? Vomiting Food

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Peppersmom72, Dec 11, 2017.

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  1. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Hi all. I did a curve on Pepper this past weekend. Numbers still don't seem like they are coming down. Last night PMPS her BG was the highest its ever been. Also, sometime around 3am last night she vomited her food. She woke me up this morning like usual to eat. She received her 2u and off I went to work. Why are her numbers climbing instead of coming down? I understand she is not regulated yet, and has not had anything different in her diet. She is finally gaining her weight back and seems very happy. (Except for the first 2 hours after her insulin shot, I think she feels her worst then). Is there a different insulin that won't break the bank? I know alot of people talk about Prozinc (really expensive), but I am away from her for 11-1/2 hours a day and am really nervous about switching. But, I don't know what to do at this point.
     
  2. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Actually her numbers at PS time and through the cycle are fairly consistent. There's a 20% meter variance allowed so two numbers that look different might well fall in that allowed range. It looks like you haven't reached her effective dose range yet. She is coming down by mid cycle but not by enough. If you're using syringes with half unit marks, I'd increase by an eyeballed 0.25 u after 2 days or so of similar numbers.

    Feeling unwell in the few hours after a shot is something others have noticed too. Sometimes a change of insulin helps that. Yes, ProZinc is expensive. Lantus is a depot insulin that works well for many cats but has a high price tag in the US. Many users order it from a Canadian pharmacy for less than half the price. It's a bit early in Pepper's treatment to make and insulin switch. I'd work with the Novolin a bit longer to see if you can't get her BG into a better range.
     
  3. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    @Kris & Teasel ,

    Thank you so much. Should I do the insulin increase this evening or wait?
     
  4. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I'd try giving 2.25 u this evening. Is Novolin a U100 insulin? Are you using U100 syringes with half unit marks? If so, it's fairly easy to eyeball a 0.25 u increase. If you only have whole unit marks, draw up a reference syringe of coloured water as close to 2.25u as you can guesstimate and use it as a guide for these doses. Consistency is more important that absolute accuracy.

    Give 2.25 u for 4 cycles or so and increase to 2.5 u if there's no significant improvement. The longer she sits in high numbers the harder it gets to pull them down. Eventually you'll reach a dose that gives you yellows, then blues. At that point you'll be closer to her good working dose.

    Ask questions here any time you're in doubt. :)
     
  5. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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  6. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Oops! I should have read that first. :confused: By all means wait a week if you feel more comfortable. The reason is that Novolin can drop BG hard and fast so extra caution is required. I was coming at it from the high BG range she's in and how she seems to be reacting to the current dose.

    Hurray for you for reading those guidelines - they're invaluable. I'll defer to the guideline. Go up to 2.25 u then after 7 days. A half unit increase is a bit too much in my opinion. Are you testing her urine for ketones? It's important at these high numbers. Here are some tips:

    How to test for urine ketones at home:
    • put the end of the test strip right in his urine stream as he's peeing
    • slip a shallow, long handled spoon under his backside to catch a little pee - you don't need much
    • put a double layer of plastic wrap over his favourite part of the litter box and poke some depressions in it too catch pee.
    Most test strips have to be dipped and allowed to develop for 15 seconds before viewing the colour change in very good light. Test strips can be purchased at any human pharmacy.
     
  7. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Thank you so much @Kris & Teasel , her vet did not say anything about testing urine. I will get some strips on my way home from work today. :cat:
     
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  8. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Few vets recommend it. Mine didn't when I asked and she said she'd worry about litter box avoidance developing. No problem with my guy. Is your kitty a shy girl when it comes to litter box use?
     
  9. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I think she might be. She faces out towards the open bathroom when she pees and faces the wall when she poops. Its almost like she is modest. But with that being said, she will go to the bathroom when I am in there, but if my hubby or daughter is in the bathroom she will wait until they leave the room to do her business.

