Diarrhea in newly diagnosed diabetic cat

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by weebeasties, Jun 21, 2018.

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  1. weebeasties

    weebeasties New Member

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    Jun 21, 2018
    Hello all. I recently took my 10 yr old Keith to the vet because of ongoing diarrhea. While there I had them do a blood panel. He was diagnosed with diabetes and given Metronidazole for the diarrhea. His bloodwork also showed he is slightly anemic.

    The Metronidazole is making Keith feel very unwell and he will not eat so I can't give him insulin. When I skipped a dose of the metronidazole, he felt much better and would eat.

    I have called the vet and am waiting for a call back but was wondering if you could provide some insight.

    I am thinking that I should wait on starting insulin until we get his diarrhea sorted out. Is that the best course of action?

    Also curious if high blood sugar/diarrhea/anemia can be in any way related, or are they most likely separate issues?

    Thank you so much for your time.
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  2. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    Oh, what a big pretty poof ball! :cat: Personally, I would not wait on starting the insulin. Are you home testing so that you will know that it is safe to give the insulin shots? What kind of insulin do you have? It sounds like he is eating okay. Have there been any food changes lately that could be causing the diarrhea? Have you tried anything like adding a little plain pumpkin to his food to see if it helps?
     
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  3. Chris & Lucy

    Chris & Lucy Member

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    Mar 5, 2017
    I'd go ahead with the insulin if he is eating. It could all be related. Ask the vet for an alternative to the Metronidazole. I've found that some medications(especially suspensions) are mixed with sugars of various kinds to make them 'palatable'. Never hurts to let the pharmacy know that you are treating a diabetic so they can make sure that the medicine doesn't contain sugars.
     
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  4. weebeasties

    weebeasties New Member

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    Jun 21, 2018
    The insulin is Prozinc. Haven't started him on it yet. Was trying to get the diarrhea to clear up first. No recent food changes. Fecal parasite test negative. Got him to eat a little gerber pumpkin baby food this morning.
    Vet called back and wants me to give Cerenia to combat nausea from the antibiotic.
     
  5. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    My Willow has taken Cerenia in the past for nausea from Clavamox, and it worked well for her. I hope the same is true for Keith.
     
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  6. Callie & Patches

    Callie & Patches Well-Known Member

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    Jun 18, 2016
    My vet gave Callie Endosorb for diarrhea. It is like Kaopectate for cats. We think she might have IBD. Vet said to try different proteins to see what works best. Lamb works best but she takes 1/2 Endosorb with food twice a day. Vet said that chicken and beef most likely to cause trouble. I hope you can find answers to Kieth's problems. He is a gorgeous cat.
     
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  7. weebeasties

    weebeasties New Member

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    Jun 21, 2018
    Thanks everyone. Vet told me to try novel proteins for Keith to see if that would help with diarrhea. Spent $75 at Petsmart on a variety of flavors and brands. So far he has refused to eat any of them.:confused: For now, I am just going to continue with his Fancy Feast because he at least will eat that. The Cerenia has really helped get his appetite back. The best news is he had a real poo today! It was still soft, but it was a real FORMED POO!!! Hopefully he is getting back on track. I have been giving him a little pumpkin and probiotics every day.
    I will start testing his blood sugar today and if his poo continues to be good, I will start his insulin in a couple of days. The vet wants me to do 2 units twice a day, but I was thinking about starting him at 1unit twice a day and just monitoring his readings for a couple of days before going up.
     
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