New to site. Desperate need of advice.

Human diabetics often snack between meals to keep their blood glucose levels stable. Diabetic cats are no different. Offer a few small snacks to your cat through the day. A programmable timed feeder works great for this purpose if you aren't home. Snacks are whatever low carb canned food your cat already eats. Canned food is fine to leave out in a feeder all day.

Some vets are not very knowledgable about treating diabetes. It's perfectly ok to disagree with your vet or to even seek out a new vet. Question your vet, ask tons of questions and get answers that make sense. Your cat's health depends on you being proactive in his care :)
 
squeem3 said:
Human diabetics often snack between meals to keep their blood glucose levels stable. Diabetic cats are no different. Offer a few small snacks to your cat through the day. A programmable timed feeder works great for this purpose if you aren't home. Snacks are whatever low carb canned food your cat already eats. Canned food is fine to leave out in a feeder all day.

Some vets are not very knowledgable about treating diabetes. It's perfectly ok to disagree with your vet or to even seek out a new vet. Question your vet, ask tons of questions and get answers that make sense. Your cat's health depends on you being proactive in his care :)
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I agree with Squeen3 100% you know yiu cat better than your vet follow your instincts !!:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
Big update !! I think you guys helped me save my baby boys life.
We went home today with subQ fluids and have been advised to check his BG every 4 hours, give snacks and resume his normal meal time and are going to be doing 1 unit every 12 hours since 2 is suspected to possibly have started DKA. He is scheduled for an ultrasound on Friday to see if there are any underlying issues causing his condition. I am about to start work on a spreadsheet for him today, i haven’t been able to yet but have been writing down his BG every 4 hours.
I can’t begin to thank you all enough !!!!!!
 
Parent of Brutus said:
On another note , I am still learning to use this forum. Because I am no longer in need of emergent help with my boy should I begin a new thread to monitor his DKA journey?
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you can! you can title it something like "04-02 Brutus Pre-Shot BG# DKA Recovery."

if you are tech savvy, put a link to this post in your post. If not, a member will add it for you. :cool:
 
Parent of Brutus said:
Big update !! I think you guys helped me save my baby boys life.
We went home today with subQ fluids and have been advised to check his BG every 4 hours, give snacks and resume his normal meal time and are going to be doing 1 unit every 12 hours since 2 is suspected to possibly have started DKA. He is scheduled for an ultrasound on Friday to see if there are any underlying issues causing his condition. I am about to start work on a spreadsheet for him today, i haven’t been able to yet but have been writing down his BG every 4 hours.
I can’t begin to thank you all enough !!!!!!
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I am very happy to hear that the news was better today. Keeping Brutus in my thoughts. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Parent of Brutus said:
Big update !! I think you guys helped me save my baby boys life.
We went home today with subQ fluids and have been advised to check his BG every 4 hours, give snacks and resume his normal meal time and are going to be doing 1 unit every 12 hours since 2 is suspected to possibly have started DKA. He is scheduled for an ultrasound on Friday to see if there are any underlying issues causing his condition. I am about to start work on a spreadsheet for him today, i haven’t been able to yet but have been writing down his BG every 4 hours.
I can’t begin to thank you all enough !!!!!!
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Awesome! I am thrilled to hear that, that is what this Forum is all about, saving our diabetes babies, it did for my Corky. Congratulations! if you have trouble creating the spreadsheet post us, I will tag a member that can help you create it :bighug::bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
@Bandit's Mom
 
