HELP! Our cat can't hold any food down & is in the middle of being "regulated" for diabetes and has

Our 8 year old cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes (on insulin 2x a day only 1 unit seems to be doing the trick.)  She also has a urinary tract infection which the vet says was cause by Ecoli.
She is on antibiotics for that.  The problem is she does not want to eat.  She is drinking and we have not seen her make a bowel movement in quite a few days now.
Our vet told us to force feed her (wet cat food.)  Well I have witnessed her throw up some mucussy fluid twice now.  Once 2 days ago (not too much but I'd say a couple tablespoons of this gunk) and then again just now -this time a lot more -maybe 5 tablespoons worth.
I am very concerned as I know she can dehydrate.  (She seems to hold water down fine.)  But simply will not eat and I have put the wet food on my finger & can get her to lick a little off at a time - but hardly enough to keep a 15 lb. cat going.
Other than that though -she looks ok.  Eyes look fine -she still is grooming.  She is getting around ok.
She has another vet appointment this coming monday.  I am wondering if there is ANYTHING you can recommend that we can feed her that A.) won't be bad for a diabetic cat and B.) That she'll be able to keep down.
Our poor girl (M.J.), is such a sweet kitty and we have her, her Momma, & her 3 brothers & sisters -they are our family and we cannot lose her.

PLEASE ANY help would be greatly & deeply appreciated.
-Sandi

P.S. - Already know not to force her to eat for at least 12 hours after this puking as she may dehydrate by puking more.  BUT we really need her to eat.

I bet she hasn't finished 1-1/2 cans of wet cat food in the past week and a half!  Luckily she was a very fat cat before this episode started (2 Saturdays ago.)

She is basically wasting away by eating her own body -that can be the only reason she is still up & about (and drinking water thankfully)

BUT we NEED her to eat FOOD.   PLEASE only respond if you have experience with diabetic cats AND/OR are a Veterinarian or a Vet Tech of some sort.

Sorry, but we feel we don't have much time to waste here and need some really good ideas and fast.

Really, really appreciate anyone's help -I cannot say this enough.

Thanks again.

Burley Burlap said:

BUT we NEED her to eat FOOD.   PLEASE only respond if you have experience with diabetic cats AND/OR are a Veterinarian or a Vet Tech of some sort.

Sorry, but we feel we don't have much time to waste here and need some really good ideas and fast.

Click to expand...

Hi Sandi and welcome to The CatSite.
I'm sure you will find some useful information here. A lot of members have diabetic cats, and hopefully someone will be along soon to offer advice based on their experience. A lot of people have had to syringe feed their cats too.
Not everyone is a vet tech/diabetic cat owner, however they still may be able to offer useful advice and support.

My suggestion is to try an appetite stimulant and/or anti-nausea meds.
My vet once gave us Florti Flora to get my cat to eat, and it worked well.
http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/Product/FortiFloraFelineProbioticNutritionalSupplement.aspx

I am a Veterinary Receptionist and assistant.  At this point and time your cat is at extremely high risk for developing Fatty Liver which can be deadly.  The fact that your cat is fat and 'feeding' off it's reserve is NOT a good thing.  My cat when 36 hours without eating this weekend, I syringe fed him his normal amount of food over several hours.  You need to syringe feed your cat it's normal daily amount of food.  You can blend the food with a little warm water in a blender or ninja to make it easier to syringe feed.  Your vet should be able to give you some syringes to do this with.  Feeding smaller meals more often is ideal.  But if you normally feed a 5.5oz can a day that is what you need to syringe feed your cat.   It doesn't matter if your cat is diabetic or not it needs to eat.  What antibiotics is she on?  Some can cause lack of appetite.  Do you test your cats glucose at home?  The not eating will affect the glucose levels and giving the insulin when they don't eat can really mess them up.  The vomiting is of concern as well, I would suggest discussing it with your vet and possibly getting her in tomorrow if possible instead of Monday.

Our diabetic cat once vomited big time and it threw his glucose levels off so much that he went into insulin shock (4 units Lantus 2x daily). Glucose levels and insulin are both connected to food. Food needs be given at the same time as insulin. If his glucose levels are too high because of lack of food, your cat may act like he's drunk (or in our case, sleepiness - harder to wake up and glassy eyes causing him to walk into things). Check your cat for symptoms frequently until it is eating properly again. My general rule is too little insulin is better than too much insulin. Too much insulin can be deadly.

Hypoglycemia symptoms and what to do in such a situation can be found here:http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=15887

or here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/hypogly.htm

(There are other sites dealing with feline hypoglycaemia as well. I just quickly googled. if someone on the forum knows of a better site ...)

GET TO THE VET ASAP and get a blood sugar test done so you know exactly where you stand. Your cat needs to eat and the food has to stay down. Monday is too far away.

It could be the antibiotic that is giving your cat stomach problems, and making him lose his appetite. The vet might suggest a different antibiotic - one that is easier on the stomach; or possibly a cat-friendly antacid. DO NOT TRY AN ANTACID WITHOUT CHECKING WITH THE VET. Antacids interfere with most meds. The vet will know the proper antacid to give and when during the day you should give it. Also, some antacids contain sugar in some form or other which will throw the cat's glucose levels off even more.