an ultrasound and talked to you about anti nausea meds or an apetite stimulant? In my experience, the vomiting and the not wanting to eat is usually indicative of something else going on. A lot of cats who have a pancreatic issue will become diabetic because their pancreas is not working as it should and so they’re more at risk for it especially when they’re heavier. Minnie’s vomiting and not eating ended up being IBD, for which she was put on a daily anti nausea med that worked really well. The 2 best options are ondansetron and Cerenia. They can be taken together since they work differently. An appetite stimulant is also an option but it won’t work if Amy is nauseated because a nauseated cat won’t eat period. Please ask your vet about this and I’d also strongly suggest an ultra sound and a pancreatic specific test. I forget what it’s called @Diane Tyler's Mom do you know?
 
Also did the vet run a fructosomine test or diagnose using a simple glucose test? The fructosomine test is more accurate for diagnosing diabetes. The glucose test only gives the glucose reading at the time is tested. There are many things that can raise a cat's glucose including stress, illness, pain and infection. Once these factors are eliminated the glucose levels can drop significantly, even to non-diabetic numbers.

I agree you need to learn to home test ASAP. 2 units of insulin is not the best dose to start with. Most cats start at 1/2 to 1 units. Also depending on the insulin that dose could also cause steep drops in the glucose levels. That could be dangerous for Amy.
 
Ale & Minnie (GA) said:
Hi Shell and Amy,

did your vet do an ultrasound and talked to you about anti nausea meds or an apetite stimulant? In my experience, the vomiting and the not wanting to eat is usually indicative of something else going on. A lot of cats who have a pancreatic issue will become diabetic because their pancreas is not working as it should and so they’re more at risk for it especially when they’re heavier. Minnie’s vomiting and not eating ended up being IBD, for which she was put on a daily anti nausea med that worked really well. The 2 best options are ondansetron and Cerenia. They can be taken together since they work differently. An appetite stimulant is also an option but it won’t work if Amy is nauseated because a nauseated cat won’t eat period. Please ask your vet about this and I’d also strongly suggest an ultra sound and a pancreatic specific test. I forget what it’s called @Diane Tyler's Mom do you know?
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Suspecting this exactly. Didn't do ultrasound. The vomiting was sudden. She has always been a strainer though, which has led me to think he bowels aren't her strongest feature. Which is why she was getting Cat Lax. I soon checked those ingredients and I think it is loaded with sugars. She will definately use a different laxative now with her newly diagnosis for sure. Vet gave her Serenia injection, but appetite didn't improve. She is looking a bit broghter, but hasn't gone yet. I think once the other laxative helps, maybe she'll improve. We shall see.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Also did the vet run a fructosomine test or diagnose using a simple glucose test? The fructosomine test is more accurate for diagnosing diabetes. The glucose test only gives the glucose reading at the time is tested. There are many things that can raise a cat's glucose including stress, illness, pain and infection. Once these factors are eliminated the glucose levels can drop significantly, even to non-diabetic numbers.

I agree you need to learn to home test ASAP. 2 units of insulin is not the best dose to start with. Most cats start at 1/2 to 1 units. Also depending on the insulin that dose could also cause steep drops in the glucose levels. That could be dangerous for Amy.
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Would the fact that she weighs 20 lbs have anything to do with this high dosage??? I also saw that most cats are at 1 unit and wondered. REally concerned about this question.
 
Shell said:
Suspecting this exactly. Didn't do ultrasound. The vomiting was sudden. She has always been a strainer though, which has led me to think he bowels aren't her strongest feature. Which is why she was getting Cat Lax. I soon checked those ingredients and I think it is loaded with sugars. She will definately use a different laxative now with her newly diagnosis for sure. Vet gave her Serenia injection, but appetite didn't improve. She is looking a bit broghter, but hasn't gone yet. I think once the other laxative helps, maybe she'll improve. We shall see.
Click to expand...
@Ale & Minnie (GA)
Ale should she maybe ask for some ondansetron?
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Also did the vet run a fructosomine test or diagnose using a simple glucose test? The fructosomine test is more accurate for diagnosing diabetes. The glucose test only gives the glucose reading at the time is tested. There are many things that can raise a cat's glucose including stress, illness, pain and infection. Once these factors are eliminated the glucose levels can drop significantly, even to non-diabetic numbers.

