Romeo's New Journey with Diabetes...

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by blushyadri, Jun 26, 2020.

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  1. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Hi There!
    Romeo and I are both new to the world of Feline Diabetes. Romeo is a six-year old, domestic short hair, Tabby Cat. He was diagnosed with diabetes this week, Tuesday, 6/23/2020. He stayed 29hours at the Animal Hospital for a glucose curve. His BGL was 476 when he was admitted, and his numbers came down to 184 before he returned home. The Vet has him on Vetcilin, 2units, twice a day -every 12hours.

    My name is Adriana. I was not at all prepared for the shock of Romeo's diabetic condition. Since he was a kitten, I've always fed him holistic, grain-free food in a combination feeding of Wet food in the AM and Orjen/Instinct Dry food for grazing throughout the day. He was never over weight and always very playful. As of his new diagnosis, I've changed his diet. I have him on the Vet's recommended HILL's Prescription GlucoSupport wet food only, twice a day before his insulin shots. I do add some water to his food too.

    I'm new to all this. I've cried a lot. I've been reading a lot. I've watched youtube videos on how to administer the insulin too. Unfortunately our Vet is not very expressive or informative, so I needed to take charge. I administered insulin to him for the first time last night. I was too nervous and not sure if I actually got it in him. I was terrible. This morning was my second attempt, it went better but not perfect. I still felt some moisture on his fur. The Vet recommended that I give him his insulin while he's eating, but its very uncomfortable for both of us. Tonight I'm going to change my approach. I will feed him and after he's calm i'll give him insulin. I think we'll both be in a better position and calmer. I know my next step is to learn how to take BGL tests at home. I will find the courage for his as soon as I get the shots down pack. The Vet has us following up in a week, but I'm not comfortable with the vauge information on his glucose levels.

    Last night was Romeo's first day back home. He seems to be very tired. I've read a few forum posts on pets who went on remission and I'm staying hopeful. Romeo is young (6yrs), he is currently under weight but was never over weight, he was always fed healthy pet food. We are guilty of letting him cheat off our snacks: a few licks of ice cream, a little bit of cheese or a piece of cold cuts as a treat, BUT THAT HAS ALL STOPPED! We also stopped with treats all together for now. Getting Romeo stable is our first priority.
    I have a million and one questions about all this...but only a few come to mind right now:
    • Is it normal for cats to come home tired from a Glucose Curve Vet stay?
    • If so, how long will it last?
    • Is is normal for him to have lost some of his appetite?
    • If this is all "normal", how long until he becomes more active?
    • What is the best thing i can do for him right now?
    • What Glucose meter do you recommend?
    • Any tips that worked for you to get your kitty into remission?

    I'm sure more questions will arise... Feline Diabetic Care is a lot of information and I'm just taking it all in.
    Thank you for your input and support.


    Kindly,
    Adriana
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
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  2. Heather & Ducote

    Heather & Ducote Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2020
    Hello :) I cannot answer any questions with 100% certainty but the tiredness and lack of appetite could possibly be from a stressful vet visit. My cat gets VERY stressed and overwhelmed when we go the vet so when we get home he takes a little time to get back to normal.

    The best thing that you can do for him right now would be to research and monitor. Gain all of the knowledge that you can on this condition and monitor Romeo for progress. It is also very beneficial to start doing home testing! This information is priceless. By home testing my cat can avoid the stressful vet visits and I gained the knowledge to know what dose works best for him (and change it accordingly) and I was able to see that his insulin did not work for him and request a change. I can not stress the importance of home testing enough. You can also see if it is even safe to give your dose before you administer it by checking their levels. Once you start home testing you are going to want to start a spreadsheet (look in my signature at the bottom for an example). This will help anyone here to see your testing and help you more accurately. You can also print this out or email it to your vet when needed or just to give updates on Romeo's progress.