    I heard about the bonding experience you can have with your sugar baby once you start to care for them with FD, but I wasn't thinking that included potty time. haha
     
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  10. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    @Kris & Teasel ,

    Just to let you know, I am totally in shock right now. The vet just called and wants to up her dose from 2u to 3u. I am not comfortable with this giant increase. :-o
     
  11. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    That's a 50% increase. Too big I think. My gut tells me you could likely try 2.5 u and be OK because her numbers are high right now. Here's what I'd do: I'd boost her to 2.5 u this evening if you can monitor starting at +2 and continue to +5 at least. If not, try 2.5 u tomorrow AM if you're home during the day. Start testing at +2 because that's when you might get advance notice of a big drop - ie. if she's down 100+ points then, you'll want to monitor actively until after her nadir which could be as late as +6.
     
  12. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Her biggest drop has been close to 200 points. When she first started on 1u. I am gone all day from 630am - 545 pm.
     
  13. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    You could wait until Friday night or the weekend to try this.
     
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  14. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Checking in to see how you and Pepper are doing. Those two yellows last night are a positive sign. Are you planning to try 2.5 u on the weekend?
     
  15. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    @Kris & Teasel ,

    Yes, I am planning on trying either Friday night or Saturday. Peppers appetite was very poor yesterday until I got home from work. She was constipated (which is not uncommon for her). So, I think that is why I got lower numbers, because she started out in the 400's instead of 500's and 600's. I honestly think it is her food that is causing the higher BG's. She's been on Friskies her whole life and I'm wondering if I change it to a lower carb food, if her numbers will decrease even more.
     
  16. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Hard to say. In general the insulin dose is the bigger factor so I would focus on that first. Do you feed her only the low carb Friskies pates? Do you add extra water to her wet food? That can help with hydration, constipation and cystitis.
     
  17. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Yes, only Friskies Pate's since she was a kitten. She cannot eat anything but pate's. I've always added water to it because she had emergency surgery at a very young age for a 5" long hairball was lodged in her small intestine. She has been on lactulose most of her life also. The vet seems to think she probably could have scar tissue.
     
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  18. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I honestly didn't know that there were a difference in the friskies pate's. We stay away from the Salmon and Whitefish flavors (they make her vomit). She gets mixed grill, Turkey and Giblet, and Chicken and Liver flavors only.
     
  19. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Many people here use Friskies pates successfully, but my cat has huge food spikes from them. Perhaps some cats are more sensitive to certain ingredients. Wouldn’t hurt to try a different brand such as Fancy Feast or Sheba, but as Kris said the insulin is probably the main factor in your case.
     
  20. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I'm not questioning the fact that she definitely does need the insulin, and probably a small increase.

    What I am concerned with is the possibility that her food is what is causing her higher numbers and I have read that some sugar babies have a decrease in insulin when a food change is made. Yes, this is primarily when they go from hard food to pates, but as you stated above some cats are more sensitive to certain ingredients, and I'm hopeful my baby could be one of them. My sugar baby has been on Friskies Pates her whole life and I would hate to keep fighting a losing battle giving her more and more insulin increases when I keep feeding her the same food that could be causing some of the issue. I would hate for her to have to go through a hypo and possibly not survive because I work an hour and a half away from home. The thought scares me to death every time the vet says increase insulin. I'm trying to stay strong for her and pull up my mom britches and take charge, but my heart aches inside for her. I haven't had a good night sleep in a month.
     
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  21. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    When do I make the food change? Do I try it after she has her insulin increase this weekend or do I start the gradual change in food today? I'm so lost. Sometimes I feel like I take 1 step forward and 2 steps back.
     
  22. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Here's an idea: why not leave her dose as is for a bit and try introducing some Fancy Feast pates over the next couple of days. Monitor her BG in the evening. She has a lot of room to drop so even if the FF affects her BG she should be safe. Check out the food list for lowest carbs FF:
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
    We all understand fear of a hypo. The best antidote to that is experience, BG testing at strategic times, a good SS data record to consult and learning to be comfortable with a little uncertainty. :bighug:
     
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  23. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    I like the yellow nadir today. :)
     
  24. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I do to. But she's hardly eating and I think she's still constipated. She will not eat the canned pumpkin and she is avoiding her food that has the lactulose in it. I don't know what to do.
     
