Cat Diagnosed - won't eat

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jackdinner

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Hello,

My cat Jack was just recently diagnosed with Diabetes (5 days ago). They ran some blood tests and urinalises, and said it was diabetes, but also there was an issue with his liver (but that wasn't as big a concern because it will probably fix itself out once we get the diabetes under control). We got told he had diabetes on Monday, and as soon as we got home from the vet, he hid under the bed. He didn't eat and hardly drank all day and nite. The next morning the vet took him in for the nite and hooked him up to an iv. He ate some food there throughout the nite. We came to pick him up Wednesday and they showed us how to inject the insulin. They have him on 3 units of Lantus every 12 hours. That nite we went to feed him and again he ate nothing and hid under the bed (very strange for him to hide like that). We were told not to give him any insulin, and waited until the next morning. Again we took him to the vets where they looked after him for the day while we worked. He ate a small amount and they gave him 1.5 units of insulin.

We picked him up that afternoon and again he never touched any food. It is now Friday morning and he has hardly eaten all week. We switched his food to something the vet recommended, but after a day of him not eating, we picked up a few different cans of wet food, but still no change. As of now he has gotten only 2 shots since Monday (now Friday).

Wondering if this is common, as we are starting to get really worried. We have decided to hold off on going to the vets for a couple of days because we know Jack really gets stressed, and we think that might be partially why he isnt eating. How little food would he need before we give him a shot? The vet said at least 1/3 of a cup.

Any suggestions? We have already put over $800 on vet bills this week, and we are more that willing to put up more money, but it just seems like he is getting worse each day. He is 7 years old.
 
I haven't read your whole post yet, but I wanted to first off say do not give insulin if your cat isn't eating. Especially since your vet started him on a VERY high dose! I'll read the rest of your post now...
 
Is it an odd amount of insulin to be giving? They have told for the time being to give 1.5 units until he starts eating more - or any for that matter.

But yeah we have kept away from giving any insulin so far.
 
ok, phew. I see your vet advised you not to give insulin if he isn't eating. the dosing protocol that we prefer here is "start low and go slow". Lantus is usually started at 1unit every 12 hours ("bid"). Some cats need much less than that. Some need more. But it's better to be on the safe side. It's better for them to have higher numbers for a few days than for them to be too low for even a few minutes. If I were a newbie I wouldn't give insulin unless my cat were to eat at least 1/2 - 2/3 what he normally eats. and then I'd give a reduced dose.

a good way to keep the vet bills down is to begin home testing. We all use human meters (I use the relion micro from walmart. the meter is $10 and 100 strips are only $20) and test using a drop of blood from the outside edge of the ear. Where are you located? If we have a member nearby they can teach you how to test. Lori & Tom run our newbie kits program. For the price of shipping she will send you a meter, some strips, a lancet, a rice sock, and a cat toy. The link for that is located newar the top of the board in the "sticky" section. Donations are appreciated, too :-D Vet testing of bg levels is inaccurate and expensive. Stress causes the bg levels to increase, so that could also lead to overdoses if you have one of the vets who thinks that dosing should be based on the bg level (it shouldn't).

Maybe the stress is keeping him from eating? If so, hopefully being at home for a while will fix that problem. I don't really have any other ideas to improve his appetite, but it is very important for a diabetic cat to eat and drink. Not doing so, combined with a lack of insulin, can cause diabetic ketoacidosis. You may want to pick up ketostix from your local pharmacy to test his urine for ketones.

We all use a diet of wet, low carb food. that is the very best diet for diabetics. It also often lowers the insulin needs of a cat. You may want to try to switch foods now if he's not already eating wet, low carb. Since he's not getting insulin anyway, it may be an ideal time. BUT it is more important THAT he eats than WHAT he eats right now. He needs to eat! Maybe the stinky wet food will jumpstart his appetite?

