? Anyone with a cat vomiting due to insulin possibly?

[Hedwig and Stef]

Good morning numbers for her, however after a bout of blood tinged vomit yesterday, she got back into the swing of things and was fine until around 9 this morning.

Vomited (no blood) twice, her typical trying to get a hairball out, deep throat yowls to announce impending doom. Seemed okay after, as usual. Gave her a couple chicken heart bits and her Pepcid AC. Comes up and eats, seems fine. Follows me back down stairs, as she decided she would rather eat something else, I go up and prep her food with some Forti Flora. I hear some more super deep yowls, run downstairs to find she's vomited up her treats, pepcid and few bites of the food she had left. No blood bits but slightly foamy, stuff I've seen before.

Comes back upstairs, meanders around seeming unwell for a few minutes and then decides to use the litter box. Mind her diarrhea had corrected as of yesterday. This morning, screaming foul smelling hershey squirts. Sigh.

Comes out of the box, goes to food dish and eats, then goes to lay down. Is now cleaning what I was unable to get at. Her shot is late, I'm waiting to hear from her vet as she's not eaten too much and seems uninterested in continuing to eat anything. May have to take her in. Tough morning. Currently sleeping on her stool, regular breathing patterns. Seems otherwise okay.

 

[Anne & Hyde (GA)]

What a rough time she is having

sending healing vines your way. Hope the vet has something constructive to say.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

What a rough time she is having

sending healing vines your way. Hope the vet has something constructive to say.

We've had literally the most chaotic month and a half so far and it just keeps on with its overwhelming nature. I appreciate the healing thoughts. The vet is slated to call me shortly, we will see if I need to take her in to get some fluids and meds.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

I skipped her morning shot due to her not eating super well from all of the vomiting, her vet agreed with my decision as I don't want her to plummet and not be taking food down. As she's a lot going on and a lot of medications going in, it is hard to pinpoint what is happening. It could also be a hairball as she is pretty much a cute wad of hair and she has always had 1-2 hairballs a month.

That said, I will test her numbers off and on today, and come time for her PM shot, provided she is eating consistently I will get her back on the juice. Thus far after this mornings crazy coming out both ends, she has (knock on wood) eaten a little and kept it down. I was able to provide her Pepcid AC again, which stayed down and she received her Clavamox dose about half an hour ago. At this point she has consumed nearly 3 oz of food since the puke fest. Keeping fingers, toes, legs and arms mostly crossed for a positive outcome. It would seem she is doing her best to rest through things. If she is sick again the plan is to take her in to get fluids and such. Otherwise 24 hours of observation.

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

All things crossed here, too, that Hedwig is feeling better. Could the clavamox be adding to her issues? One of me kitties has no tolerance for it - he had one dose a couple years ago and within a few hours stopped eating and just looked awful. It took him 24 hours to recover from that one dose...

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

All things crossed here, too, that Hedwig is feeling better. Could the clavamox be adding to her issues? One of me kitties has no tolerance for it - he had one dose a couple years ago and within a few hours stopped eating and just looked awful. It took him 24 hours to recover from that one dose...

If it is, it would be the first time. She's never ever once had issues with Clavamox. Generally they have more issues with the liquid over pills. Never an issue with either and she's been on Clavamox pills twice daily for a bit over two weeks now. She also had her dose at 2 am, so generally if it's a med issue, in my experience it'll come up pretty quickly. I suspect, knowing her and the time frame since, it's a hairball attempting to get out. I really, REALLY hate hairballs. Probably not as much as she does though.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Welp, *knock on wood* Hedwig has been okay since her morning adventure. Aside from aiming poorly out the box and peeing on the ground (been a long time since that's happened), she's been napping most of the day and snacking the rest. I've just let her get as much sleep as she wants as I know when I feel unwell rest does help (if you can actually rest, I did one time - valuable lesson that).