I agree you need to learn to home test ASAP. 2 units of insulin is not the best dose to start with. Most cats start at 1/2 to 1 units. Also depending on the insulin that dose could also cause steep drops in the glucose levels. That could be dangerous for Amy.
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Hi Lisa Shell's cat is on Prozinc and she's asking a question see #8
She ordered a meter just now and will start home testing
Here is her new post for today
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/best-friskies-pate-for-diabetic.265367/#post-2971957

@Lisa and Witn (GA)
 
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Shell said:
Suspecting this exactly. Didn't do ultrasound. The vomiting was sudden. She has always been a strainer though, which has led me to think he bowels aren't her strongest feature. Which is why she was getting Cat Lax. I soon checked those ingredients and I think it is loaded with sugars. She will definately use a different laxative now with her newly diagnosis for sure. Vet gave her Serenia injection, but appetite didn't improve. She is looking a bit broghter, but hasn't gone yet. I think once the other laxative helps, maybe she'll improve. We shall see.
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What other laxative are you talking about?
@Shell
Is she constipated?
 
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I would make weight loss a long term goal and be more concerned with her other issues for now. I hope they work for you but special diets and food have never worked for me. Is she morbidly obese or just a big cat?
 
Shell said:
Suspecting this exactly. Didn't do ultrasound. The vomiting was sudden. She has always been a strainer though, which has led me to think he bowels aren't her strongest feature. Which is why she was getting Cat Lax. I soon checked those ingredients and I think it is loaded with sugars. She will definately use a different laxative now with her newly diagnosis for sure. Vet gave her Serenia injection, but appetite didn't improve. She is looking a bit broghter, but hasn't gone yet. I think once the other laxative helps, maybe she'll improve. We shall see.
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An ultra sound is def a good idea. I’d suggest you do that to see what’s going on and try to get some answers to the not eating
 
Noah & me (GA) said:
I would make weight loss a long term goal and be more concerned with her other issues for now. I hope they work for you but special diets and food have never worked for me. Is she morbidly obese or just a big cat?
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No, she is very big. Muscular. When I adopted her, they told me she was on a special diet to help thin her out, when she was not really obese. So, that tells me that she is genetically inclined to put on weight from the start. Yes, she has on the pounds. But, I would not say she is soft.
 
@Shell how is Amy going? Is she eating any better yet?
If not I would definitely ask for some ondansetron which you buy from a regular pharmacy with a script the vet will give you. It is often better than cerenia for nausea.
At the moment, let Amy eat any food she will eat as eating is more important than eating a low carb diet. She needs food.
Did the vet do any other investigations to see why she is not eating?
I wonder if she may have an infection such as a UTI or pancreatitis as suggested.
Do not let her go with not eating. This can lead to other problems.
2 units is a lot to start with. I will tag @FrostD as she is a Prozinc user. has her blood glucose been tested again since starting on the Prozinc?
Here is a link to STIMULATING KITTY’S APPETITE
Can you give us an update on Amy please as we are concerned:)
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
@Shell how is Amy going? Is she eating any better yet?
If not I would definitely ask for some ondansetron which you buy from a regular pharmacy with a script the vet will give you. It is often better than cerenia for nausea.
At the moment, let Amy eat any food she will eat as eating is more important than eating a low carb diet. She needs food.
Did the vet do any other investigations to see why she is not eating?
I wonder if she may have an infection such as a UTI or pancreatitis as suggested.
Do not let her go with not eating. This can lead to other problems.
2 units is a lot to start with. I will tag @FrostD as she is a Prozinc user. has her blood glucose been tested again since starting on the Prozinc?
Here is a link to STIMULATING KITTY’S APPETITE
Can you give us an update on Amy please as we are concerned:)
Click to expand...
Hello! Amy is eating and drinking on her own again. When she got sick, she hadn't gone to the bathroom. Once she finally did she started eating on her own again. She is liking her new diet of canned food instead of dry. Thank you for the concern. I just caught my breath so to speak, because that week was an incredible amount of energy put toward making sure she ate and drank. And, even getting up at intervals throughout the night to syringe a little water.
 
Ale & Minnie (GA) said:
@Bron and Sheba (GA) ive been suggesting ondansetron since last week and she just let us know earlier on the thread that Amy got a shot of Cerenia at the vet
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The cerenia didn't seem to do anything so the ondansetron is definitely worth trying.
Shell said:
Hello! Amy is eating and drinking on her own again. When she got sick, she hadn't gone to the bathroom. Once she finally did she started eating on her own again. She is liking her new diet of canned food instead of dry. Thank you for the concern. I just caught my breath so to speak, because that week was an incredible amount of energy put toward making sure she ate and drank. And, even getting up at intervals throughout the night to syringe a little water.
Click to expand...
I'm glad she is feeling better. Having some ondansetron in the house in case of nausea would be a good idea.
 
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