Sorry this is all over the place. Just trying to give you a super fast crash course. The others will be along with some very helpful links and info, I'm sure. I'm not computer savvy so links take me forever :oops: You are in the right place. We will help you guys through this!
 
I see you're in Ontario. Just across the pond from me in Ohio. But we do have members in Ontario if you need help getting started with hometesting :-D
 
Thanks Charliemeow...I will check out the link. We just feel helpless because since he won't eat, we can't do anything to get him better. We though he eventually is going to have to eat, but he really hasn't ate anything all week, and he just seems to be getting worse.

The vet said we might have to force feed him, but it can cause problems, and I hate to see my cat have to go through that.
 
Welcome to the site. You will find the help you need for Jack here on this site, I have no doubt.

First thing is the dose you are giving is quite high; it is safer for your cat to start at 1u Lantus twice a day (BID) and the 3u may be a problem and bringing Jack's BG down too low.

Home testing is a great way to check Jack's BG at home where he is not stressed and it's a ton cheaper for you!
Just go to any pharmacy and pick up a human meter, test strips and lancets. In the US, the Relion is a good meter and the tests strips are much cheaper than for other meters. If in Canada as I am, I cannot purchase Relion so my choice of meter has been Bayer Contour and OneTouchUltra as my backup. Just a poke on the tip of the cat's ear gets you a drop of blood for testing and you will know what's going on with Jack and if it is safe to give him a shot! There are videos on testing and plenty of people around here with all sorts of tips if you have problems. The testing does not hurt, and my 2 cats sleep through the tests. You can test yourself to know how it feels.

Food is really important.... several cats become diet-controlled when they are switched to low carb wet food or even raw. Here are some food links for you; check the foods listed on Binky's food list and select ones with carbs below 10%

Binky’s Food Lists
Feeding Your Cat: Know The Basics of Feline Nutrition


There are links with a great deal of info on Lantus and how it works/ is dosed by most following the protocol on this site:

Tight Regulation Protocol
Lantus & Levemir – Insulin Depot –AKA- Storage Shed
Lantus & Levemir – Data Ready to Shoot Low Numbers
Lantus & Levemir: Info, Proper Handling & Storage has picture of syringe and insulin pens.

Here are some links to info on how to recognize and handle very low BG, and also some info on ketones which are a serious issue - you can pick up some Ketostix at the pharmacy to check Jack's urine for ketones when his BG is quite high, the danger increases.

List of Hypo symptoms
How to treat HYPOS-They can kill! Print this out!
Jojo’s HYPO TOOLKIT
Ketones

And finally, tracking the BG test results is recorded on a spreadsheet in google as it makes for quick and easy access to Jack's numbers allowing others here to offer you some ideas and suggestions and feedback on how Jack is doing on insulin.

Until you get it all sorted out, it would be safe to give Jack 1u as a dose. If you could say a bit about his past eating habits, how and when he ate, what he ate, when he stopped eating, and what you have tried so far to get him to eat. There are plenty of tips that people can give you to get Jack to eat.... fortiflora is what works for one of mine, and you could try freeze dried chicken sprinkled on top or some even try parmesan cheese on the food, just to get them eating. It is important to get him eating and you could try feeding with a syringe - no needle. I have mashed up some food in water or tuna juice and drawn into syringe and then emptied in side of mouth, but only after pulling out the trick bag. Even tuna water would be something to get a little liquid into him and get him started.

Please do post how he is doing and the others can give you some help and suggestions.
As I am in Toronto, I could answer some questions as a fellow Canadian.
 
Thanks Gayle and Shadow -- we had him on Wiskas meaty selection, and basically always left the bowel out with food in it. He would eat quite often, and maybe ate a bowl a day, plus treats. When we weighed him at the vets is was over 12lbs, and he had probably lost a couple of pounds over the week prior (what made us notice, along with sticky urine). We would also give him Fancy feast as a treat a couple times a week.

