Diabetic Cat
by Mike Kostie
(McKees Rocks PA)
Photo by Tanakawho
QUESTION
I'm giving my cat petsulin (new) med. 2 units every 12 hours. She still seems lethargic, and I'm worried because she's dehydrated...badly.
How can i get fluids into her if she won't drink? The vet kept her overnight last week, and gave her an i.v.
What can i do?
Hi, Mike,
I'm not sure if you mean her insulin has been switched to the new kind or she is a newly diagnosed diabetic. In any case, she needs attention right away.
She doesn't sound stabilized at all. She needs to remain in the hospital until she is drinking and eating on her own and her blood glucose levels are acceptable throughout the day.
You cannot possibly get enough fluids into her at home unless your vet instructs you how to give subcutaneous fluids at home.
That may be acceptable at some point. However, she needs to be stable first in the hospital or she can die.
Also, when she is stable, she shouldn't need fluids given at home because she should be drinking and eating on her own.
Feel free to write back and tell me more or ask further questions. Good luck. Dr. Neely