  25. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Is she vomiting? Showing signs of pain? Yes, it could be constipation but pancreatitis is another possibility. Have you tried syringing some puréed food into her?
     
  26. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She's eating, but doesn't finish. (She gets 1/4 of a can of friskies at a time and only finishes half of her serving). She skipped her 2pm meal all together, then ate 1/2 of her 6pm meal, just enough for me to giver her her pm shot. She's not vomiting.
     
  27. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    How is she this AM?
     
  28. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She still did not have a very big appetite. I sprinkled some parmesan cheese on her food to get her to eat enough so I could give her her am shot. She did not pee at all last night, but went this morning after she ate. She definitely isn't her usual self. She pooped 1 little piece yesterday, it seemed very dark. Nothing since.
     
  29. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    My gut tells me that something else could be going on, but it seems like all the vet wants to do is raise her insulin level from 2u to 3u. Can the insulin be causing these issues?
     
  30. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    My opinion is that it isn't the insulin. Pancreatitis is common in diabetic cats and can cause lack of appetite, etc.
     
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  31. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    You said she’s had trouble with constipation in the past, does this seem the same symptoms wise? I know you’re afraid of the vet telling you to raise your dose, but when mine would say that I just smiled and nodded then came here and got advice. He never knew what I was giving. Whether it’s constipation or pancreatitis, you may need to take her in so you know for sure. The longer you wait, the worse things can become and the weekend is coming up, you don’t want an emergency call!
     
  32. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    So Pepper needs the fPLI blood test? Or an ultrasound to r/o pancreatitis?

    Yes, symptoms are the same with her constipation, except she's not vomiting right now.
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2017
  33. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    @Sharon14
    @Kris & Teasel

    I wanted to say thank you for your help this morning. Pepper and I just got home from a vet appointment. She does +1 ketones in her urine. Her insulin is getting increased to 2.5u instead of 3u. The vet agreed that it would be too drastic of an increase for her. She gave her a shot of an anti-nausea medication, she received sub q fluids, a tube of Cat Lax, and a prescription of Mirtazapine to help increase her appetite. She has gained weight and is almost 11 lbs. now. The vet would like to do a ultrasound of her abdomen in the next couple weeks to get some answers on Peppers nausea, vomiting and to look her organs. Pepper came home and ate a bit and seems very alert.
     
  34. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Glad she’s alert and eating some! You need to keep an eye on those ketones. Do you have some ketone test strips?
     
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  35. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad your girl seems to be feeling a little better. An insulin dose increase is a good idea and kudos to your vet for not insisting on an increase to 3 u. My recommendation would be to work on urine ketone testing right away (my post #6 above) in light of the presence of ketones. You want to nip that in the bud and it's easier to treat if caught early.
     
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  36. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Do I do a special diet for presence of ketones? I am going to the store tomorrow to get dip strips. I will try to test since she is shy.
     
  37. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    How is she doing this evening? Has she eaten any more?
    To keep the ketones at bay make sure she gets enough calories and enough insulin. So if she’s not eating well you may have to syringe feed her.
     
  38. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She's eating and acting like she's starving now. I guess the appetite stimulant worked. How often should she eat? Because now her BG numbers are not really going down.
     
  39. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Let her eat as much as she wants in small meals. Just take away food for the 2 hours before the pre shot tests. She needs food and she needs insulin to keep ketones at bay. Her BG is still high because you haven’t reached the good working dose yet. I’d increase to 2.5 u tomorrow AM.
     