All of her medications have been fine since, chicken hearts and all. BG numbers seem to be a bit high, probably because I was keeping an eye on her today and didn't have a chance to get to the pet store so she was on gravy lovers FF all day (I had to make sure she was going to eat and that's what I had). Also, I really need larger gauge lancets. I got 33's to be nice, but I think perhaps, with her, I simply need to stick with 31's and call it good. It evens out, I don't have to poke her four times, granted I'd not poke her four times if she'd hold still, but... Yeah.

We're still figuring this out. Clearly. Noobs.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Okay - I forgot to put my initial post up last night, I was tired. Sorry.

Curious though if anyone at all has had a cat start reacting to insulin by vomiting. I feel like it would be rare and surprising, but I can not otherwise comprehend why in the last two weeks of everything she is suddenly vomiting. Unless it is a hairball and it's not coming up. It just seems different somehow. My vet doesn't open until 7 am, so I am keeping an eye on her. I was able to get her to eat half a can of wellness kitten and a small amount of mixed in forti flora. She is now curled up on the couch, not her normal comfy self. I am going to test her blood and see what that says. I am withholding her clavamox until I see the vet. She has not at all had issues with any of her meds so I do not suspect that, however, if she isn't going to keep anything down or if things are upset, I do not wish to make it any worse until she can be seen. Which honestly if it's a three hour swap on meds, better late than never since now would be the time I typically give it to her.

Very worried, frustrated, not sure how to feel. I can't say she seems in any pain or discomfort. Her respiratory rate is normal.

 

[Dyana]

Sending feel better vines and eating vines to Hedwig. I love her name
Lots of things can cause vomiting and diarrhea, including antibiotics. I have never heard of insulin causing it.

Have you been testing her for ketones? I don't see any notations about that in the Remarks section of your spreadsheet. I also don't see any Units column which tells us how much insulin she's getting at each dose.

I hope she feels better as the day wears on.
Hugs.

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

Could she have ingested a foreign object?

 

[Olive & Paula]

Wish I could offer some insight. It looks like you covered everything. All my kitties get diarrhea from clavamox. Even though yours hasn't in the past doesn't mean it's not so now.

Hope he feels better soon.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Hope Hedwig is feeling better soon and glad you are going to the vet. Not a bad AMPS though.......understandable that you wouldn't shoot this morning with the vomiting. Sending lots of healing vines.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Sending feel better vines and eating vines to Hedwig. I love her name
Lots of things can cause vomiting and diarrhea, including antibiotics. I have never heard of insulin causing it.

Have you been testing her for ketones? I don't see any notations about that in the Remarks section of your spreadsheet. I also don't see any Units column which tells us how much insulin she's getting at each dose.

I hope she feels better as the day wears on.
Hugs.

Thank you, I am a Harry Potter fan though no one really ever guesses that first. Fits her completely.

Yeah, it's a bit of a mystery, however it is a concern with her HL. As she's been on the antibiotics for two weeks, I know it is possible to now have an issue but I am actually recognizing a pattern involving the food she will eat which is the only thing that has coincided with her vomiting. I am in fact, testing that theory out right now.

I have not tested for ketones, she has never once had an issue. I spoke in great lengths with my vet regarding ketones (she is VERY experienced on a personal and professional level with diabetes - also is familiar with this site fyi). So I do know what to look for. Again, not that it is impossible, I have strips however I haven't been able to nor been concerned to test at this time.

Regarding my 'units' column, this I have hidden for personal reasons that I refuse at this point to get into. As I am not specifically seeking out dosing advice, I made the decision to keep to myself and my vet who has access to all of Hedwig's information. I have preference for this. My only concern with insulin is truly if there is any instance of kitties having insulin issues that possibly present as nausea. After much research I found that to be extremely unlikely. It is looking more and more like she may simply have an intolerance to wheat gluten which when she was really struggling to eat, was high up on the ingredients list in the foods. After a couple hours of sleep I realized literally the only times she has been vomiting or dealing with diarrhea centers around her eating primarily these three particular tins of food. I'm cutting them out today to see how she tolerates the other tins that she likes that I had to special order as they're not super easy to find in my area.

Hopefully that is all it is.

Thanks so much!

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Could she have ingested a foreign object?