    You will get better with the insulin administration! Practice makes perfect ;) Just research best practices and go in with confidence. Romeo can sense your confidence and he will be more receptive. I alway give Ducote his shot while he is eating. Once he is fully interested in his food, I rub his back and grab his scruff a few times so that he is less likely to realize when I actually do the stick. Once he stops paying attention to my rubs, I quickly shoot (before I press the plunger down I make sure that I am not just in the fur) and then I dose. I always give a tiny rub with my hand to feel the fur for wetness afterwards just in case. Doing it this way, he never even looks back at me when I stick him.

    Most people here get the Relion meter from Walmart. You want to look for a meter with cheap strips because you will be using a lot of them! I purchased the Prodigy meter from Amazon and I get the strips from ebay (they run about $9 for 50 or $16 for 100).

    I can't speak to remission because I am still working on regulation :confused:

    You got this! :bighug:
     
  3. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    Hello Adriana, welcome to FDMB! :)

    I'll try to answer your questions without simultaneously overwhelming you.

    I'll start by saying that it's perfectly normal to be upset over the diagnosis. Most of us are overwhelmed and in tears by the time we make it here. I'll tell you from experience though, I've never felt more confident and in control than making the changes that were recommended here. This forum has members who have been here over a decade, years of knowledge and trials and everyone is pretty darn good at getting cats back in shape. Many of us have arrived with cats in VERY bad shape due to their vets not being well-educated on FD. So rest easy.

    • Is it normal for cats to come home tired from a Glucose Curve Vet stay?
    No, it's not, but I wouldn't blame the glucose curve stay. Romeo is going through a lot of changes and feels bad, so until we get that diabetes under control he's not going to be feeling his best.
    • Is is normal for him to have lost some of his appetite?
    Some cats lose their appetite when they're feeling bad, despite the normal ravenous appetite caused by FD.
    • If this is all "normal", how long until he becomes more active?
    Romeo is going to continue to feel like garbage until we get his diabetes regulated. Sometimes it's just a couple weeks, other times it can take months. The faster you make changes to address the diabetes correctly, the faster he'll be back to his normal self.
    • What is the best thing i can do for him right now?
    Make the changes we request here. :) This is based on experience we have gained from our kitties over the years.
    • What Glucose meter do you recommend?
    You are in the US, so ReliOn Prime from Walmart. It's probably the cheapest meter + strips in the US. $9 for the meter, $18 for 100 strips. Don't let your vet convince you to use a pet meter, they are TOO expensive to use daily.
    • Any tips that worked for you to get your kitty into remission?
    The highest rate of remission has been in cats who switched to Lantus and use the Tight Regulation protocol and were regulated within the first six months of diagnosis. It's not a promise, but that is the highest success rate.

    Okay now down to the changes we request part. First of all, Romeo has not been on healthy cat food all his life. Don't feel bad - you would expect pet food companies to have our cats' best interest in mind. But they're companies out to make money so they use cheap ingredients and even "healthy" cat food isn't species-appropriate. For one, "grain-free" food is usually just subbed with carbs, which are the main issue in cat food - cats CANNOT handle many carbs. Most cats with FD are overweight seniors who have been having dry food most of their life. A regular cat shouldn't have more than 15% carbs in their diet. Dry food is always ALWAYS going to be 20%+, more commonly 40-50%. That is a huge burden on a cat's pancreas, so after several years on it their pancreas is just tuckered out and can't do it anymore. Now that Romeo is diabetic, we want to stick to under 10%, more ideally the 5% range. The prescription cat food you're feeding is ALSO too high in carbs. Off the top of my head I think the Hills is 13%. It's better than typical dry food but still too high. Most of us use Fancy Feast Classics or Friskies Pate which hang in the 3-5% range. Much cheaper too. There are other options found here in Dr. Pierson's chart. It's very long but it lists every type of wet food available in the US.

    Now for the treats - there are lots of diabetic-friendly treats available! Bonito Flakes, PureBites freeze-dried treats are the most common, but a popular choice is also just unseasoned meat. I always buy some frozen chicken, bake it, and pull it apart into treat-sized snacks. I freeze the excess and give it throughout the day. You can also give hard cheeses as treats (like parmesan or colby jack).

