Diabetic cat hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday - Help??

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Justyn

Justyn

Member Since 2016
My 5yr old Socks was Diagnosed this past June, but has been fairly regulated these last few weeks in comparison to the first few months..

Sock's ate his breakfast per usual yesterday (1 can Merrick Chicken Pate) and received his normal 1.5u shot all at 645am - but at 645 pm when I went to get his food ready, he was nowhere to be found, which is extremely unsual because he's normally bugging me by then.. He ended up taking a few licks/bites VERY slowly and gave up, which he's always a plate-licker.. I wasn't able to get him to eat more than 1/6 can last night, and even after offering another flavor - he actually gagged - so I didn't give him insulin due to the possibility of puking

He ended up puking about 1 hour after dinner (1/6 can) and puked quite a bit so am not sure if breakfast was still in his tummy..

So I'm of course hoping it may just be an upset stomach, as his numbers lately haven't been too bad (though I haven't been able to get NADIRs due to work schedule). He is peeing small, normal amounts (almost the exact same as my other non-DM cat) BUT is very lethargic, drinking lots of water, and hasn't done much but lay around..

This morning I tried offering some food, and he gagged again (no puke, just made the face), so I tried boiling some rice and ground beef but he only ate a few nibbles of the ground beef. So I tested his sugar and it was 430, so I gave him .5u to keep him down during the day while im at work. He's stable, hasn't puked since the one time last night - and have read to maybe try some Pepcid ac for nausea for an upset stomach or pancreatitis flare (which he's never had but the symptoms seem possible..)

I don't think it's Ketoacidosis as his numbers had been crazy high for the last few months and haven't had any issues lately - just happened out of the blue last night. He's been doing great, gaining weight, and being totally normal - until last night! So I don't know if this is just an upset stomach or an emergency... I truly don't have an extra $100 until Friday for blood work/vet visit- so I'm hoping to try some home remedies and get some feedback if anyone has a suggestion... I also don't know what to do about the insulin amounts - but just gave him a tiny bit to keep him from going up too high..

Thanks,
J
 
Could be pancreatitis. If it is treatment is pain meds, sub-Q fluids, anti nausea like Cerenia, and syringe feeding if not eating.
I would test urine with a human dipstick that measure ketones. You can ones that have two pads, one for ketones and nne for glucose
 
Yes, definitely concerned it's pancreatits but is it treatable at home- as he doesn't look dehydrated (by the skin snap-back test) and I can get him on some pain meds he has from last vet trip, and antinausea medicine - especially because he's drinking lots of water... But are ketones related to pancreatits? or would that more so indicated Ketoacidosis? thanks for the reply..
 
Justyn said:
My 5yr old Socks was Diagnosed this past June, but has been fairly regulated these last few weeks in comparison to the first few months..

Sock's ate his breakfast per usual yesterday (1 can Merrick Chicken Pate) and received his normal 1.5u shot all at 645am - but at 645 pm when I went to get his food ready, he was nowhere to be found, which is extremely unsual because he's normally bugging me by then.. He ended up taking a few licks/bites VERY slowly and gave up, which he's always a plate-licker.. I wasn't able to get him to eat more than 1/6 can last night, and even after offering another flavor - he actually gagged - so I didn't give him insulin due to the possibility of puking

He ended up puking about 1 hour after dinner (1/6 can) and puked quite a bit so am not sure if breakfast was still in his tummy..

So I'm of course hoping it may just be an upset stomach, as his numbers lately haven't been too bad (though I haven't been able to get NADIRs due to work schedule). He is peeing small, normal amounts (almost the exact same as my other non-DM cat) BUT is very lethargic, drinking lots of water, and hasn't done much but lay around..

This morning I tried offering some food, and he gagged again (no puke, just made the face), so I tried boiling some rice and ground beef but he only ate a few nibbles of the ground beef. So I tested his sugar and it was 430, so I gave him .5u to keep him down during the day while im at work. He's stable, hasn't puked since the one time last night - and have read to maybe try some Pepcid ac for nausea for an upset stomach or pancreatitis flare (which he's never had but the symptoms seem possible..)