Just reading the updates.
Did the vet check his electrolytes and ketones?
I’m glad you have the subQ fluids. How much are you giving and how often?
Make sure you get the Ketostix today to test the urine for ketones. The is VERY IMPORTANT. We need to know every day at the moment what the ketones results are.
I do not agree with dropping the dose back to 1 unit of Prozinc . It would not have been the 2 units which started the DKA. DKA happens when there is NOT enough insulin, not enough food and an infection or inflammation.
Testing daily for ketones is critical if you are dropping the dose of insulin.
I’m going to tag @Suzanne & Darcy about the dose of Prozinc as she is a Prozinc user and I am not.
Keep feeding as much as Brutas will eat
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Just reading the updates.
Did the vet check his electrolytes and ketones?
I’m glad you have the subQ fluids. How much are you giving and how often?
Make sure you get the Ketostix today to test the urine for ketones. The is VERY IMPORTANT. We need to know every day at the moment what the ketones results are.
I do not agree with dropping the dose back to 1 unit of Prozinc . It would not have been the 2 units which started the DKA. DKA happens when there is NOT enough insulin, not enough food and an infection or inflammation.
Testing daily for ketones is critical if you are dropping the dose of insulin.
I’m going to tag @Suzanne & Darcy about the dose of Prozinc as she is a Prozinc user and I am not.
Keep feeding as much as Brutas will eat
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His electrolytes looked good and he still had +++ ketones. We have the test strips and are waiting to catch him while he pees to get our own at home reading. I also am not sure about taking his dose down. He is finishing eating right now. should i just do 2 against what the vet said and see how he tests in 4 hrs ?
update: we decided to do 1.5 and test in 4 hours ! my partner will be doing that so most likely won’t have an update until tomorrow morning.
 
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Fistuk & Shelly said:
Learning how to give SQ fluids is really important because it helps flush the ketones and keep him hydrated.
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Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I’m glad you have the subQ fluids. How much are you giving and how often?
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This is one of the videos that I watched to prepare to administer subcutaneous fluids to my cat. I suggest watching this ahead of time and making sure you don't have any questions for the vet - or us. (my bag had two openings at the bottom instead of one, so I had to ask my vet which opening to use for the line) My vet is helpful, but they don't sit around waiting for me to call. They are busy. If you know that you are going to use the fluids, you can get your bag and line set up ahead of time so that there is one less thing to stress about when you are ready to give the fluids. DO NOT MICROWAVE YOUR LINE. Fluids are good for 2 weeks after opening. Before opening, the shelf life is... don't recall, but it really long ...

I dragged our 5 foot cat tree next to my couch were my cat loves to sit. I used a clothes hanger with a metal hook to hang my cat's bag from the cat tree. I set up my bag and line over a BIG clean bowl so that any water that came out of the line went in the bowl and not on the couch. I got a couple of clean dishes to have in reach to put things like the needle cap in. I got a couple clean towels ready. There wasn't much leaking after the fact, but there was some.

I had a whole bunch of treats on hand to keep Kobe distracted and still, and to make the experience as pleasant as possible. That's why I picked the comfy couch instead of a counter. I imagine you could make a counter comfy, though. :)

I think I watched a couple other videos, but that one was my favorite. I will see if I can't find some other good ones for you. :bighug:
 
Kobe (Dean and Lesley) MO said:
This is one of the videos that I watched to prepare to administer subcutaneous fluids to my cat. I suggest watching this ahead of time and making sure you don't have any questions for the vet - or us. (my bag had two openings at the bottom instead of one, so I had to ask my vet which opening to use for the line) My vet is helpful, but they don't sit around waiting for me to call. They are busy. If you know that you are going to use the fluids, you can get your bag and line set up ahead of time so that there is one less thing to stress about when you are ready to give the fluids. DO NOT MICROWAVE YOUR LINE. Fluids are good for 2 weeks after opening. Before opening, the shelf life is... don't recall, but it really long ...

I dragged our 5 foot cat tree next to my couch were my cat loves to sit. I used a clothes hanger with a metal hook to hang my cat's bag from the cat tree. I set up my bag and line over a BIG clean bowl so that any water that came out of the line went in the bowl and not on the couch. I got a couple of clean dishes to have in reach to put things like the needle cap in. I got a couple clean towels ready. There wasn't much leaking after the fact, but there was some.

