Hello everyone. I am new to all of this as of today actually. I just found out my 10 month old Maine Coon has diabetes. She is at a normal weight but has been losing weight over the last week. I know it just depends on the cat but I was wondering from other people's experiences how long it takes them to recover with insulin shots on average. We started her on them today but my vet didn't mention how long it may take to get her glucose levels down. She will recheck them Monday but I am worried about her. She hasn't eaten since last Friday or Saturday and isn't dehydrated but she throws up water and bile at least 2-3 times a day. I was hoping the insulin would regulate her a bit faster, as shes still very lethargic and barely moving around the house. She normally eats anything she can get her paws on, has a beautiful coat and loves to play but all of that has stopped over this last week. Any tips from anyone....guessing this is why patience is a virtue :-|
Newly Diagnosed Cat -NOT EATING
- Thread starter Jenn7107
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Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
Re: Newly Diagnosed Cat
Ten months old is very young for a diabetic cat but it is possible. Did the vet do complete blood work and some other tests?
No eating and the vomiting are not good signs and points to maybe DKA or other problems besides diabetes?
Giving insulin with the cat not eating can lead to the blood BG going too low.
Did the vet say anything about other problems?
Ten months old is very young for a diabetic cat but it is possible. Did the vet do complete blood work and some other tests?
No eating and the vomiting are not good signs and points to maybe DKA or other problems besides diabetes?
Giving insulin with the cat not eating can lead to the blood BG going too low.
Did the vet say anything about other problems?
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: Newly Diagnosed Cat
She needs to eat. What did she eat before? Have you changed her food lately? How is she acting? Does she seem in pain - particularly when you touch her belly? Is there a human food she loves that you can give her - chicken or tuna?
Here is a link with ideas about getting a cat to eat; it is for kidney cats but the ideas are good. http://www.felinecrf.org/persuading_cat_to_eat.htm
Other simple ideas:
Add parmesan cheese or tuna juice to the food.
Add water to wet food and make it soupy.
Microwave wet food until nice and stinky
High diabetic levels without eating can lead to serious health problems for her. Please add NOT EATING to your subject line.
She needs to eat. What did she eat before? Have you changed her food lately? How is she acting? Does she seem in pain - particularly when you touch her belly? Is there a human food she loves that you can give her - chicken or tuna?
Here is a link with ideas about getting a cat to eat; it is for kidney cats but the ideas are good. http://www.felinecrf.org/persuading_cat_to_eat.htm
Other simple ideas:
Add parmesan cheese or tuna juice to the food.
Add water to wet food and make it soupy.
Microwave wet food until nice and stinky
High diabetic levels without eating can lead to serious health problems for her. Please add NOT EATING to your subject line.
Re: Newly Diagnosed...CAT NOT EATING
I did get her to drink some skim milk today so at least that gives her some calories. My vet didn't mention her eating yet. I know she needs to with the shots. I don't know if she just wanted to get her levels down first or what bc they were sky high yesterday. Going to buy tuna and try that. I haven't changed her food...she eats dry food which I know may have to change soon. My issue is that I'm in Germany and the vet on post is closing and so I'm trying to ask a lot of questions with my German vet and they aren't all understood. I speak little german. I've started researching everything in the last 2 days and my goal today will be to get some calories in her. Thanks everyone.
I did get her to drink some skim milk today so at least that gives her some calories. My vet didn't mention her eating yet. I know she needs to with the shots. I don't know if she just wanted to get her levels down first or what bc they were sky high yesterday. Going to buy tuna and try that. I haven't changed her food...she eats dry food which I know may have to change soon. My issue is that I'm in Germany and the vet on post is closing and so I'm trying to ask a lot of questions with my German vet and they aren't all understood. I speak little german. I've started researching everything in the last 2 days and my goal today will be to get some calories in her. Thanks everyone.
Just tried to feed her some tuna by putting small pieces down her throat. I read you need to asisst them sometimes.I think this stressed her out bc she threw it up and I feel like all progress of milk and tuna came up. I don't want to stress her but I I know she has to eat. I know milk probably isn't the best thing for her but its calories at least. My vet didn't even mention that she must eat with insulin which bothers me. Now I'm worried she will just get worse if I give her the shots and she isn't eating. I did see a little urine in front of the food bowl this morning but I don't think she ate any or not much at least....worried!
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Do you have a German friend, who has a vet they really trust, who would go with you to an appointment? I think she should be seen by someone ASAP. They can help you learn how to do assisted feeding or even put in a feeding tube. If she is diabetic, she has to eat. Even taking her to an ER vet would be a good idea - they often see more cats with issues than a normal vet. Again, take a German speaking friend along.
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
I absolutely agree with Sue: Your cat really needs to see a vet ASAP....
BJM
Member Since 2010
Three days without eating is medical emergency.
Hepatic lipidosis may ocurr when fat is broken down for energy and overloads the liver. Watch for sighs of jaundice: yellowing of eye whites, yellowing of skin, painful abdomen.
Diabetic ketoacidosis also may cause inappetance and requires hospitalization to treat.
See my signature link for Google translate versions of common diabetic terms.
You might try bits of boiled chicken, tuna, parmesan cheese sprinkled over food, or warming it up to body temperature to encourage eating.
Unless you have milk with predigested lactose, the milk sugar lactose may CAUSE upset stomach and vomiting. Try tuna water (press the juice off a can of tuna, add a smidge of wart water.
Hepatic lipidosis may ocurr when fat is broken down for energy and overloads the liver. Watch for sighs of jaundice: yellowing of eye whites, yellowing of skin, painful abdomen.
Diabetic ketoacidosis also may cause inappetance and requires hospitalization to treat.
See my signature link for Google translate versions of common diabetic terms.
You might try bits of boiled chicken, tuna, parmesan cheese sprinkled over food, or warming it up to body temperature to encourage eating.
Unless you have milk with predigested lactose, the milk sugar lactose may CAUSE upset stomach and vomiting. Try tuna water (press the juice off a can of tuna, add a smidge of wart water.
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