PierreW
Member
hello!
I joined via the FB group.
M/6-8yo but could be as old as 10/neutered/UTD on vaccines
Adopted on 15 January 2023
Only known health issues at that time are feline herpes.
Chronic congestion with purulent discharge and wet cough
14.881lb / 6.75kg
Pierre is typically a loner cat. Comes out for meals and evening snuggles. He will hide during loud noises and unknown voices. He does tend to be fairly anxious/nervous. He enjoys snuggles on his terms but is a very sweet kitty with a loudest purr i have ever heard.
On 14 August 2025 Pierre started to have an increased amount of sneezing with more discharge than what is typical. Due to the house being busier than usual he stayed tucked away in his safe spot.
On 15 August he behaved the same, tucked away, only coming out to eat in the evening which isn’t entirely unlike him.
On 16 August his behavior was the same. reduced interest in food.
On 17 August he still wasn’t interested in eating much. His sneezing had become much more frequent. He hid away still.
On 18 August I was away for nearly the entire day for a Drs appointment. Pierre stayed under a chair on the screened in porch. By the time I came home, his nose was completely covered in dry mucous, and he hadn’t eaten at all. I did call the vet as they were closing to schedule an appointment for the following morning. He was listless and allowed me to pick him up (normally a big no). We snuggled for the evening, and I did contemplate taking him in but in all honesty, the days doctor appointment did come with an unsettling health diagnosis for a child so I decided that the 8a appointment would suffice.
On Tuesday August 19th at 8am. Pierre arrived at the vet. I explained what was going on and how my main concerns were that he hadn’t eaten (still drinking water) and his congestion/sneezing/coughing/listless. They decided to run labs.
At first he was diagnosed with an URI.
It was also mentioned that his nasal cavity was enlarged and a rhinoscopy could be done at a later date with a specialist. His nose bridge area was swollen but it was assumed that it was due to inflammation from the congestion etc
Then the first lab results came back that he was diabetic. This was incredibly shocking information. They ran more labs/tests and started to explain how we could manage it with different options.
Then the next labs came back, and we were told that he was in DKA and since this is a crisis situation I was told to immediately transport him to a veterinary ER.
(at this point I had the lab print out, but I was not informed about numbers etc)
We arrived at the ER where they assessed him and decided to keep him for treatment. It was my understanding that they would be treating the URI with the meds given from primary and working through the DKA situation. He was placed in an isolation area.
I did receive daily calls and texts about Pierre’s prognosis. Unfortunately, in this kind of situation they have multiple vets/techs working on him, so the notifications varied. I will absolutely admit that I was in panic mode, this created a situation where any information that was asked/given was confusing. I left Pierre feeling as though i had no idea what was happening.
First, on Wednesday morning, August 20th I was told that although he did make it through the night they were concerned about the inflammation in the nasal area. They suggested that it was very likely a tumor and although they could not perform a rhinoscopy, they could do an x-ray and US. I agreed.
They said that he was responding to treatment (I believe he was hooked up to some kind of machine that monitored his bg more frequently? I will be asking for records during my follow up. I currently have the invoice which lists items only), and their goal was to see if he’d start eating so that they could transition him to the long-acting insulin.
It was also mentioned during this call that with these kinds of problems, it would be a tremendous undertaking to care for him. having the preexisting condition (herpes), his body could potentially be in fight or flight mode over any little illness. add that to the possibility of a tumor and also now diabetes.... they said that it was a lot and that they would leave the decision up to me. I pressed for a professional opinion and was told that they can't tell me what I should do. ultimately, we hung up with me saying that I would never want any of my animals to suffer, quality of life was important to me but I'm not going to make a choice just because of cost at this time.
Thursday August 21, I received a call from a new vet saying Pierre was responding well (this conversation was very short and to the point. almost as if I had left my cat at the ER for no more than a hangnail. to go from "this'll be a lot" to discussing picking him up. No further info was given on treatment, current bg, URI etc.
They asked me for my pharmacy and told me that I’d have to find the syringes for the insulin. They are impossible to find. They said that the X-rays came back “fine”, nothing significant... possibly an enlarged heart. US was sent out, no results yet. I asked about the possible tumor and that vet suggested what the first vet said, “might just be inflammation from his URI”. he said Pierre could possibly go home tomorrow. I'm frustrated.
Friday August 22, I receive a call at 7:15a. New vet again. She lets me know that I have a couple of options. They can place a freestyle libre for 14 days. They could monitor him for some time, or he could come home, and I could do the monitoring. I said that I was willing to do whatever was best for Pierre. She said to come at 10.