I mean in theory, but she is so picky with her food as is and has never shown the slightest interest in anything other than when she was younger and took to chewing on my uni books for attention. The vet could not find any sign of anything, so I think we are good there.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Wish I could offer some insight. It looks like you covered everything. All my kitties get diarrhea from clavamox. Even though yours hasn't in the past doesn't mean it's not so now.

Hope he feels better soon.

Thank you I hope she feels better soon too. She's pretty funny, she vomited last night and then was super playful for hours. Cats...

It's all good, yeah I try to be thorough it's the only way my brain works anyways. Details.

As for the Clavamox, I'm not ruling it out entirely but as it's never been an issue and she's only had diarrhea and vomiting now that I've gone over my notes (I've been keeping record) coincides with her eating a particular type of Fancy Feast that I had fed her to stimulate her appetite but since she's bounced back from that, the last three days that's all she's had and I suspect it's perhaps just a wee bit too much. It also is gluten heavy, which can cause some distress for kitties. I've just fed her a tin of another food she has not had an issue with. If things cooperate, then I can say I'm pretty confident that it is food oriented.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Hope Hedwig is feeling better soon and glad you are going to the vet. Not a bad AMPS though.......understandable that you wouldn't shoot this morning with the vomiting. Sending lots of healing vines.

I think she will be okay, it's just trying to work out the kinks. We did go see the vet, she got her blood work done a couple days early, so we are looking for the results to show improvement on the hepatic lipidosis. We didn't test the pancreas at this time due to the stone chillin' in her duct as it will make the levels wonky still, she's on meds to dissolve it and then we retest her at the end of those, in April. The vet gave her a 24 hour anti nausea shot so we can let her tummy rest for the day, as well as, a b12 shot. So far she seems perkier and even ate some of the food she normally won't eat which is better for her on every scale.

I did shoot her with insulin this morning, as she is eating now, but took it down a slight bit with advice of her veterinarian. As yesterday was such a show of bodily fluids, it was the best decision I could think to make and it was agreed I did well on that end of the scale. In fact everything I would have been advised to do. At this point we'll see how today goes and then what the results bring tonight/tomorrow and go from there.

Truly though I do think it's the food, I've had several PM's of others who have had similar issues so it makes me think it's likely that she can't handle what she wants to handle. It's okay though, I prefer to not feed her junky food if I don't have to, she's always been pretty good up until she got sick. Her weight is up though which is excellent so things are working positively somehow.

Cheers

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

With the diabetes, have you make any changes to Hedwig's food? Many cats are sensitive or allergic to beef or fish. Likewise, a fair number of cats react to gluten. Any allergen could cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

With the diabetes, have you make any changes to Hedwig's food? Many cats are sensitive or allergic to beef or fish. Likewise, a fair number of cats react to gluten. Any allergen could cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Yeah I mentioned it in a couple posts above, where she wouldn't eat anything but a particular FF that I wasn't giving her regularly initally and then it was literally the only thing on hand that I could even get without driving for over an hour. After going over notes and ideas I found that it coincided with her vomiting and even the pill pockets which have gluten and I had to use temporarily. Thankfully my special order of a couple of wellness cans that she will eat, came in. I'm testing my theory out today. I suspect it is gluten as it is literally the only connecting ingredient and something she's never really had much of in the past having been raw fed and well, generally eating better than I her whole life.

Other than that, she has no known protein allergies, but will only consume poultry anyways so that helps rule out anything else. I never was big on fish as a protein source for cats, but she's the first cat I have ever had that will turn it down entirely.

The game is on, so we shall see how the next 24 hours goes on the wellness which has never caused her issues, now that I have a case of it I don't have to hunt it down. My local pet store is keeping it in stock for me, they know her and are truly awesome folks.

 

[Olive & Paula]

I hope it's the food. Sending healing vines.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

I hope it's the food. Sending healing vines.

Me too, thank you!

So far 1 can of wellness down the hatch and she's doing decently!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

If gluten is the culprit, you will in all likelihood not be able to use any high carb, gravy-based food. Gabby was sensitive to gluten. I used either Karo syrup or honey to steer her numbers when necessary.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I'm glad Hedwig is feeling better. I looked at her webpage and she is a darling kitter.

