Not diagnosed yet but curious if my cat could have diabetes

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Sandra K, Feb 8, 2018.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Sandra K

    Sandra K New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2018
    Lulu stopped eating early January. Started vomiting. Began losing weight. Always drank plenty of water. Stayed hanging over the water bowl. Peeing inside the litter box, alot of times outside the box, then other times I would put her in the box to pee. Liver enzymes slightly elevated from first bloodwork. Shes eaten dry food all her life. My vet said "no good." He finally placed an E-tube for feeding and hydration. Been feeding Critical Nutrition diet. Doing well but still not eating on her on. Still drinking though. On pred, ax, cerenia and pepcid. Any thoughts?
     
  2. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Has she been tested for diabetes? Has she had the e-tube since early January?
     
  3. Sean & Rufus

    Sean & Rufus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2018
    I might be in the minority, but if any of my cats ever went on pred (which won't happen), they'd be getting their BG checked weekly if not daily if they weren't diabetic to make sure they don't become diabetic.
     
  4. Sean & Rufus

    Sean & Rufus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2018
    Oh, and cerenia did nothing for my guy. We are on ondansetron now, and works pretty good for appetite.
     
  5. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Sounds like it could also be pancratitis.


    Vet can easily check ketones and blood glucose.
     
    Critter Mom likes this.
  6. Sandra K

    Sandra K New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2018
    E-tube was placed early last week. They've done bloodwork and never mentioned sugars or anything. I am boarding her next week because I'm having surgery and I'm going to mention it to the vet. They've never mentioned it as a being a possibility.
     
  7. Sarah Smith

    Sarah Smith Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2016
    I second the checking BG on pred! Prednisolone is what caused Cooters diabetes
     
    Critter Mom likes this.
  8. Sean & Rufus

    Sean & Rufus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2018
    My guy was on pred for 2 months, and his bg wasn't checked once. My vet was an idiot. Now has diabetes. Not saying it caused it, but definitely didn't help. I will never put a cat on it again.
     
  9. Sandra K

    Sandra K New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2018
    Really?! OMG. Vet said he put her on it for GI inflammation. I want to get a second opinion now.
     
  10. Sean & Rufus

    Sean & Rufus Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2018
    I don't mean to worry you. Rufus had all the prerequistes for diabetes. That's where my frustration comes in, because he should have been checked frequently for increased BG. It is a wonder drug, and it did help Rufus with his itching, but it has a lot of side effects too.

    I also second Janet about pancreatitius. GI inflamattion can cause pancreatitus.
     
  11. Lillie

    Lillie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2017
    My previous cat who had IBD and intestinal lymphoma was put on prednisilone for about a year. She never developed diabetes, so it doesn't happen to all cats. You could ask the vet to try budesonide for GI inflammation in lieu of the pred if you are worried. It has a lower chance of causing diabetes.
     
    Critter Mom likes this.
  12. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Hi Sandra,

    If you're worried about a possible diabetes Dx, then you need to bring a urine sample with you to the vets to check for glucose and ketones in the urine and also make sure that they run a fructosamine blood test. (Note: An on-the-spot check showing high blood glucose at the vet's office is insufficient as a diagnostic for FD because BG may be temporarily elevated due to travel/vet stress.) Your vet should also be looking at your kitty's clinical signs in conjunction with blood and urine test results. The most common clinical signs of feline diabetes include:

    * increased peeing/drinking (polyuria/polydipsia, aka PU/PD)
    * increased hunger (may be ravenous)
    * unexplained weight loss (even in spite of increased food consumption)
    * poor hair coat condition (dry, dull, unkempt, dander-ridden)
    * low mood/lack of energy
    * inappropriate elimination
    * loss of appetite/nausea/vomiting (if cat has high ketone levels/ketoacidosis - both are medical emergencies requiring immediate veterinary intervention)

    Note: the above clinical signs can also appear due to non-diabetes health issues. For more information on symptoms and diagnosis of FD see:

    http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1 2130&aid=199

    If you are concerned about possible feline diabetes it would be a good safety precaution to regularly check Lulu's urine for ketones. More info and tips here:

    Testing your cat for ketones

    Tips for collecting urine samples

    I also second the suggestions to check Lulu for pancreatitis. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs (lethargy is probably the most consistent symptom in cats but nausea and inappetence are very common clinical signs, Spec fPL blood test and, if required, abdominal ultrasound. More info here:

    IDEXX Feline Pancreatitis Guidelines

    The following page has a list of common signs of nausea:

    Nausea / inappetence symptoms and treatments

    I also had very good results with ondansetron for nausea.

    More information on IBD here:

    IBDkitties.net


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2018
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page