4/8 Silver Update NEW. PMPS 207

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J

Juliet

Member Since 2017
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/4-7-silver-amps-202-update.193784/page-2#post-2167101

Silver had a good night and was eating. BG down to 234 in their pet meter so that's actually pretty good compared to usual as that is his usual number on the Freestyle. He still has ketones so they are keeping him today. They want to get rid of the ketones before I get him home.

Question - when they're gone and I get him home what's to stop them coming right back?

My civvie kept me up last night howling for her brother. I had to leave her to go to church just now and she gave me this mournful look. She's never been alone in her life and I feel so guilty but I had to leave her for a couple hours.
 
:bighug::bighug::bighug:

That is great that Silver is eating and had a good night!

From what I understand, enough food and insulin will keep the ketones from coming back.
 
Happy to hear Silver had a good night and ate well:)
I hope you got some rest too....sorry your civvie was howling for Silver:(

Sending more vines your way:bighug:
 
Aw, poor civvie! That is so sweet, and so sad! Hopefully Silver will be home soon-- it sounds like he is doing really well so far.

Yep, food and insulin are the keys. There will be a period of convalescence, how intensive the home nursing will be depends on him. Others with more experience can walk you through the details when the time comes for that, but the fact that he's eating is the best sign. A lot of the really intensive home nursing comes in when they are free of ketones but still not really wanting to eat, so if he's eating now and continues to do so, that will be more than half the battle. Go Silver!!!
 
Glad to hear silver is better, sending more vines your way and keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers
 
Juliet said:
Question - when they're gone and I get him home what's to stop them coming right back?
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What's to stop them from coming right back? You! :)

You'll have to make sure he is getting plenty of calories, feed more than his normal amount. If you can't get the calories, quantity wise, from low carb, feed a higher carb food while he is on the mend. Sandy told me 1.5-2 times the normal calories is the rule of thumb for fighting ketones. This may increase his insulin needs too, but so be it!

Hydration. Add as much water to his food as he will tolerate and if you are able to give sub q fluids at home, that too.

Insulin, you'll need to make sure he has enough insulin on board and you're not skipping shots. If he's too low to shoot, or not eating, ask for help, but he'd likely need at least a token dose if not the full amount.

What's your civvies name? Poor girl, she's worried for her brother. :bighug: Hope Silver is feeling so much better by now and that he heals up quickly. :bighug:
 
Awww, poor Sasha (right?). They are a bonded pair for sure.

Glad Silver is making progress and is recovering.:)

Sending large healing vines for Silver and hugs for you. :bighug::bighug:


Sandy and Black Kitty may be a great resource for you. I have kept up on a couple of new members that joined after a DKA episode, she was great at guiding through those first few weeks of recovery.
 
Osha said:
:bighug::bighug::bighug:

That is great that Silver is eating and had a good night!

From what I understand, enough food and insulin will keep the ketones from coming back.
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He only stopped eating for one day tho. Can it happen that fast?
 
Juliet said:
He only stopped eating for one day tho. Can it happen that fast?
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Sometimes yes. Some cats tend to be more easily prone than others. Hopefully when he back home you can find a way to do the ketone tests. :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Im glad he is now eating at the hospital and I hope that they get those nasty ketones flushed out of him soon.
 
Stacy & Asia said:
What's to stop them from coming right back? You! :)

You'll have to make sure he is getting plenty of calories, feed more than his normal amount. If you can't get the calories, quantity wise, from low carb, feed a higher carb food while he is on the mend. Sandy told me 1.5-2 times the normal calories is the rule of thumb for fighting ketones. This may increase his insulin needs too, but so be it!

Hydration. Add as much water to his food as he will tolerate and if you are able to give sub q fluids at home, that too.

Insulin, you'll need to make sure he has enough insulin on board and you're not skipping shots. If he's too low to shoot, or not eating, ask for help, but he'd likely need at least a token dose if not the full amount.

What's your civvies name? Poor girl, she's worried for her brother. :bighug: Hope Silver is feeling so much better by now and that he heals up quickly. :bighug:
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Thanks. He only stopped eating on Friday morning tho. Can it happen that fast? Hi hadn't skipped any shots and he wa on 4.25u.