I don't think it's Ketoacidosis as his numbers had been crazy high for the last few months and haven't had any issues lately - just happened out of the blue last night. He's been doing great, gaining weight, and being totally normal - until last night! So I don't know if this is just an upset stomach or an emergency... I truly don't have an extra $100 until Friday for blood work/vet visit- so I'm hoping to try some home remedies and get some feedback if anyone has a suggestion... I also don't know what to do about the insulin amounts - but just gave him a tiny bit to keep him from going up too high..

Thanks,
J
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The couple of times Derek lost his appetite and started to gag up I gave him 1/2 of a regular strength (10mg) Pepcid AC (famotidine) tablet and it worked wonders... after about 5-10 hours he was back to normal. My vet actually told me to do this... for what it's worth...
 
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JohnZ said:
The couple of times Derek lost his appetite and started to gag up I gave him 1/2 of a regular strength (10mg) Pepcid AC (famotidine) tablet and it worked wonders... after about 5-10 hours he was back to normal. Me vet actually told me to do this... for what it's worth...
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So... you would actually be giving him 5mg...
 
Ketones would be related to ketoacidosis (DKA), not pancreatitis.

I don't have enough knowledge of your cat to give insulin recommendations, but would like to ask about the gagging. Does it look like a hairball gag, or an upset stomach gag, or could it possibly be more like something stuck in his throat? Is there any possibility that he swallowed something and he shouldn't? A string/ribbon/plastic?

But in general, you don't want him to go very much longer without getting something to eat or you have to worry about fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis).

You might want to start with a quarter of a regular Pepcid, but then I would personally start pulling out all of the usual tricks like baby food without onions, anything that he would normally eat, something stinky (tuna), etc. And if he doesn't go for it I think you probably need to try to start syringe feeding when you get home from work if he is still not eating.
 
Ketone and pancreatitis are not directly related but not eating together with high BGs along with a health problem like pancreatitis can lead to ketones.
I you an get Sock to keep food down and give insulin to get BG down and if there are no ketones in urine you can try treating at home.
 
JohnZ said:
So... you would be actually be giving him 5mg...
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That is higher than what my vet recommends. Mine suggested one quarter of a 10 mg tablet which would only be 2.5 mg. Others can please chime in.

ETA: This is a "regular" Pepcid - 10mg, not maximum strength, and not any of the other Pepcid variations for humans. The only active ingredient should be famotidine.
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
That is higher than what my vet recommends. Mine suggested one quarter of a 10 mg tablet which would only be 2.5 mg. Others can please chime in.
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My vet also recommends 1/4 tablet if it's needed on a regular basis... but 1/2 tablet twice a day for up to 2 days for the times Derek was gagging up with little or no appetite...
 
JohnZ said:
The couple of times Derek lost his appetite and started to gag up I gave him 1/2 of a regular strength (10mg) Pepcid AC (famotidine) tablet and it worked wonders... after about 5-10 hours he was back to normal. Me vet actually told me to do this... for what it's worth...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, and yes that's what I'm going to try right after work - and if he doesn't get his appetite back - I will have to take him into the vet tomorrow morning. I wish I could have gotten some this morning - as my other vet told me the same thing..
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
Ketones would be related to ketoacidosis (DKA), not pancreatitis.

I don't have enough knowledge of your cat to give insulin recommendations, but would like to ask about the gagging. Does it look like a hairball gag, or an upset stomach gag, or could it possibly be more like something stuck in his throat? Is there any possibility that he swallowed something and he shouldn't? A string/ribbon/plastic?

But in general, you don't want him to go very much longer without getting something to eat or you have to worry about fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis).

