If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ckn!

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Squeaky and KT (GA)

Squeaky and KT (GA)

Member Since 2011
HELP! KT refuses to eat much of anything but I CAN get him to eat dry. If that's the only food I can get in him, then I'll do it and hate every second of it. He sees the new vet this week and hopefully we'll have dental scheduled quickly IF that's his problem. He feels like skin and bone now....

QUESTION - what do I need to do to avoid DKA if I let him eat hard food? I know it will shoot up his numbers...I'm LOST! I HATE THIS FEELING! I feel like I'm watching him fade away right before my eyes... :cry:
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

Will he eat warmed up wet food or I wonder if you could somehow dry out the wet food and it would become crunchier.

If his BG numbers go up because he is eating dry food, then he will need more insulin to bring him down.
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

And, please test for ketones as often as possible. At least once a day if not more.
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

Maybe put a little dry food in a sandwich bag and try to make some crumbs? maybe you could try sprinkling it over the LC food to see if he will eat that... then atleast you wont be giving him AS MUCH of the dry...

I really hope he will eat for you. Sending better appy vines and prayers
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

FIRST - I test for ketones at LEAST ONCE A DAY, some days right now I check twice a day if I can catch him headed to lb....

I just FINALLY got about 2 tbsp's of FFeast down him with syringe - he didn't fight me after the first few squirts. I've got food everywhere but I have it IN the cat too...we'll try more in a short while.

I've heated food, I've pureed, I've sprinkled everything with dry food crumbs from baby bullet, I've opened cans, I've begged, I've tried baby food, NOW he doesn't even want the hard food...

I kicked myself in the butt, gave myself a lecture, grabbed my boot straps and pulled...now I'm over the scared and now moving to mad! You're NOT doing this to me Mr. KT! I'm now more stubborn that YOU!

THANK YOU ALL!!!
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

Does he like baby food maybe get some of that down him better the dry food, Just a thought :smile:
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

Last night the only thing I could get Jupe to eat was a Fancy Feast appetizer. Have you ever tried those?
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

If you need to assist feed,you need to assist feed. It can be messy but at least you know your cat is getting some nourishment.

I've hand fed tiny bits of canned food to get a cat to eat. I've done a little bit of syringe feeding. If he needs a feeding tube, to assist feed, that is something to consider. As Dr. Lisa Pierson says "Feeding tubes save lives". feeding tubes

I think it is much scarier for the bean than the cat, to have a feeding tube.
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

I would try finger feeding if you've not done that already.

This is Cheryl & Winnie's list of ways to entice a cat to eat. Maybe there's something you haven't tried.
Cheryl & Winnie said:
Enticing a Cat to Eat

Here are some things you can do do entice your cat to eat:

-sometimes in order to get a cat to eat you even have to resort to dry it is more important that they eat. there are a couple low carb / grain free brands -- EVO and wellness core.

-making a buffet to give him choices
- heating food

sprinkle food with :
  • forta flora -- a probiotic you can get at vets or online. is very smelly and cats love the taste of it.
  • parmesean cheese
  • smashed crumbles of dry food
  • bonito/tuna flakes (Can be found at Asian markets or sometimes in the Asian food section of a large grocery store.)
  • halo chicken treats (freeze dried chicken) -- crumble into dust over food -- my Wolfie loves this stuff.
  • pour a little water from tuna in water over food (I use low sodium/no sodium added as other kinds in water has veg. broth in it and I assume that means onions, which are toxic to cats and it shouldn't contain soy -- check labels)
  • powdered oregano. yep sounds weird . but some cats like it and it will entice them to eat.

other ideas of foods to offer your kitty to stim appy:
  • trader joe tuna for cats
  • baby food -- beechnut or Gerber Stage 2 -- you want a baby food that is only a protein + broth (although the Gerber contains cornstarch). It should have no onions or other additives. some babyfoods have onions . please read labels.
  • kentucky fried chicken
  • deli turkey /chicken
  • plain cooked ( boiled or baked ) chicken breast
  • canned chicken for people (watch the label that their are no onions)
  • chicken broth -- low sodium

If enticements don't work, you should consider:
-assist feeding (syringe or make little meatballs and place in mouth)
-and/or talking to your vet about appetite stimulents ( mirtazapine or cyproheptidine)
Click to expand...
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

If you are going to finger feed him, I have a trick to share.....

When I finger-feed my cat Lucy and she turns her head away, I dub a bit of food on her nose.
She can't help but lick it, and sometimes it gets her going, and she'll continue to eat from my finger for a few more licks.
When she doesn't want anymore, I walk away and try again in 10min or so until a decent amount is consumed.

I hope KT will start eating....
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - what to do to avoid DKA?

KT, ya needs ta eat your fuds!
Lyresa, do you still have the Allerplex? Try opening a capsule and mixing it into some Beechnut Stage 1 meat & broth baby food. Rusty loves the taste of it. It won't hurt KT.

I hope your new vet will have some answers for you.

Hugs and scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

THANK YOU ALL for all the suggestions!

Ella, hadn't thought of that - he likes beef so I'll try that...

FOOD: I syringed almost a full albiet small can of FFeast over the last 2 hours THEN offered him plate of fresh boiled chicken. He ate about 1/8th cup of that!!!! He really didn't fight me too bad - I was prepared for a war.

We definitely need all those thoughts and prayers to continue...that's not enough food but it's better than when I posted this morning.

