Hello everyone. I have always been a lurker and have read some wonderful advice on this forum that has helped me with my kitty. He has had diabetes for about a year now and kidney disease about a year also. Recently he has been pushed up to 2 1/2 units of Lantus and seemed to be doing better. Two months ago his glucose was 582 and now it is 210 so much better. The last day or two he hasn’t been eating so I have not been able to give him his insulin. Any tips on how to get him to eat? Could it be the kidney disease or the diabetes that is causing this? I do not want him to suffer at all. He is my baby and I love him more than anything. Any advice would help, thanks.
19 year old cat with diabetes and kidney disease
- Thread starter Lauren84
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Kara & Ember
Member
If he’s gone more than a day without eating, definitely get him in to see a vet ASAP to figure out what is causing it and get some management options for getting food into him. Food is absolutely key, and without insulin, he is also inviting in ketones.
my girl is currently dealing with a pancreatitis flareup, which presents as lack of appetite and requires pain and anti-nausea meds, and aggressive nutritional support (ie, get her to eat at whatever cost).
This link here has been crucial for me (but you do need a diagnosis if you dont know the cause because you have to also treat the underlying issue): https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/
Just remember to read labels if you are going to buy anything made for humans - veggie broth is a big no because onions, garlics, leeks, etc are poisonous to cats, and some companies will list those as “natural flavors” or “spices”! Basically get basic “tuna, water” type ingredients lists.
my girl is currently dealing with a pancreatitis flareup, which presents as lack of appetite and requires pain and anti-nausea meds, and aggressive nutritional support (ie, get her to eat at whatever cost).
This link here has been crucial for me (but you do need a diagnosis if you dont know the cause because you have to also treat the underlying issue): https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/
Just remember to read labels if you are going to buy anything made for humans - veggie broth is a big no because onions, garlics, leeks, etc are poisonous to cats, and some companies will list those as “natural flavors” or “spices”! Basically get basic “tuna, water” type ingredients lists.
Bron and Sheba (GA)
Very Active Member
Hi and welcome to the forum.
If your kitty is not eating and you are not giving insulin, I would take him to the vet to see why today.
With diabetic cats it is very important they eat and eat well and also that they get their insulin.
If they are not eating and not getting their insulin dose, ketones can form in the urine and blood and this is an emergency. Ketones can increase and DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) can develop which is a very serious and dangerous illness for a cat.
You can test for ketones in the urine using Ketostix which can be bought from Walmart kor a pharmacy.
Is he lethargic?
If your kitty is not eating and you are not giving insulin, I would take him to the vet to see why today.
With diabetic cats it is very important they eat and eat well and also that they get their insulin.
If they are not eating and not getting their insulin dose, ketones can form in the urine and blood and this is an emergency. Ketones can increase and DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) can develop which is a very serious and dangerous illness for a cat.
You can test for ketones in the urine using Ketostix which can be bought from Walmart kor a pharmacy.
Is he lethargic?
Suzanne & Darcy
Very Active Member
Do you have recent lab work for him? If his BUN is high then he could definitely be feeling nauseous. If it is his kidneys causing his lack of appetite then you can manage it with sub-q fluids given at home and anti-nausea medication like Ondansetron and/or Cerenia (especially if he vomits.) Then once you have the nausea under control you can add an appetite stimulant if necessary. It’s best for kitty if you first control the nausea and only then use an appetite stimulant.
Now I do not know if it’s his CKD causing the lack of appetite, but I mention it as a possibility.
Suzanne & Darcy
Very Active Member
And I agree with everything that Bron said about taking him to the vet to find the cause of his inappetance — and about testing for ketones!
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