Diabetic cat hasn't eaten since breakfast yesterday - Help??

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So... update... Sock's was at the vet all day, and I got the call that he really hadn't improved much and vet urged to take him to an ER... Absolutely out of the question with finances... BUT to my absolute disbelief, THE AMAZING PEOPLE of Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) has not only accepted me as a case, but Socks is right now in a 24hr care - because of them! I am truly blessed as after the vet had called me to explain he hadn't gotten much better at all.. I am SO thankful for everyone on this forum who helped me get socks the care he needed. I wish I had known sooner about DCIN, as I couldnt afford the care last night but may have with them. I can't thank you all enough and will keep you all posted about how Socks is doing!
 
I am just now seeing this as well and i’m glad you got him into 24 hour care. With ketones that high, you cannot treat it at home. He absolutely must be in the hospital and receive IV fluids, fast acting insulins, meds for nausea, etc.

Sending many vines and prayers for your boy.
 
Justyn said:
So... update... Sock's was at the vet all day, and I got the call that he really hadn't improved much and vet urged to take him to an ER... Absolutely out of the question with finances... BUT to my absolute disbelief, THE AMAZING PEOPLE of Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) has not only accepted me as a case, but Socks is right now in a 24hr care - because of them! I am truly blessed as after the vet had called me to explain he hadn't gotten much better at all.. I am SO thankful for everyone on this forum who helped me get socks the care he needed. I wish I had known sooner about DCIN, as I couldnt afford the care last night but may have with them. I can't thank you all enough and will keep you all posted about how Socks is doing!
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Thank you for the update. I am SO glad you were able to get a hold of Jenna and DCIN. They are indeed a godsend. Now Socks will have a real fighting chance of recovering from this DKA.

Sending tons and tons of prayers and healing energy.:bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
 
I am so overwhelmed still by the generosity of DCIN.. I would not have my sweet babe alive if it weren't for them.. Going to visit later tonight to see how he's doing but I can't begin to describe the level of expertise at this 24hr ER vet vs the local humane society I had been taking him to for his prior DKA.... I know he truly is in good hands, and this is the first time I've been able to breathe and relax since Sunday night... Eternally grateful for all that told me about DCIN and grateful for DCIN of course...
 
Thank you so much for the update on Socks. The ER vet is definitely the best place to treat DKA and I am so glad DCIN was able to step in and help. They are truly an amazing organization.

Sending more prayers and healing energy for Socks and lots of :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: for you.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
Heard From Jenna on FB. She is willing to help. I told her Justyn had sent her an e-mail and gave her the link for this thread. Don't give up @Justyn
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Thank you SO, SO very much... I have been so overwhelmed today and somehow wasn't notified of your updates! But I appreciate your help and kindness and caring!

&

Marje and Gracie said:
I am just now seeing this as well and i’m glad you got him into 24 hour care. With ketones that high, you cannot treat it at home. He absolutely must be in the hospital and receive IV fluids, fast acting insulins, meds for nausea, etc.

Sending many vines and prayers for your boy.
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Yes I am so glad we didn't have to try anything to cause more harm to him as we would have possibly to avoid putting him down.. As I love him so much, I didn't want to be giving him the bare minimum and just truly wished I listened to the advise of DCIN when suggested last night - as he may have been able to have this care even sooner.

This is the biggest blessing I may have ever had. DCIN saved my sweet boy, Socks. Thank you all for all the prayers, as in combination of mine may have made this even an option for our little family. We are going to visit Socks tonight and will post updates... Cannot be more thankful for finding Feline Diabetes to have found DCIN, otherwise there would have been no way I would have known. Thank you all so very much..
 
{{{Justyn}}}

I'm so glad DCIN accepted you and Socks is getting the necessary care. You have a lot of people pulling for Socks here. Our vines are very powerful (it's a slang term for vibes). My kitty Cinco was in really, really bad shape with DKA early in his FD battle, and he pulled through. Socks can, too. Hang in there! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you everyone..

