Update: Help! Crisis?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Max@20

Member Since 2017
Max, 20 years old, has been going steadily downhill. You can see his numbers today (and the past week). This evening, he won't eat and you can see his BG was 582 just two hours ago (+10). Opened three different cans of food. Added warm water. Added Parmesan. Added oregano. Nothing. I can't give him his shot; no food in his stomach. Gets up. Drinks. Pees. Goes back to the sofa. Almost tips over as he tries to walk...in slow motion. Just came back in to do it all over again. Drink. Walked by three different kinds of food. Return to the sofa. I think I'm losing him.
 
Do you have any nausea medication to try? Cerenia or ondansetron? Did you try baby food? Does he have CKD or any illnesses? When were his last labs and urinalysis?
 
Do you have any nausea medication to try? Cerenia or ondansetron? Did you try baby food? Does he have CKD or any illnesses? When were his last labs and urinalysis?
I don't have any nausea medicine. No other illnesses. Last labs were last summer. This has been disintegrating this past week and honestly, I seem to be unprepared. I do have Hill's Urgent Care a/d.
 
That's a long time between labs with a senior. Congrats on reaching 20. I was hoping to but made it to 19. My Max was tightly controlled until the last few days. Can you see your vet tomorrow?
 
I don't have any nausea medicine. No other illnesses. Last labs were last summer. This has been disintegrating this past week and honestly, I seem to be unprepared. I do have Hill's Urgent Care a/d.
Tried the Urgent Care. He ate maybe a teaspoon.
 
That's a long time between labs with a senior. Congrats on reaching 20. I was hoping to but made it to 19. My Max was tightly controlled until the last few days. Can you see your vet tomorrow?
I'll call for an appointment. If not, I'll take him to the emergency vet.
 
When feeding any dry you need to follow SLGS. Any test under 90 earns a reduction. I thought I saw 2 units as his dose on your ss.
 
Sorry. I thought I was responding to someone else who tested a 40. It's high enough to give insulin. Do you have any baby food? Gerbers often worked for me, the all meat 2nds. It sounds like he's nauseous.
 
Is there an emergency vet in your area? Can you call or get to an er vet?

Sending vines for you and your kitty.
 
Is it just today that he has stopped eating?
Personally, if he were my kitty I would take him to the emergency clinic. Not necessarily because of the lack of appetite but because he's walking in slow motion and tipping over.
He was eating well until this morning...although this morning was okay. This evening, no. I just hand fed him about 2 tsp. of people tuna and he ate about 1 tsp. of canned A/D from a spoon. He wouldn't even lick up the tuna juice, one of his all-time favorites.

He generally walks in slow motion, but it's even slower this evening. He hasn't actually fallen over but he's not steady.

Still watching him but he just wants to lie on the sofa on his side.
 
He was eating well until this morning...although this morning was okay. This evening, no. I just hand fed him about 2 tsp. of people tuna and he ate about 1 tsp. of canned A/D from a spoon. He wouldn't even lick up the tuna juice, one of his all-time favorites.

He generally walks in slow motion, but it's even slower this evening. He hasn't actually fallen over but he's not steady.

Still watching him but he just wants to lie on the sofa on his side.

Sorry. Meant to continue. I'm going to keep working on feeding in small bits over the next hour but then a trip to the ER is in order.
 
The AD is good. Try small amounts every half hour. You can also syringe it if necessary. Is he walking any better?
He always walks slowly because of his age and neuropathy. It just seems slower and more unsteady. I'll keep trying over the next hour or so to get him to eat bits of the many cans of things I've opened.
 
He always walks slowly because of his age and neuropathy. It just seems slower and more unsteady. I'll keep trying over the next hour or so to get him to eat bits of the many cans of things I've opened.
His BG is just so high and he's so weak, I worry about him having no insulin at all. What's the thinking about giving him a much reduced dose if I can get more food in him?
 
Here is your post from yesterday for continuity: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/max-i-are-struggling.179906/

As far as food and insulin, not all the insulin in the system goes to counteract the carbs in the food. When diabetic kitties undergo anesthesia and have no food at all, vets typically suggest a half dose, so you are probably good with at least that. My Neko lost her appetite towards the end, she would only eat part of her food. I ended up assist feeding enough calories so I could give the shot. And I usually gave full dose. Can you assist feed Max? http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-assisted-feeding-video-and-tips.144367/
 
Thank you, thank you! As soon as I read your post and the link, I managed to get a thimbleful of A/D in him using a syringe. I'll do it again every few minutes.
 
Good news getting food into him.

Mixing ad with water can make it easier to draw up into the syringe.
 
Good news getting food into him.

