Don't know what to do

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Georgia

Georgia

Member Since 2014
I really don't know why I am posting this, because I don't think there is much hope except prayer. I've tried to do everything right since Rocky was diagnosed last year with diabetes. I've taken him often to the vet, changed his diet, tested his blood and given him his insulin regularly, but I think he just wants to be left alone and let nature take its course. He seems healthy enough now, but I know it won't last. I can't get him to eat. I've tried all brands of canned food, freeze dried treats etc. Nothing! I know if he doesn't eat, I shouldn't give him his insulin, so I think I am going to stop. I love him dearly and can hardly bear the thought of him dying, but I just can't force him to live either. I will NOT assist feed with a syringe. I had to do that for one of my cats who died from renal failure and it was awful for both of us.
My nerves are a wreck and all my friends and husband are sick of hearing me talk about my cat! I just know neither of us can live this way. I love animals (especially cats) and have one more here at home, but when these two are gone....I am done! I just can't bear to keep going through this. I've lost two cats to renal failure and now this one with diabetes. Guess some things are just not meant to be. I'm old (66) and just don't want my life to end like this with constant pain and loss.
If you are reading this and you are Christian, please pray for us. I really feel this is the only thing left! :YMSIGH:
 
Hello,

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time. It sound like things are really, really hard for you at the moment.

Can you tell us a bit more about Rocky?
Does he have any health issues other than his diabetes that could be making him not want to eat? Diabetic cats are usually hungry.

And may I ask a few more questions;
It sounds like you are testing Rocky's blood glucose at home. What blood glucose readings are you getting?
What dose of Prozinc is he on?
And what food would he normally be eating?

Best wishes to you,

Eliz
 
Sending purrs and prayers. Sometimes it is best for both parties to give the last gift you can, that is a peaceful crossing. In most instances a natural death is not peaceful. Years ago I was syringe feeding a foster cat and she convulsed and died in my arms.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this. Is it possible your cat could have hepatic lipidosis? I too, felt close to being in your place only a month ago, and was sobbing on my floor trying to syringe feed my cat. I couldn't do it. We tried an appetite stimulant and hand fed for a while. It was enough to reverse the hepatic lipidosis, and now we are just managing the diabetes. What is your cat's health background?

Will pray for you and your kitty no matter what! xoxo Emily and Prince
 
Have you gone to the vet? It might be something they can treat. Maybe an appetite stimulant would work.

I'd try a vet visit. Even if they can't help, like Larry said you can give your kitty the gift of a peaceful end. I had to do that. Once my baby wouldn't eat and a vet visit sorted it all out. They were able to treat her. Next time it turned out to be cancer...and she was in pain so I sent her to the bridge. It was the last gift I could give her to spare her pain.

I hope they can treat yours but remember that whatever you do is the right thing since it's done from love. Sue told me that and it's what got me through.
 
Rocky is healthy (unless something has happened very recently). He sees the vet frequently (or as needed). He isn't sick yet. I may have given the wrong idea that he is about to die. No....but I know if his appetite doesn't get better, he will. It seems that is the turn my other cats have taken and I guess I am just expecting the worse.

To answer a few questions: He is on 1 1/2 unit of ProZinc twice a day.
His numbers are always in the 200-300 bracket (at least in the morning and evening)
Lower in the middle of the day.

Prior to being diagnosed, he had Friskies Indoor Delight dry food at all times and any canned
food he would eat.
Naturally he prefers the kinds with gravy and/or sauce. He is NOT fond of the Pate's. Therefore,
until his appetite gets better, I am "cheating" and letting him have some with the sauce. I am
trying Friskies flaked and Fancy Feast flaked.
I will gradually try to get him on a better diet, but right now I just want him to EAT!

Thanks for the concerns and just listening! cat_pet_icon
 
Have you tried adding warm water to the pates and making a gravy? Sometimes cats just don't like the texture and do like the gravy. Another thing that works for some is FortiFlora. It's an probiotic that has the same animal digest they use to coat dry food and make it so irresistable. You can get it on line or from a vet.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
..Another thing that works for some is FortiFlora.
Click to expand...

Another vote for Fortiflora here. In our house a small pinch of it sprinkled onto food seems to have almost magical properties in tempting cats to eat...
 
I'm so sorry! I just assumed from what I read. ohmygod_smile

Keep us updated! Sending vines your way
 
If his glucose is elevated, even without eating, it can be OK to give a quarter or half dose to keep it from going even higher, and so he can use the glucose in his bloodstream. It may even prompt his appetite a bit.
 
My cat wont eat the pates either, doesnt like the texture. How about trying the Fancy Feast Chunky varieties (Chicken, Turkey and Chopped Grill). Its under 10% carbs as well. Also putting some parmesan cheese on the food may help as well. You can also use catnip or even oregano. You can also try foods like Nine Lives pates (they have a little more juice to them and under 10%). Take a look at this list of foods under 10% and see if there is something you can try. Have you been testing for ketones or had his teeth checked? If there is a bad tooth it can raise the blood sugar and keep them from eating as well. Maybe you can change insulin as well. Prozinc is good but sometimes cats do much better on Lantus or Levimer. Also maybe you need to change the dose. Go to the Prozinc board and get some help with dosing. Feline diabetes is a finicky disease and doses need to be changed from time to time.

Many prayers and healing vines! :smile:
 
BJM said:
If his glucose is elevated, even without eating, it can be OK to give a quarter or half dose to keep it from going even higher, and so he can use the glucose in his bloodstream. It may even prompt his appetite a bit.
Click to expand...
Yes indeed.
I did this with my Bertie in the early days of his diagnosis. And it did really seem to make him feel stronger.
Although he was mostly ravenous he would go off his food when his blood glucose levels were particularly high. And I did find that with a little insulin in his system his appetite picked up.
 
200-300 isn't great - but many cats are worse. How low does he go during the day?

You could give him pate but top it with a gravy food as a sauce and then gradually reduce the amount of gravy you give him . Or top the pate with something yummy like a freeze dried chicken (make it into a powder) or low carb dry.

Wendy
 
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