Now they gave us DM dried food, but he ate a mouthful and never tried again. Yesterday we bought a couple cans of fancy feast and Friskies turkey and cheese in gravy. He ate a few bites last nite, but the emerg vet said not to give a shot. This morning when he finally came out from under the bed, i lay with him for about an hour and then gave him some FF and Friskies. He licked the friskies, but didn't actually eat any of the shredded turkey.

I have to go to work in an hour and will be able to drop in a couple of times until 5pm today. I am going to go to the vet and talk as well as get a home kit. It's surprising how they don't tell you about the home kit, or what levels he should be at. It's a bit annoying to be spending that much time and money at the vets this week and not being told these things.

Glad that I have found this place!!!
 
Many vets (my old one included) try to discourage home testing. How else are they gonna get $100+ from you every couple of weeks? Once you get the hang of things with the helpful folks here you will be doing it yourself. I never relied on (or trusted) my vet for dosing advice. If you start low and go slow you don't really need a vet. You will find Jack's ideal dose on your own. Many people here feed fancy feast classics. I use the 9-lives pate styles cuz Charlie eats a lot and I'm cheap ;-) There are better brands out there, but those are the cheap way to go.

You will find that many, many vets have no idea how to really treat diabetes in a cat. They are a wealth of bad, outdated knowledge on the subject.
 
While it sounds kind of ridiculous, sometimes a kitty will start eating again if you hand feed them - put a little on your finger at a time and offer it. It's like they have gotten turned away from food and need to restart. Gayle gave you some great ideas. If he is a fish lover, you can get some bonito flakes (dried smelly fish flakes) and sprinkle them on top of the food. Sometimes adding water and making it a soupy dish helps.

Hope you can get him eating again. Then we can help with hometesting and insulin needs.
 
I am sorry to hear that your kitty is not wanting to eat right now. Eating is the most important thing in this picture at the moment. Cats can get really sick if they don't eat enough. When cats go on a no eating bit - sometimes it takes force feeding to get them interested in food again. You can also try baby food (the kinds that have no extras in it like onion powder or garlic). You may have to syringe feed or put some on your finger for a day or so, but that should eventually kick his system back into gear.
 
When you are out shopping to buy a meter pick up some KetoStix that test the urine for ketones. If pharmacy doesn't have them, ask if they have KetoDiastix. That tests the urine for ketones and glucose. You need to catch some urine and test for ketones that can happen in some cats that are diabetic. Ketones can be deadly if not treated by a knowledgeable vet and caught early on. If he likes fish, get him some FF fish......at this point anything you think he will eat.
 
just some quick food points:
1. no dry food, and that includes the hard dried treats; they are too high carb for a diabetic
2. That whiskas canned is OK; I have fed that a few times, but mostly feed the big 13oz cans of Friskies Whitefish&Tuna and the Turkey&Giblets flavors. The fancy feast pates are perfect; they are low carb and if he likes them, feed them as they are way better for Jack from dry vet rx foods.

Diabetics may eat more than usual as their bodies are capable of processing the foods to get the nutrients, so let him eat what he likes.

When did he stop eating? When you switched to the vet foods?

Just tell the vet that you will be home testing as it's not in your interest to keep bringing him in for something that can be done at home. Pick up a meter and supplies plus the ketostix today if you can and we can help you get started.

The best snack for my two has been plain old chicken breasts in tiny pieces.... Oliver LOVES raw chunks I found out when I was making chicken for my dinner and thought to try small pieces on the cats. Well! Oliver almost inhaled the pieces and just loved them. Shadoe thinks she is a princess, shook her paw at me and walked away.... her chicken must be lightly steamed and lukewarm.
Open a can of tuna and try the tuna water and even the tuna.... let's hope we can get some food and fluids in him.... If he needs fluids, that's another expense you don't need to pay to have done at the vet unless he is critically in need... just thought to mention that many of us purchase fluid kits from the vet office and just give fluids at home.... you can have your vet show you how to give them when you are at the office.

