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kris

Good morning. As I told you yesterday, LJ’s lethargy came back 5 days ago. Here are the other things that I have noticed…
-she always goes down in hunched position -she is constantly squinting her eyes and holding them almost closed- she is drinking more on 1/2 steroid every other day than she was on full dose daily - her urine clumps are incredibly large- she overly sniffs and overly buries her urine- she licks her genitals more- her appetite has increased immensely over the last few days- she walks with her tail curled down- she will just sit and stare in random places

she’s got almost no energy. She was in the same position on my bed when I went to bed and when I woke up 7 hours later. She got up and ate then went back down. She’s very, very quiet. Other than asking for treats, she does nothing. Do you have any thoughts? I’m worried she might have steroid induced diabetes although she’s only on 6 week course. Does she have uti? She is clearly in pain. She scored 6 on grimace scale. Obviously I’m going to get her into the vet. Do you have any ideas? Thank you!

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LJ
Cat, Mixed
3 years 5 months, Female
Issue details
Main concern
Others
Duration
5 day(s)
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Dr. Wilkins
Dr.Tail Vet

Good morning. I'm sorry to hear that LJ is experiencing these symptoms. The combination of lethargy, increased drinking, large urine clumps, and increased appetite can indeed be concerning. These symptoms could potentially indicate a few different issues, including steroid-induced diabetes, as you mentioned, or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Steroid-induced diabetes can occur when a cat is on steroids, even for a relatively short period. The increased thirst and urination, along with changes in appetite, can be signs of this condition. Monitoring her blood glucose levels would be essential to confirm this.

A UTI could also be a possibility, especially with the increased licking of her genitals and changes in urination behavior. This can cause discomfort and pain, which might explain her hunched posture and lethargy.

Given that she is clearly in pain and showing significant changes in behavior and physical condition, it's crucial to have her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform the necessary tests to determine if diabetes, a UTI, or another condition is causing these symptoms.

In the meantime, ensure she has easy access to fresh water and a comfortable, quiet place to rest. Keep a close eye on her behavior and any changes in her symptoms, and try to note any additional details that might be helpful for the vet.

If you have any further questions please ask us. Thank you.

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