Vomiting soon after eating meal

[Mariella & Simba]

Hi everyone. My Simba has IBD, expressed through vomiting and regurgitation. About 45 minutes after his meal this evening, followed by his 2 units of Lantus, he threw up all his food. We were watching him closely the last week, as his blood glucose curve numbers are dropping, and fear him going into hypoglycemia. We will do another curve on Monday.

My question to the group: Given it is evening, and it will be challenging to watch him through the night, should we include some carbs in his next meal? Typically, after he vomits, he is ready to eat again in 20-30 minutes. I know the Lantus is long-acting, but am afraid of it dropping his sugar too low. Once during the week we were worried about him, and tested him and it was 102, the lowest he has ever had. He was diagnosed and treatment began in mid-August. We are hopeful he is trending toward remission.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mariella & Simba

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

You might try spreading his food out onto a flat plate instead of a bowl....it sounds like he might be doing a "scarf and barf".....by making him slow down when he eats, it may help.

Are you home testing? What was his number before the shot?

 

[Mariella & Simba]

He is definitely a "scarf and barf" cat. I have handled by feeding small portions, wait a while, then feed some more. My main concern, which I didn't properly note in the title line, is that he had his insulin and then barfed, so was worried about his blood sugar going too low. He has had three mini-meals since he barfed, and seems fine. Yes, we home test, but not before each shot. He has been getting frequent curves, every two weeks, and the one coming up Monday will be just one week, because his numbers are coming down. Our vet doesn't feel spot testing is of use. We have tested once or twice when we were worried about his numbers, but not before each shot, as many do. He is being treated by our general practice vet, albeit she is the Medical Director at the practice. All the Internal Medicine vets at our specialty center left after Blue Pearl bought them, so we don't have access to a specialist for him right now.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mariella & Simba

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

It really is important to test before every shot and at least once in between shots. Cat's pancreas can start to "kick in" at any time.

Also, just like you're seeing tonight, the only way to know what's going on inside Simba's body is to test. If you test before every shot and he vomits, you can always test again to make sure he's not dropping too fast or too much.

So many vets are still either not even mentioning home testing or actively discouraging it like yours seems to be doing. I just don't get it. If you had a diabetic child and their doctor told you to just give them X units of insulin and come back in 2 weeks, they'd be guilty of malpractice. It should be the same for our furkids.

Testing doesn't hurt them....It only protects them....and if done right, the vast majority of cats learn that when they get tested, they get a special treat so they come running when you start to get the supplies out.

If his numbers are coming down, it's even more important. It's the only way to know it's safe to give insulin at all, and then see how he's really responding to treatment.