Civvie is called Sasha. She's a gorgeous calico.
BF49D500-39A2-4373-9E30-DD5A8ED665B2.jpeg
 
Sasha is beautiful. Sorry to hear she is missing Silver so much. I'm glad he had a good night and is eating. I'm not help with the ketones. I don't know anything about it. Sending prayers for all three of you. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Juliet said:
He only stopped eating for one day tho. Can it happen that fast?
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I believe it can happen that fast. Also infection is also part of the recipe with DKA. The uti probably helped speed up the process.

It is a really good sign that Silver is already eating. I had to use a feeding tube for awhile after Osha's DKA episode.
 
I have a sneaking suspicion that the UTI was brewing for a bit...may explain the dose increases that just didn't seem to affect anything. Which may have started the slide. Higher BG, not enough insulin and then not enough calories to compensate - we keep our kitties on low carb diet.

I have seen Sandy say to increase to carbs for the recovery period. You may want to PM her to get a head start on what you need to do when Silver comes home.
 
With the blood ketone meter you will need a large(r) blood sample than with the glucose meter. I just thought you might like to know. My ketone strips are almost $1 each :eek: and every time I received an error when testing it was because of too little blood.
 
Tracey&Jones said:
I have a sneaking suspicion that the UTI was brewing for a bit...may explain the dose increases that just didn't seem to affect anything. Which may have started the slide. Higher BG, not enough insulin and then not enough calories to compensate - we keep our kitties on low carb diet.

I have seen Sandy say to increase to carbs for the recovery period. You may want to PM her to get a head start on what you need to do when Silver comes home.
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Thanks for this. Yes. Hindsight is everything. I figure you're right. His numbers were higher. But I shouldn't have increased insulin faster than I did tho right? His numbers weren't horrible but they were creeping up. I think the UTI likely was developing for some time.

Thing is - what steps do I take to help prevent dehydration and the ketones returning? I can't increase insulin too fast. I can add water to the food - I didn't know to do that. I'll give him more food. I didn't know quantities and had been giving him 3/4 of a can of FF three ones a day. I'll increase that.

My concern is the care when I get him home. Looks like I won't get him home til either later today or tomorrow morning but I have to work. I'll feed as usual and then leave another can of food out. Chances are the civvie may get it but he is usually the one who pushes her out the way for the food.

I do have the bag of fluids they sent me home with on Friday night so I will ask about continuing that although that does scare me a little. Easy when there were two people when the vet showed me how to do it. I held silver while he led the bag. Harder on my own.

How do I do the home care when I have to leave him during the day? How do I know what insulin dose to start back on when he comes home - they will have given him short acting insulin to bring numbers right down but until I do a curve I won't know nadir in order to find out correct dose. What do I do?
 
LizzieInTexas said:
With the blood ketone meter you will need a large(r) blood sample than with the glucose meter. I just thought you might like to know. My ketone strips are almost $1 each :eek: and every time I received an error when testing it was because of too little blood.
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Thank you. Good tip.
It says 0.3 micrometer. How big is that? I know accucheck needed more than freestyle.
 
Love-Paula aka Woodsywife said:
@Juliet catching up here. Glad to see Silver doing better and hope he is home soon. Another tip for collecting urine. Use lentil beans. Buy a bag, rinse some off and scatter in a small clean box. They don't absorb so you will get some. I put plastic wrap on bottom of pan than some beans. My Olive is such a digger. She must have something in the pan to use it. You can rinse after and reuse them.

Also if possible a blood ketone meter would be the best. Ketones show up quicker in the blood than in urine. Check the supply closet to see if anyone is offering one. You can also post that you are looking for one. Strips are expensive though.
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I ordered a meter. Need easy solution.

https://www.diabetesexpress.ca/ketone-strips-meters-nova-meter-p-2517.html

https://www.diabetesexpress.ca/ketone-strips-meters-novamax-blood-ketone-strips-10bx-p-2472.html

Will only use it for the ketone testing.
 
