I think Peanut is dying and I don't know what to do

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Sieden

Sieden

Member Since 2016
I'll try my best to make this short. I got Peanut controlled so I stopped giving insulin. You won't find any info on my charts because I started working and found it much easier for me just to write it down on a notebook, that's what worked for me so that's what I used. I think I just got complacent once he was controlled and I stopped testing.

A few days ago he was acting funny and I decided to test him, I saw that his number was 244 and without thinking I gave him 1/4 units of insulin. Last night I noticed that he was sitting by the water bowl with his head in the corner. I called his name and he turned to me but then turned back around. I picked him up and he cried, he felt lighter and I noticed that he wouldn't eat. Today he still isn't eating and I'm now forcing liquids but he doesn't want it. I tested his ketones with a blood test meter and it said 5.2 so I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do at this point.

Did I cause this by giving him insulin? I called my vet and she said that it will cost a few thousand dollars for me to have him treated most likely and I can't afford that. Can anyone give me some advice? I'm not ready to lose my little man.
 
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Hi there,

is there a chance to keep him in the ER clinic to try to flash out the ketones (not completely but let say to a trace amount)?
24 hours stay helped my girl to get stabilized - it'll help - it is going to b less than several thousand.
 
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That can't be from 1/4 of a unit could it? Expired insulin or allergic reaction anyone?
No way that is several $$$, you're being taken advantage of. More people will follow up very quickly.
 
Sieden,
can you please help me to understand the situation?
Is it him not eating that scares you or is it the ketones presence?
I use dip sticks for ketone measurement and do not understand the value of 5.2 you posted from the blood testing ketone device... is it high?
Weight loss, not eating - could be also as ketone presence symptoms - plus your vet's estimate made me think ketones...
If so - I might have advise for you just please clarify for me ...
 
Sorry Peanut, I'm not baling out on you. Have no experience with ketones and should have not commented $$$. Don't give up, help is coming.
 
The 5.2 on the ketones is considered high.
0.0 to 0.6 = low
0.6 to 1.5 = moderate
1.5 to 8.0 = high
 
I know this is stressful. Others are helping you. I hope you are able to get your kitty back to good health. I doubt 0.25 units of insulin caused this, unless the insulin is expired.
 
I called a few places and found that the really cheap places don't keep cats over night, even my old regular vet doesn't keep them overnight. There is an emergency vet here that opens at 6am so I'll have to call them in the morning and see how much they are, maybe I'll be able to bring him in to that place. Right now I am taking the juice from the Fancy Feast emergency cans that I have and mixing it with a little bit of water and then I'm drawing that up with a baby syringe and making Peanut drink that. He doesn't like it but at least it's a little bit of calories because he's not getting any food into his tummy otherwise.
 
That one dose since you stopped isn't going to be the issue, I wonder if he has an infection or inflammation going on. That and being diabetic even if in remission is worrisome and along with the keytone #.

Wishing Peanut good luck, hope you can get him in quickly.
 
Thanks for the hugs and prayers.

The expiration on the Lantus Solostar box says 2/2019
The pen that I used has been opened for quite some time, probably 6 months but I store the pen properly and I have no reason to believe that the open pen is itself expired just because it's opened.
 
Sieden said:
The 5.2 on the ketones is considered high.
0.0 to 0.6 = low
0.6 to 1.5 = moderate
1.5 to 8.0 = high
Click to expand...

Ok, I am so sorry BUT - there a way as I see it:

My cat spent 24 hours in the ER clinic - taken in very bad condition with ketones >80 - very high.
She was receiving insulin shots, AB, SQ fluids and was force fed. The vet managed to get the ketones level to a Trace amount - and we took her home.ETA: the clinic also did the electrolyte balancing - it improved but when we took her home it was far from ideal - restored with eating(assisted feeding).
If you can afford the 24 hours stay - there is a chance that vets can flash if not all ketones but at least to reduce it - and then it is up to you to start very aggressive home therapy - I'll tell you all we did.
Let me know if and when you are going to the clinic - if ever - and then I'll post about what we've done.
It was not easy but we made it with the help of the Board - daily help - and you will have all of the support and tips you'll need.
I say if I could do it - so can you.