You might want to start with a quarter of a regular Pepcid, but then I would personally start pulling out all of the usual tricks like baby food without onions, anything that he would normally eat, something stinky (tuna), etc. And if he doesn't go for it I think you probably need to try to start syringe feeding when you get home from work if he is still not eating.
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I understand - as I just didn't want to give him too much to crash as I wont be home until 6pm tonight - and didn't want him to go any higher as he's just been around that 430 since last night around 9pm.. But he's actually ONLY gagged when he's gone up and smelled his food - SO seems like nausea to me. But he's definitely had hairballs in the past, but nothing in the last 2 months at all. I keep things like strings and plastic far away from his reach but he surely likes to lick things so I wouldn't but it out of the question... Thanks. And I will need to take him to the vet if he doesn't get appetite back by tomorrow morning
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Ketone and pancreatitis are not directly related but not eating together with high BGs along with a health problem like pancreatitis can lead to ketones.
I you an get Sock to keep food down and give insulin to get BG down and if there are no ketones in urine you can try treating at home.
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gotcha just making sure as that's what I thought. But definitely understand and that's my game plan - I just truly cannot afford another few days of hospitalization for ketoacidosis so am hoping that's not the case..
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
That is higher than what my vet recommends. Mine suggested one quarter of a 10 mg tablet which would only be 2.5 mg. Others can please chime in.

ETA: This is a "regular" Pepcid - 10mg, not maximum strength, and not any of the other Pepcid variations for humans. The only active ingredient should be famotidine.
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I was also advised 1/4 tab so may start with that - and thanks for that tip I will make sure when I buy some to look for that..
 
I think a vet visit is in order. A test for pancreatitis should be done. Depending on severity it can be treated at home. You treat the symptoms. Nausea, pain fluid hydration, appetite. Smokey was treated at home. He received cerenia, Buprenorphine and antibiotic until infection was ruled out. He needed the meds for many many weeks but now on small maintenance dose. Luckily he continued to eat throughout treatment. You want to catch it early and treat asap to prevent lipidosis.
 
Woodsywife said:
I think a vet visit is in order. A test for pancreatitis should be done. Depending on severity it can be treated at home. You treat the symptoms. Nausea, pain fluid hydration, appetite. Smokey was treated at home. He received cerenia, Buprenorphine and antibiotic until infection was ruled out. He needed the meds for many many weeks but one on small maintenance dose. Luckily he continued to eat throughout treatment. You want to catch it early and treat asap to prevent lipidosis.
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I'm concerned as I've read a flare of pancreatits can settle on its own - as long as they're still drinking/eating and I also have pain meds for him from last vet visit. More so, I'm concerned about what tests are needed to rule pancreatits - as I've heard xrays but I would not have the $200 for that anytime soon..
 
Just called ONLY vet I can even afford (local humane society) and next appointment is Thursday.... they can only do blood work tomorrow with a tech but I wont get any meds prescribed so unsure if worth it to take him in for blood work... if he's not eating by tomorrow morning, I understand it's an emergency, and my only emergent option is no-where near affordable... about $300 for bloodwork vs $65... but I will check back in later after trying the Pepcid- but he has an appetite and wanted to eat throughout the morning feeding attempt so im hoping to get him confortable and eating asap...
 
If the vet has a SNAP test in house it will be a yes or no result, like a pregnancy test. It will not show severity. There is a blood test run by Texas U for pancr that will have severity and takes a while to get results. Your vet would draw the blood and send it out. The test is only done certain day of week. Then there is ultrasound. Smokey was dx by ultrasound and the blood test confirmed it. Either way it will cost.
 
Woodsywife said:
If the vet has a SNAP test in house it will be a yes or no result, like a pregnancy test. It will not show severity. There is a blood test run by Texas U for pancr that will have severity and takes a while to get results. Your vet would draw the blood and send it out. The test is only done certain day of week. Then there is ultrasound. Smokey was dx by ultrasound and the blood test confirmed it. Either way it will cost.
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Wow, so a standard blood test wouldn't be able to tell/give indication for pancreatitis?
 
The best test for pancreatitis is an ultrasound but those are expensive. IDEXX, a testing firm used by many vets (Antech is the other popular one) do a pancreatis test like that use by TAMU (Texas A&M University). TAMU helped develop the IDEXX test.
Regardihg regular blood tests, high liver values is can be consistent with pancreatitis. Also, pain when palpating the abdominal area is also consistent.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
The best test for pancreatitis is an ultrasound but those are expensive. IDEXX, a testing firm used by many vets (Antech is the other popular one) do a pancreatis test like that use by TAMU (Texas A&M University). TAMU helped develop the IDEXX test.
Regardihg regular blood tests, high liver values is can be consistent with pancreatitis. Also, pain when palpating the abdominal area is also consistent.
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Gotcha, well I guess we'd have to just go for a basic blood test and look for those higher liver values to give us an idea - as we are so in a bind with income right now that this is just bad timing... if it happened in two more weeks, we'd be in much better shape to get him whatever care he needs - but this is all so out of the blue and am hoping he starts feeling better soon... his poops have been totally normal.. just nothing lately because he hasn't been eating...
 
