Sickly cat

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Linda5

Member Since 2017
Just wondering..has anyone had a diabetic cat who was a ravenous eater..and then one day started barely eating at all? I tried to change his diet to control his diabetes..now wondering if I should start insulin.
 
Have you had your cats blood sugar levels checked at all to see if the change of diet has helped at all?
If your cat is a diabetic and has not been having insulin and the diet has not helped, it is possible that he has developed ketones and this is why he is not eating. Ketones can lead to Ketoacidosis which is a very serious and life threatening illness.
I would go to the chemist or wherever you get supplies of medications from in your country and ask for some Ketostix and test his urine for ketones.
If you are unable to do this, I think it would be a good idea to get your cat checked out at the vet to see if he has ketones in his urine and to see if he needs to start insulin.
I would not leave it to see if he gets better, I would get him checked out today.
Better safe than sorry.
 
Do you have a meter, strips, lancets and syringes? When was the last time his blood sugar was tested and what were the results? Any other medical conditions? Do you have insulin now and if so what type? Has he had any insulin yet? You can ask us anything, there's no such thing as a stupid question.
 
Linda5 said:
Just wondering..has anyone had a diabetic cat who was a ravenous eater..and then one day started barely eating at all? I tried to change his diet to control his diabetes..now wondering if I should start insulin.
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Very few cats are simply diet controlled. It's smart to switch to low carb but now you have to get going on insulin. Don't wait. Would you like a shopping list for what to buy to home test? If he just stopped eating much I would bring him to be tested for ketones.
 
Thank you..he is at the vet tonight. She started fluids and insulin. She thinks he is in diabetic ketoacidosis. I will let you know if I need more advice. Hopefully, he makes it. :(
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Have you had your cats blood sugar levels checked at all to see if the change of diet has helped at all?
If your cat is a diabetic and has not been having insulin and the diet has not helped, it is possible that he has developed ketones and this is why he is not eating. Ketones can lead to Ketoacidosis which is a very serious and life threatening illness.
I would go to the chemist or wherever you get supplies of medications from in your country and ask for some Ketostix and test his urine for ketones.
If you are unable to do this, I think it would be a good idea to get your cat checked out at the vet to see if he has ketones in his urine and to see if he needs to start insulin.
I would not leave it to see if he gets better, I would get him checked out today.
Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the response. He is at the vet now getting fluids and insulin. On Friday, he clinically checked out OK..today he was real bad..just made the decision to do insulin..hope it's not to late for him. Now she thinks it is what you say "diabetic ketoacidosis". :(
 
Noah & me said:
Do you have a meter, strips, lancets and syringes? When was the last time his blood sugar was tested and what were the results? Any other medical conditions? Do you have insulin now and if so what type? Has he had any insulin yet? You can ask us anything, there's no such thing as a stupid question.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, I changed his diet to wet food. Got a bunch of teeth pulled this summer. He got even better after the teeth were pulled. Started peeing a lot less, less thirsty when diet was changed to wet. He's now at the vet on fluids and started insulin. I hope he makes it..very frustrated. :(
 
Linda5 said:
Just wondering..has anyone had a diabetic cat who was a ravenous eater..and then one day started barely eating at all? I tried to change his diet to control his diabetes..now wondering if I should start insulin.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks to all of you for your responses. You are very helpful! I'm hoping I can have some good news to report to all of you!
 
Oh, Linda... so sorry to hear that, but now he is where he needs to be. Hopefully they are decently versed in DKA care. Please let us know as you get reports from them. We have folks whose cats have been through DKA, and they might be able to provide feedback or questions that you could ask your vet.

BTW, sorry if I have missed it -- what is your sweet boy's name? Prayers for you both.

Sandi.
 
Thanks Linda for letting us know how your sweet boy is going. I am glad he is at the vet. Best place for him at this point in time. I am sorry he has DKA. Sending many get better vines. Please keep us updated.
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
Oh, Linda... so sorry to hear that, but now he is where he needs to be. Hopefully they are decently versed in DKA care. Please let us know as you get reports from them. We have folks whose cats have been through DKA, and they might be able to provide feedback or questions that you could ask your vet.

BTW, sorry if I have missed it -- what is your sweet boy's name? Prayers for you both.

Sandi.
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His name is Blackie. Thank you! He is a bit better today.
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
Oh, Linda... so sorry to hear that, but now he is where he needs to be. Hopefully they are decently versed in DKA care. Please let us know as you get reports from them. We have folks whose cats have been through DKA, and they might be able to provide feedback or questions that you could ask your vet.

BTW, sorry if I have missed it -- what is your sweet boy's name? Prayers for you both.

Sandi.
Click to expand...
 
I have the syringes and the insulin (Lantus). Vet says it is the best insulin. I am giving him insulin at home, but he is not eating. We have been feeding him with a syringe. He is also on an appetite stimulant. Just getting in the swing of things at home. Vet wants to see him again. Blackie seems to be sneezing more..wonder if he has a respiratory infection?
 
How is he dealing with the syringe feeding? Some cats fight back and others will have a Thank you Momma look on their face. Sneezing how often? Is he so plugged up that he's mouth breathing or does it look like the least of your problems. The sneezes makes the rounds here in 6 month cycles; one cat, another cat, nothing, then it starts again. For now make sure his eyes are clear and not puffy and if you can wipe his little nose and see just how much cat-snot is coming out. (cat snot?) Weekends are never a good time for an animal to get sicker but we're here, no charge.
 
