10/13 DoDo No shot yet--- in hospital with DKA

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lovetheduns

lovetheduns

Member Since 2010
Hello Lantus folks and furbabies

My little DoDo is currently in the hospital with DKA. We are Prozinc users and even during the time of diagnosis DoDo never had ketones. This came so suddenly while I was away camping. My mom had said early Saturday morning, he wailed and tried to poop then refused to eat anything until a day or so ago in the hospital. He was very bad off and moderately dehydrated. Luckily he will be released tomorrow morning.

The hospital has him eating Hills M/D dry (it seems like it was the only thing he was eating with gusto in the hospital although I do not plan on feeding any dry once he comes home. I don't mind feeding Purina DM wet or keeping with my Sophisticat canned varieties and raw diet off of Binky's list). He is off of the IV insulin and they are putting him back on his Prozinc although with all of the dry food they have had to go up to 3.5 u from my 2.5u. Right now they are just trying to keep him solidly in the 200-240s.

I already talked with the internist at the hospital about going to Lantus. My SS is not up to date, I had a diabetes program on my iPhone and I used that since it was more handy. I do think once he gets home and I have some more info I am going to start over with the SS and go from there since it is easier to share on here. We would have some pretty wild swings with Prozinc and his nadir would be so short and late and then he would ZOOM back up in the 10, 11, 12 hour sharply. I also just think that there tends to be more support here for Lantus and I just prefer the numbers supporting the many cats who have gone into an OTJ mode-- so I am very interested in moving to Lantus. The internist usually prescribes Lantus-- although my regular vet wanted to go to Prozinc since it was marketed more for cats.

So..... my question is how soon after a bout with DKA do folks tend to make a change to insulin? It makes me so stressed to think of DoDo starting with low numbers on Lantus and throwing some horrible high numbers (like the 546 PMPS tonight!!). I also am so worried since he he just had this trauma on his body with the DKA episode.

Thanks!

Christina
 
Just here with a bump, because I don't have any input on his condition -- and sending you many healing vines and positive thoughts. Someone here will be able to comment on the DKA.

Hugs.
 
Thank you Kathy!

He is doing so much better-- I can't wait to get him home and have some snuggle time away from an ICU visit outside his cage. :)
 
There are many people here who have switched from ProZinc to Lantus. You'll get lots of support when you're ready.

In the meantime, thinking good thoughts. I'm so glad he's feeling better -- that means you are, too!
 
Welcome to Lantus Land!

I'm so sorry that DoDo had to go through DKA. He's a very lucky kitty to have recovered. Gabby went through an episode when she was diagnosed and it was very scary.

What I would first suggest is reading the starred, sticky notes at the top of the Board. They will provide you with a huge amount of information on such things as the dosing protocol that we use, our slang, how to do a curve (if you don't already know how to do that), how to care for Lantus, posting conventions, and key concepts like the "shed." You will need to think a bit differently about Lantus than they way you approached dosing with ProZinc. Dosing decisions are based on the nadir with Lantus, not on pre-shot values.

It sounds like DoDo will be discharged from the hospital on ProZinc. I don't know that there's any compelling reason to not change to Lantus whenever you're ready to do so. The only advantage I can think of is to stick with ProZinc until you know the dose is reasonably stable and DoDo is happy being back home. Once everything is back to normal, you could switch or once you are around to monitor might be a good time to switch insulin. That way, you're not changing too many variables at once and you will be there to keep an eye on numbers.

What I would encourage you to do is get a pack of Ketostix or a Precision Xtra meter, which can test for blood ketones. Given that DoDo just went through a bout of DKA, testing for ketones at home is important, especially if you're seeing high numbers. The strips for the Precision meter are pricey. The Ketostix are inexpensive.
 
Thank you everyone for being so welcoming!

SO--- I just bought some of the ketone strips for the Precision Xtra off of ebay that were unexpired. I got that tip off of here. So I should have those soon.

I also purchased the urine strips-- although it will be a challenge. Back in the day after his urinary infection, he didn't go to the box on his own-- unless I took him (like a dog), then he would urinate. I am hoping he will remember that again and just do it on command.. because if not it will be a challenge. :)
 
I just wanted to day welcome! I am sorry that your kitty had to go through that, but am very glad that things are better. I look forward to seeing you here in Lantus Land. Welcome abroad!
 
Some people have had success with Saran Wrap! :lol: You can lay a piece of plastic wrap on the litter, and capture just the tiny bit of liquid you need to do the test. If you're positioning him in the box, that may work well for you.
 
Welcome to Lantus Land! So sorry poor DoDo had to go thru all that. Sending lots of healing vines to him, and looking forward to seeing more of you!
 
hello and welcome! the others have offered good advice, so i won't repeat. :-D

about making the switch to lantus...
since DoDo is coming fresh off of an episode of DKA and is currently on prozinc, it would probably be a good idea to stabilize him on prozinc (as sienne suggested) before making the switch to lantus. it's not unusual for numbers to run pretty high the first few weeks after switching from another insulin to lantus. this would not be good for DoDo. we don't want to run the chance of him developing ketones again...
 
you've got the wise ones here with you...just want to say welcome...and i second what you've said about the support here...it's a great group and the folks here really know their stuff!

good luck!

celi & binks
 
Jill & Alex said:
hello and welcome! the others have offered good advice, so i won't repeat. :-D

about making the switch to lantus...
since DoDo is coming fresh off of an episode of DKA and is currently on prozinc, it would probably be a good idea to stabilize him on prozinc (as sienne suggested) before making the switch to lantus. it's not unusual for numbers to run pretty high the first few weeks after switching from another insulin to lantus. this would not be good for DoDo. we don't want to run the chance of him developing ketones again...
Click to expand...

Jill---

I think you (and everyone else) brings up good points. I think what game plan I will discuss with the vet is to try and keep him stable until the end of October and then begin the trek over to Lantus. In the meantime, I can read all about Lantus and start to get the protocol in my head before we transition.

Thanks everyone!
 
Please let us know if you have questions while you're trying to absorb the info in the stickies. When I first started on this journey, I found reading condos, especially where people had questions, to be helpful. It may not have been an issue that I was dealing with, but reading other people's questions and the answers helped to prepare me for when a similar situation occurred with Gabby.
 
Oh I will!

I am excited to dig right in... I am even more excited that as of next week I get to work from home permanently even though I may need to go into the office every now and then :) So that is a plus.

DoDo is coming home at 11am today. :)

I am sure he is going to be thrilled as I am already thrilled.
 
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