Panicked Newbie

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fluffycats

Member Since 2013
Hi, as you can tell I am brand new to the diabetic cat world. I noticed that my 12 year-old girl was not acting herself. Lethargic, not eating. So we took her to the vet yesterday. She was still not eating so they are keeping her over the weekend and calling me when they check up on her to let me know how she is doing (which as of this evening is no change). I want to know if it is common for cats to act like this when they are newly diagnosed and if it is common for them to pull out of it. Also, please tell me what to expect with diabetic cats. I worked at a vet in the kennel years ago and worked at 2 pet boarding facilities since then, but I have only given dogs insulin and even then it was less than a handful of times. This is all so overwhelming and foreign.

Thank you all for your help.
 
Lethargic and not eating could be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can occur in unregulated diabetes. Ketones are a by-product of fat breakdown for calories. Too many build up during DKA, which is potentially fatal and expensive to treat due to the need for hospitalization. Glad you took her to the vet!

Diabetes can be treated successfully with a low carb canned or raw diet and a long-acting insulin such as Lantus, Levemir, or ProZinc.

Here are contemporary veterinary guidelines by the Americal Animal Hospital Association.

We strongly encourage home glucose testing as it helps ensure the safety of your cat. An inexpensive human glucometer such as the Arkray Glucocard 01 (aka WalMart ReliOn Confirm), which uses a small blood drop, and has inexpensive test strips.
 
BJM said:
Lethargic and not eating could be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can occur in unregulated diabetes.
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I was afraid of that. Is it common for cats to get better from it? Although I suppose it depends how long it's been going on, etc. I asked the vet if she will be ok and they said "it's too early to tell" which has me absolutely terrified.
 
Diabetic cats can heal their damaged pancreas cells. Dogs can't do this, humans can't do this.

With a proper diet, insulin, correct dose of insulin, and home testing if possible, cats can live long and healthy lives. It will shake up your routine for a while. There is a lot to learn.

The goal for diabetic cats is now remission. Years ago, getting a cat regulated was the goal.

BJM already gave you the AAHA guidelines. I would print these out and see if you understand them. Then ask questions.

We live diabetes 24/7 and have a lot of collective knowledge about the day to day management of diabetes. Even more important, we have all been in your shoes, having a newly diagnosed diabetic cat and not knowing what the next step should be.

Ask any questions you may have. We are here to help.
 
DKA can go either way. They may have her on insulin, fluids, electrolytes, and more.

She needs to eat, so if she is refusing what they are giving her, it may help to feed her what she has been eating. You can work on diet changes once she is out of the woods.

Taking in a shirt you've worn will provide a familiar smell which may help reduce stress, as may a visit from you. She may eat if you offer the food by hand.
 
BJM said:
She needs to eat, so if she is refusing what they are giving her, it may help to feed her what she has been eating. You can work on diet changes once she is out of the woods. Taking in a shirt you've worn will provide a familiar smell which may help reduce stress, as may a visit from you. She may eat if you offer the food by hand.
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Yeah I took in her dry food and wet food. They are force feeding (by syringe) her their wet food. I also took in a blanket that she sleeps on all the time. The vet has her on fluids.
 
Discuss with the vet letting her eat her old food for now, if she will. She might develop a food aversion to what the're giving her by eating it while feeling unwell. Transitioning diet may work better if done gradually, too. There's less likelihood of GI upset.

Did they mention pancreatitis? Its another condition common in diabetics. The pancreas is painfully inflamed. Pain meds can be useful for that, if present.
 
I am hoping they are leaving the dry down for her to eat. That is why I gave it to them. I will ask about it when they call me tomorrow.

They did mention pancreatitis as a possibility (the doctor had a cat who had that and got better) they also mentioned that my cat seemed to be in pain and gave her a pain med. I asked if they thought she had pancreatitis and that was what was causing the pain but they said weren't sure.
 
So, painful - GI tract?

Could be:

- pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas

- hepatic lipidosis - fat breakdown for calories sends so much fat to liver it becomes inflamed and stops working well, resulting in major digestive disturbances.

- inflammatory bowel disease - generalized inflammation of the GI tract. Sometimes due to food allergies or intolerances.