Juliet said:
My concern is the care when I get him home. Looks like I won't get him home til either later today or tomorrow morning but I have to work. I'll feed as usual and then leave another can of food out. Chances are the civvie may get it but he is usually the one who pushes her out the way for the food.
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Tagging @Sandy and Black Kitty. She knows this stuff Juliet. She can help. Trust me.

And you did nothing wrong! There was an invisible vortex going on...you caught it really early and took him where he needed to be at the first real signs of an issue.
 
Tracey&Jones said:
Tagging @Sandy and Black Kitty. She knows this stuff Juliet. She can help. Trust me.

And you did nothing wrong! There was an invisible vortex going on...you caught it really early and took him where he needed to be at the first real signs of an issue.
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Thanks. I'll need some help with how to tell my pet sitter in sept what to watch for.

And yes. I'm so aware of every little nuance of both cats as I live alone with them for the past 12 years so anything off and I am aware.
 
Hi Juliet,
:bighug::bighug: what an ordeal for both of you! Hang in there.
My Ducia recovered nicely from her DKA at home - and so will Silver!
If possible do arrange to run a blood work in a month or so - to keep an eye on electrolytes and infection.
I bet that UTI caused higher BG numbers.
Juliet said:
Thing is - what steps do I take to help prevent dehydration and the ketones returning? I can't increase insulin too fast. I can add water to the food - I didn't know to do that. I'll give him more food. I didn't know quantities and had been giving him 3/4 of a can of FF three ones a day. I'll increase that.
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Ever since DKA I feed Ducia stews - 1 teaspoon of hot boiled water per each teaspoon of pate/ meat mashed in. Makes her pee 3 times/ 24 hours - plenty of opportunity for me to catch that daily urine test. She is well hydrated.
I would double the FF amount you were feeding before - for now.
FF is very low in calories (average 80-90 Kcal/can) so you 'll have to feed more cans a day to add up to 250-300 Kcal/day.Ducia gained nicely on One and a Half 5.5oz can of Friskies.

Juliet said:
I do have the bag of fluids they sent me home with on Friday night so I will ask about continuing that although that does scare me a little. Easy when there were two people when the vet showed me how to do it. I held silver while he led the bag. Harder on my own.
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He will definitely need SQf for a while. Doing it alone might be challenging for sure. My vet charged me $60 per bag w/ lines - and then I learnt that I could asked for Rx instead and buy it in human pharma for $18.
SQF: greatest tutorial video is HERE click.
Ducia was very weak when we got her home - it helped us to give her SQF in the beginning but a few days later she relaxed about it - learnt that she could not run anyway.
I held Ducia sitting between my knees from behind, gently poking the needle in at an angle - she would fidget a little for a sec. ETA: the LRS bag was pinned to the wall just above us.The most unpleasant moment for her was when the solution started to drip - but she could not run because I blocked her sideways with my knees. Give SQF at a room temp - cold might be irritating. Ducia received 100 ml/ 24 h in the beginning. We used gauge 18 needle - very large - it took about 30 min (if no running occurred) to get that much into her - and then another several hours to get all absorbed. She was underweight and sometimes the" water bag" of 100 ml fluids would hang on her scruff's side for hours almost tilting her over when she was walking. Not to get scared - it takes a while for the SQF to get absorbed. And of course hugs and treats afterwards.
Juliet said:
How do I do the home care when I have to leave him during the day?
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That's difficult.
I am afraid I do not see any other solution but stay up late and sacrifice some sleep (temporarily).
But let's see first how he is when at home.

When you are picking him up can you ask the ER doctor to give you a feeding syringe?
After paying The DKA bill you may be entitled to some freebies, I hope.
You also need to have anti-nausea and appy stimulant for home care.

It's Sunday morning, Silver is in good hands and frankly, I do not know when is the next time that you have time to sleep so can you please try to sleep.? Have a nice hearty meal, a large one and try to sleep. Do all the shopping if needed before he gets home.

