Not eating but levels are fine?

[starmamageo]

Our cat, Smokey, was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. They trained us on administering insulin and we bought both wet and dry food specified for diabetic cats. She's also overweight, and as of today she's about 15-16 pounds. At first, she was eating about half the needed food, so we were giving a half unit. Then she stopped eating. She'll still drink water, but I suspect she has neuropathy because she will barely get up and just pees herself and doesn't move. I've gotten her to eat a few pieces of lunch meat and the gravy from some Friskies wet food, but it's nowhere near enough to determine a dose of insulin. We took her to the vet today and her levels are perfect, but she has barely eaten and has not received insulin in about 4 days.
I'm wondering what to do? We've tried treats and other foods to get her to eat, but she refuses. She can barely walk and when I bathed her this morning she just laid in the water and let me carry her around like a baby (this is very unlike her). I've also noticed her third eyelid is half-showing most of the day, and she won't acknowledge anyone the way she normally does (she's very vocal usually).
The vet seems unconcerned, but they also had us buy the wrong kind of glucose sensor so we aren't able to monitor her levels. I'm already looking for a new vet, but is there anything else I can try in the meantime? She seems miserable.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Did they test for ketones while at the vet? You can test for them at home easily using the urine dipsticks they use for humans, but I'm concerned that it's been four days of no food and insulin. If she is devloping ketones, things can go from bad to worse very very quickly, and they can be life-threatening.

 

[starmamageo]

Did they test for ketones while at the vet? You can test for them at home easily using the urine dipsticks they use for humans, but I'm concerned that it's been four days of no food and insulin. If she is devloping ketones, things can go from bad to worse very very quickly, and they can be life-threatening.

They did not test for ketones, but suspected a bladder infection. We're going to try this round of antibiotics and see what happens, but I'll go ahead and get the ketone strips so we can start checking those. Thank you!

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

They did not test for ketones, but suspected a bladder infection. We're going to try this round of antibiotics and see what happens, but I'll go ahead and get the ketone strips so we can start checking those. Thank you!

OK, glad you are getting started with antibiotics at least! Please do test for ketones asap. Anything above "trace" means an immediate vet visit. In this case, I might suggest going around your own vet and going straight to an ER vet, although that will likely be extremely pricey. But I'm concerned that your vet might not be set up for the treatment that would be required.

 

[JL and Chip]

I second the ketone test.

Also, an overweight cat who hasn’t eaten enough for days is at risk for hepatic lipidosis (“fatty liver”), which can also be life threatening. Does she have any yellowish cast to the whites of her eyes or ears?

Did the vet do any blood work, other tests, or a urinalysis today?

It’s not normal for a cat to lie in one spot and urinate on themself. You say she’s not acting like herself — I’d listen to your instincts on this one. Something is causing her to not feel well and not eat. You might want to get a second opinion.

 

[JL and Chip]

they also had us buy the wrong kind of glucose sensor so we aren't able to monitor her levels.

What kind did you buy? A human meter works fine for cats.

Also, as for enticing a cat to eat, you can try a meat baby food (make sure it does NOT have onions or garlic). You might have to resort to syringe feeding to get something in her, so make sure you have a needleless syringe.