Hi!
My little Mia (turning 10 in February) was diagnosed with diabetes 2 days ago. It started out with her eating more than usual 1 1/2 weeks ago, followed by increased thirst and more pee in the litter. That then switched over to eating as normal, and then she stopped eating. This happened within just a couple of days.
We took her to the vet the first time Tuesday this week (1st October). At this point she was still eating, but vey lethargic. Took blood tests without fasting:
MCHC was high - 43.9 g/dL
RDW was high - 33.7%
RETIC was high - 105.3 K/uL
EOS was high - 2.05 K/uL
GLU was high - 306 mg/dL
FRU was high - 407 umol/L
GLOB was high - 5.3 g/dL
TT4 was on the lower end - 0.9 ug/dL
Vet mentioned the possibility of diabetes due to the GLU and FRU results, but sent us back home, was told to change diet to better carbs and come back in 2 weeks after fasting her for 8 hours to redo the blood tests. Bought Royal Canin wet food pouches sterilized and Hills wet food pouches sterilized. She ate her entire meal that evening of Royal Canin.
Next day, Wednesday 2nd, I removed her usual dry food after reading about low carb food being optimal for diabetic cats. Gave 1,5 pouches of the new Royal Canin wet food divided throughout the day, which she ate.
Thursday 3rd, gave her half a Royal Canin wet food pouch in the morning and she was not interested at all. The rest of the day she didn't eat and in the evening she was laying near the water bowl without drinking.
Friday 4th, took her back to the vet after her not eating for over 24 hours now. Did more blood tests, this time fasted since she hadn't ate. Also did a pancreatitis test, which came out negative. After test results, she was put on IV drip for 1 hour with (I believe it was called lactates?) and 1/2 hours subcutaneous with saline(?). She also received a shot of antibiotics through the IV, an anti-nausea through IV and an appetite increasing pill. We also tested for ketones using a urine sample pulled directly from her bladder, which came out positive (high range). The vet fed her Royal Canin Recovery wet food by syringe (approx. 6 ml). She received her first insulin injection at the vet at 12pm, 2 units/0.05ml of caninsulin.
MCHC was lowered into normal ranges - 35.2 g/dL
RDW was still high - 30.5%
RETIC was still high - 74.7 K/uL
EOS was lowered into normal ranges - 0.99 K/uL
LYM was now showing as low - 0.90 K/uL
GLU was still high - 226 mg/dL
FRU was still high - 468 umol/L
BUN was low - 15 mg/dL
We were sent home again after the drip, with antibiotics for a week, insulin which we were told to give twice a day, 2 units each/0.05ml. Bought a glucose tester from the pharmacy. At home we started testing straight away and noting down the amount of food she was getting. In total I managed to give her 51ml of Royal Canin Recovery wet food by syringe (feeding approx. every 2 hours) as well as some chicken broth (12ml). Throughout the day she did not use the litter, she peed herself where she was sleeping 3 times during the day. Then late in the evening she walked to the litter to pee by herself twice, this was before her second those of insulin at midnight.
BG measurings throughout the day (yesterday 5th):
16:45 - 4.7 mmol
20:00 - 8.3 mmol
23:53 - 13.6 mmol (gave insulin at midnight after testing and feeding)
04:48 - 3.8 mmol
Today Saturday 5th, this morning she was still very lethargic, and she peed where she was sleeping a couple of times. Decided to take her back to the vet for more IV as the vet left the IV in her arm incase we had to/wanted to come back. She received a new round of lactates through the IV as well as subcutaneous in her neck. Stayed approx 1 hour. Tested for ketones again using urine, still present but vet said it looked like it was slightly lower than yesterday. She also received a new shot for anti nausea.
She got her first dose of insulin of the day after getting home from the vet at 12:15, after feeding. She is still not showing any interest to eat or drink by herself, so I have til now syringe fed her 33ml Royal Canin Recovery wet food and 12ml chicken broth. Did another ketone test at home around 30 min ago (4 hours after the first one today) and the colour is slightly lighter again (which should indicate less ketones).
Her BG measurings today have been:
04:48 am - 3.8mmol
08:30 am - 7.2mmol
According to the vet he says that her BG levels look ok, the fact that the ketone test showed slightly lower levels of ketones is good and that I am able to syringe feed her is good. However, I can't stop worrying about the ketones and the possibility of her getting worse, as I feel physically she is still not showing any signs of improvement even though the vet says the tests aren't worrying him.
So, is there something I should be doing differently? Something I should look out for in terms of her getting worse? I feel kind of lost, not knowing if I should just take the vets word or if I should be more worried, take her to the ER for more fluids/tests etc.