:bighug::bighug:
 
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I hope if you sacrificed sleeping this morning for church, that you were strengthened from the fellowship and blessings of your church family. :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Juliet said:
How do I know what insulin dose to start back on when he comes home
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I understand they've been using R (fast acting) to get his numbers down, but they should be re-starting his basal insulin soon (if they already haven't).....You should ask

When he returns home, you're probably going to start at the same dose you were on before....with DKA in the picture, you don't want to skimp on the insulin, even if it means feeding a high carb food to keep him safe.

As the UTI clears, if that was keeping his numbers up, he'll start to earn reductions but until then, you'd start where you left off....at 4.25
 
Juliet said:
Thanks. He only stopped eating on Friday morning tho. Can it happen that fast? Hi hadn't skipped any shots and he wa on 4.25u.
Click to expand...

Sasha is lovely, I hope she is doing okay without Silver and is elated when he returns. :cat:

Any time a cat stops eating, it’s quite serious and you should do whatever possible to get food in your cat, it can quickly become an emergency. Ketones or no, cats don’t have a great mechanism for handling starvation and are at risk for other life threatening conditions besides ketones like hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Ketones can develop rapidly, I believe Sandy said Black Kitty went from trace to large in 12 hours.

I know you haven’t skipped any shots, but whatever was brewing in the background caused a greater need for insulin and the not eating probably tipped the apple cart. It will be tricky to see signs of a UTI since they won’t use the LB in front of you. For Asia though, it was apparent outside of the LB, she would walk and squat her hind end down like it was hurting. She dribbled drops of pee when she did this, they were pink from blood for one UTI. Asia also sleeps in different places than normal when she isn’t feeling right, civvie Toki seems to know when she isn’t right and stays closer to her as well. I know Silver has been healthy thus far, but see if you can think of any subtle behavior difference before Friday and the growling stuff. Does he usually greet you at the door and it didn’t happen? Did it seem to take him a long time to get comfortable to lay down? Was he more clingy/needy than usual, wanting to be close to you, or being aloof and staying away? Can you looks back to before you knew he had diabetes and before the relapse, any things there that you saw last week too that could be general “I’m not right” behavior signs?

I would also ask the vet about his teeth, if any seem obviously infected or broken and how pressing an issue is the dental. Save up for it, get it done as soon as you possibly can. Asia almost died when she was 13, nothing to do with diabetes, it was bad teeth. I had no idea, my vet had no idea. Infected teeth can cause widespread infection too. I don’t know if you’ve visited @Sean & Rufus but Rufus has insulin requirements beyond Silver’s and after the dental, he is near OTJ!

I’m so glad you ordered a ketone meter, that should make it much easier to monitor. :)

You have so much good info on your condos the past couple days, save them somewhere so you can reference and absorb them later, it must all be a bit overwhelming at this moment. :bighug: Eat and sleep and take care of you whilst the vets take care of Silver so that you have energy to give him when he returns. :bighug:
 
Tanya and Ducia said:
Hi Juliet,
:bighug::bighug: what an ordeal for both of you! Hang in there.
My Ducia recovered nicely from her DKA at home - and so will Silver!
If possible do arrange to run a blood work in a month or so - to keep an eye on electrolytes and infection.
I bet that UTI caused higher BG numbers.

Ever since DKA I feed Ducia stews - 1 teaspoon of hot boiled water per each teaspoon of pate/ meat mashed in. Makes her pee 3 times/ 24 hours - plenty of opportunity for me to catch that daily urine test. She is well hydrated.
I would double the FF amount you were feeding before - for now.
FF is very low in calories (average 80-90 Kcal/can) so you 'll have to feed more cans a day to add up to 250-300 Kcal/day.Ducia gained nicely on One and a Half 5.5oz can of Friskies.


