High Ketones! Please help!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Missy & Tammy

Missy & Tammy

Member Since 2020
Sorry if I’m posting in wrong place. I haven’t figured out this site yet. My girl Missy has been recently diagnosed diabetic. Long story short vet prescribed wrong insulin then told me she didn’t need insulin. I’m researching on my own. I know she needs insulin and will be starting insulin in next day or so. Her BG is typically around 250-288

I just tested her blood ketones (I have a meter) and they were 5.7 (I live in Canada so this is our measurement).

What do I do? I got a hold of her vet. He said to take her to ER if she starts acting sick. I have appointment in morning to see vet. Can this wait? What do I do?

Please help? I’m so worried about my girl. She’s sleepy but eating, drinking and was playing not long ago. This is also the first time I’ve tested ketones so I have no idea what they’ve been up until now.
 
Hi and welcome.
If I were you I would take Missy to the emergency vet or whatever vet you can get in to see immediately.
5.7 on the blood ketone meter needs immediate attention. ....and insulin.
Don’t leave it until the morning. It could be too late. Ketones develop into ketoacidosis (DKA) which is a life threatening illness.
It is far easier to manage ketones than it is to deal with DKA.
It’s good your kitty is eating and seems not too bad but if she’s sleepy....lethargy is another reason to take her to a vet.
Get her to eat something if you can...as eating is really important ...then go immediately to a vet.

Please keep us updated and good luck
 
How is the kitty?Was it a random test or did she have symptoms? And can anyone please tell me how often do we test for ketones?I just ordered strips for urine testing.
 
Ilianna and Socrates said:
How is the kitty?Was it a random test or did she have symptoms? And can anyone please tell me how often do we test for ketones?I just ordered strips for urine testing.
Click to expand...
Test once a day as long as result is negative. If result is trace, test 2-3 times a day if possible. If higher than trace get in touch with a vet immediately. Ketones can build up to dangerous levels within hours so it's an emergency situation.


Mogs
.
 
Ilianna and Socrates said:
Regardless the Bg levels?
Click to expand...
Yep.

Marje has advised that cases have been seen here of cats that went into ketosis who weren't in high numbers at the time. There's always the possibility of some as yet undiagnosed underlying condition triggering the generation of ketones. If the cat's also off its food and/or if insulin doses have been skipped that also increases the risk of complications.


Mogs
.
 
And then there's this from Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters:

Do I need to worry about kitty developing ketones if kitty is OTJ (off the juice) or when blood sugar numbers are not high?

Yes, even if a cat is not on insulin, he is still a diabetic, and it is possible that ketones and DKA can develop especially if he is skinny and not eating right. Sometimes, cats blood sugar goes into the "normal" range for the wrong reasons (like poor appetite or illness) and they actually still do need insulin to help them gain weight, heal and prevent ketones.​
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top