Just got home from visiting Socks.. he's looking quite more awake, cognitive, and relaxed. Can't help but think I am so lucky to see him like this as it could have been so much worse, and the vet agreed he's quite doing better. Unfortunately, his blood tests had come back a bit odd.. Kidney levels were a bit elevated (not much) - but vet thinking just could be dehydration. Also, he was low on Phosphorus (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) - but vet said she would just start giving some slowly but nothing she made too much concern about. We are blessed to be able to have an Ultrasound tomorrow so will find out more about the kidneys but vet is thinking possible pancreatitis so will see with the Ultrasound. Glad to see his head up and eyes moving around though and praying for some good results and a speedy recovery!
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
Are you sure it isn't the potassium that's low? That's what often happens when kitties get very dedydrated, and they have to go slowly in bringing it up so as not to go too far.

I'm delighted to hear he's looking so much better. Maybe you'll be able to get a good night's sleep tonight!
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I agree but yes confirmed with the vet this morning that the Phosphorus levels were a bit low.. And I truly got a good night's sleep for the first time in several days... Feel like a new person and called the vet this morning, Sock's is definitely doing better, head is up and moving around, eyes are open he's absolutely cognitive! Can't wait to see him after work! Miss him already but so glad to see him doing better.
 
Great update about Socks!

Try to get as much quality rest as possible while Socks is being taken care of at the hospital, Justyn.


Mogs
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Socks right after getting to ER vet

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Socks a few hours later after ER vet, he was stickin his leg up so i could pet his belly so he truly was even feeling better last night.
 
Capoo said:
And that's great that you have some time for yourself: you can improve your knowledge of diabetes, of DKA, so that it will never happen again.
By the way, have you spoken to the vet about the insulin you're currently using and its dosage?
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Yes I completely agree.. We have a phone meeting with their Internal Medicine to all discuss why this could have happened, etc. Yes the vet has his notebook that I'd recorded every dose, BG reading, and food intake SINCE diagnosis - they loved it. But they have been keeping him on a short acting insulin to keep his BG lower as with the Prozinc it was maintaining around 400-500, but theyve gotten him down to 200s with short acting. We'll find out more with internal medicine!
 
I am so delighted to see that Socks is doing better. Once he is home again, keep in mind that he will be at risk for ketones for some time, so you'll need to check him daily, at least. Hopefully you'll get his insulin dosage sorted out and get him into better numbers regularly, so it won't be as much of a risk.

I'm glad you got some good sleep. If you're not in good shape, you won't be able to care for Socks properly when he comes home. I hope your DF (Dear Fiance) still has his job (even though his boss is a jerk).

Sending lots of healing vines and prayers!
 
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey said:
I am so delighted to see that Socks is doing better. Once he is home again, keep in mind that he will be at risk for ketones for some time, so you'll need to check him daily, at least. Hopefully you'll get his insulin dosage sorted out and get him into better numbers regularly, so it won't be as much of a risk.

I'm glad you got some good sleep. If you're not in good shape, you won't be able to care for Socks properly when he comes home. I hope your DF (Dear Fiance) still has his job (even though his boss is a jerk).

Sending lots of healing vines and prayers!
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Trust me when I say I've learned my lesson.. Checking for ketones is so easy.. it would be no problem at all... And I am sleeping so good and finally relaxed at work... it's hard though because I miss him so much and just anxious for him to get better.. We have an internal med consultation so I'm hoping that helps clarify with this happened and how we can prevent this.. ER vet said earlier it's looking like he will definitely need another day there as he is still very weak and numbers are a bit crazy.,
 
If he needs to stay so be it. The healthier he is when he comes home is better.

What happened with fiance job? So hope it's not lost.
 
Woodsywife said:
If he needs to stay so be it. The healthier he is when he comes home is better.

What happened with fiance job? So hope it's not lost.
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Yes i completely agree... Just so upset as Socks has no interest in food still...