I have not tested for ketones, she has never once had an issue. I spoke in great lengths with my vet regarding ketones (she is VERY experienced on a personal and professional level with diabetes - also is familiar with this site fyi). So I do know what to look for. Again, not that it is impossible, I have strips however I haven't been able to nor been concerned to test at this time.

Without testing for ketones, you might miss the signs even if you know what to look for. Why? Because the signs could be the same as something like pancreatitis. You might even be surprised to learn that cats with a normal BG can have ketones. It's not common but it can happen and ketones can go from trace to out of hand in a very, very short time. As in a day. Anytime my Gracie was in normal numbers, I tested ketones weekly. If she was at the numbers Hedwig has been in, I tested daily.

I thought you might like to read this latest information on hairballs. Gracie would have mildly elevated liver values from time to time and she was also on ursodiol and would occasionally have hairballs. My vet said that, opposite of what most people think, hairballs are not normal. As it turned out, Gracie did have IBD and small cell lymphoma. The studies might give you more info to talk to your vet. Maybe it is a food allergy but maybe not.

Lastly, it is possible the Fortiflora is the issue. Here is some very recent and disturbing information about the poor quality ingredients in Fortiflora.

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

Regarding ketones, below is an example from BKs ss that illustrates how quickly the situation can develop to dangerous levels.
Negative to large in 24 hours.

 

[Michele1306]

Good morning numbers for her, however after a bout of blood tinged vomit yesterday, she got back into the swing of things and was fine until around 9 this morning.

Vomited (no blood) twice, her typical trying to get a hairball out, deep throat yowls to announce impending doom. Seemed okay after, as usual. Gave her a couple chicken heart bits and her Pepcid AC. Comes up and eats, seems fine. Follows me back down stairs, as she decided she would rather eat something else, I go up and prep her food with some Forti Flora. I hear some more super deep yowls, run downstairs to find she's vomited up her treats, pepcid and few bites of the food she had left. No blood bits but slightly foamy, stuff I've seen before.

Comes back upstairs, meanders around seeming unwell for a few minutes and then decides to use the litter box. Mind her diarrhea had corrected as of yesterday. This morning, screaming foul smelling hershey squirts. Sigh.

Comes out of the box, goes to food dish and eats, then goes to lay down. Is now cleaning what I was unable to get at. Her shot is late, I'm waiting to hear from her vet as she's not eaten too much and seems uninterested in continuing to eat anything. May have to take her in. Tough morning. Currently sleeping on her stool, regular breathing patterns. Seems otherwise okay.

 

[Michele1306]

I am following this. My 13 year old female cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and she as well has an issue with vomiting after her insulin dose. I have tried her on both Lantus & Vetsulin and progressively over the course of a few weeks she starts vomiting more and more until now it is anywhere from 5-10 hours after her dose like clockwork. She will sometimes go a day without vomiting, but most times it is at least once or more a day. Mostly food and white foam. I have tried Pepcid AC and this does not seem to have helped. I am at a loss because my vet is stumped. Her kidneys are fine and she has slight pancreatitis, but not high enough to be causing these issues. I stopped her insulin for about 3 weeks when switching from Lantus to Vetsulin, and her vomiting went from every day to every 4-5 days, so I believe it to be the insulin causing her vomiting. She still has an appetite, but I fear this can't be healthy for her to vomit every day. Does anyone have an experience like this and can provide some guidance? Thanks in advance!

 

[Gill & George]

When she is on insulin how of

Mostly food and white foam. I have tried Pepcid AC and this does not seem to have helped. I am at a loss because my vet is stumped. Her kidneys are fine and she has slight pancreatitis, but not high enough to be causing these issues. I stopped her insulin for about 3 weeks when switching from Lantus to Vetsulin, and her vomiting went from every day to every 4-5 days, so I believe it to be the insulin causing her vomiting. She still has an appetite, but I fear this can't be healthy for her to vomit every day. Does anyone have an experience like this and can provide some guidance? Thanks in advance!