I had a whole bunch of treats on hand to keep Kobe distracted and still, and to make the experience as pleasant as possible. That's why I picked the comfy couch instead of a counter. I imagine you could make a counter comfy, though. :)

I think I watched a couple other videos, but that one was my favorite. I will see if I can't find some other good ones for you. :bighug:
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This is all great advice ! Definitely will be doing the hanger / cat tree combo. Thankfully we were able to have a vet tech show my partner and i exactly how to use the drip bag today at his appointment !
 
That is great the electrolytes were ok. that is a big plus!!!
It is food, insulin and fluids that will get rid of the ketones. So feed lots of food.
Keep us updated with what the BGs are please.
And any ketone results too please.
Is he lethargic at all? Or is he alert and bright?
How much subQ fluids are you giving and how often?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
That is great the electrolytes were ok. that is a big plus!!!
It is food, insulin and fluids that will get rid of the ketones. So feed lots of food.
Keep us updated with what the BGs are please.
And any ketone results too please.
Is he lethargic at all? Or is he alert and bright?
How much subQ fluids are you giving and how often?
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He is still a bit lethargic but he has also lost a lot of weight during this diagnosis. He is still getting up and walking around the house and today at the et he jumped up onto the counter and was wandering around the room whereas on his appointment on Monday he was cowering in the corner. We are feeding as much as possible but he has unfortunately never been food motivated.
He is getting 100ml of subQ every other day.
 
Parent of Brutus said:
He is still a bit lethargic but he has also lost a lot of weight during this diagnosis. He is still getting up and walking around the house and today at the et he jumped up onto the counter and was wandering around the room whereas on his appointment on Monday he was cowering in the corner. We are feeding as much as possible but he has unfortunately never been food motivated.
He is getting 100ml of subQ every other day.
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Let him eat whatever he wants at the moment. Don’t worry if it’s not low carb. Eating trumps everything at the moment.
I would ask the vet if you could give 75 mls each day instead of 100 mls every other day. Fluids help flush out ketones.
Sounds like you are doing a great job helping Brutus recover!
 
I will be happy to work with you on dosing. I would like to see the results from today/tonight. I am quite experienced at fluids as well. I second the suggestion that you give daily fluids instead of every other day. As long as Brutus’ heart is sound, you should be able to do daily fluids. Giving 100 mL will keep him hydrated for one day, but it’s not going to last into the second day. So of there is a concern about over-hydration, it’s better to give a reduced amount daily rather than skip a day.
 
Parent of Brutus said:
Thank you all ! I am going to start a new thread for Brutus' journey now that I have my spreadsheet set up ! Link to follow.
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@Parent of Brutus
To link your previous posts
Your previous days post will always be in the URL all the way up top ignore where it says insert or cancel I'm just trying to show you where your previous days post will be
Just ignore where it says insert and cancel
Just copy your previous days post and then paste it when you do your new post new thread





Like I said
your previous days post it will be the one all the way up top, above the pic of that cat and the picture of a bottle of insulin there, let me know if you understand it, only way I can explain it :cat:









austin-logo-240.jpg
 
Besides correcting the date Brutus was diagnosed on your spreadsheet ,as Suzanne noted you have May 2025 should be 2024. Add the meter you are using on your spreadsheet up top.
Just curious what does 1.6 units of Prozinc mean .
How are you shooting 1.6 units ?
I'm so happy to hear Brutus is doing better :cat:
@Parent of Brutus
 
Diane Tyler's Mom GA said:
Besides correcting the date Brutus was diagnosed on your spreadsheet ,as Suzanne noted you have May 2025 should be 2024. Add the meter you are using on your spreadsheet up top.
Just curious what does 1.6 units of Prozinc mean .
How are you shooting 1.6 units ?
I'm so happy to hear Brutus is doing better :cat:
@Parent of Brutus
Click to expand...
it is supposed to be 1.5. i have updated that. our vet wanted to go from 2 back to 1 but i split the difference with people advising to continue on 2 to see where we are at with testing the next couple days. thoughts ? should i call my vet and ask if they agree to raise to 2 based on his results ? i will have more test info later today as my partner will be taking care of him for a bit !
 
