New here and could use some advice

[rsnyder03]

Hi!

I have an 11 year old kitty who has been diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency and diabetes. During the day, she does GREAT! She takes 1 unit of Vetsulin and is completely normal. However, night time is a whole different beast. She drinks so much she pees everywhere and vomits huge piles of water mixed with food. When I say “huge” I mean they are more like puddles that pile piles. I had been instructed to only give her insulin in the day time but tonight I gave her a dose hoping it would help this crazy night time behavior. So far, nope. She’s laying by the water bowl and drinking a ton still. I’m at a loss. Can’t see my vet till Wed, no kind of glucose meter here and no experience what.so.ever. I’m waking up to such a mess in the mornings that it is incredibly stressful and kinda insane! Could anyone tell my why this would be getting so bad at night? And why the insulin didn’t seem to touch it? Between this and her GI issues, this poor cat has been through the wringer- and so have we.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Hello and welcome! I am sorry you and your kitty are going through so much right now!

I don't have any experience with pancreatic insufficiency. I will tag senior members to help you. If you could provide the below information, that would really help us help you.

1. How old is your kitty and when was she diagnosed?
2. What were her sugar levels like at the vet/diagnosis and was she tested for ketones?
3. Did the labs include kidney function tests?
4. What diet is she on?
5. How long has she been peeing and vomiting at night?
6. How is her appetite?

@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
@tiffmaxee

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I have a couple of questions right off the top.

How is your vet treating EPI? I'm hoping your cat is getting pancreatic enzyme supplements. If not, that may be part of the problem.

Are you home testing? This may be important in that Vetsulin is a harsh and fast acting insulin. It doesn't have the necessary duration for a cat's metabolism. The American Animal Hospital Assn recommends either Prozinc or Lantus (glargine) for the treatment of feline diabetes. The type of insulin is a consideration if your cat isn't holding down food at night or isn't metabolizing what she's eating. Her numbers may be dropping low. We have lots of information on home testing. Many vets don't tell their patients' caregivers about home testing whereas we consider it essential in order to keep a diabetic cat safe.

 

[rsnyder03]

Chloe is 11. A year or so ago, she was having terrible diarrhea multiple times a day. My vet tried several things and then sent of tests and found the pancreatic insufficiency. She is on pancreatic enzymes but it took us all this time and a visit to the specialist to get the diarrhea to stop. She currently takes 1 tsp of the enzymes with each meal. She also takes a vitamin b12 shot every Tuesday due to her gut issues and eats the Hills I/d food also due to her GI issues.

During the course of treating the gut issues, the vet stumbled upon the diabetes. It began about 6 months ago and, at first, was managed well by just changing her diet to the Hills DM. Sadly, that stopped working about a month ago- not to mention it was tearing up her gut in the process. So about 2 weeks ago, we moved to the vetsulin - 1 unit, 1 time a day (morning). That worked for a week or so, and then the nighttime drinking, peeing and vomiting started.

After some research, I realized vetsulin is to be given 2x a day as it wears off. Last night, I have her 1 unit 12 hours after the first dose I had given her and today she is GREAT! No overnight craziness, water still in the bowl and she is feeling spunky.

 

[Ann & Sister]

Chloe is 11. A year or so ago, she was having terrible diarrhea multiple times a day. My vet tried several things and then sent of tests and found the pancreatic insufficiency. She is on pancreatic enzymes but it took us all this time and a visit to the specialist to get the diarrhea to stop. She currently takes 1 tsp of the enzymes with each meal. She also takes a vitamin b12 shot every Tuesday due to her gut issues and eats the Hills I/d food also due to her GI issues.

During the course of treating the gut issues, the vet stumbled upon the diabetes. It began about 6 months ago and, at first, was managed well by just changing her diet to the Hills DM. Sadly, that stopped working about a month ago- not to mention it was tearing up her gut in the process. So about 2 weeks ago, we moved to the vetsulin - 1 unit, 1 time a day (morning). That worked for a week or so, and then the nighttime drinking, peeing and vomiting started.

After some research, I realized vetsulin is to be given 2x a day as it wears off. Last night, I have her 1 unit 12 hours after the first dose I had given her and today she is GREAT! No overnight craziness, water still in the bowl and she is feeling spunky.

Is it possible for you to switch vets? I do not have a clue about pancreatic issues, but I wonder if using the Hills prescription stuff is just augmenting the vet's bottom line. That is why many do it, prescribe food you only get at their office when other foods would address gut issues just as well. My real concern is your vet not being that familiar with insulin dosing. They should know which ones are long-lasting and when they should be given twice daily (the dose can be lower). Both my vets for instance know that the longer-lasting ones have more success with remission. Both my kitties were/are on Lantus, for instance. My vet says it does cost more, but if you found a different food for your cat's gut issues, that money could go toward the insulin. Hugs to you.