Whereabouts in Ontario are you located? There may be someone close by you that can give you a hand if needed.
 
I unfortuently had to put my cat down on Friday night. We bought an appetite stimulant from our vet and when we got home, we tried to give him some food. He hadn't eaten in two days apart from licking some gravy from wet food- and had basically one bowl of food over the past week. We tried to put the pill in his mouth but he was not wanting it and got stressed. We gave up after a couple of tries and put him on the floor. He then puked up some bile and took a seizure. He was foaming at the mouth and drooling a huge amount of liquid. We quickly rushed him to the afterhours clinic help. It had been two days since his last shot since he hadn't eaten.

We got the vet to do some tests and his glucose level was at 28. He had (a lot?) of keytones, was showing a lot of liver damage and very dehydrated. They gave us some options, but it was going to cost a fortune, and he would have to spend a lot of time at the vets. She said there was no promises he would get better.

It's not that we are rich, but I was willing to pay whatever I had to help him. We talked about it, and came to the conclusion that it might be best to put him down. He is a cat that stresses very easily, and thought of living at a vets office would be so hard for him. He had also lost 2lbs in one week which was insane. He had become so thin and weak. I feel like I wasn't told or didn't understand just how bad his situation was. My vet just kept saying he will eat soon enough, and to bring him in for them to keep an eye out. I had him there a few times for either overnight, or during the day while my wife and myself were at work, and they did tests which I asked about, but they never made it sound too serious. When we got to afterhours clinci, the vet right away was shocked how they didn't make any issue about the keytones, or how long he was going without food.

I hated how it also came down to price on deciding if we should put him down. We had spent close to $2000 this week (with him being tested, staying at the vet, buying the $40 useless dry food they recommended, the home testing kit, insulin, putting him down and cremated) and gave up our trip to Paris in hopes he would get better (which I don't regret for a second).

I am so depressed and numb. I really had a bond with him and thought he would live forever. I keep thinking I see him in the corner of my eye. It's so hard at night because he would always sit with me and now I just feel ... i don't know, maybe empty is the best word. I know it will get better but right now I just feel like I am in a nightmare. Being a guy it is also one of those things where your friends or family don't seem to get it. It is like they think that it is only a cat, so why are you upset. Basically it's time to man up, and don't moan about a stupid cat.

Don't mean to rant, but just thinking of him right now and missing him. Thanks everyone for your help. It's been a very stressful 7 days and woke me up to understanding how quickly things can change in life```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
 
I am so very sorry for your loss. You did what you truly felt was best for Jack. That's all anyone can do. You knew him best and made a very difficult decision for him. you gave him freedom from his body that was failing him. You gave him peace. He's waiting for you at the rainbow bridge rb_icon

that said, I'm furious at your vet right along with you. So many vets just know nothing about feline diabetes. They give bad information, misinformation, or too little information. Feel free to rant away, so many beans have been right where you are.

(((((hugs)))))) Fly free, Jack wings_cat o:-)
 
I'm so sorry for your loss.

Jack had a wonderful life with you. Just ignore those insensitive folks who do
not understand what it means to love and be loved by someone like Jack.
Your grief is just as deep and real as if losing a human best friend.

You ARE a man. Real men have feelings.

May all your wonderful memories of Jack bring you comfort...

...'til you meet again.
 
OH no, sending many many cyber hugs. I am so very sorry for your loss. Jack sounds like an amazing cat. Its so hard when we lose our babies. Jack is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon
wings_cat
 
jackdinner said:
I am so depressed and numb. I really had a bond with him and thought he would live forever. I keep thinking I see him in the corner of my eye. It's so hard at night because he would always sit with me and now I just feel ... i don't know, maybe empty is the best word. I know it will get better but right now I just feel like I am in a nightmare. Being a guy it is also one of those things where your friends or family don't seem to get it. It is like they think that it is only a cat, so why are you upset. Basically it's time to man up, and don't moan about a stupid cat.

