10/28 Hershey AMPS(74) PMPS(87)+7.75(41)+8.75(74)

10/26 Hershey

HAPPY MONDAY! I'll try to post the regular stuff later, but only have a minute and I'm hoping y'all can answer a question...calm my concern...

Hershey has been diabetic for almost 2 years and honestly, I can't tell you the last time I saw him drinking water. Of course, I don't have a kitty cam on him or anything, so maybe he drinks and I don't see it. Anyhoo - today at AMPS, I heard what I thought was him eating. I was happy to hear it since he's not been eating well the last couple of days. (I think he's not liking the Wellness Beef & Chicken this week.) When I looked around the corner, he was actually going to town on the water bowl. He only drank a few minutes - seemed like hours as I imagined all kinds of horrible things he might be trying to tell me.

So - my question is, should I be concerned or just keep an eye on him? I know he needs a check-up, but in the meantime, is there something I should be looking for/keeping track of?

THANKS A BUNCH!!!!

Libby (& Hershey, too!)

AMPS (74) +12 - Shot .4u at 11:15am + 1/8 tsp Miralax - 4th cycle at this dose -All food gone overnight. Saw Hershey at the water bowl (see above)
+2.33 (87) - fed - Hadn't finished AM meal
+4 (35) - tsp 19% - Back at water bowl, but did eat a little more uncoaxed
+4.75 (41) - tsp 19%
+6 (42) - fed tsp 7% - All food gone.
+7 (39) - tsp 19%
+7.75 (43) - tsp 7% - ate ~1/2, even with treats on top
+8.67 (47) - hoping he'll finish coming up on his own since he's not interested in food.
+9.25 (48)
+10.5 (65)
TOTAL extra AM food: (3) tsp 19% + (2) tsp 7% = 1-1/2 meals

Shaving to .3u at PMPS since:
1) He's dropped the last two cycles (47,35).
2) It took 6 hours to get him back to (65).
3) We're moving shot time :30 each day to get back closer to the old 7/7 shot time.

PMPS (87) + 12 - Shot .3u at 11:15pm + 1/8 tsp Miralax
+2 (126) - fed - Hadn't finished PM meal
+3.5 (106)
+5.5 (76)
+7.75 (41) - tsp 19% - Might should've gone with 7% so late in the cycle, but I was groggy when Doug asked what to do
+8.75 (74)

TOTAL extra PM food: tsp 19%

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

any time there is a change, it's worth paying attention to see what he is telling you. For some cats, going to the water bowl is one of the first signs of a pancreatitis flare. Combined with a change in appetite, there could be something going on. Hopefully it is as simple as just not liking the food, but I would keep an eye on him. Can you tell if he is dehydrated?

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

I would keep an eye on him for a few days and then go to the vets if he keeps it up. Could be kidney issues

Wendy

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

Hey, Libby and Wendy -

Thanks for coming over! He's eating a little better since I gave him the Turkey instead of the Beef & Chicken. Wellness has been making some manufacturing changes and I think we've gotten different food the last shipment or two (Turkey last shipment, Beef & Chicken this time). *ugh* He woofed down the 19% and the 7% last night. Almost like he's saying he'll just boycott the bowl unless/until I give him the good stuff.

How do I know if he's dehydrated? When I pull his skin away from his body, it seems to bounce back like usual. Not sure if that's how you test kitties or not.

Still trying to get that elusive ketone test, too.

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

(((Libby))) sending my hopes that this is just "nothing" for Hershey. To check for dehydration, pick up the scruff and let go. It should pop back down quickly. Or you can rub a finger against his gums. They should be wet and smooth instead of sticky. You might want to check with Oreo first as a baseline to see what it should look like.

Any chance the Wellness is not as wet as it used to be and Hershey is making up the difference? Any change in volume of peeing?

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

Hi Libby,
I think that Wellness is not as 'runny' as it had been in the past. Looking at 12.5 oz. can of Turkey formula (best by 18 May 16, bought through Amazon & received @2 weeks ago), it's much thicker in consistency. My Pudge likes everything soupy & is beginning to bury Wellness. He's still a FF fancier, as well as Trader Joe's tuna for cats gourmet! Pudge turns up his nose at Wellness after it's been refrigerated - no matter if I warm it up or add forti flora or tuna water. Perhaps, a greater variety of flavors would please Hershey more?
It's so nice to talk to you! Wishing all the best for you & your family, Sophie

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

- Wendy - I tried the scruff thing. First, Oreo, who is well filled out. ;-) (Actually, he's at ideal weight of 12-lb.) He doesn't have much extra to pull. Then, to Hershey. He has so much extra fluff that I can't be for certain, but it seemed to snap back like usual...like after I tent him for a shot. He scarfed down the two tsp 19% and one tsp 7% I gave him when he dropped. I hope he's back to himself tomorrow....tonight would be nice...

- Hey, Sophie - We've used 4 varieties of Wellness (Chicken, Turkey, Beef & Chicken, Turkey & Salmon) since his diagnosis in 2011. I hate they haven't been consistent lately. The last case of Turkey we got looked like baby poo and ran all over the place. When I contacted the company, they assured me it was safe/high quality and basically to have patience with them while they were making changes. :roll: Hershey will sneak Oreo's higher carb food any chance he gets. Jessica said she just didn't understand why. I said, well, if you were given oatmeal to eat and your brother had strawberry shortcake, you'd try to sneak some, too! Anyhoo - Hershey used to like more water in his food, but some days now he thumbs his nose at the extra water. Maybe I need to cut back on the Miralax while we're figuring out the water issues...



***Thanks for helping us with this...why do cats have to be so complicated? Why can't they be simple to figure out like women?? ;-) Well, back to trying to get Hershey out of the 40's. I think we're looking at another reduction...maybe I shouldn't have typed that, just in case he reads this...

Re: Q: Drinking water, when to be concerned?

This happened to me one fall, too, and I had cats vomiting.

Note the batch numbers on these cans and you may be able to ID a bad batch. If you can narrow it down, call again and explicitly state there is a quality control issue with the plant making that batch. They may send you coupons, especially if you say you had to send food back since the plant or bacth was inferior/defective.

Re: 10/28 Hershey AMPS(74) +4(39) +10.5(65)

- Good idea about noting the lot number of the cans. Thanks, I'll do that. And, I'll get back in touch with them, too.

Brief recap of the cycle. Full details in initial post.

TOTAL extra food to get him from (35) to (65): (3) tsp 19% + (2) tsp 7% = 1-1/2 meals

Shaving to .3u at PMPS since:
1) He's dropped the last two cycles (47,35).
2) It took 6 hours to get him back to (65).
3) We're moving shot time :30 each day to get back closer to the old 7/7 shot time.

I sure hope Hershey is back to his normal self soon. He's mostly laying around today, not sure if it's the low numbers, extra food, different food formula, weather or what, but it makes me sad to see him feeling puny.

Re: 10/28 Hershey AMPS(74) +4(39) +10.5(65)

Hi Libby,

I hope you figure out what's up with Hershey. Shasta's food/water intake has been strange lately, too. His numbers look lovely, though! Hope you are doing well and taking care of yourself. Hugs to you and scritches to Hershey and Oreo!

Re: 10/28 Hershey AMPS(74) PMPS(87)

Hey, Deborah - Thanks, I'm hoping Hershey's just having an off day. I was catching Jessica up when she got home from school, telling her about Hershey laying around a lot today and she said, "We all need a day like that sometimes." I hope it's nothing and I've fretted for nothing.


PMPS (87) + 12 - Shot .3u at 11:15pm + 1/8 tsp Miralax