    Vetsulin is not a great insulin for cats. Since he is on it NOW, please look over the sticky of information on it here. Most importantly to note, Vetsulin hits hard and fast and doesn't do well in cats. So you need to be giving food 20 - 30 minutes BEFORE injecting, and then testing an hour after insulin and giving a snack. That's another thing - cats, especially diabetics, NEED to be given several meals throughout the day. If your kitty is a grazer, let them free-feed. Only two meals a day is more for dogs. Giving food throughout the day is mandatory because 1) it's easier on the pancreas than large meals 2) cats needs to have food available in the event that the insulin is dropping them too much - they will seek out food if their BG is low and 3) they are HUNGRY. Unregulated diabetics need MUCH more food than a regular kitty because their food isn't being utilized correctly, not until the insulin dose is correct. This includes feeding during the day AND night. Most of us use a PetSafe 5 Feeder to achieve this (I bought mine used for half the price on Ebay).

    You will not see a lot of people here on Vetsulin because most cats do poorly on it and their caregivers make the switch to Prozinc or Lantus. Both are successful in cats, though they work differently. Lantus is actually cheaper than any of the insulin types, it simply has a high upfront cost compared to the others. I think right now a 5-pack averages from Marks Marine Pharmacy out of Canada for $169. Vetsulin is around $55, Prozinc around $120, but the Lantus pack can last up to two years, whereas the other two only last about 4 months before needing to buy again. Note that times are weird and there's been Lantus shortages from our regular supplier.

    The final part of hitting remission is going to be home testing, which you are already prepared to begin! We have spreadsheets (you can see mine below) where we keep track of their BG, and then we share it here for more experienced members to look at and help with dose adjustments. Also note that we increase/decrease in .25 increments, so moving from 1 to 2 units is too fast and not recommended in cats.

    So what do you need to do right now? Set up a spreadsheet, set up a signature, pick up testing supplies, get some low-carb cat food (do NOT change food without testing, low-carb food can make BG drop up to 100 points and require a lower insulin dose), talk with your vet about getting a Lantus prescription, and take a deep breath. You've got this. :)

    Now I've linked you to several different pages - take your time. If you're feeling overwhelmed, shut off your device and come back later. FD is complicated in the beginning and it's a lot to learn and take in. You don't have to be an expert in a day.
     
  4. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Hi Adrinia welcome to the best group you could ever find
    I second every thing Panic has said.
    I see the vet started Romeo on 2 units of Vetsulin a day, just make sure you wait 30 minutes after he eats to give Vetsulin
    That seems like a high dose to start with
    I would start home testing asap since Vetsulin hits hard and fast
    I second the Relion Prime Meter you can buy it at Walmart and the strips, with way things are now if you order from some where off the internet they may take longer to arrive.
    You would want to at least get a test @+2 or @+3 (2 hours after giving his insulin to see where his number is.

    I would check him @+2, @+4, @+6, to see how low he is dropping
    Then other days you can check @+3, @+5 and @+7
    We also check @+9 and @+10

    The more data you collect the better so when you ask for advice we can see his numbers on the spreadsheet

    This goes for the PMPS ( Night time test Pre Shot) Cats usually drop lower at night
    AMPS ( the AM Pre Shot)

    Most of us do feed the Fancy Feast Classics
    I don't know if you are using the syringes with half unit markings, if not they are easier when you would decrease or increase , we decrease or increase by 0.25 units

    I know it sounds like a lot to take in but you will get there
    Always ask if you are not sure if it's a safe BG to give him the insulin
    You don't have to keep taking Romeo to your vet to check his BG, anything could happen in a week, you can text him at home and if your vet wants a curve done, you can do that at home and save Romeo a lot of stress and save you money. Just send them to your vet

