Cat doesn't want dinner - should I give dose of insulin?

[Justyn]

Just a question for you folks:

So for those of you that have had their diabetic kitty skip a meal on them, would you normally shoot the normal dose, half dose, or skip the shot all together??


A little background with what's going on with my bub:
My 5yr old cat has been not feeling great since yesterday evening- refusing to eat his dinner, gagging at the smell of food, puked a bit last night (must have been his breakfast) so I skipped his dose last night - not knowing what to do.

I had tested his AMPS this morning as he did not want to eat still, and it was about 420, so I gave him .5u to try to get him down a little bit - and didn't want him crashing as I'm not sure how insulin would effect him without food...

((Sock's is normally on 1.5u BID and 2 cans (total) of Merrick Chicken pate,2% NFE))

Vet advised me to pick up 5mg of Pepcid, so just gave it to him and he's even seeming a little more awake and feeling better already.. I'll give him some time before offering some food (possibly boiled chicken) as we're unsure if it's just an upset stomach, pancreatitis, etc... obviously trying to rule out the simplest thing first. If this doesn't work tonight I know I'll need to take him to the vet - also checking for ketones tonight ...

So overall just wondering how to proceed with his insulin as this is the first time he's been sick since he was diagnosed.

 

[Daphne]

I know I'm not abundantly helpful here, but I figured I'd reply with what little I do know about this topic while you're waiting for more knowledgeable replies.

When a cat is not eating, you do not want to give the full dose. You do not want to give no insulin either. How to figure out the appropriate amount, I do not know. I see you gave 0.5 units this morning even though he wasn't eating; did you get any BG readings on him for this cycle? If his numbers seemed good and he's not too low prior to this shot, I'd give the 0.5 units again.

But please keep in mind I have never shot without feeding before. If you can, please wait for more replies. I am sorry I wasn't more helpful.

 

[Justyn]

No no, really that helps me with the feedback! I was under the impression that you're still supposed to give a bit, so I'm glad I did.. But unfortunately haven't tested him since his AMPS but will do soon. Will wait for more responses no worries - i know no reply is an 'answer' just wondering what others do.

 

[Lisa and Smoky]

How is your kitty doing now? Did you take him to see the vet? I had to get anti nausea meds as well as a pill to increase my cat's appetite. He would barely eat so had to keep giving him lower doses.

 

[Critter Mom]

@Lisa and Smoky -

Hi Lisa,

DCIN are helping Socks. He is in hospital for DKA treatment. Here's the thread with details of what has been happening and where you can follow Justyn's updates:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-eaten-since-breakfast-yesterday-help.166040/


Mogs
.

 

[Justyn]

How is your kitty doing now? Did you take him to see the vet? I had to get anti nausea meds as well as a pill to increase my cat's appetite. He would barely eat so had to keep giving him lower doses.

So many apologies, have been so busy with trying to figure out what to do with socks - particularly after I bought ketone test strips at Walmart yesterday after work and he tested as high as possible on the strips - and then his condition got worse basically by the hour through this morning. Had him hospitalized at local vet @ 10am, but the vet called at the end of the day and said his condition had barely/if any improved, so he would 100% need overnight treatment which we instantly started considering the only option that seemed possible which was putting him to sleep... I even tried asking for a limit increase on care credit (although i paid off most of my last balance), i was denied... All hope was lost..

But we had been in contact with DCIN, and they truly pulled through with providing me the help I need to keep Socks alive, treated, and on the road to a great recovery... Will update the other post of any updates with Socks, going to see him soon after the ER vets do Vitals at 930pm (MT). I am so overwhelmed to be able to go check on him, knowing he's getting the care he needs, as he truly otherwise would not have...