He will definitely need SQf for a while. Doing it alone might be challenging for sure. My vet charged me $60 per bag w/ lines - and then I learnt that I could asked for Rx instead and buy it in human pharma for $18.
SQF: greatest tutorial video is HERE click.
Ducia was very weak when we got her home - it helped us to give her SQF in the beginning but a few days later she relaxed about it - learnt that she could not run anyway.
I held Ducia sitting between my knees from behind, gently poking the needle in at an angle - she would fidget a little for a sec. ETA: the LRS bag was pinned to the wall just above us.The most unpleasant moment for her was when the solution started to drip - but she could not run because I blocked her sideways with my knees. Give SQF at a room temp - cold might be irritating. Ducia received 100 ml/ 24 h in the beginning. We used gauge 18 needle - very large - it took about 30 min (if no running occurred) to get that much into her - and then another several hours to get all absorbed. She was underweight and sometimes the" water bag" of 100 ml fluids would hang on her scruff's side for hours almost tilting her over when she was walking. Not to get scared - it takes a while for the SQF to get absorbed. And of course hugs and treats afterwards.

That's difficult.
I am afraid I do not see any other solution but stay up late and sacrifice some sleep (temporarily).
But let's see first how he is when at home.

When you are picking him up can you ask the ER doctor to give you a feeding syringe?
After paying The DKA bill you may be entitled to some freebies, I hope.
You also need to have anti-nausea and appy stimulant for home care.

It's Sunday morning, Silver is in good hands and frankly, I do not know when is the next time that you have time to sleep so can you please try to sleep.? Have a nice hearty meal, a large one and try to sleep. Do all the shopping if needed before he gets home.

:bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
Thank you this is so helpful!! When the vet gave the first 150ml fluids it went in so quickly - less than five mins and was absorbed before I got him home that Friday night. He must have been very dehydrated. Thanks loads for the tip re the Rx for the fluids. I will ask.
 
Chris & China said:
I hope if you sacrificed sleeping this morning for church, that you were strengthened from the fellowship and blessings of your church family. :bighug::bighug::bighug:



I understand they've been using R (fast acting) to get his numbers down, but they should be re-starting his basal insulin soon (if they already haven't).....You should ask

When he returns home, you're probably going to start at the same dose you were on before....with DKA in the picture, you don't want to skimp on the insulin, even if it means feeding a high carb food to keep him safe.

As the UTI clears, if that was keeping his numbers up, he'll start to earn reductions but until then, you'd start where you left off....at 4.25
Click to expand...
I just bought 24 cans plus 12 cans of. Gravy lovers in case he is reluctant to eat. Thanks. I will ask re the Lantus. Yes. Glad I went this morning. My Fitbit says I got 8 hrs sleep but it doesn't feel like it! Hoping I get Silver home tonight or then I have other issues re dealing with work tomorrow.
 
Rufus was on antibiotics 4 times between September and January. Never helped with his numbers or issues. Old vet, new vet, vet tech, and dental specialist said teeth were unremarkable. *maybe* need a cleaning, but nothing obvious. Finally talked them into just please xray and clean. 5 weeks after dental (1 extraction, 1 root tip exposed, cleaning), he is OTJ. His numbers are running a little higher again, but that is because of his new med, Atopica. So even an experienced dental specialist didn't think he needed dental. Even the antibiotics didn't help. Hopefully Silver is better regulated when his UTI resolves. Perhaps combination of teeth and high BG contributed towards UTI which in turn formed the ketones? Dental isn't cheap, but goes along way to helping kitty.
 
Stacy & Asia said:
Sasha is lovely, I hope she is doing okay without Silver and is elated when he returns. :cat:

Any time a cat stops eating, it’s quite serious and you should do whatever possible to get food in your cat, it can quickly become an emergency. Ketones or no, cats don’t have a great mechanism for handling starvation and are at risk for other life threatening conditions besides ketones like hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Ketones can develop rapidly, I believe Sandy said Black Kitty went from trace to large in 12 hours.

I know you haven’t skipped any shots, but whatever was brewing in the background caused a greater need for insulin and the not eating probably tipped the apple cart. It will be tricky to see signs of a UTI since they won’t use the LB in front of you. For Asia though, it was apparent outside of the LB, she would walk and squat her hind end down like it was hurting. She dribbled drops of pee when she did this, they were pink from blood for one UTI. Asia also sleeps in different places than normal when she isn’t feeling right, civvie Toki seems to know when she isn’t right and stays closer to her as well. I know Silver has been healthy thus far, but see if you can think of any subtle behavior difference before Friday and the growling stuff. Does he usually greet you at the door and it didn’t happen? Did it seem to take him a long time to get comfortable to lay down? Was he more clingy/needy than usual, wanting to be close to you, or being aloof and staying away? Can you looks back to before you knew he had diabetes and before the relapse, any things there that you saw last week too that could be general “I’m not right” behavior signs?