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  40. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Ok, so I gave Pepper her insulin this morning and 15 minutes before I left for work, she threw up all of her food (Friskies). I cannot miss anymore work, so I woke hubby up to take care of her. (He wasn't too thrilled after he only got 3 hours of sleep). I gave her 1/2 can of FF Tuna and Shrimp (she loved it) before I walked out the door, I haven't heard from him so hopefully she hasn't thrown up again (because he's probably fallen back to sleep). This is the whole reason why I asked the vet to give me an anti nausea medication to take home and they said I didn't need it. He is testing at 2+ and 4+. He has karo on hand, just in case, but I don't think there will be an issue since her BG was still high this morning.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2017
  41. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    How much do you feed her at a time? Do you think she’s eating too fast? If so, try giving smaller amounts and spread them over a flat saucer. Also try raising the bowl.
     
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  42. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I do all of that and she only gets 1/4 can of friskies. I really think she hates her food. She won't finish any of her servings.
     
  43. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Do you know what anti nausea shot they gave her? Hopefully she’ll do better on the Fancy Feast
     
  44. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Metaclopramide
     
  45. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I can't find the food I fed Pepper on the sticky for foods. Its tuna and shrimp fancy feast (it was classic, NO gravy). I don't know if I should be watching for certain things other than carbs on a cat with ketones now.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2017
  46. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    No, just want to be sure she eats so she can get her insulin. If the Fancy Feast is Classic, it should be ok.
     
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  47. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Yes, it is. Thank Heavens!
     
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  48. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Be sure to pick up those ketone test strips today

    If the vet wont give you anti nausea meds, maybe ask her about Pepcid. Not sure if that will help, what do you think @Kris & Teasel ? I don’t have any experience with nausea, so I’m not sure.
     
  49. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Ok, I put in a call to her to ask. I will let you know what she says. On another note, hubby must have fallen back to sleep. Still no answer. I'm praying Pepper is ok, after this mornings episode.
     
  50. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Metoclopramide is typically useless for general nausea and vomiting in cats (unless poor gut motility/constipation are the culprits). Cats have very few of the receptors that metoclopramide works on. Much better treatments are Cerenia and ondansetron. See the following link from Tanya's site for very helpful info:

    http://felinecrf.org/nausea_vomiting_stomach_acid.htm

    I found that while Cerenia may initially get to work a bit faster than ondansetron the ondansetron tended to be better for management of chronic nausea issues.

    It can help to be quite firm when requesting certain treatments from a vet; not all of them are familiar with ondansetron but it's a great help to cats with nausea issues. (Note: Ondansetron can be a little constipating so if you treat your kitty with it make sure your kitty keeps properly hydrated and keep an eye on her bowel movement regularity/consistency.) Maybe show them this IDEXX document (very useful info on anti-emetic therapy):

    https://www.idexx.com/files/small-a...pec-fpl-treatment-for-feline-pancreatitis.pdf

    IDEXX Laboratories are a highly respected organisation and their information should have some clout with your vets. The document above touches on why metoclopramide is not a great med for nausea management in felines (and because of its potential negative effects on the nervous system it's contraindicated for anything but very short term use.)

    (Note: Generic ondansetron should be much cheaper than the branded Zofran version; that's certainly the case in the UK.)


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2017
  51. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She was constipated, the vet gave her sub q fluids and a belly massage to see if things would move. She didn't want to put her through an enema and cause her more stress at the office. Pepper does have a history of constipation, due to a surgery she had as a kitten to remove a 5 inch long hair ball from her small intestine.
     
  52. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    Hi there,
    I couldn't find Tuna and Schrimp on my list either but there are several Salmon & Shrimp cans - various carbs%, are you sure it was Tuna and Scrimp?Not Salmon?
    Ever since my kitty had ketones I add water to every meal roughly 1 part of pate x 2/3 water and mix it to a "stew" texture. Extra water helps flashing the ketones out and good for constipation, too.
    Have you ever tried Miralax for constipation? Sold everywhere - from Walmart to any big grocery store.
    Wishing your girl speedy recovery
     
  53. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I'll check on the FF flavor again. I've always added water to it. If I add too much water she won't touch her food. Lol. She's a picky kitty
     
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  54. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She's been on lactulose for years, now my problem is getting her to eat her food. I'm hoping with the food change, she will eat her whole meal instead of leaving more than half of it and walking away.
     