    I have to say members here know more than most vets do
    I don't know where I would be without them
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
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  5. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    UNDERSTANDING 'ONSET', PEAK / NADIR and DURATION'
    • Caninsulin (Vetsulin) can quite often start to have an effect quite quickly after it’s been injected. The point at which the insulin starts to drop the BG is calledonset. After onset, BG will continue to drop for a time, and the process may speed up. Be aware that Caninsulin (Vetsulin) can sometimes drop the BG quite fast.
    • The lowest BG level of the cycle is referred to either as peak (peak insulin activity) or nadir (lowest BG). With Caninsulin (Vetsulin) you may see the peak/nadir of the cycle at around 4 - 4.5 hours after the shot. But it may be earlier or later than this. It may occur as early as 3 hours after the shot, and as late as 7 hours after.
    • The length of time that insulin remains active (lowers BG) in your cat’s system is called the duration. Caninsulin (Vetsulin) typically has a duration of 8 - 12 hours (depending on the individual cat).
    • If you learn to ‘home test’ you should be able to identify when onset, peak /nadir, and duration typically occur on a given dose of insulin. Knowing these patterns can be extremely helpful
     
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  6. Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

    Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    I third everything both Panic and Diane said :cat:

    They really covered it all so the only advice I want to share when it comes to the injections and testing is you need good direct light. Some folks use a portable lamp they can aim at the spot. I prefer a flashlight. I got a small portable one that I hold in my mouth and aim at the spot on the fur I’m going to shoot. With one hand I pinch the skin and pull apart the fur with my fingers until I can see skin and inject the needle into that spot so I can see the needle going in and also going out when I pull it out. This is key for knowing for sure you didn’t do a fur shot. Same applies to testing only it’s more about seeing what you’re doing and making sure you pricked the right spot in the ear.

    Diabetes is not a death sentence. Most cats live years after being diagnosed. It’s normal to blame ourselves at first too since we’re the caretakers. Minnie became diabetic after I switched her to raw food and here I was thinking I was giving her the best possible food ever. But we’ll never know for sure if that’s what did it or if they’d become diabetic regardless. I think remission is very possible. Another member just posted her cat Bear has gone into remission so starting early is key and I also believe the insulin makes a big difference. Vetsulin is also called caninsulin because it was made for canines. Not ideal for cats who have a much higher metabolism. I hope you’ll consider switching as recommended.

    Anyway, welcome and we’re here for you!! Romeo is a cutie! :bighug:
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
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  7. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    As you test the ears they will grow more cappilaries and testing will become easier
    Aim for the sweet spot , You might want to purchase 28 gauge lancets and do it free hand on a 45 degree angle, eventually more capillaries will grow and it becomes easier
    Start to rub his ears to get him used to it, warm them up first, if need be put some rice in a sock and warm it in the microwave and put it on his ears, make sure its not to hot. You don't want to aim for the vein, if it happens it will bleed more, hold a cotton round on it for a few seconds to stop the bleeding, press lightly. Good luck . I don't always get blood on the first try

    [​IMG]Diabetic Cat Care Home Testing Your Cat’s BG


    [​IMG]
     
  8. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    I read where Romeo was rescued from, that poor baby
    Thank you for taking him .
    He is so adorable with his bandana around his neck, such a cutie
    I'm from Jersey also, where abouts do you live
     
  9. Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

    Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    Just want to add that as you start to test at home, you can do your own curves and won’t have to keep Romeo at the vet just for that. The BG levels are usually higher at the vet since cats are usually very stressed there
     
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  10. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
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  11. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    WELCOME TO FDMB! The very best place to get answers to ALL your questions . (As you have already!) I dont give dosing advice but I DO give support. As you've already read, you have been given advice from some of our very best. We strive to help and teach you how to become the very best guardian, while you learn the ins and outs of this disease called diabetes. We welcome you with open arms:bighug: and have added you to our family.
    Again welcome to the best darn site on the planet to help you help Romeo.
    jeanne
     
  12. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Hey Ale I know it's a typo but go ahead and fix the word infections to injections. :cat:
    How is Minnie feeling
     
  13. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Thank you every one for your advice. It is a lot to take in, but I'm so appreciative of the information.