Good things: you are willing and experienced, you already have insulin +supplies and good at home testing.

:bighug:
 
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Tanya and Ducia said:
Ok, I am so sorry BUT - there a way as I see it:

My cat spent 24 hours in the ER clinic - taken in very bad condition with ketones >80 - very high.
She was receiving insulin shots, AB, SQ fluids and was force fed. The vet managed to get the ketones level to a Trace amount - and we took her home.
If you can afford the 24 hours stay - there is a chance that vets can flash if not all ketones but at least to reduce it - and then it is up to you to start very aggressive home therapy - I'll tell you all we did.
Let me know if and when you are going to the clinic - if ever - and then I'll post about what we've done.
It was not easy but we made it with the help of the Board - daily help - and you will have all of the support and tips you'll need.
I say if I could do it - so can you.

Good things: you are willing and experienced, you already have insulin +supplies and good at home testing.

:bighug:
Click to expand...
Thank you Tanya, I'll probably take him tomorrow (God willing) if I can afford it. I'm praying today that when I call tomorrow they give me good news about the money aspect.
 
Sieden said:
Thank you Tanya, I'll probably take him tomorrow (God willing) if I can afford it. I'm praying today that when I call tomorrow they give me good news about the money aspect.
Click to expand...
Sieden,

that's what DCIN did for DUcia - and it saved her life.
Please reply to Chris's Private Message.
DO NOT wait untill morning - he needs to go in.
Find the clinic that is opened 24/7 and call them, check Peanut in and forward all of the info about that clinic - address and the phone numbers to Chris ASAP.
I too was reluctant to acceept their help - thank goodness Chris made me - my girl is alive!
 
This is Peanut, we're waiting for the vet to come back and give us an estimate. He's being a good boy.
 

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I just noticed how similar the profile photo looks to the one I just took. That's a little bench in this room and a towel that I have him covered with.

The doctor came in and said that his electrolytes are out of whack, his liver isn't functioning properly and he has a UTI. He could require months a feeding tube which I can do at home, the feeding tube will depend on whether he's willing to eat or not. She said he's looking at 3 days overnight.
 
Sieden said:
I just noticed how similar the profile photo looks to the one I just took. That's a little bench in this room and a towel that I have him covered with.

The doctor came in and said that his electrolytes are out of whack, his liver isn't functioning properly and he has a UTI. He could require months a feeding tube which I can do at home, the feeding tube will depend on whether he's willing to eat or not. She said he's looking at 3 days overnight.
Click to expand...
Don't be daunted by the idea of the feeding tube! Everybody I know of who has had to use one says it's so much easier than they thought it would be, and it has saved the lives of many cats! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sieden said:
He could require months a feeding tube which I can do at home, the feeding tube will depend on whether he's willing to eat or not.
Click to expand...
Sieden,
any chance that you can run home and bring in his favorite/ his regular food?
They might be serving healthy or nutritious food at the hospital but it rarely the yummiest one...
If they let you do that he might start eating for you... just a thought...

ETA: Did they mention DKA?
 
We had the feeding tube in Leo for 6 weeks this year. You should try syringe feeding first. Big syringes are used - they have them at Petsmart, etc. Syringe feeding is messy, but it avoids surgery.

Healing vines for Peanut, he is a trooper. He's not looking good right now, but with some tender care and some food I hope he gets better.
 
They said that DKA can't be ruled out but the liver values that were shown could also cause ketones. The ketones were very high though. I'm not worried about the feeding tube but I do hope that he eats or that they try other options first. I can bring his favorite food up here tomorrow maybe but not tonight, it took me an hour to get up here. Well maybe I can if there is a Wal-Mart near by, I'm downtown and have no idea where I'm at really. I'm still inside waiting but I'll see if they will let me come back with food for him if I can find a store.
 
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