- Infection of some sort, though you might see other GI symptoms in that case (vomiting or diarrhea)
 
There was no vomiting or any signs of Jaundice when I was looking at her thoroughly yesterday. Her nose, paws, gums were all very pink. The only thing I could find off color was her lips if you can call them that, they were just pale though not yellowed. As for the others IBD, infection, etc. I have no idea. She has always had very solid bowel. It's my boy that has always had odd bowel movements. She has been on the same food and treats for years (she is very picky and I warned the vet about that). So unless they have changed the recipe I hope it isn't IBD.

Also I work 12 hour shifts... I am trying to figure out how to do the insulin. I am hoping that since I am living with family again (divorce...) I can get them to help me out some...

Thank you again for the help. I slowly feel some sanity returning.
 
We have had folks who worked out custom dose schedules. It takes a lot of care and understanding of the insulin.

It may be that with a good low carb diet and a period of insulin, you'll get to diet-controlled remission and not need insulin. Fingers crossed.
 
I was afraid of that. Is it common for cats to get better from it?
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She's in the best place possible if it is DKA, or any serious condition. Yes, it is common for cats to get better from it. The key is early detection and treatment. I've "seen" a few who weren't so fortunate since I joined the board. But I've seen many more who've pulled through it. My cat, Bob, spent 3 days in the ER after he was diagnosed DKA. He made it, then was on insulin for 10 weeks. That was two years ago, and he's doing great ever since.
 
Oh wow diet controlled.... That would be amazing!

And Carl thank you for posting that. I really appreciate that and I am very happy for you and Bob!
 
Great news everyone. The doctor just called and my cat's blood glucose levels are getting in the manageable range and if they stay that they they want to send her home tomorrow. There were no ketones in her urine when they tested. They haven't had her on insulin. They think we just may be able to manage her diabetes with diet. The doctor still suspects pancreatitis though.
 
Thats wonderful! I know how worried you were.

If you make a new post asking about pancreatitis, you will get lots of info from folks whose cats have had that. I know pain management was one thing recommended (pancreatitis is painful), as well as Vitamine B12 injections.
 
Great!

In terms of diet - you will want a low carb wet food with under 10% calories from carbs to keep her blood glucose low.. like fancy feast classic pates, friskies pates or wellness grain free. You dont need to invest in the expensive prescription foods.

I would also recommend you learn to home test (we can help) because vet tests are expensive and not that reliable since the cat is usually stressed in the vet, and that causes increased blood glucose.

let us know if you want more info on home testing etc

Wendy
 
Well hello fellow Tennessean!

I too am a newbie here. I first posted here with A LOT of questions and concerns on Saturday and the people here are tremendous!

Since I'm new to this too, I woun't offer any advice.

But I will say you have come to the right place and are NOT alone in this.

We all love, love, love our furry babies and worry, stress, and sometimes feel helpless. But the folks here WILL greatly assist you!

Welcome to the forum!

-Dan
 
Update!!
Well they ran a pancreatitis test and she does not have pancreatitis.
The ran a test on the tiny bit of fluid in the lungs. No cancer.
They had her on fluids for awhile and on steroids, 2 antibiotics. She is doing SO MUCH BETTER. She is back to her old self. She was rabbit kicking her favorite tennis ball last night and knocking the treat canister over this morning. I know that steroids can make a cat feel a bit better when a cat might have cancer but I am really thinking that this was a really nasty infection. She really back to her old self. We have to take her back to the vet this Monday and it looks like it will continue to be good news!

Thank you all for your help and support it helped me more than I can tell you. I seriously had no idea what was going to happen and knowing that there were people who could help and give advice really meant a lot. So thank you again.
 
That's great news!

How is she doing with the diabetes?

P.s. I don't think you ever told us your name or your cats name.
 
Little Bit is still doing great. She has been playing with her favorite tennis ball (rabbit kicking it and running after it). She has also been knocking over her treats to let me know she hasn't had enough. She has been off of insulin since we initially took her to the vet (almost a month ago). Glucose levels have been normal. The vet found fluid in her lungs and it was tested for cancer. NO CANCER!! The steroid and antibiotics seemed to have fixed everything. The only after-effects are the shaved patches and the bill.

Anyways thanks again. It was a great relief to have all of you as a resource when I thought she was diabetic. You have no idea how comforting each and every one of you are in that moment of sheer panic.

Thank you so much
 
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