I would also ask the vet about his teeth, if any seem obviously infected or broken and how pressing an issue is the dental. Save up for it, get it done as soon as you possibly can. Asia almost died when she was 13, nothing to do with diabetes, it was bad teeth. I had no idea, my vet had no idea. Infected teeth can cause widespread infection too. I don’t know if you’ve visited @Sean & Rufus but Rufus has insulin requirements beyond Silver’s and after the dental, he is near OTJ!

I’m so glad you ordered a ketone meter, that should make it much easier to monitor. :)

You have so much good info on your condos the past couple days, save them somewhere so you can reference and absorb them later, it must all be a bit overwhelming at this moment. :bighug: Eat and sleep and take care of you whilst the vets take care of Silver so that you have energy to give him when he returns. :bighug:
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I noticed something wrong on Friday morning went he didn't come wake me at 5am. He does need a dental. One bad tooth but vet said he needs to be stable first. It will be a priority. Scares me tho as then we have issues re anesthesia, pain meds etc which will mess with his diabetes right?

Heading home now. And yes @Chris & China i have bought some chocolate and some vodka ice cream and plan to veg in front of a good movie until the vet calls me back.
 
Sean & Rufus said:
Rufus was on antibiotics 4 times between September and January. Never helped with his numbers or issues. Old vet, new vet, vet tech, and dental specialist said teeth were unremarkable. *maybe* need a cleaning, but nothing obvious. Finally talked them into just please xray and clean. 5 weeks after dental (1 extraction, 1 root tip exposed, cleaning), he is OTJ. His numbers are running a little higher again, but that is because of his new med, Atopica. So even an experienced dental specialist didn't think he needed dental. Even the antibiotics didn't help. Hopefully Silver is better regulated when his UTI resolves. Perhaps combination of teeth and high BG contributed towards UTI which in turn formed the ketones? Dental isn't cheap, but goes along way to helping kitty.
Click to expand...
Can I ask you - how expensive was that dental? Good to have a ball park idea.
 
Juliet said:
Can I ask you - how expensive was that dental? Good to have a ball park idea.
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If the regular vet would have done it, it would have been about $500 I think. Rufus had so many issues going on we had to go to a specialist. It ended up being $2100 for dental and an ultrasound, so probably $1500 ish. I know, I know. It's crazy rediculous. Even the $500 is expensive.
 
When I had Gordys teeth cleaned, it was in the range of $300 to $500 USD. (I can't remember the exact dollar amounts.)

Sometimes the cost will vary due to the severity of his teeth. His first cleaning, Gordy didn't actually need any extrations, so it ended up being less than what I was quoted. The 2nd time, he had one extraction but the cleaning took less time, so it ended up being close to what I was quoted.

Your vet should be able to give you a quote so you can plan. If they feel too expensive, you always try a different vet. (But in that case, you'll have to bring him in to be examined, so work that into cost.)
 
I believe it was Wendy (@Wendy&Neko ) who recommends Royal Canin Recovery for it's high caloric content. https://www.royalcanin.com/products/vet/recovery-support It is surely more expensive than Fancy Feast, but might be worth it.
Sending lots and lots of vines for Silver. And scritches for Sasha (beautiful girl). And hugs for you.

p.s. Marje (@Marje and Gracie ) did a great video on administering fluids.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-give-subcutaneous-fluids-video.75933/#p821247
 
CassAndGordy said:
When I had Gordys teeth cleaned, it was in the range of $300 to $500 USD. (I can't remember the exact dollar amounts.)

Sometimes the cost will vary due to the severity of his teeth. His first cleaning, Gordy didn't actually need any extrations, so it ended up being less than what I was quoted. The 2nd time, he had one extraction but the cleaning took less time, so it ended up being close to what I was quoted.