Once I arrive, I saw 5 different vets/techs and there was a lot of back and forth. It really seemed like they didn’t know why I was there. I repeated what was said during the morning call. They went back and forth in and out of the room with a new person coming in each time with conflicting info...eventually they said no monitoring device, they’d give me his insulin, and I could take him home.
Bottom line, I don’t have results from any readings. I do know that I’m giving him insulin (2 units of Glargine 100 IU/mL pen) 2 times a day. the pen does not have the needle attachment so I'm pulling with a syringe. I was told he can eat the dry food that they were sending me home with. They said to follow up with my vet in 2 days. With that being Sunday and the original vet from Monday not working until Tuesday (26th), that’s when I’ll bring him in. I genuinely do not know anything else. I do hope they send the notes from his stay at the ER so that maybe she can explain things to me.
I purchased a glucose monitor to possibly record his BG myself until the appointment, but I don’t know how to safely do a reading. I wouldn’t even know what I’m looking for as far as numbers go. I don’t know how much to feed him other than 2 times a day.
I also have 2 other cats in the house. They’ve been on wet (Purina pro plan complete essentials indoor chicken) and dry (Purina pro plan complete essentials shredded blend).. I typically split the 3oz can between all 3, add a 1/8C of the dry and add water. This happens 3 times a day.
update as of Aug. 24, my meter arrived this morning. I have a pen lancet. I set up the spreadsheet. I watched YouTube videos on how to take a reading. Pierre is coming around a bit but is definitely still slow/hiding. I have stopped all dry food for all 3 cats. they are eating what I currently have which is fancy feast creamy delights chicken feast pate (3oz can shared) and also the Purina pro plan indoor grilled chicken entree in gravy (3oz can shared) with water added. the first few days I did 2 meals. now I'm breaking it up over 4. this is what they were used to previously. Pierre is taking his other meds as well.
- Mirtazapine 7.5mg 1/4th tablet every 24hr prn
- gabapentin 100mg caps (this one isnt given)
- betacillin
- erythromycin in eyes
i know this is A LOT. i decided to copy/paste right from my notes so there might be a lot of rambling. i added in the last paragraph just now. i do have some documents that i could possibly share if that is helpful.
thank you.
I joined via the FB group.
M/6-8yo but could be as old as 10/neutered/UTD on vaccines
Adopted on 15 January 2023
Only known health issues at that time are feline herpes.
Chronic congestion with purulent discharge and wet cough
14.881lb / 6.75kg
Pierre is typically a loner cat. Comes out for meals and evening snuggles. He will hide during loud noises and unknown voices. He does tend to be fairly anxious/nervous. He enjoys snuggles on his terms but is a very sweet kitty with a loudest purr i have ever heard.
On 14 August 2025 Pierre started to have an increased amount of sneezing with more discharge than what is typical. Due to the house being busier than usual he stayed tucked away in his safe spot.
On 15 August he behaved the same, tucked away, only coming out to eat in the evening which isn’t entirely unlike him.
On 16 August his behavior was the same. reduced interest in food.
On 17 August he still wasn’t interested in eating much. His sneezing had become much more frequent. He hid away still.
On 18 August I was away for nearly the entire day for a Drs appointment. Pierre stayed under a chair on the screened in porch. By the time I came home, his nose was completely covered in dry mucous, and he hadn’t eaten at all. I did call the vet as they were closing to schedule an appointment for the following morning. He was listless and allowed me to pick him up (normally a big no). We snuggled for the evening, and I did contemplate taking him in but in all honesty, the days doctor appointment did come with an unsettling health diagnosis for a child so I decided that the 8a appointment would suffice.
On Tuesday August 19th at 8am. Pierre arrived at the vet. I explained what was going on and how my main concerns were that he hadn’t eaten (still drinking water) and his congestion/sneezing/coughing/listless. They decided to run labs.
At first he was diagnosed with an URI.
It was also mentioned that his nasal cavity was enlarged and a rhinoscopy could be done at a later date with a specialist. His nose bridge area was swollen but it was assumed that it was due to inflammation from the congestion etc
Then the first lab results came back that he was diabetic. This was incredibly shocking information. They ran more labs/tests and started to explain how we could manage it with different options.
Then the next labs came back, and we were told that he was in DKA and since this is a crisis situation I was told to immediately transport him to a veterinary ER.