Justyn said:
Wow, so a standard blood test wouldn't be able to tell/give indication for pancreatitis?
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Nope. The SNAP fPL in-house test will give a yes/no for pancreatitis.

I also recommend that you test ASAP for ketones as they can also cause nausea. Should it prove that your kitty's throwing ketones then that is a veterinary emergency.

To rule out another possible cause of the nausea is there any chance your kitty might be constipated (can cause nausea and vomiting)? If yes, then that needs to be addressed in conjunction with any anti-nausea treatment otherwise the latter is very unlikely to be effective.

As you already know cats can't go very long at all without eating before hepatic lipidosis becomes a significant risk. You need to address the nausea rapid fashion so as to ensure Socks is able to eat. If you can't get the pancreatitis blood work done immediately (and assuming it's not ketosis you're dealing with) would your vet be willing to treat on an 'as if' basis? If yes then an injection of Cerenia may help fairly quickly with the nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron is another highly effective medicine for nausea but it may take a day or two to reach full clinical effect but normally the ondansetron treatment can be started at the same time as the Cerenia dose is given. (Typical dose is 1/4 of a 4mg every 12 hours for a 10lb cat but your vet may be able to advise on whether a 2mg q12 dose might be more appropriate if the nausea's really severe. Ondansetron is a human med - you may need to get a written Rx from your vet and have it filled at a regular pharmacy.)

Feeding very small, very frequent meals can be easier on a cat with pancreatitis. (Timed feeders help enormously with this.) Adding a little water to each meal can help with hydration levels.

Useful links:

Nausea and appetite problems - symptoms and treatments

IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines

FDMB Sticky - Ketones and DKA

Feline Constipation and Gut Health

Hope Socks feels better very, very soon.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Following on from Larry's post about markers in standard blood tests, high cholesterol levels may also hint at issues with the pancreas.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Nope. The SNAP fPL in-house test will give a yes/no for pancreatitis.

I also recommend that you test ASAP for ketones as they can also cause nausea. Should it prove that your kitty's throwing ketones then that is a veterinary emergency.

To rule out another possible cause of the nausea is there any chance your kitty might be constipated (can cause nausea and vomiting)? If yes, then that needs to be addressed in conjunction with any anti-nausea treatment otherwise the latter is very unlikely to be effective.

As you already know cats can't go very long at all without eating before hepatic lipidosis becomes a significant risk. You need to address the nausea rapid fashion so as to ensure Socks is able to eat. If you can't get the pancreatitis blood work done immediately (and assuming it's not ketosis you're dealing with) would your vet be willing to treat on an 'as if' basis? If yes then an injection of Cerenia may help fairly quickly with the nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron is another highly effective medicine for nausea but it may take a day or two to reach full clinical effect but normally the ondansetron treatment can be started at the same time as the Cerenia dose is given. (Typical dose is 1/4 of a 4mg every 12 hours for a 10lb cat but your vet may be able to advise on whether a 2mg q12 dose might be more appropriate if the nausea's really severe. Ondansetron is a human med - you may need to get a written Rx from your vet and have it filled at a regular pharmacy.)

Feeding very small, very frequent meals can be easier on a cat with pancreatitis. (Timed feeders help enormously with this.) Adding a little water to each meal can help with hydration levels.

Mogs
.
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Yes, I will try to pick up strips for ketones after work... Really doesn't seem as if he'd be constipated as he just went normally yesterday hours before refusing to eat but I have some pumpkin at home to give him if I can even get him to eat...

As of tonight at 6pm it will be the 24 hours without food, and from what I've read, that's ok - but after is when it's an emergency more so. My issue is I cant see the vet until Thursday but I'd hope they'd be willing to treat as an 'as-is' but I should be able to afford their bloodwork, but he'd have to wait til Thursday for results/treatment or even just treatment as bloodwork tomorrow wouldn't only be with technician (cant prescribe).

