I have a female, 12-year-old ginger tabby with well controlled diabetes (1.5 units of Lantus twice daily; she has been under treatment for 2.5 years with no complications). While she has seemed to be slowing down lately, her appetite has always been good and her behavior predictable. Her health has been otherwise excellent.
48 hours ago, we noticed she had tachypnea (rapid breathing but no open-mouthed panting) and had stopped eating and drinking. We were concerned it was either heart failure or ketoacidosis, and rushed her to the vet as soon as possible (the next morning). She underwent a battery of tests, X-rays and blood work, which revealed that her glucose level was a bit high, but within normal range for her condition and stress level (300's); no heart murmur; no thyroid issues; nothing amiss on the X-rays except for somewhat white lungs (which the vet thought was in line with her age); heart size normal; nothing visibly wrong with bowels. Fructosamine test also came back OK. They gave her hydration fluids, butorphanol in hopes of calming her breathing temporarily, and also anti-nausea medication to encourage her to eat.
She returned home and the rapid breathing started right up again (probably as the meds wore off), although she seemed happy to be home and had an energy burst. Since then, she has utterly refused all food and water (we have been giving her water via eyedropper). Perplexingly, she seems interested in the food but sniffs it and will not eat. (Something wrong in her mouth?? but why the heavy breathing?) She also engages with us (eye contact, head rubbing, meows) when she has an energy burst -- but the energy soon fades, and she sits down and "zones out," staring at the wall. Her pupils also seem to be continually dilated. She will lay down on the carpet (unusually for her) with her neck stretched out, but doesn't seem to be sleeping well.
We're obviously extremely concerned about her lack of food and water intake, and took her back to the vet for more hydration today. We have tests scheduled with a more advanced vet faciity tomorrow. We just don't understand why she has gone haywire this way over the last 48 hours. On Saturday evening she ate enthusiastically, less so on Sunday morning, and by Sunday PM was refusing all food. No signs of wobbling, head tilting, eye movements, or other neurological things (except the occasional zoning out) - we thought she was dizzy, but has shown no real signs of it. The only constants are the continual tachypnea and the utter lack of interest in even the most delicious food. It's like she has a cognitive interest in food, but has forgotten how to eat or what to do with it. (Putting food in her mouth doesn't stimulate her appetite.) She uses her litter box just fine (though I am surprised she has anything left in her to poop or pee)
We hope to get answers tomorrow, but are so worried (and concerned about her diabetes too, since she cannot get insulin shots when she is not eating). Does anyone have any clues?? Otherwise we face the prospect of watching her painfully waste away, which we of course would never allow her to suffer.
48 hours ago, we noticed she had tachypnea (rapid breathing but no open-mouthed panting) and had stopped eating and drinking. We were concerned it was either heart failure or ketoacidosis, and rushed her to the vet as soon as possible (the next morning). She underwent a battery of tests, X-rays and blood work, which revealed that her glucose level was a bit high, but within normal range for her condition and stress level (300's); no heart murmur; no thyroid issues; nothing amiss on the X-rays except for somewhat white lungs (which the vet thought was in line with her age); heart size normal; nothing visibly wrong with bowels. Fructosamine test also came back OK. They gave her hydration fluids, butorphanol in hopes of calming her breathing temporarily, and also anti-nausea medication to encourage her to eat.
She returned home and the rapid breathing started right up again (probably as the meds wore off), although she seemed happy to be home and had an energy burst. Since then, she has utterly refused all food and water (we have been giving her water via eyedropper). Perplexingly, she seems interested in the food but sniffs it and will not eat. (Something wrong in her mouth?? but why the heavy breathing?) She also engages with us (eye contact, head rubbing, meows) when she has an energy burst -- but the energy soon fades, and she sits down and "zones out," staring at the wall. Her pupils also seem to be continually dilated. She will lay down on the carpet (unusually for her) with her neck stretched out, but doesn't seem to be sleeping well.
We're obviously extremely concerned about her lack of food and water intake, and took her back to the vet for more hydration today. We have tests scheduled with a more advanced vet faciity tomorrow. We just don't understand why she has gone haywire this way over the last 48 hours. On Saturday evening she ate enthusiastically, less so on Sunday morning, and by Sunday PM was refusing all food. No signs of wobbling, head tilting, eye movements, or other neurological things (except the occasional zoning out) - we thought she was dizzy, but has shown no real signs of it. The only constants are the continual tachypnea and the utter lack of interest in even the most delicious food. It's like she has a cognitive interest in food, but has forgotten how to eat or what to do with it. (Putting food in her mouth doesn't stimulate her appetite.) She uses her litter box just fine (though I am surprised she has anything left in her to poop or pee)
We hope to get answers tomorrow, but are so worried (and concerned about her diabetes too, since she cannot get insulin shots when she is not eating). Does anyone have any clues?? Otherwise we face the prospect of watching her painfully waste away, which we of course would never allow her to suffer.
