New Member Lorelai’s Mom

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LorelaisMom

Member Since 2020
Hello everyone,
My 14 year old Lorelai was diagnosed with diabetes almost two months ago. Last week, she lost her appetite completely and became weak. We rushed her into the vet and it was confirmed that she was in ketosis with pancreatitis and a UTI. They treated her for a week and once there were no traces of ketones and her electrolytes were replenished they sent her home.
Well, since she has been home her appetite has been nothing. She is as weak if not weaker than when she went in. She was switched from Vetsulin (which I fought against) to Lantus, 1 unit twice a day. Her sugars have been off the charts high (literally) even with no food.
At the suggestion of the vet tech, I have her drinking electrolyte water and I am prepared to do a syringe feeding tonight.
I know that it is a long road to recovery after the pancreatitis, but I wasn’t expecting her to be this bad. Does anyone have any advice? Grateful to have found this support.
 
WELCOME TO FDMB! We are GLAD you found us. I havent had any experience with thses issues so let me tag some people to come advise

We are dedicated to helping any and all that find us.

Are you hometesting Lorelai's blood sugar?

Hold on I'll be right back
jeanne
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
WELCOME TO FDMB! We are GLAD you found us. I havent had any experience with thses issues so let me tag some people to come advise

We are dedicated to helping any and all that find us.

Are you hometesting Lorelai's blood sugar?

Hold on I'll be right back
jeanne
Click to expand...
I am testing, but the last two times I have tested the meter ha read HI. She isn’t scheduled for another shot until 10PM.
 
With being weak and not eating, and with ketones, a UTI, and pancreatitis in the recent past, you should take Lorelei to the ER immediately.
She needs to be checked for ketones. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) = not enough insulin + not enough food + something else going on (an infection or inflammation – and Lorelei may still have both).
UTIs often need a longer course of antibiotics.
Pancreatitis needs pain killers, an appetite stimulant, a drug for nausea, fluids.
DKA requires intravenous fluids and fast acting insulin plus treatment of whatever else is going on.

You cannot handle any of this at home.
 
I am too :(
very worried here I told her it was going to be ok.

and I have to leave.
Please if you can keep an eye out for her.

I feel just awful
j.
 
Hi there,

I'm so sorry to hear that Lorelai's having such a rough time at the moment. DKA and pancreatitis... :(

Here is a very helpful document:

IDEXX Pancreatitis Treatment Guidelines

It covers all of the meds that you need to treat pancreatitis. Getting a handle on that and getting Lorelai eating again will help keep ketones away. Unfortunately some kitties get sent home after a DKA episode without all the supportive meds they need to help them through convalescence and that can lead to relapses.

I suggest you ask the vets for the following:

- fluid therapy (if not already given)
- Cerenia injection (at the vets - to kick start anti-nausea measures)
- B12 injection (at the vets, as the first of full course of weekly injections - helps lift appetite and can give an overall boost)
- ondansetron for ongoing nausea treatment
- cyproheptadine for appetite stimulation
- buprenorphine for pain relief (pancreatitis)

Check out this page for tips on baby foods suitable for cats:

Persuading your cat to eat

It might be worth getting a few in. A lot of cats will eat those when they won't eat anything else.

Also, if you don't already have some at home, I suggest you grab some urine ketone test strips so you can monitor Lorelai when she gets home. (Note: It might be worth considering getting a blood beta ketone meter to make it easier to check Lorelai for ketones. The test strips are expensive, but it makes monitoring much, much easier when your kitty is poorly, and can give earlier notice of a possible ketone build-up compared to urine tests.)

The switch to Lantus is a good thing. It's easier and safer to administer when very small doses of insulin may be needed, e.g. when a kitty is convalescing and has appetite issues.

Sending prayers that Lorelai will be feeling much better and back home very soon.


Mogs
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