New member Kitty going Downhill After insulin change

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Lady aristocat

Member Since 2020
I have a 15 you female that was diagnosed in 2013. She was stable on 1/2 unit of Levimir twice daily until 3 weeks ago. All of a sudden one day, her level went to 27 and she almost went into a coma. I rushed her to the vet just in time for the dextrose. We thought she had gone into spontaneous remission, so we tried no insulin for a week. Her level went to 330, week 2 she was switched to Vetsulin half a unit once a day, today she is at 104; however, she has lost almost a pound and a half in these two weeks. She doesn't eat much. Her labs came back fine except for one kidney test. The rest of the renal panel was normal. She takes renal vitamins every day. Does anyone have an idea what could be happening?
 
Wow, how scary!!!! I'm glad she made it through the severe hypo.

A few observations:

1. 104 is too low for a cat on Vetsulin.
2. Kitty (more than) earned a dose reduction down to 0.25U with that hypo
3. Despite the hypo, Levemir is generally a much better insulin for cats than Vetsulin. Especially considering that hypo, I would be very reluctant to use vetsulin. Is there any way you could switch back?
4. Were you testing for ketones when you removed insulin? Are you testing for them now? It's always a risk when a diabetic cat with a poor appetite goes without insulin for a while.

The weight loss is concerning, I can't explain that. I'm glad your vet is checking into things, it may not be diabetes-related at all.
 
A few things come to mind and some Nan already covered above. I completely agree that Vetsulin is not the best insulin for cats as it was made for dogs and it’s also called caninsulin for canine. In addition to checking for ketones, which you can do at home if the vet hasn’t, have they given you an anti nausea med or apetite stimulant? She could probably benefit from both. Cerenia or ondansetron are the most commonly anti nausea meds for cats.

It sounds like you’re home testing, is that right? Can you tell us what meter you’re using and how often you test? Also, what kind of food is she eating? Lastly, what’s yours and your kitty’s names?

welcome and so happy she made it through that hypo. Great instincts for rushing her to the vet and saving her life!:bighug:
 
Lady aristocat said:
Vetsulin half a unit once a day, today she is at 104
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I agree with @Nan & Amber (GA) that 104 is too low a number with Vetsulin.

The other thing about Vetsulin, is that it should be given twice a day. It is an in-and-out insulin and lasts at most 12 hours.

I'll let more experienced people guide you but I'm wondering if 0.25 units of Vetsulin twice daily would be better.

Tagging

@JanetNJ
 
Thank you to all that replied. Here's what I know so far:
I took Katrina to the vet again yesterday. She is going to go on an appetite stimulant. I can't remember the name because I have to pick it up today. Her BG was pulled 5 hours after her dose yesterday morning. I was not checking for ketones; we were just seeing how she did without it. Her BG was 330 with no insulin. But when she went back yesterday it was because of losing weight so fast and barely eating. The vet said that another half pound off and she would be normal weight, but she is losing muscle.. We are checking her for heart disease through labwork and she had thickened intestines, suggesting intestinal cancer. My U-40 syringes only can do a half unit, and she gets that once daily. I do not test at home and she has been on Purina DM dry for the last 7 years. I will ask about ketones when I (hopefully) talk to her main vet today.
Lisa
 
I would suggest that you seriously consider testing at home. We can guide you and there are tons of tips here to make it easier and stress free for both you and your cat. It’s the only safe way to manage her diabetes so you can monitor and adjust the dose as needed at home. The numbers at the vet will always be elevated due to stress so you’re not getting the real picture. Minnie was also diagnosed with thickened intestine so I assume they did an ultra sound? The only way to diagnose cancer though or IBD, which is the other option, is to do an endoscopy and biopsy. Until then you’re guessing which of the 2 it is. Did they explain that to you? Ask for the anti nausea in addition to the apetite stimulant. This is the exact scenario Minnie has had for years and the anti nausea is key to get them eating again consistently. If they feel nauseated the apetite stimulant alone won’t work. You’ll need both.

I would say dry food is not ideal for diabetic cats. I would consider transitioning her to wet food with less than 10% carbs but NOT until you’re home testing because the change in food could bring her BG levels low fast and you need to be monitoring that to keep her safe. @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Nan & Amber (GA) do you agree?
 
I am going to talk to the vet later today and ask about home testing and the cerenia. She has eaten a little better this morning, but not much. The vet is not specialized enough for the ultrasound and I would have to drive her 2 hours away for it. I should know results on the cardiac test tomorrow or Friday.
 
Please let your Vet know you WANT to be PROACTIVE in the maintaining of your Katrinas health. They may try to talk you out of it. Unfortunately many Vets convince their clients that they cant home test their own cats. (which is completely ridiculous) NOT saying your Vet is like that. Its just a story we hear MANY times from our new members.
GOOD LUCK at the Vets today! :bighug:
j
 
Lady aristocat said:
I am going to talk to the vet later today and ask about home testing and the cerenia. She has eaten a little better this morning, but not much. The vet is not specialized enough for the ultrasound and I would have to drive her 2 hours away for it. I should know results on the cardiac test tomorrow or Friday.
Click to expand...
So how did they see thickened intestines? X-ray won’t show that...
 
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