    I will head to Walmart and purchase a Glucose Meter.

    I was feeding Romeo Wet food by Weruva, but because of the vet's recommendation I switched to Hills GlucoSupport wet food. Romeo doesnt care for it very much. I will try the FF Classic.

    The syringe was purchased at the Vet Hospital, it does not have .5 intervals. Next box i need i will order the .5's. Thanks for the tip!
    The "Sweet spot" diagram is very helpful!!

    Romeo and I live in Newark, NJ. Thank you, he really is a sweetie. <3
    I will update our signature soon.



    A
     
  14. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    Most of the Weruva wet is diabetes-appropriate, so if you want to switch back you can. :)

    Good luck today!
     
  15. Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

    Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2019
    If you’re going to Walmart for the meter, buy a box of their ReliOn 1/2 unit marked syringes while you’re there because it’s sold at stores only not online and they’re the best priced ones. I think 100 for $16 and that way you’ll have it. What I do is I have both and I switch back and forth depending on the dose I’m at. If Minnie is on 3 units, let’s say, I use the full unit syringes and when she goes down to 2.75 or up to 3.25 I use the ReliOn ones. I promise you you’ll use them all up in no time
     
  16. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    UPDATE: Romeo just threw-up the very little food he ate this morning. Is this normal because he's adjusting?
     
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  17. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Wow I live about 15 minutes from North Newark, where Branch Brook Park is and Clara Maass Hosp. I live in Lyndhurst by Giant Stadium, small world. I would buy the Fancy Feast Classics, some of the Weruva pates are low in calories. Maybe the ones you were feeding were higher in calories
    Take a look at Dr Pierson's chart that Panic gave you.

    I feed the FF Classics Chicken Pate 3% carbs
    The Beef Pate is 3% carbs
    The Liver and Chicken Pate is 2 % carbs
    But take a look at the chart you might see other pates you like
    Don't feed the one's with fish too often

    Also just in case Romeo ever drop too low and the low carbs are cutting it
    You will need to have on hand some medium and high carbs
    Such as



    Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs

    Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs

    Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs

    Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

    Also have some honey on hand

    Always add some water to the food , I make mine like a creamy texture
     
  18. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    How long ago did you feed him that before he threw up, what kind of food was it
     
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  19. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

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    Jun 24, 2020
    I fed him around 7:30am and he just threw up about 10min ago. I'm not sure if he got nauseous from jumping from the window or if could be something else. But he must have very little food in his system now.
     
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  20. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    If you happen to pick up the syringes with the half unit markings you may need a prescription from your vet and make sure you look at them to make sure they are half units, In have seen that some members have said the people at Walmart don't even know they have the half units, so ask the pharmacist to make sure that's what you are getting
     
  21. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    I always just open it up in front the cashier before paying lol.

    See if you can get him to eat something.
     
  22. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    I really can't tell you why he threw up, what food for as it, you can try feeding him a little bit again say in about 1/2 hour and see if he keeps it down
    I see your vet told you to only feed twice a day, most of them will say that
    We feed multiply times per day
    The bigger meal in the morning with his insulin
    Then maybe 2 small snacks in between like a tablespoon
    Then the bigger meal at night with his insulin
    You can feed him a small snack or two before you go to bed if he wants it
    Just don't feed anything 2 hours prior to testing his AMPS test and his PMPS test
    So your schedule seems to be shooting at 7:30 am and 7:30 pm correct?
     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2020
  23. Dusty & Roe

    Dusty & Roe Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2020
    Hi Adriana , please know we have all been Exactly where you are and it’s Overwhelming .
    What made the shots easier for me was my Vet did this but you can too no problem she clipped out hair where to give the shots of insulin. 1 spot on each side of my cat hips . It was easy to see the needle go in and if it just wet the fur or not .
    Panics post says the Best information . I don’t agree with Hills diet . I don’t know what your budget is for food but there are so many better choices out there .
    My cat was on Lantus 2xs a day and just wanted to sleep
    You can give Romeo some chicken as a treat usually boiled or roasted remember no onions or garlic . The people on this forum are really nice and extremely knowledgeable. The only way to learn is to Ask as many questions as you can think of no matter what they are . When it comes to Romeo there is No question that is not important no matter what
     
  24. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Yes, 7:30am to 7:30pm are his feedings.

