Need Help. Should I shoot? Hold on feeding?

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Samantha Rivera

Samantha Rivera

Member Since 2020
Couldn’t log in for awhile. I posted this on the Facebook page, but I’m finally about to get in.

Pirate tested 54 this morning. I woke up 15 minutes late from his testing and feeding time. I tested again about 30 minutes ago and he was 70. I’m trying to encourage him to eat, but keeps turning his head. I had to syringe feed him last night. He seems to only want chicken as well too. I’m getting some chicken ready for him right now and the syringe ready, or should I wait another 30 mins to try feeding him? I haven’t given him his insulin yet. I’m going to test him in a bit to see where he’s at.

Update: Tested 91

He has an appointment next Saturday to talk about insulin change and have him gain weight. Spreadsheet is still a work in progress and needs to be updated today.
 
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I would be very nervous shooting Novolin with numbers below 100.

Your signature says a "possible history of high ketones." If your cat has a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, dosing suggestions needs to take that into consideration. When were the ketones? Are you testing for ketones on a daily (or several times a day) basis? The basic "recipe" for ketones to develop is not enough insulin + not enough calories + the presence of an infection or inflammation. That Pirate is not wanting to eat is worrisome. How is his behavior? Is he lethargic? Does he seem "off" to you? If you don't have Ketostix on hand or a blood ketone meter, please go to a pharmacy and get Ketostix. You can test for. urinary ketones.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
I would be very nervous shooting Novolin with numbers below 100.

Your signature says a "possible history of high ketones." If your cat has a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, dosing suggestions needs to take that into consideration. When were the ketones? Are you testing for ketones on a daily (or several times a day) basis? The basic "recipe" for ketones to develop is not enough insulin + not enough calories + the presence of an infection or inflammation. That Pirate is not wanting to eat is worrisome. How is his behavior? Is he lethargic? Does he seem "off" to you? If you don't have Ketostix on hand or a blood ketone meter, please go to a pharmacy and get Ketostix. You can test for. urinary ketones.
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No, I’m not testing for ketones. His vet had mentioned it on the day he was diagnosed. He received a lot of fluid treatment and antibiotics for his UTI. After several visits, he never said anything about it again. It was brought to my attention when I was reading more on ketones yesterday, so it had me worried. I’m going to ask his vet next Saturday about it again to confirm. I have the meter coming in, but I’m stopping by the store today to grab the strips. Pirate seems grumpy today and tired. He’s kind of off, but not too much. He’s normally pretty grumpy and sleepy.
 
Please pick up those strips. A hospitalization for DKA can be very expensive but more to the point, DKA is life threatening. Most vets are not used to caregivers that are willing to test BG levels or ketones or anything else so they tend to not bring. up the topic. (Well, that or they will tell you that BG testing will ruin your relationship with your cat.) I know I'd feel a whole lot better if we knew that Pirate wasn't throwing ketones.
 
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