DKA takes a bit to get over. It may take awhile to stimulate him to eat again.

I hope he starts to feel better soon. In the meantime breathe and give yourself a hug. He has the best Mom taking care of him right now.
 
Noah & me said:
How is he dealing with the syringe feeding? Some cats fight back and others will have a Thank you Momma look on their face. Sneezing how often? Is he so plugged up that he's mouth breathing or does it look like the least of your problems. The sneezes makes the rounds here in 6 month cycles; one cat, another cat, nothing, then it starts again. For now make sure his eyes are clear and not puffy and if you can wipe his little nose and see just how much cat-snot is coming out. (cat snot?) Weekends are never a good time for an animal to get sicker but we're here, no charge.
Click to expand...
 
He is getting inpatient with the syringe feeding. I will try to make it fast and quicker in the future. Was sneezing a bit more, but now OK. Vet said it probably viral (clear mucous). Luckily the vet I am working with is doing good and trying to keep the bill low. As of right now, he looks a bit better, and is holding his own. Thank you for asking. :)
 
Here is a video on assist feeding
if you haven't seen it yet. I had to assist feed J.D. for quite some time. I bought some baby bibs at WalMart to put on him, as it can get messy. J.D. had DKA soon after he was diagnosed and was hospitalized for over a week. He was 11 then, and lived to be 20. I hope Blackie does just as well. J.D. would not eat at the vet hospital for all that time, so came home with a feeding tube. He only needed it for a couple of days before he was eating fine on his own again. When I had to assist feed him, he was almost 20. I had to give him eighteen 10ml syringes of food a day, to try to get over 200 calories into him. He didn't mind it. They get used to routine. And, I watched Kathy's video that I attached which helped me a lot.

My cat Jackson will have bad sneezing fits, but I think his are seasonal. I give him L-lysine, and it clears up almost instantly.
I hope Blackie does not have an infection. If he does, he will need antibiotics. The recipe for DKA is not enough food plus not enough insulin plus an infection or other stress. You are or may be combating all three of those.
I'm so glad you found this board, and I hope you will continue posting, asking questions, and giving us updates. Hugs.
 
Dyana said:
I hope Blackie does not have an infection. If he does, he will need antibiotics.
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Sorry, did not mean to be dismissive about sneezing. Just like in humans Ear/Nose/Throat are all connected and part of the big system. Blackie may be impatient with syringe feeding but at minimum he's getting the calories he needs and you're doing a great job with something that can be unpleasant and stressful. Hugs all around.
 
Sending our continued wishes to you and Blackie. Syringe feeding is a necessary evil for all of us at times, but it is so important. I hope you are both doing well.

Our best,
Sandi & Whisper.
 
Dyana said:
Here is a video on assist feeding
if you haven't seen it yet. I had to assist feed J.D. for quite some time. I bought some baby bibs at WalMart to put on him, as it can get messy. J.D. had DKA soon after he was diagnosed and was hospitalized for over a week. He was 11 then, and lived to be 20. I hope Blackie does just as well. J.D. would not eat at the vet hospital for all that time, so came home with a feeding tube. He only needed it for a couple of days before he was eating fine on his own again. When I had to assist feed him, he was almost 20. I had to give him eighteen 10ml syringes of food a day, to try to get over 200 calories into him. He didn't mind it. They get used to routine. And, I watched Kathy's video that I attached which helped me a lot.

My cat Jackson will have bad sneezing fits, but I think his are seasonal. I give him L-lysine, and it clears up almost instantly.
I hope Blackie does not have an infection. If he does, he will need antibiotics. The recipe for DKA is not enough food plus not enough insulin plus an infection or other stress. You are or may be combating all three of those.
I'm so glad you found this board, and I hope you will continue posting, asking questions, and giving us updates. Hugs.
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Thank you so much for this video. I will look at it shortly! Vet thinks he has a "viral" infection...still sneezing..still no big appetite, but holding his own.
 
Noah & me said:
How is he dealing with the syringe feeding? Some cats fight back and others will have a Thank you Momma look on their face. Sneezing how often? Is he so plugged up that he's mouth breathing or does it look like the least of your problems. The sneezes makes the rounds here in 6 month cycles; one cat, another cat, nothing, then it starts again. For now make sure his eyes are clear and not puffy and if you can wipe his little nose and see just how much cat-snot is coming out. (cat snot?) Weekends are never a good time for an animal to get sicker but we're here, no charge.
Click to expand...
He doesn't like the syringe feedings, but I am getting faster at them. Vet thinks he has a "viral" infection. Other cats seem fine. It doesn't look like he is mouth breathing.
 
I hope so too! The syringe feeding is getting old. Thank you for the encouragement. It has been about one week since the DKA. Vet says it is touch and go for usually two weeks in this situation.
 
I wouldn't go too fast with the syringe feedings. I think you just want 1 or 2 ml at a time, and then let him swallow, and then 1 or 2 more, repeat. And only syringe into the side of the mouth. He needs the food, so it is vital he gets enough calories. I hope he is eating on his own again soon. Think positive thoughts. I have also heard that your stress level can be felt by the cat, so try petting, singing, relaxing, lots of encouraging words and love while doing so.
 
Dyana said:
I wouldn't go too fast with the syringe feedings. .......singing, relaxing, lots of encouraging words and love.
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A cat never wants to give you absolute 100% control of their lives so not going too fast lets them keep some dignity. I used to wipe off Andrews face and talk to him, he never ran off into the basement when he saw the tube again. Maintain that bond.
 
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