    After seeing his vomit I ran to Walmart to get a glucose meter. I have the ReliOn Premier Blu, only because they were out of ReliOn Prime.
    I came home to find more vomit, this time it looked more liquidy. I was successful at getting his glucose test. He's at 241, which means I probably wasnt successful at this mornings insulin shot. His scheduled feeding is not for another 3hrs.

    What is the best thing to do to make him feel better?
     
  25. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Thank you for the advice.
    Romeo was on Werva and Instinct cans, and that was around $1.67- $2.00/can. I'm open to any diet that will best help Romeo. I was just at Walmart getting him a glucose meter and i picked up some Fancy Feast Classic cans. I think I will try these cans tonight.
     
  26. Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)

    Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Dec 21, 2019
    241 is not a bad number for this late in the cycle.

    I’d feed him more but prior to 2 hours before the pmps assuming you’ll test him again before the next shot. Cats really do much better eating more than just twice a day. It’s also easier on their pancreas as Panic mentioned and insulin needs food.

    it’s really hard to say why he vomited. It’s not really something that comes with diabetes so just keep an eye out to see if it continues. If he seems nauseated and doesn’t want to eat, you might want to ask your vet for an antinausea med like Cerenia or Ondansetron because again, diabetic cats have to eat.

    keep us posted!
     
  27. Dusty & Roe

    Dusty & Roe Member

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    Apr 28, 2020
    Did Romeo like Weruva? I also tried Tiki Cat . My cat wasn’t big on Pate . She did eat some Fancy Feast though . Could Romeo be stressed ?
    There are anti nausea medicine that Your Vet can give you Cerenia and Ondansetron
     
  28. Dusty & Roe

    Dusty & Roe Member

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    Apr 28, 2020
    Like Ale said diabetic cats have to eat with that being said keep in mind when my cat was not eating this forum suggested Meat baby food just to get her to eat something at first I was like your kidding me lol. But they know what they are talking about because to my surprise she ate it . Also on your list you want to keep a few higher carb cans of wet food and some honey just Incase of BG dropping to low Hypo
     
  29. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

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    Jun 24, 2020
    Romeo actually always liked the Weruva. I liked to give him different flavors different days, but i did notice he enjoyed the Paw lickin Chicken, Duck Pate, and Rabbit a lot. I tried other brands, but never Tiki. He did like Applaws and Merrick Purrfect Bistro alot too. Not sure which brands are good for him now anymore. Tonight he'll have the FF Classic.

    Maybe he is stressed? He hates the Vet. And he knows something is wrong with him because he has a crazy lady checking up on him every 15min. He's my ESA so we're very connected.

    I'm going to do his check his BGL again at 6pm. Maybe an early feeding is best for him tonight. Tomorrow I'll schedule meals and snacks with more BGL tests.
     
  30. Dusty & Roe

    Dusty & Roe Member

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    Apr 28, 2020
    Please let us know if he keeps his food down . I went through so many different cans of wet food to try to find something my cat liked it was crazy lol
     
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  31. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

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    Jun 24, 2020
    When i tried to feed him his Wet food can he was excited...he even kept licking his lips, but walked away and threw up bile. I think he's just very nauseous today. I'm not sure if its from adjusting to the insulin, or just a bad day.

    Since he threw up everything from today and wasnt eating his food, i took the recommendation of feeding him some Turkey Baby Food. He did not eat it on his own. I hand fed him about 2 spoon fulls. That was about two hours ago and he's kept it down. I needed something in his system before giving him the pm shot. I'm going to wait 2-3hr before testing his BGL again.

