Chloe 20

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Are you not testing before giving insulin? I don't see preshot numbers on your spreadsheet.
Her cycle this morning looks good. If you can, get a +10 and that will be like a curve and with the preshot you'll see if she's rising or surfing at the end of her cycle.
Have you increased the amount of food or is she doing this good on the same amount?
Nice to see her in the blues! You're doing great with testing during the cycle!
 
StephG said:
Are you not testing before giving insulin? I don't see preshot numbers on your spreadsheet.
Her cycle this morning looks good. If you can, get a +10 and that will be like a curve and with the preshot you'll see if she's rising or surfing at the end of her cycle.
Have you increased the amount of food or is she doing this good on the same amount?
Nice to see her in the blues! You're doing great with testing during the cycle!
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I'm embarrassed to say that I ran out of test strips and couldn't find the ones for the Everpaw. I ran over to Walmart and picked them up as soon as the pickup counter opened (I had ordered them online yesterday).
 
srk4cats said:
I'm embarrassed to say that I ran out of test strips and couldn't find the ones for the Everpaw. I ran over to Walmart and picked them up as soon as the pickup counter opened (I had ordered them online yesterday).
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Hey, it happens. I keep a hypo kit, battery for meter, bottle of 50 strips, high carb food, Karo syrup. I have run out of strips and used the hypo kit bottle, then I forgot to restock them. Ended up in a midnight Walmart run.
Now, once I start the second bottle of 50 strips, I order more right then. If I don't, I will forget or drag my feet and run out.
 
I'm worrying again. She didn't yowl for food at dinnertime, although she ate a couple bites after I put Chico and Cheddar in the garage. Now I set her food on the bed where she's been sleeping all day and I think she's starting to eat, but maybe its only when she sees me watching. She actually slept in my arm last night and I have a bad feeling.
Also, did you see she shot up to the 400's at her PM shot?
I haven't seen her pee.
 
srk4cats said:
I'm worrying again. She didn't yowl for food at dinnertime, although she ate a couple bites after I put Chico and Cheddar in the garage. Now I set her food on the bed where she's been sleeping all day and I think she's starting to eat, but maybe its only when she sees me watching. She actually slept in my arm last night and I have a bad feeling.
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If you think she's not feeling well get her to the vet sooner than later. If ketones are building early treatment is better. You mentioned that she's vomited a few times in the last day or two. I'd pay close attention to that.
 
I agree with Kris. If you can't get a ketone test done within the hour, I would take her to the vet. They can take off so fast.
 
StephG said:
I agree with Kris. If you can't get a ketone test done within the hour, I would take her to the vet. They can take off so fast.
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She's eating now. At least she was when I was lying next to her and holding the bowl.
 
srk4cats said:
She's eating now. At least she was when I was lying next to her and holding the bowl.
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If she’s not showing her usual appetite be very vigilant. Vomiting, lethargy, coaxing her to eat are things you need to pay close attention to. She’s still in a very vulnerable post DKA state.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
If she’s not showing her usual appetite be very vigilant. Vomiting, lethargy, coaxing her to eat are things you need to pay close attention to. She’s still in a very vulnerable post DKA state.
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Try get her to drink some water too. Maybe you can get her to pee after some water. If you don't think you can get a test before the vet closes, I would take her in for a test. They should be willing to test her for you since she's post DKA.
 
How much money have you spent on your sugar babies in the past year? I just got her home from the hospital ($2,800). Isn't there anything I can do to help her at home? Since she was diagnosed a year ago, I've spent over $10,000 on her.
 
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srk4cats said:
How much money have you spent on your sugar babies in the past year? I just got her home from the hospital ($2,800). Isn't there anything I can do to help her at home?
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No where near that much. BUT Chuck hasn't had DKA. We are lucky that he isn't prone to Ketones.
If she has ketones, the best place for her is the vet.
Once she's sent home, what you can do is stay on top of her testing and test for ketones as often as possible. You could ask your vet about doing subQ fluids at home to help keep her hydrated. This might help keep Ketones at bay along with enough food and insulin.
It's NOT easy but it's worth it.
Did you get a ketone test?
 
There was a member that just lost her cat to DKA on Facebook. Vet have the cat fluids at the office. He went home and Ketones were 10x what they were at the vet later that night. He wasn't on insulin so they went up fast.
What is her BG?
 
The only way to know for sure is testing.
Testing will tell you what the level is... Sometimes when they are Trace increasing fluids and getting BG down can help but I don't think it is likely in Chloe's case.
 