  55. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    How’s Pepper today?
     
  56. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Pepper seems to be doing better this weekend. We finally saw numbers in the 200's. Yay! I'm still feeling like a helicopter parent, though. This is very exhausting for the both of us. I'm hoping the fear goes away or dies down soon. Thanks for checking on her. It really means a lot.
     
  57. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Great news! :D You could increase tomorrow AM to 2.75 u to keep the momentum. Yes, it is exhausting but it gets better when you see progress over time, feel more confident about dosing and build your own knowledge base. Post here anytime for help.
     
  58. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I would rather do an increase when I am home. H seems to be no help and we got into an argument over Pepper's Diabetes. He says that I take her Diabetes too far by testing her multiple times a day, and that he will test her only if she shows distress. I explained that some cats don't show signs of hypo until its too late and he said "whatever" and that he will not test unless its an emergency.
     
  59. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    By all means, wait until you're home. It's unfortunate that you can't get your significant other on board, even if only to support what you're doing. :(
     
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  60. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Glad she’s doing better! Sorry about H, but you’re doing a great job on your own. As Kris said, it will get easier.
     
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  61. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I learn by the help of all of you and by educating myself.

    I've noticed that Peppers numbers are less during the day, I'm assuming that is from not eating during the night time hours (she won't). Is that normal for day time numbers to be lower than evening hours after pm shot?
     
  62. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Cats can have many patterns to their BG numbers. Many run lower at night, but not all of them do. My guy switches regularly. That's why we encourage daytime and evening/night time tests to the degree possible.
     
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  63. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I just got a phone call from hubby. Pepper is turning up her nose to Friskies. Did they change their formula or something, she has never walked away from her food after asking to eat.
     
  64. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Hubby just gave her FF chicken pate and she at 2/3 of her serving. I'm happy with that. She must not like the Friskies anymore or its upsetting her belly.
     
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  65. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Is she a picky eater on occasion? FF is fine though.
     
  66. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    She is a picky eater, but she seems to only vomit her friskies, when she vomits. She's never turned her nose up to her food the way she does now.
     
  67. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I told my hubby to give her Chicken FF, since she wouldn't eat her chicken friskies and she ate almost all of the FF and wouldn't touch the friskies.
     
  68. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I'm just thankful that I have off of work from 12/22-12/26. Maybe I can get things squared away with Peppers treatment. Oh btw, I bought the ketone strips. She will have nothing to do with me bothering her during her potty time. What do you suggest?
     
  69. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Some people put a double layer of plastic wrap over kitty’s favourite area in the box and push indentations into it to trap a little urine. You don’t need much.
     
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  70. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    I would have to see a video. I don't get how they wouldn't scratch it up.
     
  71. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Why oh why would the Vet Assistant be telling me to put Pepper on Prescription Diet w/d? She says it will help her with her diabetes. I told her that Pepper doesn't need weight control. She needs to get regulated on insulin and GAIN/MAINTAIN weight. She immediately had a response of how good it is for her. I avoided that topic and told her that Pepper won't eat it and I can't afford it. This is the 2nd time now (when the vet isn't around) that she tried to get me to switch insulin and buy a different cat food. Not going to happen. Novulin seems to be working for Pepper and this w/d food is not going to make her stop throwing up. She has a sensitive tummy and all I'm asking for is an anti nausea medication, noT to change her whole diet and insulin. :mad:
     
  72. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Stick to your guns! I think the pet food reps brainwash vet practices into promoting those foods. Keep doing what you're doing. If she's eating Fancy Feast fairly well, you can try a dose increase to 2.75 u soon. Also, some people find that raising the food dish helps when they're nauseous.
     