Is there any home treatment to pancreatitis - as is it possible to clear up on his own if he starts eating again? Im praying its not ketoacidosis because I may have to put him down to due finances at this time of the month (just paid rent)
 
Critter Mom said:
Following on from Larry's post about markers in standard blood tests, high cholesterol levels may also hint at issues with the pancreas.


Mogs
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GOTCHA, perfect I will keep that in mind if we need to go with standard blood work first! Thank you all for your suggestions and kind words... still hoping he just has an upset stomach
 
Justyn said:
I have some pumpkin at home to give him
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Until you know what's going on with him, Justyn, I'd suggest not adding anything new into the mix. Also, be sure to always discuss food changes, supplements, etc. with your vet before giving them.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Until you know what's going on with him, Justyn, I'd suggest not adding anything new into the mix. Also, be sure to always discuss food changes, supplements, etc. with your vet before giving them.


Mogs
.
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Of course as standard, but as I can't get to see a vet until Thursday, my only option of keeping him alive (vs taking him to ER clinic) is home remedies for anti nausea to get him to keep something down.
 
Justyn said:
Is there any home treatment to pancreatitis - as is it possible to clear up on his own if he starts eating again?
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Proper anti-nausea treatment is key to home management of pancreatitis. Generic ondansetron costs less than £7.00 over here for 30 tablets. (Zofran, the branded version is nearly £100 for 30 tablets.) Maybe your vet could give you an Rx for, say, 14 tablets to help Socks straight away?

Justyn said:
Im praying its not ketoacidosis because I may have to put him down to due finances at this time of the month (just paid rent)
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Sending prayers that ketones are not the issue here but please try contacting Diabetic Cats in Need to see if they might be able to help you should ketones be the issue. Also post here for advice. There are members here with extensive knowledge of ketone treatment who might be able to help. Also members may be able to suggest other avenues to financial help.


Mogs
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Justyn said:
Of course as standard, but as I can't get to see a vet until Thursday, my only option of keeping him alive (vs taking him to ER clinic) is home remedies for anti nausea to get him to keep something down.
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Maybe try phoning your vet to see if they'd be willing to prescribe something to tide you over based on a telephone consult?

@Marje and Gracie -

Is there anything you can suggest which might help Socks?


Mogs
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An afterthought:

If you have any of the batch of food that may have upset Socks' GI system don't feed any more of it.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Maybe try phoning your vet to see if they'd be willing to prescribe something to tide you over based on a telephone consult?

@Marje and Gracie -

Is there anything you can suggest which might help Socks?


Mogs
.
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Yes I will absolutely do that.. and that could be the culprit as I JUST purchased new batch of food on Saturday, started feeding it to him Sunday morning, and he stopped eating sunday night. Im planning on boiling some chicken and ground beef to see if he'll eat it after some anti nausea meds later..

Good point on the food... I haven't began feeding the new case to my other cat so am curious now....
 
Critter Mom said:
Proper anti-nausea treatment is key to home management of pancreatitis. Generic ondansetron costs less than £7.00 over here for 30 tablets. (Zofran, the branded version is nearly £100 for 30 tablets.) Maybe your vet could give you an Rx for, say, 14 tablets to help Socks straight away?


Sending prayers that ketones are not the issue here but please try contacting Diabetic Cats in Need to see if they might be able to help you should ketones be the issue. Also post here for advice. There are members here with extensive knowledge of ketone treatment who might be able to help. Also members may be able to suggest other avenues to financial help.


Mogs
.
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I will be giving my vet a call to see if they'd be willing to prescribe that asap... and will do about the Diabetic Cats in need...
 
So i'll be getting the ketone strips after work, but does anyone know how to interpret the numbers? would it be the same as human levels?
 
Larry and Kitties said:
The best test for pancreatitis is an ultrasound but those are expensive. IDEXX, a testing firm used by many vets (Antech is the other popular one) do a pancreatis test like that use by TAMU (Texas A&M University). TAMU helped develop the IDEXX test.
Regardihg regular blood tests, high liver values is can be consistent with pancreatitis. Also, pain when palpating the abdominal area is also consistent.
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Here is where every cat is different. Smokey's Antech labs were normal. Liver tests normal, though the pancreatitis test was normal but high end of range. He's always had high cholesterol. Therefore the vet said nothing was wrong.