(at this point I had the lab print out, but I was not informed about numbers etc)
We arrived at the ER where they assessed him and decided to keep him for treatment. It was my understanding that they would be treating the URI with the meds given from primary and working through the DKA situation. He was placed in an isolation area.
I did receive daily calls and texts about Pierre’s prognosis. Unfortunately, in this kind of situation they have multiple vets/techs working on him, so the notifications varied. I will absolutely admit that I was in panic mode, this created a situation where any information that was asked/given was confusing. I left Pierre feeling as though i had no idea what was happening.
First, on Wednesday morning, August 20th I was told that although he did make it through the night they were concerned about the inflammation in the nasal area. They suggested that it was very likely a tumor and although they could not perform a rhinoscopy, they could do an x-ray and US. I agreed.
They said that he was responding to treatment (I believe he was hooked up to some kind of machine that monitored his bg more frequently? I will be asking for records during my follow up. I currently have the invoice which lists items only), and their goal was to see if he’d start eating so that they could transition him to the long-acting insulin.
It was also mentioned during this call that with these kinds of problems, it would be a tremendous undertaking to care for him. having the preexisting condition (herpes), his body could potentially be in fight or flight mode over any little illness. add that to the possibility of a tumor and also now diabetes.... they said that it was a lot and that they would leave the decision up to me. I pressed for a professional opinion and was told that they can't tell me what I should do. ultimately, we hung up with me saying that I would never want any of my animals to suffer, quality of life was important to me but I'm not going to make a choice just because of cost at this time.
Thursday August 21, I received a call from a new vet saying Pierre was responding well (this conversation was very short and to the point. almost as if I had left my cat at the ER for no more than a hangnail. to go from "this'll be a lot" to discussing picking him up. No further info was given on treatment, current bg, URI etc.
They asked me for my pharmacy and told me that I’d have to find the syringes for the insulin. They are impossible to find. They said that the X-rays came back “fine”, nothing significant... possibly an enlarged heart. US was sent out, no results yet. I asked about the possible tumor and that vet suggested what the first vet said, “might just be inflammation from his URI”. he said Pierre could possibly go home tomorrow. I'm frustrated.
Friday August 22, I receive a call at 7:15a. New vet again. She lets me know that I have a couple of options. They can place a freestyle libre for 14 days. They could monitor him for some time, or he could come home, and I could do the monitoring. I said that I was willing to do whatever was best for Pierre. She said to come at 10.
Once I arrive, I saw 5 different vets/techs and there was a lot of back and forth. It really seemed like they didn’t know why I was there. I repeated what was said during the morning call. They went back and forth in and out of the room with a new person coming in each time with conflicting info...eventually they said no monitoring device, they’d give me his insulin, and I could take him home.
Bottom line, I don’t have results from any readings. I do know that I’m giving him insulin (2 units of Glargine 100 IU/mL pen) 2 times a day. the pen does not have the needle attachment so I'm pulling with a syringe. I was told he can eat the dry food that they were sending me home with. They said to follow up with my vet in 2 days. With that being Sunday and the original vet from Monday not working until Tuesday (26th), that’s when I’ll bring him in. I genuinely do not know anything else. I do hope they send the notes from his stay at the ER so that maybe she can explain things to me.
I purchased a glucose monitor to possibly record his BG myself until the appointment, but I don’t know how to safely do a reading. I wouldn’t even know what I’m looking for as far as numbers go. I don’t know how much to feed him other than 2 times a day.
I also have 2 other cats in the house. They’ve been on wet (Purina pro plan complete essentials indoor chicken) and dry (Purina pro plan complete essentials shredded blend).. I typically split the 3oz can between all 3, add a 1/8C of the dry and add water. This happens 3 times a day.
update as of Aug. 24, my meter arrived this morning. I have a pen lancet. I set up the spreadsheet. I watched YouTube videos on how to take a reading. Pierre is coming around a bit but is definitely still slow/hiding. I have stopped all dry food for all 3 cats. they are eating what I currently have which is fancy feast creamy delights chicken feast pate (3oz can shared) and also the Purina pro plan indoor grilled chicken entree in gravy (3oz can shared) with water added. the first few days I did 2 meals. now I'm breaking it up over 4. this is what they were used to previously. Pierre is taking his other meds as well.
- Mirtazapine 7.5mg 1/4th tablet every 24hr prn
- gabapentin 100mg caps (this one isnt given)
- betacillin
- erythromycin in eyes
i know this is A LOT. i decided to copy/paste right from my notes so there might be a lot of rambling. i added in the last paragraph just now. i do have some documents that i could possibly share if that is helpful.
thank you.
