2 years managed diabetes, suddenly exhibiting strange signs

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eric_3catowner

Member Since 2022
Hello,

Looking for opinions somewhat urgently as my cat has suddenly started exhibiting worsening symptoms and I'm not sure exactly what's happening.

He was diagnosed with diabetes around 2 years ago. He's older as well, roughly 11 yrs but we're not 100% on his age. We've been managing it with 10 units of Novolin N 2x/day with wet food. We also let him graze on kibble throughout the day (we initially attempted just scheduled feeding times but it became too difficult to manage with other cats' food).

Honestly he's been really good for quite awhile now, we haven't had to go to the vet for about a year and he's just been coasting along. Sometimes I forget a shot and even then he seems fine.

Today he's been eating A LOT of extra kibble, and around 5 hours ago his left eye got inflamed. In the last couple hours we've seen him wandering around the house slowly with his mouth open, sitting with his hind legs splayed out (not something he normally does).

I'm concerned that he might be experiencing hypoglycemia, but I can't find anything online to back that up 100%. Any quick thoughts would be helpful, though obviously we will be getting him to the vet as soon as possible.
 
Update, I took his blood sugar and got a 56 reading. Per the suggestion in the Kaz - 911 thread, I rubbed some honey on his gums and am planning to check again in 30 minutes.

One other weird symptom - he seemed to be trying to cool off - he'd put his head on a cold surface (glass topper on table in the basement) and before that was lounging by the open screen door.
 
So glad you checked him! Years ago I had a cat who was fairly stable on novolin. One day I didn't do a preshot test and he must have been low because he sank! It is so scary. Wishing you the best.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yes that’s the right thing to do. You can also let him eat more.
Please post the next reading.
What type of meter are you using?

Do you have a bottle of Ketostix to test the urine for ketones?
If not I would go out now (when you have the BG under control first) and buy a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and test his urine for ketones. If he has an inflamed eye and has his mouth open and his legs splayed out I would be concerned for ketones. However it could be from the low BG as well so best to check both out to eliminate.
If you decide to take him to the vet please ask them to check for ketones.
I will post this and then write more
 
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10 units of Novolin N is a lot of insulin.
It could be such a high dose because you are feeding the dry food. However you would not want to change to food until you are monitoring closely and have help as the change over can drop the BG quite dramatically.
Are you able to tell us a bit about your kitty.
When diagnosed, what meter you are using, how you got to 10 unit.

Novolon N is not a good insulin for cat at all. It is a very hard hitting harsh insulin. There are much more suitable insulins for cats such as Lantus or Prozinc. Do you feed your kitty and then wait an hour before giving the dose of insulins?

I am going to give you a link to some information for new members and it contains a link to our spreadsheet and signature and hypo kit.
If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature we will be able to help you a lot more.
HELP US HELP YOU

You will need to reduce the dose of Novolin N after that low BG. I would go back to 9 units.
Please keep asking questions and let us know how he is going, we worry!
Bron
 
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