But actually, his manager had a meeting with him and b*tched at him about lots of other things (including being gone) but luckily he still has a job, and that's all we can ask for... Would have been a very upsetting day otherwise. This manager of him spent more time picking on him about using the bathroom? unbelievable - we know we need to find him a new job... we are lucky he still has it though,
 
Glad to hear he still has a job. The bathroom, seriously?????? When you gotta go you gotta go!! I'd have a real problem then since my BP med has a diuretic property.

If he should need off again, I'd call in sick and not say why.
 
Justyn said:
ER vet said earlier it's looking like he will definitely need another day there as he is still very weak and numbers are a bit crazy.,
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Don't let them try to send Socks home too early (a classic cause of relapse that we see here - too often for comfort). Socks really needs to be stable and eating properly before they consider discharging him to your care. (More about this below.)

It might be helpful for you to read over the posts by member Meya14 on the following thread about Taro, a small kitty with similar sounding issues during his recent treatment for ketones (especially the part about 'brittle' diabetics and their very specific food and insulin requirements). Meya is extremely knowledgeable about ketones and DKA.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/vets-cant-stabilize-glucose-levels.165787/

Justyn said:
Just so upset as Socks has no interest in food still...
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Socks may very well need fairly aggressive anti-nausea support. Unless for some very unsual reason they're contraindicated, the vets should be giving him Cerenia AND ondansetron. The Cerenia acts fairly quickly but wears off quickly. The ondansetron can take a day or two to reach clinically effective levels but seems, at least in my experience, to exert a more powerful and longer-lasting anti-nausea benefit.

Appetite stimulants can also help. Cyproheptadine is gentler than mirtazapine and it does not carry the risk of inducing serotonin syndrome. It is easier to dose cyproheptadine more accurately. It does need to be given 2-3 times a day (some cats will take it ground up in a little food; ditto with the ondansetron - dosed twice a day).

NB - if there is any chance Socks might be constipated that can also cause nausea - and if that's a factor you need to address the constipation side of things before the standard anti-nausea treatments will have any chance of working. A few doses of metoclopramide (Reglan) can help restore regular gut motility in these circumstances. (NB: Metoclopramide has an unpleasant side effect profile so cannot be used long term. Also, other than getting things moving again metoclopramide provides little or no effectiveness in reducing a cat's feelings of nausea because cats don't have many of the receptors upon which it works - source: IDEXX treatment guidelines for pancreatitis.)

Make arrangements with the vets to issue you with prescriptions for anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds to take home with you so that you'll have the tools to hand to help Socks at home promptly should the need arise.


Mogs
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Woodsywife said:
Glad to hear he still has a job. The bathroom, seriously??????
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Oh! The wonders of a world in thrall to predatory, Randian laissez-faire capitalism ...

You should check out the Guardian's investigation into the utterly appalling, draconian treatment of warehouse staff at Sports Direct in the UK. Amazon aren't all that hectic in the way they treat their staff either.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Don't let them try to send Socks home too early (a classic cause of relapse that we see here - too often for comfort). Socks really needs to be stable and eating properly before they consider discharging him to your care. (More about this below.)

It might be helpful for you to read over the posts by member Meya14 on the following thread about Taro, a small kitty with similar sounding issues during his recent treatment for ketones (especially the part about 'brittle' diabetics and their very specific food and insulin requirements). Meya is extremely knowledgeable about ketones and DKA.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/vets-cant-stabilize-glucose-levels.165787/



Socks may very well need fairly aggressive anti-nausea support. Unless for some very unsual reason they're contraindicated, the vets should be giving him Cerenia AND ondansetron. The Cerenia acts fairly quickly but the ondansetron can take a day or two to reach clinically effective levels. Appetite stimulants can also help. Cyproheptadine is gentler than mirtazapine and it does not carry the risk of inducing serotonin syndrome. It is easier to dose cyproheptadine more accurately. It does need to be given 2-3 times a day (some cats will take it ground up in a little food; ditto with the ondansetron - dosed twice a day).