    I updated Romeo's Spreadsheet. I hope tomorrow is a better day. He really looks miserable.

    Thank you every one for the advice and support.
     
  32. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Sending healing vines fort Romeo. Hope hes feeling better real soon.:bighug:
     
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  33. Dusty & Roe

    Dusty & Roe Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2020
    I am so Glad he ate something . I am so sorry I forgot to mention I also had to hand feed my cat . You got him to eat something and that is better than nothing at all . Saying a prayer that Romeo feels better he is really a handsome boy !
     
  34. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Romeo and I thank you for the prayers and well wishes.
     

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  35. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    If he's still nauseous tomorrow morning you'll want to take him in and get a cerenia injection (anti-nausea). Make sure he doesn't have some sort of infection like pancreatitis going on. Fingers crossed he feels better soon. <3
     
  36. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    @Bron and Sheba (GA) any further advice for Romeo?

    Summary for you: Romeo was diagnosed three days ago, just came back last night from a 29 hr stay for a glucose curve. He's tired, nauseated and vomiting tonight. Adriana was able to assist feed him a couple spoonfuls of baby food that he kept down.
     
  37. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    I haven’t had a chance to read right back through thread as I am just about to go out but have you tested for ketones? If he’s not eating.... he sounds nauseated to me if he is wanting to eat but can’t and is licking his lips.
    I would definitely take him to the vet in the morning, don’t let it linger on, and if you have some Ketostix at home now, test for ketones. try and keep feeding him as much as you can as that is very important.
    If it’s not too late I would go out and buy some Ketostix fromWalmart or a pharmacy. Anything above a trace of ketones in the urine needs vet attention.
    Please keep us posted.
     
  38. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
    A nauseous creature (cat, human, …) does not want to put their head lower than their body.

    Until you can get to a vet, try raising the bowl (a plate is better) 4-6 inches. An upsidedown cookie tin with a slight rim works, as does a couple of books destined for the recycling bin or charity shop.
    Also, you can try to get the cat to eat off your flat palm. Said palm held up so that the cat does not have to bend its head much.
     
  39. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    Just wanted to add let him eat whatever he likes at this point.... eating is more important than keeping to low carb food. And the Weruva brand, low carb food, is very good for FD cats.
    If he gets worse overnight I would take him to the ER
     
  40. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
  41. NoahFL

    NoahFL Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2020
    @blushyadri , I’m still in learn mode, so I can’t offer much advice. This forum is full of amazing folks. They got me through a late night of Max getting close to hypo. My nightly ritual is to go through threads and learn. You got this!

    Btw, I live in FL, but have lots of family in Jersey (Elizabeth and Iselin). @Diane Tyler's Mom
     
  42. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner Adrinia, you said you feed him at 7:30 am and pm
    You have to wait 30 minutes then to shoot Vetsulin to make sure there is food on board since Vetsulin hits fast.
    If he is still nauseas call your vet and ask for cerenia like others here have suggested. If he keeps the throwing up I think:bighug:think you need to take him to the vets.
    Please keep us updated . I'm so sorry Romeo isn't feeling well
    ♥♥
     
  43. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Thank you. At first I was following my Vet’s advice and shooting him with insulin while he ate, but it didnt work for us. I tried it Thursday night and Friday morning. Friday night Romeo wasnt eating so i hand fed him some Turkey baby food. He had about two small spoons. I waited 30min, checked his GL and gave him Insulin.

    We barely slept last night. I woke up every few hours to check on him. I left a snack size amount of wet food of his favorite can, Weruva Paw lickin chx, hoping he would eat but it was left untouched. (Note: Food is slightly raised and flat.) His next insulin is at 8am, so i will need to probably force feed him again.

    i’m thinking of giving him some diluted baby Pedialyte to help with his diarrhea. Has anyone tried this before?
    https://animals.mom.com/diabetic-cat-with-loose-stool-12304252.html


    Vet opens at 9am, i will also call him on the progress.