Thank you all for catching my mistakes on my spreadsheet ! it is entirely new and confusing to me and trying to update it on my phone is difficult.
I believe everything should be updated now !
Also, I am going to the store right now to get a ketone tester(we have been trying to catch him in the act and test with a strip for a day and no luck) or non absorbent litter to try to get a read on his ketones ! and hopefully an AlphaTrak asap.
 
Parent of Brutus said:
Thank you all for catching my mistakes on my spreadsheet ! it is entirely new and confusing to me and trying to update it on my phone is difficult.
I believe everything should be updated now !
Also, I am going to the store right now to get a ketone tester(we have been trying to catch him in the act and test with a strip for a day and no luck) or non absorbent litter to try to get a read on his ketones ! and hopefully an AlphaTrak asap.
Click to expand...

You can also buy a less expensive monitor and strips like the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, you can buy it at Walmart the monitor for $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and $17.88 for 100 is a human meter most of us members use here, you do not need to spend so much money and you should always have additional strips handy in case you have a day that you need to test more often, and don't worry everything will fall into place soon, I know it is very overwhelming when first diagnosed, we have all felt that way, but before you know it will be like a walk in the park :bighug::bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
CORKY said:
You can also buy a less expensive monitor and strips like the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, you can buy it at Walmart the monitor for $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and $17.88 for 100 is a human meter most of us members use here, you do not need to spend so much money and you should always have additional strips handy in case you have a day that you need to test more often, and don't worry everything will fall into place soon, I know it is very overwhelming when first diagnosed, we have all felt that way, but before you know it will be like a walk in the park :bighug::bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
Click to expand...
is that meter more reliable than the one i am using now ? (True Metrix GO) I just grabbed the cheapest one at walgreens when i started checking his BG.
 
Parent of Brutus said:
is that meter more reliable than the one i am using now ? (True Metrix GO) I just grabbed the cheapest one at walgreens when i started checking his BG.
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I am not familiar with that one I’ve always used the RliOn but any human meter is good I do know that the ReliOn is very accurate and well used here with the members
 
CORKY said:
I am not familiar with that one I’ve always used the RliOn but any human meter is good I do know that the ReliOn is very accurate and well used here with the members
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You should start a new thread we like to keep our threads up to 50. You can title it “Continuation Desperate need for advice”
One of the member will attach this one to the new on
 
Parent of Brutus said:
Thank you all for catching my mistakes on my spreadsheet ! it is entirely new and confusing to me and trying to update it on my phone is difficult.
I believe everything should be updated now !
Also, I am going to the store right now to get a ketone tester(we have been trying to catch him in the act and test with a strip for a day and no luck) or non absorbent litter to try to get a read on his ketones ! and hopefully an AlphaTrak asap.
Click to expand...
Everything looked as good :cat: , no reason to buy an alpha Trak the strips are crazy expensive. Plus our numbers are based on human meters

Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them. Most of us use human meters
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197
At least if you need more test strips you can run into Walmart and pick them up or if you're running low you can just order them from Walmart on line

I looked up the price for the test strips for the meter you are using now and they are more expensive than the Relion ones and you are getting less strips with the one you're using
@Parent of Brutus
 
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Parent of Brutus said:
Also, I am going to the store right now to get a ketone tester(we have been trying to catch him in the act and test with a strip for a day and no luck) or non absorbent litter to try to get a read on his ketones
Click to expand...
I don't think they sell them in stores
Here are two of the more commonly used ketone meters: the Nova Max Plus or Precision Xtra Blood & Ketone meters Nova Max Plus or Precision Xtra Blood & Ketone meters
The test strips are very expensive though
@Parent of Brutus
 
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