I had a cat with IBS who would periodically "lose" her appetite.  During
those times, I was able to stimulate her appetite (for 3 years) with a
coneconction my mother suggested.  I would boil some pieces of chicken
(*with* skin and bones, needed for nutrition in this case).  I was not
trying to cook chicken meat for the cat.  Instead, I would bring it to a
boil and then simmer (uncovered) for a very long time.  The point was to
simer long enough to reduce the liquid to a small amount.  Then remove the
chicken and refrigerate; skim off the fat.  At this point, you should have a
congealed gel.  I would then microwave a couple of tablespoons of that --  
just enough to melt and gently warm it, *not* enough for it to be hot.  Use
a needle-less syringe and gently squirt that into the back of the cat's
mouth (very *gently* -- you don't want the cat to choke; and I would aim a
bit off-center).  This worked wonders for a long time to stimulate her
appetite, and I would also place some of it on her regular food for the
first couple of days after she started to eat.

MaryL

Hi Magnus,

Please post your message on the message board at www.felinediabetes.com.
They are a great group of people who have been through about every
situation imaginable with diabetic cats. They also answer very quickly.

We had a diabetic cat who also had pancreatitus. We went through heck at
times when he would not eat. Sometimes when they get sick or nauseous,
they blame their food, then develop food aversions.

When our cat wouldn't eat, we'd try anything -- baby food (without
onions,) tuna, cat food with sardines, etc.

I'm glad the vet told you not to give a shot when they haven't eaten. Do
you home-test his blood sugar? That can help to know what's going on.

Good luck with your guy.

Rhonda

Try heating up his food close to body temperature (90-95F) - heated food is
more aromatic and may stimulate his appetite.

It may be time to run a new glucose curve - especially if he's on insulin
antagonistic drugs (e.g., prednisone) for his cancer.

Insulin needs wax and wane in some cats, so, its possible that his insulin
requirement has diminished.  If his insulin needs have diminished and his
dosage wasn't adjusted accordingly, he might not feel hungry.

Its not to difficult to tell when a cat is not getting enough insulin
(polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss), but its a little more
tricky to tell when he's getting too much insulin without running a glucose
curve - which you can run yourself at home.  If fact, home glucose curves
are actually more accurate than curves run in a clinic because the cat isn't
stressed.

Good luck,

Phil