He looks like a washed out ghost, not much color anywhere altho' his gums are pink.
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

Sending eating vines for KT! One thing I've learned w/ syringe feeding. It is a mess, clean it off elsewhere but don't clean KT up. When he grooms himself he will be getting more food into him. Tess always leave a mess down her front, but as soon as I leave her alone she cleans it up!
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

If you could divide up his normal amount and add a little extra for strength, weightgain, and spillage, and give it to him every 3 or 4 hours, that would be good. I've been thinking about getting a Bullet. Do you like the Baby Bullet?
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

I had to use one of his regular foods to syringe feed him so hopefully it won't cause an issue. He didn't fight me after the first few squirts....

Dyana,
Mine is a GE knock-off rather than the bullet but it does what I need it to do...at $15 vs $59. I use it to puree mostly - I can't buy anything premade with tomato base as they use things that contribute to DH's paralysis attacks. I make lots of things from scratch.

THANKS YOU ALL AGAIN!!!! I'd be a wreck without you...
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

I have a Silver Bullet which I love, just different sized containers. $45 at Costco and the have $10 off coupons every so often.
 
Re: Will ONLY eat dry food - how to avoid DKA? ATE 1 Can FF+

Glad to hear that you got something in KT. Sending KT appy vines and you strength and patience vines ♥
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

I got another half a small can proplan in by syringe without either of us wearing it....still refusing to eat anything himself. I'm fixing more chicken altho' I still have some of this batch left...it's not "fresh chicken Mama"... ohmygod_smile

I'm giving him 1cc 'bites' at a time, is that about the right amount? He seems to be handling it OK but his eyes say he's still freaked out...
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

Here's a link to the Feline Assisted Feeding Group. Maybe they can give you some more hints. And here's the video they have there that might help you.

I think it's wise to hold off on the fresh cooked chicken to save for testing to see if he'll eat on his own.
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

Squeaky and KT said:
I got another half a small can proplan in by syringe without either of us wearing it....still refusing to eat anything himself. I'm fixing more chicken altho' I still have some of this batch left...it's not "fresh chicken Mama"... ohmygod_smile

I'm giving him 1cc 'bites' at a time, is that about the right amount? He seems to be handling it OK but his eyes say he's still freaked out...
Click to expand...

To clarify: I'm asking about the 1cc bites of the liquid food...not the chicken....

TY for that link...
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

Hi Lyresa--

I hope and pray he's eating more, and is feeling better.

Approximately what and how much, total, has he had to eat in the last 24 hours?
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

If he's ill, getting any food in is better than none. Once he is more stable, you resume efforts to switch to canned or raw low carb foods.

If all he will eat is dry right now, the Young Again 0 Carb (internet sales only), Evo Cat & Kitten, Wellness Core Original in the tan and gold bag, and Stella & Chewy's freeze dried have been used successfully by some.

If he's not ill and just being stubborn, hang in there. It took Dr Pierson over 4 months to switch one of her cats.
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

As a mom of a kitty who was very ketone prone and did the DKA thing several times I can tell you this, DKA can happen or not no matter what kind of food you are feeding. The important thing is that your kitty is eating. NOT eating anything will cause DKA faster than what he is eating. You can adjust his insulin to what kind of food you are feeding. Not enough food, water, insulin and outside influences like an infection are the most common causes of DKA. And sometimes there is just no apparent reason at all.As long as you are testing for ketones and staying on top of it, just be concerned with the feeding.

The not eating is a concern all it's own and I'm sending eating vines your way and hoping that all goes well today!!!!

Hugs~
Caryl
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

I FOUND SOMETHING HE'LL EAT! WOOT WOOT!!! Finally found 2 cans of Friskies Oceanfish/Tuna shreds that I bought by accident a long time ago...opened it last night, he ate the WHOLE CAN! This morning I opened the other can, he's eaten half this morning. It's 14% carbs but it's FOOD!!!

I'm SO thankful it's Monday...I can call the new vet and get those appts set!
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

Caryl and Alex said:
As a mom of a kitty who was very ketone prone and did the DKA thing several times I can tell you this, DKA can happen or not no matter what kind of food you are feeding. The important thing is that your kitty is eating. NOT eating anything will cause DKA faster than what he is eating. You can adjust his insulin to what kind of food you are feeding. Not enough food, water, insulin and outside influences like an infection are the most common causes of DKA. And sometimes there is just no apparent reason at all.As long as you are testing for ketones and staying on top of it, just be concerned with the feeding.

The not eating is a concern all it's own and I'm sending eating vines your way and hoping that all goes well today!!!!
Click to expand...

sage advice from caryl! feed KT whatever he'll eat. the insulin dose can be worked around the food.
good luck!
 
Re: If ONLY eat dry food-how to avoid DKA? ATE 1.5 Can FF+Ck

HE FINISHED THE WHOLE CAN! That's a 5 oz can!!!! I increased his shot this morning by .25u's this morning to hopefully help balance that 14%. He's usually fairly sensitive to dose changes so hope that will stop him from zooming too bad. It's shopping day so I'll get some more of it as well as other things he MIGHT eat. Still no ketones this morning - I'm checking at least once a day and twice if I can catch him going.

EVO QUESTION - Altho' they recalled all the EVO again, it was still because of the first find. I bought a bag of the new production but before the second recall - it's like 6 days before their cutoff. Do you think it's OK to feed? I've read and read, I'm not buying any more but I've got about 4 lbs. of it left.

THANK YOU ALL!
 
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