Hi and welcome Michele
How often are you feeding her when she is on insulin?
Some kitties do better with small meals(snacks) at regular intervals, it helps prevent acid tummy which can happen if they go too long without food.

The Pancreatitis can make them feel icky an nauseous too.

You could start your own thread for your kitty, you might get more eye's on it, this is quite an old thread so often folk won't revisit it.

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

I am following this. My 13 year old female cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and she as well has an issue with vomiting after her insulin dose. I have tried her on both Lantus & Vetsulin and progressively over the course of a few weeks she starts vomiting more and more until now it is anywhere from 5-10 hours after her dose like clockwork. She will sometimes go a day without vomiting, but most times it is at least once or more a day. Mostly food and white foam. I have tried Pepcid AC and this does not seem to have helped. I am at a loss because my vet is stumped. Her kidneys are fine and she has slight pancreatitis, but not high enough to be causing these issues. I stopped her insulin for about 3 weeks when switching from Lantus to Vetsulin, and her vomiting went from every day to every 4-5 days, so I believe it to be the insulin causing her vomiting. She still has an appetite, but I fear this can't be healthy for her to vomit every day. Does anyone have an experience like this and can provide some guidance? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! I am hardly on anymore but this came through my email. Unfortunately aside from trying other insulins, that may be the only way to sort what's happening. Hedwig is still on lantus and does still have vomit issues off and on. However, my vet and I have come to partial conclusion that her gallstone is suspect. As if it irritates then she could be vomiting. She does have hairball issues as well which in the past have been problematic too where I have had to take her in for an anti nausea med. Even small bouts of pancreatic issues can cause vomiting apparently. That's something also noticed with Hedwig, she is that sensitive. I would look into, if you can and have not yet, the possibility of gallstones as they do cause some upset as I have learned and anything else you may be able to rule out. The timing seemed to be weird which as a newbie to diabetes at the time and Hedwig being g a bit difficult in general it was the only different thing she was ingesting. I do pepcid twice a day with her when she flares and have cerenia pills for her but usually when she's had I have to take her for the **** because she likes to puke everything up which renders the pill useless. Sorry this isn't much more help. But gallstones, possible. Pancreatic issues also such. Food may be worth looking I to too, Hedwig started having food issues and I found some that would cause her to vomit, maybe not immediately but not too long after. Her appetite is also usually good. We figured the gallstone because that's usually when her appetite goes off a bit. Anyways, keep us posted and I hope you can sort out what's going on. I know how scary it is. Also, silly I'm sure but unsalted butter helps Hedwig with and without the pepcid when she's having a flare. Helps with the hairballs too. I'm sure I'll get crap for that, but she's so lucky and I don't give much at all it was the last resort to get her to take her pills. Turns out it helps in other scenarios too which I found off chance. I am working on putting her on pre and probiotics as well. Another thing I would suggest. I'm trying to find a palatable one for Hedwig which has proven difficult. But can really help the vomiting, did in the past until she decided she wasn't keen on the flavour. IBD may be another thing to look into.

Cheers!

 

[Hedwig and Stef]

Welcome by the way. Apologies as I'm just waking up. I will send a private coherent message when I'm up and not on my phone which is a terrible typo machine. **** Means shot. Not sure why it is starred out but my phone is special.

 

[Michele1306]

Welcome by the way. Apologies as I'm just waking up. I will send a private coherent message when I'm up and not on my phone which is a terrible typo machine. **** Means shot. Not sure why it is starred out but my phone is special.

Thank you so much for responding so quickly! I will look into everything that you have suggested. I am willing to try anything to help her to feel better. I will keep you posted on her progress. She is such a lovable kitty, and I just feel awful having to watch her suffer. Although moments after she vomits, she seems to be back to her old self. I like the idea of the unsalted butter, I have to say she loves to lick my hands right after she vomits, which at first I thought was strange, but maybe there is a correlation to that and helping her nausea to go away, so the butter could be helpful. Thanks again for being so welcoming & helpful!!!