Help! My newly diagnosed diabetic cat won't eat.

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She just ate 17 ml in one sitting, which is the most yet. She was really alert, walking well and drank a good amount of water on her own.

Then she went around the corner just as Murray was coming around the other way and he started hissing at her. She was trying to get around him but he kept moving toward her and hissing, so I had to step in and chase him off. She went into the closet; I think she's sad. :sad:

I would like her to eat more but I don't want to stress her out with it. She also hasn't peed all day. I guess I'll give her an hour or two then see if we can eat some more.
 
If she still smells of the vet, he may attack her.
You might damp mop her with a warm damp washcloth. Then take a soft cloth and wipe your forehead with it then wipe her down with your scent. She'll start smelling more like home.
 
BJM said:
If she still smells of the vet, he may attack her.
You might damp mop her with a warm damp washcloth. Then take a soft cloth and wipe your forehead with it then wipe her down with your scent. She'll start smelling more like home.
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Oh wow thanks for the great tip! I did that when she came in and ate another 17 ml (!!!) and drank some water. She didn't seem dehydrated (the vet showed me how to do the "skin tent" test and it wasn't very slack, so I skipped the sub-q fluids for now. After she ate and got wiped down, she went by herself to the litterbox and peed!!!!

I didn't get her tested at nadir because she was too quick going to pee, and now she's napping. I'll try again when it's time for her insulin shot.
 
The good news is that Mona is eating more (still only out of the feeding syringe), drinking more water on her own, hanging out in her usual spots rather than in the closet, and acting a little more like herself.

The bad news is that she's squirmy when I do things to her and I can't get an ear prick to get her BG. I tried to give 1/2 unit of insulin but she moved just as I put it in, so I'm not sure if I got it in the skin or fur. I don't want to take her back to the vet because that obviously stressed her out to the point of feeling TERRIBLE, but I'm not sure what to do now.

Also, I need to go to work at least some this week so I don't run out of paid time off (we're not wealthy and the vet bills alone have been crippling). I'm feeling pretty icky myself (I'm sure just stress). :-|
 
So glad to hear that Mona is still feeling better! Tisha is still doing better too. It really is amazing when they turn the corner how quickly things start to look up. (Although I will be updating Tisha's or starting a new post. Her BG is higher than it's ever been.)

As for the shot, if you're not sure if she got it, you need to wait until the next shot. It's safer if she got less that her usual dose or none of it, than it is for her to have to much.

I hope she gets well enough that you feel you can work again! I completely understand what your'e saying. I am SO far behind. I think I came in late and left early every day this week and I'm still SOOO tired. I figure it will take about a week to get our routines back to normal.
 
Hi Beth,

Good to hear that Mona's tipping away at her food. I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling so good in yourself, but both of you have had a tough few days. I hope you can get a good night's rest and that you'll feel better on the morrow.
 
Mona is doing better all the time. She's back to being her old ornrey self and giving me a hard time. I think she's able to eat on her own, at least the slurry (she licked up some drips from the counter as I was syringe feeding her), but refuses to try (she's always been very stubborn). We're also having trouble with the BG testing and the insulin shot - she doesn't want to be pinched and poked and I wonder if she's sore from all of the shots, subq fluids, etc. over the last week.
So I'm trying to just be calm and introduce these things slowly so maybe she'll accept them. It's become clear that vet visits are out of the question given her stress reaction, so we're just working on figuring it out at home. I've read so many great tips and ideas on this forum and am very thankful.
 
I've always done what I call "flat" shots that might work out better for you guys. Here's a great example with pictures on how that's done.

As to location, the scruff can lead to slower absorption rates of the insulin leading to a later nadir/curve (it does that with Mikey), but honestly, you shoot them where you're able to and you can worry about changing that later when you've got less going on. ;-)
 
Delighted to hear that Mona is feeling better. :smile:

Have you thought about sending the link for her spreadsheet to her vet? Our vet has access to Saoirse's and it's great: with the BG data and the daily mini condos available over the net, he does the vast majority of Saoirse's consults by phone. We only go into the surgery when she needs a B12 injection or if she needs a physical exam. It's a great help to us (I'm agoraphobic and Saoirse hates travel).
 
Thanks for the quick answer BJM. I did the skin flap shot a couple of times but now I think we have the hang of the flat shot. Mona seems to get a little better then a bit worse. She's more active, but not eating much and only out of the feeding syringe. I guess this is a journey and it will take us both some time to get the hang of it all.
Murray is doing better. I finally started putting a t-shirt I'd worn where they sleep, then swap them and put a couple of treats on his. He's quit hissing at her but is still nervous around her.
She does not appear to be dehydrated (with the tent test) so I haven't given sub-q fluids. She is drinking water reasonably well and peeing. She just weak at this point, which I guess is reasonable given the lack of eating and feeling poorly for a week.
 
Check the gums for capillary refill time. It is a more sensitive indicator of dehydration. (in Secondary Monitoring Tools link)
 
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