Your vet should be able to give you a quote so you can plan. If they feel too expensive, you always try a different vet. (But in that case, you'll have to bring him in to be examined, so work that into cost.)
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That's do-able. I was thinking it would run into thousands given how much this hospital stay is. I think he will need at least one extraction.
 
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:
I believe it was Wendy (@Wendy&Neko ) who recommends Royal Canin Recovery for it's high caloric content. https://www.royalcanin.com/products/vet/recovery-support It is surely more expensive than Fancy Feast, but might be worth it.
Sending lots and lots of vines for Silver. And scritches for Sasha (beautiful girl). And hugs for you.

p.s. Marje (@Marje and Gracie ) did a great video on administering fluids.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-give-subcutaneous-fluids-video.75933/#p821247
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Do high calories mean high carbs?
 
Rufus was in and out in a couple hours at dental. Hopefully with dental and UTI cleaned up, you can get Silver in remission again!
 
Juliet said:
Do high calories mean high carbs?
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no, it does not.
Total caloric value is listed on each can.
For instance my favorite Tiki Cat is 107 Kcal per 2.8 oz can with zero carbs (as per Dr. Pierson chart). It means that all of the calories come from protein and fat, no carbs calories whatsoever.
Ducia ate 2 cans/24h, very low activity indoor only girl of 9 YO - she gained too much on it.
I cut her portions to 160 - 180 Kcal a day. She maintains. Will make further cuts as needed.

Try feeding Silver 250 - 300 Kcal per day to start with.If he lost a lot of weight lately - start with 350 Kcal per dayl and watch his weight and appy.
 
Poor Sasha, brother is missing and momma is upset.


AD is what I had Jones on when he was first diagnosed and used again after his ER visit. Always have a can handy. Hopefully they throw in a can or two for you to take home.

Keep hanging in there.
 
Love-Paula aka Woodsywife said:
AD food for whatever reason is very tasty to cats who are not eating. You can get just a couple of cans and mix 1/2 his regular food with enough AD food to make up for his regular amount of food.
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Not sure what AD food is?
@Tanya and Ducia i couldn't find where to read the calories on the FF? Silver is quite fussy so would like to try and keep him on same food. He is a bit of a horse tho and if I doubled his food he would normally eat it right up. I also got some gravy lovers to mix in if he was hesitant to eat but so far the vet says he is eating. I'll mix in water too as someone suggested.
 
a/d is the canned food by science diet. Critical care cat food. High calories and it mushy enough that you can thin it with water to syringe feed.

ETA Royal Canin also has one. Jones didn't like that one as much.
 
Juliet said:
Scares me tho as then we have issues re anesthesia, pain meds etc which will mess with his diabetes right?
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Anesthesia and pain meds should not mess with his diabetes. The morning of the surgery vets typically suggest a 1/2 dose of insulin, but other than that, should be no change with his insulin routine. Neko was on pain meds long term due to her arthritis. Addressing pain improved her BG. The cost of a dental typically varies depending on how many extractions they have to do.
Juliet said:
Do high calories mean high carbs?
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No, Royal Canin Recovery is low carb. Another alternative is A/D. It's a bit higher carb, but given Silver's current condition, that's OK. Higher (not high) carb food will allow you to get enough insulin in him and keep him safe. The higher proportion of fat in the food, the higher the calories. That doesn't impact the carbs. The nice things about Recovery and A/D, is that some cats really like them. The other thing is that if you have to syringe feed, they are very easy to do so with.
Juliet said:
He only stopped eating for one day tho. Can it happen that fast?
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Sandy has in the past said her BK went from trace to large ketones in 24 hours. Glad you've ordered a ketone meter.

Regarding fluids - I often gave fluids in the bathroom. The bag was placed on a hanger which hung on the shower rod or a hook on the door. The height makes the fluids go in faster and is one less thing for me to hang onto. Ask your vet if they have 20 or 21 gauge needles, easier to stick the cat with than the 18 they usually send you home with. I found fluids costs varied quite a bit. Much cheaper at the regular vet than the ER vet.
 
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