DKA is rarely treatable at home.
It hurts my heart to say this but if you don't want to or won't treat her DKA again, euthanasia is the more humane option. It makes me sick to my stomach even mentioning it but I don't want to give the idea that just letting her die from DKA at home is anywhere near ok. :(
 
I had a restless night, but this morning, she is eating normally. She's been peeing out of the box in a couple different corners of the kitchen, so I got a sample. Negative for ketones. I think she either peed or vomited on my slippers. She is now sitting and licking her paw. BG is 134.
 
StephG said:
DKA is rarely treatable at home.
It hurts my heart to say this but if you don't want to or won't treat her DKA again, euthanasia is the more humane option. It makes me sick to my stomach even mentioning it but I don't want to give the idea that just letting her die from DKA at home is anywhere near ok. :(
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Why? Is DKA painful? Wouldn't you rather have your cat die in your arms at home, rather than in a cold hospital?
 
If you're going to let her go, there are mobile vets that can come and euthanize her at home so she doesn't have to suffer. You can call your regular or emergency vets for a recommendation.
 
Since she seems better today and negative for ketones, I'm going to hold out for her regular vet visit this Thursday. I tried a mobile vet with Pogo and it was horrible. The vet had no empathy and wrapped his body up tightly in a blanket with duct tape. I had to loosen it before I buried him. He also didn't like the idea of my burying him in my yard. With Genghis, I took him to a vet's office to be euthanized after trying so many treatments unsuccessfully. That was a bit better. He had some sort of respiratory problem that was making him sneeze snot all over the place. I've had cats die from loose dogs and coyotes. I've done my best with Chloe and am ready to let her go. When she first got diagnosed, it was too soon after Pogo and Genghis passed.
 
https://www.medicinenet.com/diabetic_ketoacidosis_symptoms/views.htm. This article explains that there is dehydration, abdominal pain, vomiting, and many other symptoms. If it is Chloe's time, I find it unconscionable that you would allow her to suffer slowly and die while desperately thirsty, in pain, throwing up, and other things. Part of our job as caregivers is to give them an easy death to alleviate their suffering when it is time. Please let us know when Chloe is gone. We will certainly mourn her passing.
 
The article says, "Signs and symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, deep gasping breathing..." That sounds horrible to me. I cannot imagine allowing my kitty to suffer that way when it was within my power to let them go peacefully.

Yes, old pets die of natural causes. But letting a pet die because you're choosing to withhold treatment, and also making them suffer through that death....that just sounds like a terrible thing to stand by and do nothing while a pet is helplessly suffering. Cats are famously good at hiding their suffering from us, but that doesn't mean it's any less horrific for them.

Now from what you're saying, it sounds like she's doing fine right now and this isn't even an issue, but I really hope that if this becomes an issue at some point, you will have enough compassion to let her go peacefully through euthanasia and don't make her suffer in pain and gasping for breath.
 
@srk4cats My Aunt just had DKA a month ago. She had such horrible pain everywhere. When your blood is toxic it hurts everything. Cats hide their pain so by the time you see signs of it, it's beyond 10 out of 10 pain level.
On top of that pain, they're terrified and confused. Dying of natural causes, like a heart attack, is much different than suffering for hours until their body completely fails.
I would never let an animal suffer to death at home. If it comes down to it, I urge you to have her humanely euthanized. She's fought this long-- she deserves not to suffer.
Are you saying that you'll be putting her down at your next visit?
 
Chloe and Cheddar.JPG
 
It is inhumane to watch, or even let an animal die painfully---knowing you can help ease the suffering by offering euthanasia. Sure, some animals die of natural causes, but so do humans. It is normally done in their sleep, or you can get an autopsy report that states the patient died of natural causes. This is generally done after they have been at the hospital getting treatment, or walking into a loved ones home and realizing they are deceased. People generally want answers. In this case you know why she would die--lack of treatment, and likely DKA.

If this was a human how would you react? Would you let your loved one gasp for air, or suffer in pain knowing they need a breathing tube, or an O2 mask to help them? I'm sure the answer is no. I'm not saying you need to spend another 10k on Chloe. What I am saying is--when the time comes you need to do the right thing, and let her pass peacefully and not in pain. It will be less than DKA episode.

If you cant give Chloe the care she needs then at least have the compassion of letting her pass peacefully (when the time comes), but under no circumstance should you prolong her agony--especially if you plan on not treating.