But because he vomited and ate less than normal I demanded further tests, I knew he was sick. We were sent to ER for ultrasound which was confirmed pancreatitis. Within 48 hrs of the meds he was feeling better.
 
Wow... gotcha... so frustrating as an ultrasound at my vet is $300 and I don't have even $100 until Friday.. Bad timing as always with our furballs.. just odd that my bub just wasn't hungry out of the blue - rather than eating less and less... he's seemed so normal, actually better than ever, up until this..

But another symptom I forgot to mention was his faster breathing rate... hoping its just due to naseau/pain... as I had given him a tiny bit of pain meds last night it slowed down a bit but he wasn't hungry still. so very worried about this little guy
 
Justyn said:
So i'll be getting the ketone strips after work, but does anyone know how to interpret the numbers? would it be the same as human levels?
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I don't know which brand I have, and maybe all are the same I don't know, but there is a color coded strip on the side of the bottle that you compare the strip to (pay attention to exactly how many seconds you are supposed to wait before comparing the strip to the bottle for your brand). It will probably have a "negative" reading, then a "trace" reading, and then a variety of ranges.

I will have to rely on others with DKA experience, but at this point i think that I would be concerned even if it showed "trace"? Ladies and gentlemen?
 
awwwww perfect... exactly what I was looking to confirm. but yes I've also heard the same as if it advises 'trace' that's still not good... I've also read elsewhere that if its only trace, and he's hydrated, it may be possible to treat at home if not so severe (so if he takes well to the Pepcid) and starts eating ...

it's just odd because last time he went into DKA - it was about a week of decline in his heath, appearance, food intake, etc - but this time, it was just out of nowhere with no warning. Really hoping for mild pancreatitis if not just an upset tummy.
 
Justyn said:
I've also read elsewhere that if its only trace [ketones], and he's hydrated, it may be possible to treat at home if not so severe (so if he takes well to the Pepcid) and starts eating ...
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If there is other illness in the picture then more weight needs to be given to trace ketone readings. Inappetence makes testing even more vital in a non-ketone-prone cat but ESPECIALLY in a cat with a history of DKA a close watch for emergence of ketones is critical (ketone-prone kitties need to be regularly tested for ketones as a matter of course).

Justyn said:
another symptom I forgot to mention was his faster breathing rate... hoping its just due to naseau/pain... as I had given him a tiny bit of pain meds last night it slowed down a bit but he wasn't hungry still. so very worried about this little guy
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I've been in a similar predicament myself with worries over treatment costs so I really do understand and fully empathise with your plight ( :bighug: ) but the more information you post the more worried I'm becoming, Justyn, and I really think that Socks needs to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. The panting is very concerning. Is there any way that you might be able to negotiate a payment plan with your vet so that you might be able to get Socks seen faster? Even if scans aren't an affordable option at the moment the vet should be able to do something to help.

Sending prayers and healing thoughts for little Socks (and fingers and paws crossed for an understanding and accommodating vet to help you).


Mogs
.
 
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Critter Mom said:
If there is other illness in the picture then more weight needs to be given to trace ketone readings. Inappetence makes testing even more vital in an non-ketone-prone cat but ESPECIALLY in a cat with a history of DKA a close watch for emergence of ketones is critical (ketone-prone kitties need to be regularly tested for ketones as a matter of course).


I've been in a similar predicament myself with worries over treatment costs so I really do understand and fully empathise with your plight ( :bighug: ) but the more information you post the more worried I'm becoming, Justyn, and I really think that Socks needs to be examined by a vet as soon as possible. The panting is very concerning. Is there any way that you might be able to negotiate a payment plan with your vet so that you might be able to get Socks seen faster? Even if scans aren't an affordable option at the moment the vet should be able to do something to help.

Sending prayers and healing thoughts for little Socks (and fingers and paws crossed for an understanding and accommodating vet to help you).


