? HELP! ketones

Julie mueller

Julie mueller

Member Since 2019
So my cat has developed some kind of GI problem or pancreatitis 2 months ago and he his currently in his 3rd flare up. Flare ups all look the same- stops eating , high BGL and no eating. Then we start zofran and mirataz and he starts eating within a day and moves through it .
I constantly check for ketones during flare ups and this is the first time hes ever been above negative.

He is currently at 1.3 which for a BLOOD METER is take caution and then at 1.5 it changes to take action. It has slowly risen from negative to this. Can anyone help me and let me know what I can do to get this down ???
 
What happened from May 27 to June 20? I see no SS data. Can you fill in at least the last two weeks?

You do want to make sure he’s getting enough insulin, plenty of food and liquids. If the vet is OK with, maybe subq fluids or at least water down his food. Blood ketone meter it’s a little higher urgent number for cats. There is a post on the Health Links forum about blood ketone meters. Heading out the door so don’t have time to find it now.
 
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Fluids such as extra water in food. Subqs is best if you got them. Let him eat what he wants as eating is more important. Even baby food if you got it. Dose insulin as blood glucoses indicate. For p'titis, pain medication is paramount. Bupre is best. You can add cerenia to zofran if you got it.

Something to talk with vet about is keeping supply of meds and fluids at home. If having many flares, like my Ollie, it's best to start meds immediately to get it turned around.

Keep eye on ketones if they get higher, call the vet.
 
Olive & Paula said:
Fluids such as extra water in food. Subqs is best if you got them. Let him eat what he wants as eating is more important. Even baby food if you got it. Dose insulin as blood glucoses indicate. For p'titis, pain medication is paramount. Bupre is best. You can add cerenia to zofran if you got it.

Something to talk with vet about is keeping supply of meds and fluids at home. If having many flares, like my Ollie, it's best to start meds immediately to get it turned around.

Keep eye on ketones if they get higher, call the vet.
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Thanks . He actually started eating great last night and this morning.. and hes drinking a little. I'm going to try to push more. Hes acting more like him self as well . It's just the ketone level that's alarming.

What kind of meds do you keep on hand? I have zofran and mirataz and start them right when I notice a flare up happening.
 
Julie mueller said:
Thanks . He actually started eating great last night and this morning.. and hes drinking a little. I'm going to try to push more. Hes acting more like him self as well . It's just the ketone level that's alarming.

What kind of meds do you keep on hand? I have zofran and mirataz and start them right when I notice a flare up happening.
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On blood ketone meter. 2.44 is go to hospital.

I have cerenia pills and injectable. Buprenorphine for pain, (Ollie gets it every 8 hrs now daily). Subq fluids twice a week maintenance, if in flare she gets them more often. I never used appetite stimulants on her, she mostly eats even if just nibbles. I will syringe feed if I have to. My go to food for not eating at least half her normal after 24 hrs is rx a/d. It usually gets her going. I also have baby food and the new squeeze up treats to get pills in her if needed. I have rarely miss insulin shots (maybe 2 in the 3 yrs I've had her). I give her insulin even if not eating as I know I have a few hours to get food into her. She has many issues and if just one thing is missed it can set off a domino effect. So skipping is not an option in this house.
 
Olive & Paula said:
On blood ketone meter. 2.44 is go to hospital.

I have cerenia pills and injectable. Buprenorphine for pain, (Ollie gets it every 8 hrs now daily). Subq fluids twice a week maintenance, if in flare she gets them more often. I never used appetite stimulants on her, she mostly eats even if just nibbles. I will syringe feed if I have to. My go to food for not eating at least half her normal after 24 hrs is rx a/d. It usually gets her going. I also have baby food and the new squeeze up treats to get pills in her if needed. I have rarely miss insulin shots (maybe 2 in the 3 yrs I've had her). I give her insulin even if not eating as I know I have a few hours to get food into her. She has many issues and if just one thing is missed it can set off a domino effect. So skipping is not an option in this house.
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I never skip a shot - my spread sheet is just not updated. He gets 1 unit every 12 hours . His numbers are normally ranging from 80-200 except during flare ups .
 
I just retested ketones and he is now at 0.6 . So that makes me feel better. I need to do more research on pancreatitis flare ups and what I can do to prevent them .
 
Pancreatitis is a bear. I always gave ondansetron and sometimes an appy stimulant to get him started eating. I learned not to stop the support Too soon to avoid relapses. First I’d stop appy stimulant and afternoon several days I’d cut back slowly on ondansetron. Max always became inappetent too. I never had to deal with ketones though. :bighug:
 
tiffmaxee said:
Pancreatitis is a bear. I always gave ondansetron and sometimes an appy stimulant to get him started eating. I learned not to stop the support Too soon to avoid relapses. First I’d stop appy stimulant and afternoon several days I’d cut back slowly on ondansetron. Max always became inappetent too. I never had to deal with ketones though. :bighug:
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That sounds exactly like Smokey . How often did you have relapses ?
 
I don’t know. The first ones lasted too long because he wasn’t getting enough ondansetron. Once I got that right I rarely needed cyproheptadine which is what I used as an appy stimulant. I then learned to Not stop ondansetron too soon. He was very sensitive and seemed to have episodes every time he went to the vet. He seemed to have less once he was diabetic but they seemed to make him feel worse. I question the accuracy of the testing now because they say diabetes and CKD can elevate the SpecfPL . I just treated the symptoms. If he was really sick I’d add buprenorphine.
 
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