My little Mia (turning 10 in February) was diagnosed with diabetes 2 days ago. It started out with her eating more than usual 1 1/2 weeks ago, followed by increased thirst and more pee in the litter. That then switched over to eating as normal, and then she stopped eating. This happened within just a couple of days.
We took her to the vet the first time Tuesday this week (1st October). At this point she was still eating, but vey lethargic. Took blood tests without fasting:
MCHC was high - 43.9 g/dL
RDW was high - 33.7%
RETIC was high - 105.3 K/uL
EOS was high - 2.05 K/uL
GLU was high - 306 mg/dL
FRU was high - 407 umol/L
GLOB was high - 5.3 g/dL
TT4 was on the lower end - 0.9 ug/dL
Vet mentioned the possibility of diabetes due to the GLU and FRU results, but sent us back home, was told to change diet to better carbs and come back in 2 weeks after fasting her for 8 hours to redo the blood tests. Bought Royal Canin wet food pouches sterilized and Hills wet food pouches sterilized. She ate her entire meal that evening of Royal Canin.
Next day, Wednesday 2nd, I removed her usual dry food after reading about low carb food being optimal for diabetic cats. Gave 1,5 pouches of the new Royal Canin wet food divided throughout the day, which she ate.
Thursday 3rd, gave her half a Royal Canin wet food pouch in the morning and she was not interested at all. The rest of the day she didn't eat and in the evening she was laying near the water bowl without drinking.
Friday 4th, took her back to the vet after her not eating for over 24 hours now. Did more blood tests, this time fasted since she hadn't ate. Also did a pancreatitis test, which came out negative. After test results, she was put on IV drip for 1 hour with (I believe it was called lactates?) and 1/2 hours subcutaneous with saline(?). She also received a shot of antibiotics through the IV, an anti-nausea through IV and an appetite increasing pill. We also tested for ketones using a urine sample pulled directly from her bladder, which came out positive (high range). The vet fed her Royal Canin Recovery wet food by syringe (approx. 6 ml). She received her first insulin injection at the vet at 12pm, 2 units/0.05ml of caninsulin.
MCHC was lowered into normal ranges - 35.2 g/dL
RDW was still high - 30.5%
RETIC was still high - 74.7 K/uL
EOS was lowered into normal ranges - 0.99 K/uL
LYM was now showing as low - 0.90 K/uL
GLU was still high - 226 mg/dL
FRU was still high - 468 umol/L
BUN was low - 15 mg/dL
We were sent home again after the drip, with antibiotics for a week, insulin which we were told to give twice a day, 2 units each/0.05ml. Bought a glucose tester from the pharmacy. At home we started testing straight away and noting down the amount of food she was getting. In total I managed to give her 51ml of Royal Canin Recovery wet food by syringe (feeding approx. every 2 hours) as well as some chicken broth (12ml). Throughout the day she did not use the litter, she peed herself where she was sleeping 3 times during the day. Then late in the evening she walked to the litter to pee by herself twice, this was before her second those of insulin at midnight.
BG measurings throughout the day (yesterday 5th):
16:45 - 4.7 mmol
20:00 - 8.3 mmol
23:53 - 13.6 mmol (gave insulin at midnight after testing and feeding)
04:48 - 3.8 mmol
Today Saturday 5th, this morning she was still very lethargic, and she peed where she was sleeping a couple of times. Decided to take her back to the vet for more IV as the vet left the IV in her arm incase we had to/wanted to come back. She received a new round of lactates through the IV as well as subcutaneous in her neck. Stayed approx 1 hour. Tested for ketones again using urine, still present but vet said it looked like it was slightly lower than yesterday. She also received a new shot for anti nausea.
She got her first dose of insulin of the day after getting home from the vet at 12:15, after feeding. She is still not showing any interest to eat or drink by herself, so I have til now syringe fed her 33ml Royal Canin Recovery wet food and 12ml chicken broth. Did another ketone test at home around 30 min ago (4 hours after the first one today) and the colour is slightly lighter again (which should indicate less ketones).
Her BG measurings today have been:
04:48 am - 3.8mmol
08:30 am - 7.2mmol
According to the vet he says that her BG levels look ok, the fact that the ketone test showed slightly lower levels of ketones is good and that I am able to syringe feed her is good. However, I can't stop worrying about the ketones and the possibility of her getting worse, as I feel physically she is still not showing any signs of improvement even though the vet says the tests aren't worrying him.
So, is there something I should be doing differently? Something I should look out for in terms of her getting worse? I feel kind of lost, not knowing if I should just take the vets word or if I should be more worried, take her to the ER for more fluids/tests etc.