    Thank you all.
     
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  44. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    GOOD LUCK TODAY!
     
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  45. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Please let us know what the vet says and if he gives you anything for nausea.
    Forget what the vet said, with Vetsulin you have to wait 30 minutes after eating to shoot.
    Please keep us updated :bighug:
     
  46. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Oh what a night... nothing how i imagine it would be in late December back in '63. (Coping with humor)

    I was up about every two hours checking on Romeo. I felt him getting weaker and weaker as hours passed by. For his AM feeding I puréed his favorite wet can food (Weruva Paw Lickin Chx) with 3tbls of water and 1tbls of non flavored Pedialyte. Romeo wasnt drinking anything. He would go to his bowl, but just stand there. I hand fed him 3tbls in 30min. In less than 15min he threw it all up.

    I brought him to a Emergency Hospital right away. He was a lot worse than my Vet had made it known. To say the least we will not return to that vet.

    Romeo was in DKA, slight Anemia, only 2.9kg, dehydrated. He is hospitalized for the weekend.
    Please keep Romeo in your prayers. We need as much pawsitivity as possible.
     

    Attached Files:

  47. jt and trouble (GA)

    jt and trouble (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Oh NOOOOO Romeo! sgh of course hes in my prayers. You must be exhausted. Dont forget to take care of yourself. We want you both back home happy and healthy.:bighug:
    j
     
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  48. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2019
    Oh Adriana, I'm so sorry all this has happened! You were saying he wasn't feeling good when you brought him home from that glucose curve? So he'd been heading toward DKA and that vet didn't even notice. :mad:

    So glad he's at the ER, please please keep us posted!
     
  49. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Oh Adriana,I'm so sorry this is happening to Romeo and you. I will keep Romeo in my prayers , I'm sure he is being well taken cared of at the ER. I know most likely they won't let you in to see him, but when you call for updates let us know ok.
    What ER is he at in Jersey?
    Man how could the vet that did his curve not catch on he wasn't feeling well
    Rest up so you are ready for Romeo to come home

    One suggestion you can post this before Romeo comes home
    How to take care of a cat after DKA unless you know what to do , I don't
    I'm sure many members will answer you.
    Yes I do remember that song you mentioned
    Keep us posted ♥:bighug::bighug:
     
  50. NoahFL

    NoahFL Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2020
    Poor Romeo and poor you! Praying for your little guy. Hopefully you can get some rest today.
     
  51. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Thank you everyone!
    Its been one emotional week for us.

    Today I went to his regular (now former) Vet and requested a copy of his vitals from all of Monday’s tests: full bloodwork and urine test. I shared this with the ER Vet for comparison. We had a friend reach out to us because he has a cousin who is a vet. We contacted her personally and shared Romeo’s vitals from Monday and in her professional opinion he needed the emergency since those results. Terribly heartbreaking he had to suffer all week. Praying for all the best this weekend.

    I added Monday’s vitals onto Romeo’s spreadsheets

    That’s a really good tip! Thank you. I can get more info on what will come next. I appreciate it!
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2020
  52. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    That poor baby, I know it must be heartbreaking , I am fuming myself just thinking about it. You can deal with that vet later if you wanted to.
    We need Romeo to make a full recovery now and we are praying for your baby.
    Please keep us updated on that handsome boy ok.
    Sending positive thoughts always
    I will definitely check out his Instagram page ♥♥:bighug::bighug:
     
  53. blushyadri

    blushyadri New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2020
    Thank you for all the pawsitivity and prayers. :bighug:

    Spoke to technician and she said Romeo has gotten up to use the litter already. Head Vet will call soon with more details.

    Yes!! I will definitely look into doing something about his former’s Vet, but dont have the energy for that right now. Focused on love and prayer for my furry baby’s recovery. :rb_icon:
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2020
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  54. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    All right Romeo, come on boy, we are all rooting for you ♥♥
     
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