finicky diabetic ollie

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ellie

ellie

Member Since 2015
Hi,
Has anyone ever dealt with a kitty who started off loving new high protein food (EVO) and then stopped liking it unless you put real food on top (like turkey?) This weekend when it was time to eat, Ollie seemed like he was hungry, sniffed and took one lick and then defiantly walked away.

Since then, I've tried warming up the EVO -- nope. And now I just gave him some high protein fancy feast...tried two different flavors. Once again, walked away after a sniff and a lick. He will eat some plain turkey, but not all of it.

He hasn't had insulin since last wednesday as his numbers have been below 240.
(Ollie was given 6 units of Lantus, twice a day)

Suggestions MUCH appreciated!

-ellie
 
Inappetance - food refusal - may happen due to upset stomach, pancreatitis, and a whole host of other things.
I would not assume "defiance" as that is a human emotion which cats do not have.
Some cats may get an acid stomach; in that case, 1/4 of a Pepcid AC about 20-30 minutes before feeding may help.
After 2 days without eating, he will need to go to a vet, as there is an increased risk of hepatic lipidosis, which can be fatal.
 
well maybe you have Shadow's twin.
I have over 300 cans of food in a closet because Shadow is "EXTRA FINICKY"
There are several brands I can't get her to eat no matter what.
Some she will eat as long as I don't serve it two meals in a row which has often meant having 6 different open cans in my fridge.
Evo is one of the brands she will not eat - period.

I always have additives to sprinkle on top to try to get her to eat.

Fortiflora ( available at amazon ) - it's a probiotic but it smells like dry food.... it's the digest that they actually put on dry food.... try to sprinkle some of this on the food. I have often
used a whole packet.

bonita flakes ( also at amazon and at whole foods) - this is the skin of some bonita fish ( japan) and they use it as a flavor enhancer.... kitties love it crumbled on food.

parmesan cheese - if yours likes it.

freeze dried crumbs of any protein....
my cat will not touch chicken.... but turkey ( which has a stronger flavor and a little more fat in it than chicken) is far more attractive.
I recommend http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Life-Single-Ingredient-4-Ounce/dp/B007THO8E6/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
so don't assume if they don't like one , they won't like the other one.
 
Thank you guys so much for the feedback! Ollie went to see the vet today and has lost more weight, which the vet wasn't too happy about. We are staying off diabetes protocol until we get his tummy straightened out. He had fluids and anti nausea support at the vet's today and I'll be continuing with the Cerenia (anti nausea pills) at home. Hopefully, he'll feel better and want to eat!

Labs also done today and results will come in tomorrow. Most likely we'll have to go see an internal medicine specialist and get an ultrasound.

Sigh, this is all so complicated and stressful. Hopefully, I'll have answers soon and get this boy on the road to recovery!!!
 
I think most of us have the best results with ondansetron ( 1 mg) for the nausea and cyproheptadine for the appetite stimulant ( 30 minutes after the ondansetron)

other drugs just don't seem to do as well....
the ondansetron is a human drug so you would get a prescription and take it to your own pharmacy. Vets don't stock it.
 
You said you were off diabetes protocol. What do you mean by that? If no insulin, that could be very dangerous for your kitty and lead to DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis).

not enough food + not enough insulin + infection/inflammation are the perfect setup for DKA.

Are you using ketone test strips to check the urine for ketones?
 
Deb, thank you so much for your concern. Right before Ollie stopped eating his BG numbers were too low for insulin. We were thinking he might have gone into remission from new diet. I am waiting for lab results now and have an appt with an internal medicine specialist this afternoon. Stay tuned...
 
240 is still apretty high sugar for feline or human. What is the blood sugar range given to you by your Vet? I give insulin even though her blood sugar results are with normal range or low. By the time she has eaten and received her insulin dose (1 unit Lantus twice daily) she maintains a fairly stable . Bypassing doses wether high or low usuasly cause her problems. Are you doing the blood sugars at the same time every day? Are you feeing the same time and the same amount of food? Regimentation is the key to successful diabetic management. Good luck from Jane and Stewey
 
What is too low?

Hope the vetty visit goes well. Perhaps have them test for ketones?

Guessing you are not in the path of this blizzard, like I am here in coastal MA.
 
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