  73. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2017
    @Kris & Teasel
    I've seriously tried everything. I started raising her food dish before she was even diagnosed, it does seem to help a little. I've always added water to her food, because of her constipation issues.
    I'm hoping with the change in food from Friskies to Fancy Feast helps over time. I will raise her insulin this weekend, after I do her curve on Friday.
    How do I use the plastic wrap in her cat box to catch urine with clumping cat litter? I just can't picture it. Can you please explain? I am a visual person.
     
  74. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Aug 17, 2016
    I don't use the plastic wrap method myself because Teasel isn't shy about me collecting a pee sample in a shallow spoon. From what I understand (haven't seen it), people who use plastic wrap place a double layer (less likely to tear if stepped on, etc.) over the litter in their kitty's favourite pee area in the litter box. Most kitties favour a corner, the edges, and so on. Then they push down on the wrap to make one or more indentations like little wells (but not deep) to catch pee. The hope is that a little urine will roll down into a depression and you can then dip a ketone test strip into that. It takes very little pee to wet the business end of the test strip.
     
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  75. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Nov 20, 2017
  76. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    You hope the test gives you a negative (that colour is very similar to the "trace" colour - look at it in very good light). If you get "trace", add extra water to her food and call your vet for advice. Anything above trace needs vet attention because ketones can build quickly and make her very ill.
     
  77. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Nov 20, 2017
    When she was at the vet the other day, she had +1 ketones in her urine. She gave her sub q fluids and sent me home with an appetite stimulant. She didn't seem concerned as long as she started to feel better.
     
  78. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    The fluids are to wash out ketones. Extra water in her food will help with that. That positive ketone test is a warning to pay attention. Try testing for ketones at home, daily if you can. I went through the experience of my kitty getting diabetic ketoacidosis and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
     
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  79. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Nov 20, 2017
    I'm really paying attention. She's eating too fast, even with me spreading her food on a paper plate to try and slow her down. She didn't vomit, thank goodness. But I could tell she was nauseous. She had the "throw up cry" and I went running to her, but nothing happened.
     
  80. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Waves of empathy coming your way ...

    (((Pepper and Momma))).

    I wish the vet had sent you home with some anti-nausea meds for Pepper; an appy stimulant is not a substitute for proper nausea treatment. Indeed, sometimes appy stimulants won't work at all if a cat is suffering badly with nausea. The queasies need to be treated first and often when the nausea is resolved the appy stimulants aren't needed at all.

    Has Pepper been pooping OK? Could constipation be at the root of the nausea issues?


    Mogs
    .
     
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  81. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Aug 17, 2016
    Are you giving her food in small meals frequently? I agree that you should have antinausea meds on hand - cerenia, ondansetron, etc.
     
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  82. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    If you think eating too fast is her problem, try feeding her slowly, a small amount at a time to slow her down. I feed Colin by the coffee pot so I can brew and drink my coffe while I slowly dish out his food.
     
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  83. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    BTW, is Pepper still getting the appy stimulant and is it mirtazapine?


    Mogs
    .
     
  84. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2017
    @Critter Mom
    @Sharon14
    @Kris & Teasel

    I haven't given it to her. She doesn't seem like she needs it since the night we came home from the vets office. Yes, it is Mirtazapine.
    But, I feel that if she is nauseated then why would I give her an appetite stimulant (common sense tells me that she would just vomit more).
    I will try to feed her slowly as I get ready for work.
    I spoke to the vets office on Monday, they still will not give me anti nausea meds. VA just keep bringing up change in food to w/d.
     
    Sharon14 likes this.
  85. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Nov 20, 2017
    Since she is not drinking a ton of water now, I definitely see a decrease in her BM's. But not constipated.
     
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  86. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    :mad: :banghead:

    w/d is like kitty cornflakes. :rolleyes:

    Glad to hear Pepper's not constipated (anti-jinx!). Do you keep a log of how much Pepper's drinking/peeing/pooping each day? It can be really helpful.


    Mogs
    .
     
  87. Peppersmom72

    Peppersmom72 Member

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    Nov 20, 2017
    No, just what I post in my comments on her SS
     
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