Don't mean to rant, but just thinking of him right now and missing him. Thanks everyone for your help. It's been a very stressful 7 days and woke me up to understanding how quickly things can change in life```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Click to expand...

I totally get how you feel about the loss of your pet & beloved friend. When Midora died, it took me almost a year to be ready to adopt a new friend (Cedric). I hated coming home at night and Midora was not there waiting for me (I had her 13 years). I don't think I ever felt so lonely. I had moved to FL in 2004 (she died in May 2005, 2 months shy of us living here a year) and none of my family is here. I have freinds, but none like her.

Forget about the man-up crap. Being upset shows us and everyone else that you have a great capasity for love and as far as I am concerned, that is an AWESOME trait in a guy. If more guys had that I might have a husband by now! :lol:

You did what you had to do. Your baby understands and waits for you at the Rainbow bridge. And Paris will always be there. I was there last fall (for the day, I stayed at Disneyland Paris and took a day trip to the city on 11/1).
 
What a heartbreaking story. I'm so sorry you and Jack had to go through this. May Jack live forever in your heart. You did the best you could for him and he knows that.

Fly free dear Jack and land ever so softly till you meet again.
Tears,
jeanne
 
Oh gosh, I am so truly sorry for your loss, Jack's dad and mom,

Sadly, there are times when our precious furry friends tell us, enough. And, the kindest gift we can give them is freedom. I'm so sorry your heart had to bear the weight of that most loving gift...




Hearts are the reason we love and live. Hearts are remarkable organs or muscles. They just keep beating even when we don't feel them because of pain and hurt. Hearts just go on... Like love endures...

There will come a time when your heart smiles as it becomes flooded with great memories of Jack. It will take time; but, it will happen. There will just be one day you wake up smiling. And, you will know Jack is okay. That he is so grateful you were and will always be his champion. Trust me, Jack's dad and mom. This day will happen. It takes time. Hearts take time to mend -- and remember...






My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies on your great furry loss. Please remember to be kind and gentle with yourselves and your hearts...





















Fly free, precious Jack! Wear your handsome new wings proudly! Dance with Gizzie! Visit your dad and mom's dreams to let them know you're okay now. Giz can show you how... Send us all a rainbow! Know how much you are loved. Know how many hearts you have touched. Mend your dad's...

Much love and countless gentle hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing with Jack...





I Shall Walk In The Sun

I shall walk in the Sun above,
Whose golden light you loved.
I shall sleep alone and, stirring, touch an empty place.
I shall write uninterrupted.
Would that your gentle paw could stir my moving
pen just once again.
I shall see beauty, but none to match
your living grace.
I shall hear music, but none so sweet as the
droning song with which you loved me.
I shall fill my days, but I shall not, can not, forget.
Sleep soft dear friend, for while I live,
You shall not die.

Michael Joseph
 
I am just seeing your first post and your sad story about Jack. What sadness for you - we have no way of knowing what's going on with our furry companions sometimes because of their inability to tell us - but it sounds as if there was more going on with Jack and he was indeed very very ill.

When it comes to decisions about extreme medical treatment it isn't just the cost involved but it's also what we're putting the animal through - and what the end outcome will/might be. You certainly didn't want to make him suffer when there was not a real hope that he would be better immediately - and not knowing what was going on inside his little body.

My heart goes out to you in your sadness but please don't second-guess yourself - you tried everything you possibly could stopping at the point where he was suffering - and that's what we promise them when we take them as our companions. We can tell from your post that Jack was loved and had a good life with you - now he will suffer no more and leaves a ton of love in your life and heart.