Listen to your moral compass.
 
srk4cats said:
Does she look like she's in pain?
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Like I said before, they hide their pain very well. It's a survival thing.
Keep testing for Ketones. It's good that she was negative.
Keep in mind, if she's lethargic and weak it could also be hypoglycemia. So it's best to test BG and for Ketones.
 
Teenuh said:
If this was a human how would you react?
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My father died a couple years ago. He was ill and used a walker. He was ready to die and he told me so. Chloe is not ready yet. In fact, I think we finally found the right dose.
 
srk4cats said:
Chloe is not ready yet.
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Exactly the point we tried to make originally.

As for your father, I know how that feels. When my father passed, he was ready and had BEEN ready, and he said so. If it had been legal, I would have helped him die earlier when he was ready and still had his dignity. I would have done anything to spare him the suffering I watched him go through. What he went through still haunts me. I'm grateful that I am able to spare my cats that and show them how much I love them by sparing them intense suffering that they cannot understand.
 
I really hope that Chloe has turned a corner. If you make it your mission to up your testing game and stick to it I think you can avoid another costly and stressful DKA. On work days aim for:
  • AM/PM pre shots - always
  • one right when you get in the door after work
  • one before bed every night.
On days off, get at least 2 mid cycle tests in addition to AM/PM pre shots and the before bed test. Once you have a denser scatter of data on your SS and she's well past these crises you can ease off on testing periodically but not all the time. This should be workable for you and would help Chloe a lot. It'll become a habit for you over time and won't feel so burdensome.

I also recommend getting a blood ketone meter so you can track that without having to follow her to the litter box.
 
Just info: Always ask your vet too if anything that can be done without bringing her in. I was afraid Baby had another UTI & they were willing to test if I could bring a sample. I know it’s not always easy to get that. I’ve been there so much & spent $$$ that they were kind to help me. It never hurts to ask :) I hope she’s ok & bless you!
 
Becky & Baby Girl Kitty said:
Just info: Always ask your vet too if anything that can be done without bringing her in. I was afraid Baby had another UTI & they were willing to test if I could bring a sample. I know it’s not always easy to get that. I’ve been there so much & spent $$$ that they were kind to help me. It never hurts to ask :) I hope she’s ok & bless you!
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I like the fact that your vet was willing to do that. It shows they are trying to work with you.
 
@Teenuh -Yes I have a great, really 2 lady vets that both are good with Baby! Dr. Kline is impressive with her knowledge on diabetes! The techs I’ve dealt with so far are most knowledgeable- they’re experienced & have the correct training. Night & day from my old one! Sooo thankful
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I really hope that Chloe has turned a corner. If you make it your mission to up your testing game and stick to it I think you can avoid another costly and stressful DKA. On work days aim for:
  • AM/PM pre shots - always
  • one right when you get in the door after work
  • one before bed every night.
On days off, get at least 2 mid cycle tests in addition to AM/PM pre shots and the before bed test. Once you have a denser scatter of data on your SS and she's well past these crises you can ease off on testing periodically but not all the time. This should be workable for you and would help Chloe a lot. It'll become a habit for you over time and won't feel so burdensome.

I also recommend getting a blood ketone meter so you can track that without having to follow her to the litter box.
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I like Kris's routine suggestion.
I just bought at blood ketone test. It will be worth it, as it is cheaper than an episode of DKA! I'm really encouraging you to do the same.
 
That 292 preshot makes me wonder if she went a little lower last night.
How's she doing? I would still be getting ketone tests done. She got them before in 200s... I think the tests this weekend were great, minus that red of course.
Some cats need for insulin is little lower at night so a before bed test will let you know if she needs an extra snack before you go to bed. Could make the difference of a blue preshot and anything higher.
 
Becky & Baby Girl Kitty said:
@Teenuh -Yes I have a great, really 2 lady vets that both are good with Baby! Dr. Kline is impressive with her knowledge on diabetes! The techs I’ve dealt with so far are most knowledgeable- they’re experienced & have the correct training. Night & day from my old one! Sooo thankful
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I mean . . . I guess this makes sense in a way. There are great-knowledgeable doctors/specialists and there are some not so great, lack the knowledge.

Anyway, I'm glad you found a vet who is on board with you!
 
That's a lovely dark green last night. I see you gave the full dose on an AMPS of 113 this AM. Did you leave out some carby food for her? Are you off to test her mid cycle?
 
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