Hello, my name is Laura and my cat Samson was diagnosed with diabetes last week. He's almost 12 yo and weighs just over 10 pounds (used to be 12 pounds).
I brought Samson to the vet because he wasn't eating much, losing weight, drinking a LOT of water, and urinating large amounts as well. I wasn't too concerned at first because he is a very sensitive boy and when stressed will hide and not eat for a while, but he always would return to normal once he destressed. He had a full senior work-up including xrays and was diagnosed as diabetic and put on 1 unit of Lantus twice a day. The vet also saw something near the pancreas area that she said "may" be a mass, but it could also be caused by something going on with his pancreas. It's been 6 days now (he has follow up appt tomorrow) and he still does not want to eat. The vet gave him a script for mirtazapine that I am to put in his ear every 72 hours. At first that seemed to help and he was eating more, but after 2 days he wouldn't eat again. I gave him another dose at 48 hours and then he did eat some, but vomited it up. I did not administer his insulin that evening because I didn't want his sugar to go too low (he had already been pretty lethargic and my husband who is also insulin dependent and knows the ropes recommended withholding the insulin). This morning he did eat a little and did not vomit so I gave him a half unit instead of a whole.
I know I need to learn home testing and have done a lot of research to prepare for this journey. However, one question I cannot seem to find the answer to is "how much is enough for him to eat"? I know about recommended caloric intake, etc., and he definitely isn't getting that, but is th
e little bit he does eat enough to prevent liver failure, etc.? What else could be causing him to not eat?
Thank you in advance for any advice and I will post any other related questions in the Feline Health forum (I think that is the appropriate place?). Best regards, Laura
I brought Samson to the vet because he wasn't eating much, losing weight, drinking a LOT of water, and urinating large amounts as well. I wasn't too concerned at first because he is a very sensitive boy and when stressed will hide and not eat for a while, but he always would return to normal once he destressed. He had a full senior work-up including xrays and was diagnosed as diabetic and put on 1 unit of Lantus twice a day. The vet also saw something near the pancreas area that she said "may" be a mass, but it could also be caused by something going on with his pancreas. It's been 6 days now (he has follow up appt tomorrow) and he still does not want to eat. The vet gave him a script for mirtazapine that I am to put in his ear every 72 hours. At first that seemed to help and he was eating more, but after 2 days he wouldn't eat again. I gave him another dose at 48 hours and then he did eat some, but vomited it up. I did not administer his insulin that evening because I didn't want his sugar to go too low (he had already been pretty lethargic and my husband who is also insulin dependent and knows the ropes recommended withholding the insulin). This morning he did eat a little and did not vomit so I gave him a half unit instead of a whole.
I know I need to learn home testing and have done a lot of research to prepare for this journey. However, one question I cannot seem to find the answer to is "how much is enough for him to eat"? I know about recommended caloric intake, etc., and he definitely isn't getting that, but is th
e little bit he does eat enough to prevent liver failure, etc.? What else could be causing him to not eat?
Thank you in advance for any advice and I will post any other related questions in the Feline Health forum (I think that is the appropriate place?). Best regards, Laura