Sending healing vibes and thoughts your way.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
jackdinner said:
I unfortuently had to put my cat down on Friday night. We bought an appetite stimulant from our vet and when we got home, we tried to give him some food. He hadn't eaten in two days apart from licking some gravy from wet food- and had basically one bowl of food over the past week. We tried to put the pill in his mouth but he was not wanting it and got stressed. We gave up after a couple of tries and put him on the floor. He then puked up some bile and took a seizure. He was foaming at the mouth and drooling a huge amount of liquid. We quickly rushed him to the afterhours clinic help. It had been two days since his last shot since he hadn't eaten.

We got the vet to do some tests and his glucose level was at 28. He had (a lot?) of keytones, was showing a lot of liver damage and very dehydrated. They gave us some options, but it was going to cost a fortune, and he would have to spend a lot of time at the vets. She said there was no promises he would get better.

It's not that we are rich, but I was willing to pay whatever I had to help him. We talked about it, and came to the conclusion that it might be best to put him down. He is a cat that stresses very easily, and thought of living at a vets office would be so hard for him. He had also lost 2lbs in one week which was insane. He had become so thin and weak. I feel like I wasn't told or didn't understand just how bad his situation was. My vet just kept saying he will eat soon enough, and to bring him in for them to keep an eye out. I had him there a few times for either overnight, or during the day while my wife and myself were at work, and they did tests which I asked about, but they never made it sound too serious. When we got to afterhours clinci, the vet right away was shocked how they didn't make any issue about the keytones, or how long he was going without food.

I hated how it also came down to price on deciding if we should put him down. We had spent close to $2000 this week (with him being tested, staying at the vet, buying the $40 useless dry food they recommended, the home testing kit, insulin, putting him down and cremated) and gave up our trip to Paris in hopes he would get better (which I don't regret for a second).

I am so depressed and numb. I really had a bond with him and thought he would live forever. I keep thinking I see him in the corner of my eye. It's so hard at night because he would always sit with me and now I just feel ... i don't know, maybe empty is the best word. I know it will get better but right now I just feel like I am in a nightmare. Being a guy it is also one of those things where your friends or family don't seem to get it. It is like they think that it is only a cat, so why are you upset. Basically it's time to man up, and don't moan about a stupid cat.

Don't mean to rant, but just thinking of him right now and missing him. Thanks everyone for your help. It's been a very stressful 7 days and woke me up to understanding how quickly things can change in life```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Click to expand...

I feel your pain and frustration... I was devastate just getting the news that my Casey was diabetic, let alone the thought that I may lose her. I am currently in dispute with the vet who diagnosed Casey trying to get her started on insulin (we do not agree on the insulin kind nor the dosage). Anyway, this is not about me & Casey, I just want you to know I understand.

Jack knows you did anything and everything you could for him. Even more so...he knows how much you care and miss him.

I know it is difficult to find comfort at times like these, but keep this in mind...Jack is in a better place. No pain, no suffering, no more diabetes, liver problems, etc.

Thoughts and prayers for you and Jack are being sent your way.

Roberta
and Casey
 
jackdinner said:
I am so depressed and numb. I really had a bond with him and thought he would live forever. I keep thinking I see him in the corner of my eye. It's so hard at night because he would always sit with me and now I just feel ... i don't know, maybe empty is the best word. I know it will get better but right now I just feel like I am in a nightmare. Being a guy it is also one of those things where your friends or family don't seem to get it. It is like they think that it is only a cat, so why are you upset. Basically it's time to man up, and don't moan about a stupid cat.
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Click to expand...

I am so terribly sorry for your loss ... and it IS a loss. Anyone who doesn't understand that is missing something precious in their lives, and you are man enough to realize how deeply you cared and not to be ashamed to show it.

When you think you are seeing him out of the corner of your eye, you are. They never go too far from us - especially just after they pass. I like to think they hang about to make sure we are okay before they head off on their next, great adventure. And sometimes, if we are very lucky, they send us a sign to let us know that they are okay, too.

My condolences to you, and my most sincere wishes that the memories of your life together help heal your heart.
 
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