Mogs
.
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Absolutely makes sense, and understandable and still planning on bringing him to vet on Thursday if he makes it until then - hopefully we could get by with just some blood work and fluids so no hospitalization. Unfortunately my vet is a Humane Society and they will not do anything without the entire cost up front - along with ANY other vet around me (as I truly checked last time I almost had to put him down - but got approved for care credit). My only hope is a credit increase through care credit - and my vet is calling me today to go over what the next step is as they know we cant get in until Thursday... no other vet is half as affordable so I cant even think about going anywhere else... just a bad time of the month as rent was just paid...
 
Be sure to let the vet know about the panting when he calls.

Sending prayers for you to get the help you need and for everything to be OK. I really and truly feel for you.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Yes definitely will do - and rather than panting exactly, I can just see his stomach rise and fall a bit faster than my other healthy cat. Faster breathing, but definitely still not normal.
 
Justyn, I don't know if this will help at all and I have no personal experience with this vet other than TV viewing but have you heard of Dr. Jeff Young at Planned Pethood Inc.? From what I have seen on his TV show (and I realize that is not much of an endorsement), this man and his associates are about the animals and much less about the money so he keeps his costs as reasonable as is possible and has set up payment plans for some clients and treated some gratis. They recently moved to a larger facility to add emergency and other services and are now located in Wheat Ridge, Co at 4595 Harlan Street. Telephone: 303-433-3291.
 
Yes I've actually seen their clinic and have looked into it... I know they normally only require a small deposit down so that may be an option for blood work but they are over an hour south of me, and with a kitty that hates the car especially, it's a rough hour drive... But I will have to look into but normally they are booked for a little while - looked into getting his teeth removed there and it was the BEST deal around. Thank you so much!
 
Justyn said:
But I will have to look into but normally they are booked for a little while -
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It might be a good idea to call them as soon as possible. If they think Socks needs to be seen quickly they just might treat him as an emergency case and slot him into their schedule. Doesn't hurt to ask.


Mogs
.
 
Justyn, I agree with Mogs., I am the ultimate disbeliever with anything on TV and the Internet but something about this man and his staff just strike me like they are the "real deal" and would fit you in. I also can appreciate the travel time as I had to take my girl to an emergency clinic quite a distance away shortly after her diagnosis because she was not eating. My girl literally screams to the point where folks stare at my car at stop lights and I fear one day I am going to be pulled over by the police. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet to get them the best care you can. :)
 
I've really looked into them and you guys are way in the clear for thinking what you do! That clinic is great and they actually offer affordable services, such as blood work for lets say, $75, but only require a $25 deposit. So much more practical.. and oh my goodness that is just too funny!!! And of course I will look into the Planned Pethood Clinic, but am more in a bind with how to get there without reliable transportation (as my car is needing a few repairs and this next paycheck WAS going to take care of them) but IF i can't get him to eat tonight, I will need to look into care asap tomorrow morning. But i talked to my vet - and was advised to give 5mg of Pepcid, and as I was on my way home, my roommate told me he puked again - but this time, it was all just water (as he's drinking a lot) - so am starting to think maybe he's blocked? If he puked that much water, not sure if any was getting down... it was a LOT... But i just gave him the half of a Pepcid, and letting it kick in.

The only issue is I have no idea how much Insulin, if any, to give him...
 
@Justyn my cat Turkey had very similar symptoms and he turned out to have pancreatitis. This was confirmed via the spec FPLI test in bloodwork. Was no need to do an ultrasound. I tried the pepcid before getting scripts from my vet and unless the vomiting is caused by acid reflux it won't do much. Turkey didn't feel better and start eating until he had Cerenia (anti-nausea meds) and a long acting buprenorphine injection for pain. He's now on supplements to help support pancreatic health and has been doing well since.
 
Oh wow... and yes my vet advised blood work can help give us an idea at least... and agreed now, unfortunately the pepcid seems to have done nothing for him... Just boiled some chicken, and he almost gagged still at it... Earlier he puked today quite a bit up water up while i was on my home - MUCH more in one eerp than i've ever seen come up in a single time.. He is very lethargic, eyes are barely open - and i just can't understand how he's been feeling so much worse so rapidly, as he even looked good all day for the most part.
 
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