Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating...Fly free Tiger

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nsandre

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Hi there,

I am new to this forum and have seen such great advice! My 12 yr old male tabby was recently diagnosed with diabetes and began treatment on August 15th. Our vet prescribed caninsulin to be given twice a day at 2ml, after reading these boards we also began to mix wet food into his dry to make the switch to an all wet diet, our vet was still pushing the royal canin diabetic dry which I refused to purchase. From the 15th to the 25th his appetite was much better, he was no longer filling his litter box and his begging for water had decreased. We thought things were going great, suddenly on the 25th evening his appetite completely stopped and he would not take any food. We spoke with the vet over the phone on the 26th and wanted to check if we should give his shots without him eating, we were told not too.

Saturday 27th he was brought into the vet for blood testing and also to get him some fluids. I unfortunately was not at the appointment, but was told that we should hold off on the insulin for now. He was given a pill to stimulate his appetite and we should have seen him start to eat as of Sunday, but as of today he still has not eaten anything, we have tried all of his favorites but he just turns his back, he is only drinking water. He has another appointment tomorrow and would like some advice on where to go from here. I have done a lot of research on pancreatitis and feel that he could have this, I'd like for them to admit him to get him on fluids for a few days but would appreciate anyone's advice.
Thanks so much!
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

It's extremely important that he gets food, even if you have to force him to eat.

There is a serious, even life threatening condition called ketoacidosis which can result if a diabetic cat does not get enough insulin and/or food and may have an infection. Even if you don't think he is sick with a UTI or something, he could have an infection from the condition of his teeth even.

Yes, pancreatitis is a cause for a cat to not want to eat. There is a specific blood test called feline Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity to test for pancreatitis. The blood needs to be drawn after a fast (meaning no food for at least 8 hrs prior to blood draw), so you might want to call and ask about that before you take him in.

At this early level of diabetes care, I would be more concerned about the possibility of ketones, however. You can test his urine with ketone test strips yourself. They can be purchased OTC at any pharmacy/chemist. At least that is true in the US - are you in Canada or Europe? I ask because usually Caninsulin is prescribed in those countries. The US version, Vetsulin, is no longer available.

I presume they checked his blood level for ketones on Saturday, but ketones can develop quickly and may not have shown up then, so please ask them to check again, if you can't get and use the urine test strips before you take him in.

Also, we highly recommend getting a human blood glucose meter to check his Blood glucose with. Even when you get his eating back on schedule, home monitoring of blood glucose is the best way to treat feline diabetes. It will help you feel more in control and know that it is safe to give insulin.

Let us know how he's doing.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

there are tips for getting a cat to eat.
trust me, my cat went on a major hunger strike.
you must try some of these.
raw chicken livers cut into small pieces with a sissor
parmesan cheese grated over his food.
cat food with a very gravy like consistancy...or you make it gravy like with water and mashing.
get a big syringe and take off the needle, suck up some meat only baby food and literally, but slowly, put into his mouth to feed. small amounts at a time.

This happens sometimes. Since he must eat...and it is nighttime where you are I presume? Can you try any of these tonight?
Lori
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

Also, I'm afraid that the advice from the vet to not give any insulin can make the possibility of ketones even greater. We see many owners come here in early diabetes treatment with cats in ketoacidosis and it is a life threatening condition.

Since you are taking him in tomorrow, I wanted to make sure you're aware of this conditions so you can ask the vet.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

I am unfortunately not with Tiger, working in Toronto and he is in another city with my parents (didn't want to move him after 10yrs). I will send a message to my mom to also have him test for ketones, unsure if they tested for this, it is so frustrating not to be able to be at every appointment! I will also get someone to stop at a pharmacy for the strips. When he was first diagnosed he did have a bladder infection which was treated with antibiotics and his teeth are in great shape, but i'm going to copy all the info into my "list to ask the vet" .

With regard to food, we have seriously tried everything, roasted turkey, chicken, steak, tuna, pasta sauce which he used to LOVE and three different kinds of wet food! He wont even look at kitten formula which he used to get as a rare treat. At this point I'd really like Tiger to be admitted to get his fluids up and possibly a feeding tube, I'm worried he may have given up himself. I'll update tomorrow, fingers crossed!
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

our fingers and our paws are crossed here too.
please let us know.
i think a tube may be in order at this time...at least until you are with him.
Lori
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

I'm glad you're going to have him hospitalized and get the fluids and feeding tube. It can very well save him.
Fingers crossed here, for you and Tiger.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

I hope Tiger pulls through this....My heart goes out to you, your parents and TIGER!! I know its worse on you, because you are not with him. Please let us know how he is doing.. if he went to the vets to get fluids etc.. HUGS to you, Pam

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.(.|.|..|.|.)..PO-PO LOVES YOU! Because the Angels @ the FDMB saved his LIFE! ❤

✿ ✿✿ HELLO LORI, Dyana & VICKY, HOPE ALL IS WELL! Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒʚ✿
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

Squeak stopped eating and that led to his diagnosis of diabetes. I had to syringe feed watered down babyfood into him and give him insulin for him to start improving. Your cat will need insulin because of the diabetes, but also needs food or the liver will start to suffer and as mentioned ketones may be a nasty side effect (insufficient food +/or insufficient insulin +/or infection = ketones).

Where in Canada is your cat? I'm in Alberta...

Jen
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

Hi again,

Tiger went back to the vet today and has lost almost a pound in under a week, the vet said that he tested negative for ketones but had increased cholesterol and his blood sugar was very high as well. Even though his blood sugar is so elevated he said insulin could not be given since it has been so long since he has eaten, he has started to develop diarrhea as of yesterday . The vet gave him more sub q fluids and he was given another pill in hopes of getting his appetite back up a bit. He was very dehydrated and is losing his hair, the vet said he at this point feels he will not recover and thinks that the stress of forced feeding will be too much for his body to handle. What do I do at this point? Do I find another vet???? Do I insist on the feeding tube? Things are not looking good :(
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

oh no...this is NOT right!!!! the insulin most certainly can be given and should be given. with monitoring.....
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

tell THIS vet to put the tube in...and give insulin. OMG! ohmygod_smile
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

Get the tube!!!!! My cat has one right now because she didnt eat for almost a week and got FHL. She started off with DKA (which caused her to not eat) but then the not eating caused her to get the FHL. The tube saved her life. They wont have it forever and without it, my Garland would not have made it.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

Hi all,

I am sad to say that Tiger passed away Thursday afternoon, I had driven back into my parent's city on Wednesday night and found him to be sicker than expected, he had gone almost a week not eating or drinking. I spent the night with him Wednesday and was so sad to see that he couldn't even sleep peacefully without getting up to use his litter box or to be sick. I'm glad I was able to see him and hold him the one last time and wish I had seen this forum months and months ago. I have learned so much from all the posts and it is so appreciated. Thanks to you all for your support & advice.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

I'm so sorry for your loss (((hugs))) :(

Fly Free Sweet Tiger
wings_cat
 
Re: Newly diagnosed cat no longer eating over 4 days

So sad to read this and you have my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Tiger. If you go to your original post and click on edit, you can then click on the candle so everyone will see and know that Tiger is gone. I'm glad you were able to be with him one more time.
 
oh no, Sending many cyber hugs. I am so sorry he was sicker than you thought. Its always hard. Tears falling for you and Tiger. Tiger is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon

wings_cat
 
Hugs to you to soothe the ache from your loss of Tiger. Fly free Tiger on anglel wings.

Claudia
 
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