Mixing ad with water can make it easier to draw up into the syringe.
The a/d is so puréed out of the can that the syringe seems to be doing ok. If I get enough food in him to give a reduced dose, what's the collective wisdom about tomorrow's feeding and dose? I'm already three hours late tonight because he wouldn't eat.
 
what's the collective wisdom about tomorrow's feeding and dose? I'm already three hours late tonight because he wouldn't eat.
Tomorrow morning's dose would also have to be 3 hours late. You can move the shot time up by 1/2 hour once a day, or 15 minutes a shot. However, if he's really high, you can shoot a little bit earlier. If you get a +10.5 test tomorrow morning and post for advice, maybe someone can help you decide if you can shoot earlier. As long as I knew I could get a full meal in via syringe, I went with a full dose for Neko.
 
Got probably 1 tablespoon in him over the past 30 mins. Just tested. Read "hi." Gave 1.75 shot. Am sleeping on the sofa with him tonight. Think good thoughts for Max. Thank you, everyone.
 
Thinking only the best thoughts for you and Max as you go through this rough patch. Feel better soon little buddy!
 
Have you been testing for ketones? If your kitty is lethargic, I would definitely get him in to a vet to make sure that he hasn't developed ketoacidosis. If more than trace levels of ketones are present, it's an emergency.
 
Have you been testing for ketones? If your kitty is lethargic, I would definitely get him in to a vet to make sure that he hasn't developed ketoacidosis. If more than trace levels of ketones are present, it's an emergency.
He's not lethargic, just weak from high BG, lack of food and old age. But the vet is testing.
 
Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, advice, thoughts and prayers. Max is still with me.
I sat up all night with him, helped him on and off the sofa, to the water bowl, to the litter box, back to the sofa...aaaaand repeat every 15 to 30 minutes all night long. We both did sleep from 3-4 a.m. but that was it. More a/d by syringe this morning, 1.75 units at 9:50 a.m. BG 596.

Took him to the vet at noon, and I feared it was going to be his final trip. Lots of tears. But. She checked him over, had vet tech give 150 ml fluids, drew blood for testing, talked strategy and sent me on my way. With Max. A cautious "yay"! His BG was 462 at 1 p.m. I'll continue to offer him a variety of food but syringe feed him small amounts of a/d throughout the rest of the day and evening. Next shot due at 9:50 p.m. and we'll do 2.5 units.

Blood work back by end of day so we'll see if he's got kidney failure. I have to give another 150 ml fluids at 4:30 p.m. She gave me a better syringe (bigger) to get the a/d in him (I was using a little 1/2 ml thing, all I had on hand last night), and he voluntarily drank human tuna juice and nibbled a few, tiny pieces when we got home--which is more than he was doing last night and early this morning. We're adding fluids every 1-2 days to our routine. He hates it but he'll feel so much better...and hopefully, more willing to eat. He's so dehydrated that they had a real problem drawing his blood. Had to take it from his inside thigh which upset him terribly, took a long time, and wore him out.

Whew! Sorry for the long post. Please keep thinking good thoughts for Max. He's not in the clear, but we both feel better. And again, thank you. With all of the anger, harsh words, and unwillingness to listen and compromise in the world today, you are a refuge of caring and kindness not only to your own special kitties but also to kitty strangers and their loving beans.
 
Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, advice, thoughts and prayers. Max is still with me.
I sat up all night with him, helped him on and off the sofa, to the water bowl, to the litter box, back to the sofa...aaaaand repeat every 15 to 30 minutes all night long. We both did sleep from 3-4 a.m. but that was it. More a/d by syringe this morning, 1.75 units at 9:50 a.m. BG 596.

Took him to the vet at noon, and I feared it was going to be his final trip. Lots of tears. But. She checked him over, had vet tech give 150 ml fluids, drew blood for testing, talked strategy and sent me on my way. With Max. A cautious "yay"! His BG was 462 at 1 p.m. I'll continue to offer him a variety of food but syringe feed him small amounts of a/d throughout the rest of the day and evening. Next shot due at 9:50 p.m. and we'll do 2.5 units.

Blood work back by end of day so we'll see if he's got kidney failure. I have to give another 150 ml fluids at 4:30 p.m. She gave me a better syringe (bigger) to get the a/d in him (I was using a little 1/2 ml thing, all I had on hand last night), and he voluntarily drank human tuna juice and nibbled a few, tiny pieces when we got home--which is more than he was doing last night and early this morning. We're adding fluids every 1-2 days to our routine. He hates it but he'll feel so much better...and hopefully, more willing to eat. He's so dehydrated that they had a real problem drawing his blood. Had to take it from his inside thigh which upset him terribly, took a long time, and wore him out.

Whew! Sorry for the long post. Please keep thinking good thoughts for Max. He's not in the clear, but we both feel better. And again, thank you. With all of the anger, harsh words, and unwillingness to listen and compromise in the world today, you are a refuge of caring and kindness not only to your own special kitties but also to kitty strangers and their loving beans.
I'm so glad you can be cautiously optimistic for your boy. This FD thing is so difficult but added to the burdens that a senior kitty is carrying, it's a huge concern. Sending positive energy your way ... :bighug::bighug:
 
Sending tons of good appy vines and prayers for Max, and hugs for his MamaBean. You can try some tiny pieces of fried chicken with the skin and crunchy part removed; don't know why but cats seem to particularly like it!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top