NB - if there is any chance Socks might be constipated that can also cause nausea - and if that's a factor you need to address the constipation side of things before the standard anti-nausea treatments will have any chance of working. A few doses of metoclopramide (Reglan) can help restore regular gut motility in these circumstances. (NB: Metoclopramide has an unpleasant side effect profile so cannot be used long term. Also, other than getting things moving again metoclopramide provides little or no effectiveness in reducing a cat's feelings of nausea because cats don't have many of the receptors upon which it works - source: IDEXX treatment guidelines for pancreatitis.)

Make arrangements with the vets to issue you with prescriptions for anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds to take home with you so that you'll have the tools to hand to help Socks at home promptly should the need arise.


Mogs
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Yes, luckily they are not pushing for him to come home- more so hoping he will be eating today and will maybe be ready to come home tomorrow evening! Socks is on anti-nausea, stomach/gi proctectant, and appetite stimulant - appetite stimulant was just started this morning. I belive they said it was Cypropheptadine. They did US and do not show any hold-up of bowels! So that's good... But i will definitely make sure to have those to give to him when we can take him home!!!!
 
Here is the latest update from our Internal Med Vet:

Socks didnt want food again today so far but she has started the appetitie stimulant and said she hadnt started prior as goal was to get him to eat on his own so would like to see him eating tonight, if not, they may think about ng tube if refuses dinner at 12am. Ketones have mostly resolved as far as they see but could still be some lingering. Hydration almost back to normal but still giving a little. Phosphorus back to normal- no supplement needed. Vet mentioned how is Potassium had been low and still is so they are supplementing - you guys were right but i swear they only mentioned the phos levels. Liver enzyme levels and kidney levels have gone back to normal!!! Something called like 'billierueben" had gone up but would if cat is sick/ in stress but they are keeping an eye on that. And another level that is causing some concern is elevated so they would like to recheck both tomorrow. Still waiting on pancreas test to confirm pancreatitis but thats the only thing they see so far besides the original DKA. But said he def needs to stay today through tmr but may be able to come home tomorrow if he starts eating!!! Urinalysis came back with no immediate signs of infection but are still treating as such as they will do a culture to confirm. But hes doing better!!! More spunky! So hopefully with the appetite stimulant and this day of fluids/meds, he'll be back to a stable condition to come home!! I will be meeting with nurse tonight to discuss more!
 
Thanks for the update!!! So very glad Socks is at the best place possible for his treatment. These people are doing all the right things and Socks is starting to improve, Sending more healing energy to help Socks start eating on his own.

And lots of :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: for you.
 
Thank you for the kind words!! And i truly have SO much appreciation for the weight taken off my shoulder, as his hospital staff have been very friendly and knowledgeable through his stay. Can't wait to have my baby home and start re-evaluating to understand why this happened and prevent it in the future!
 
Encouraging update, Justyn.



Are they giving Socks anti-nausea treatment? If he is nauseated the appy stimulant probably won't be very effective without the anti-nausea meds.

Sending more prayers and :bighug::bighug::bighug:.


Mogs
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So glad Socks is improving fast. You may never know what caused this episode. Some cats have them some don't. Socks will/could be susceptible quite easily to them again. I'm sure the team at the hospital will go over things to watch and monitor for and when you need to seek their help. And of course you have this community also to advise or yell at you if we think you need to get to the vet.
 
Critter Mom said:
Encouraging update, Justyn.



Are they giving Socks anti-nausea treatment? If he is nauseated the appy stimulant probably won't be very effective without the anti-nausea meds.

Sending more prayers and :bighug::bighug::bighug:.


Mogs
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Yes yes absolutely have had him on anti-nausea since bringing him into ER.
 
Woodsywife said:
So glad Socks is improving fast. You may never know what caused this episode. Some cats have them some don't. Socks will/could be susceptible quite easily to them again. I'm sure the team at the hospital will go over things to watch and monitor for and when you need to seek their help. And of course you have this community also to advise or yell at you if we think you need to get to the vet.
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Yes exactly and god I am so thankful for this community of humans that care so much about the well-being of others and their fur families.. It is such a comfort to have you all here to discuss!
 
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