My Kramer went to the vet for his Fructosomine test on Wednesday. His number was still too high, so the vet suggested upping his insulin from 2 to 3 units. He also got a B12 shot for his neuropathy. He did fine Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday morning he wouldn't eat and threw up. He laid around most the day. I finally got him to eat a couple treats, but he threw those up too. Took him back to the vet this morning (which REALLY stresses him out). She ran blood work and took urine. His blood glucose was really high, 550, but he has no ketones and his kidney and liver markers were fine. His urine showed he might have a mild kidney infection. The vet thought he may have pancreatitis, but it didn't show up in his liver markers. So she gave him an antibiotic, a little insulin, and some nausea medication. So far all he has eaten since he has been home is about a tablespoon of Hills a/d food. Any ideas to help my kitty start eating again? I am desperate!!
Cat Not Eating
- Thread starter Bdon
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Squeaky and KT (GA)
Member Since 2011
Sprinkle something he likes on top of it and sort of mix it in the top layer. Many cats like Parmesean cheese - might try that. Crumble a treat on top. If nothing else, syringe feed him. When one of mine wouldn't eat due to illness, I would start syringe feeding - after a few 'bites', he'd eat by himself...
Squeaky and KT (GA)
Member Since 2011
Until recently when I got an actual syringe feeding syringe, I used an old 3cc needleless syringe I got from my vet. I blended the food with enough water to make it go thru the tip easily. Put the syringe tip to the side of his mouth and slowly gave him just a bit until we both figured out how much 'enough' was. You don't want to give too much nor squirt it straight into his mouth - it could go into his lungs instead if done that way. I usually wrapped a towel around KT so he didn't get his chest messy and helped me keep him still.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Dyana
Member Since 2009
Here's the video I recommend watching for Syringe Feeding
Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
Monitor for signs of nausea - a useful symptom checker from Tanya's site is here.
Tests for pancreatitis are Snap fPL (yes/no result) and Spec fPL (result is numeric and indicative of severity of inflammation if positive).
If Kramer does show signs of nausea, then Cerenia and/or ondansetron (GENERIC!!) can help.
If inappetence continues and Kramer's appetite needs some help, cyproheptadine can help (may need to be given in conjunction with one of the previously mentioned meds if nausea is present).
I hope Kramer feels better soon.
Tests for pancreatitis are Snap fPL (yes/no result) and Spec fPL (result is numeric and indicative of severity of inflammation if positive).
If Kramer does show signs of nausea, then Cerenia and/or ondansetron (GENERIC!!) can help.
If inappetence continues and Kramer's appetite needs some help, cyproheptadine can help (may need to be given in conjunction with one of the previously mentioned meds if nausea is present).
I hope Kramer feels better soon.
phlika29
Member Since 2014
I would try syringe feeding watered down food in an oral syringe. I use either a 5 or 10ml oral syringe that you can get at a pharmacy. Ideally you would try to give a syringe of food per hour.
Are you giving insulin still? There is a danger of cat developing ketones with high blood glucose, no food and no insulin. You need to get him eating so you can start on the insulin again. Can you test for ketones? You can get test strips such as ketostix from the store.
May I ask what insulin you are using, jumping from 2 to 3 units is quite a big jump and I wonder if he went low and then bounced back up and so the high reading at the vets was a result of a bounce. Just guessing? It would be really helpful if you could put details of the insulin and food into your signature.
Do you test his blood glucose at home at all?
Are you giving insulin still? There is a danger of cat developing ketones with high blood glucose, no food and no insulin. You need to get him eating so you can start on the insulin again. Can you test for ketones? You can get test strips such as ketostix from the store.
May I ask what insulin you are using, jumping from 2 to 3 units is quite a big jump and I wonder if he went low and then bounced back up and so the high reading at the vets was a result of a bounce. Just guessing? It would be really helpful if you could put details of the insulin and food into your signature.
Do you test his blood glucose at home at all?
Since he is not eating, I have not given him insulin. The vet gave him a little yesterday. As of yesterday, he didn't have ketones (tested a the vet), but I do not test for them. He is on Prozinc insulin. The vet gave him an injection of Cerenia yesterday, and sent me home with pills to start giving him today. Sorry for not putting the info in my signature, I am new to the site and am not exactly sure how everything works. I do not test for glucose, but when we went in for his checkup on Wednesday (before all this happened), his fructosomine test showed his numbers were still too high. Thanks for giving me the syringe details, I will try that next.
Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
I second Sarah's suggestion to get some ketone test strips and testing Kramer's urine. From all I've read since joining this forum, I think ketones can develop very quickly so it's recommended to monitor for them to be on the safe side when there are appetite/no-insulin situations.
What tablets did the vet send you home with? It would help to know so that members here can have a better idea of the 'tools' you have to hand to help Kramer.
(((Kramer)))
What tablets did the vet send you home with? It would help to know so that members here can have a better idea of the 'tools' you have to hand to help Kramer.
(((Kramer)))
BJM
Member Since 2010
If you get KetoDiaStix or equivalent, you can detect both glucose and ketones in the urine which have built up since the previous void. I would, however, strongly recommend picking up a human glucometer, test strips, and 26-28 gauge lancets so you can test for blood glucose. If high, insulin will help lower that, and may perk up appetite; in the absence of knowing the blood glucose, you may have to take him to the vet.
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