2nd DKA in a week

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Kate & Toby

Kate & Toby

Member Since 2019
Morning all,
My poor Toby was unwell overnight, and was floppy this morning so I rushed him to the ER where he is back on the drip and we await results of bloods but looks like DKA and urine infection. This was a different ER to last weekend and the vet was Amazing. She said we've caught it early so should be ok, but she said he needs to see a specialist as he is not reacting as he should. We are hopeful of a transfer to specialist this afternoon after a few hours on fluids. I am hopeful of a proper diagnosis and a plan for the way forward finally.
What a rollercoaster this is.
 
So sorry to see this Kate but good for you being vigilant and doing the right thing and taking him in... thinking of you and hoping for news of the best possible outcome for your gorgeous boy...
 
Update: Mr Toby is fighting back, his temperature is back to normal, hes eating, drinking, weeing, BG stable, bloods all look good (ketones v low, kidneys normal, liver normal, electrolytes normal) hes taken on fluids for a solid 9 hours and is nicely hydrated, they are going with the antibioticsas suspect a UTI. Hes had his insulin as planned.
Hes currently sat looking out of his kennel at the vets, they have said they couldnt be happier with him and are super impressed at how he has bounced back after being so poorly.
I'm collecting him at 730am and taking him straight to the referral clinic.
This is such a rollercoaster, but I'm so proud of my little fighter and I'm praying he continues in this vain. Thanks for all you love and well wishes. Xx
 
Morning all,

He had another good night, they are very pleased with him. He apparently was purring so loudly they couldn't do his heart and chest observations, and has been ravenous eating!!

I have now transferred him to the specialist referral vets here on the south coast of the UK (Anderson Moores) who have an amazing reputation. He has been admitted and they are going to do their various diagnostics, he has been hooked up to a Continuous glucose monitoring device via a subcutaneous sensor so no more ear pricking and they can do the kind of graphs we would all love to be able to do.

I will of course let you know if I hear anymore. In the meantime thank you all again for your continued support xx
 
Amazing report, Kate. Let's hope these specialist vets can use their expertise to see what's going on with Toby and suggest a way forward.
I grew up in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, haven't come across Anderson Moores but as a family we only ever took our cat to the usual vet - I'm sure animal medicine has come a long way since then!
 
Thank you all so so much, it means the world to know you are all rooting for us.

Toby is in the most amazing veterinary specialist hospital, what a blessing to have this place. The care he has received is world class.

They have done all manner of scans, tests, graphs etc. Their findings are that he has a delicate heart, not currently life threatening but all the fluids that have been pushed on board for the last few months with repeated dka have had an effect, they are treading very carefully with him.
His bloods look good, but upon scan his kidneys are also under some disease, again not critical or having an impact, but they are weakened.
We await the results of pancreas.
Everything else looking good, he is ketone free, stabilised BG, they have increased his dose of insulin and happy its responding as it should.
They are slowly keeping him hydrated, anti clotting etc and monitoring his BG.
He is continuing to be a model patient, purring his way through all the various tests and winning the hearts of all who meet him. I was complimented by the specialist for my care of him, and that is down to the advice and support I have gotten from all of you. They are hopeful he can come home maybe Wednesday :-)

I know we may not have a long time left together but when he is home we will have a good time with so much love and care. I'm crying as I type this as I feel so lost without him by my side again tonight, but I know he is in the best place and he will be home soon, my shadow, my soul mate, my world. Xxx
 
Oh my goodness Kate... you are being very brave but I can tell how scared you are, and we would all feel exactly the same. It is very scary having a beloved kitty in hospital, and not knowing quite what to expect - but try to take heart from what you've been told, ie there doesn't seem to be any immediate serious issue. And the fact that he can probably come home on Wednesday must mean that the vets are pleased enough with him to discharge him.

I know just what you mean when you say how lost you feel without him by your side. I'm almost in tears too, imagining the scenario. Try to send him your love telepathically so he knows you're at home waiting for him and that you will share many more special times starting very soon...

You and Toby are very much in my thoughts.
 
Loving hearing Toby's BG is stabilized, there is nothing else is of major concern at this time, he's recovering well and will be coming home soon. I don't think any of us realize how much our lives revolve around and need these furry creatures until they are not there. That's what love is all about! He'll be home in your arms soon! Until then :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: to hold you over!
 
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Morning all, Toby continues to do really well at the specialist vets, they have given him a thorough going over, he's had scans, ECGs, ultrasounds, chest xrays, bloods, curves, he's seen a neurologist, a cardiologist and his internal medicaine specialist is being incredible.
His heart is nice and steady and the uneven rhythms have lessened, he is eating and drinking well. They have been slowly slowly with the fluids and hopefully taking him off these today to make sure he can hold is own with his hydration. His ketones yesterday were just a trace, so hoping its a negative today.
His BG is stable but still a little high, they are saying that the increase in dose may take a few days to take effect.
All being well I hope to be able to collect him tomorrow, and continue to monitor him at home.
The specialists have said they will keep him under their care for the foreseeable future and not transfer him to our regular vet, they are 24/7 which means I can call upon them whenever I am unsure which is such a comfort.
He had a "Walk around the ward" yesterday and was rubbing everyones legs, and purriung loudly, she said he has been an absolute pleasure to treat because he is so placid and such a good boy, she said he had been "Flirting" with all the nurses (oh my days!). But this makes me cry with happiness that he is not unhappy.

Things are looking cautiously optimistic and if we can get his levels low, there is a good chance he can be happy and comfortable. I am forever grateful to you all and the vets that have helped me and my boy along the way. xx
 
Such wonderful news Kate, what a little flirt, the doctors and nurses sound so awesome. Like you said it must be a comfort to know that you can call upon them any time. He really does sound like such a lovable boy. I'm hoping he can come home soon
 
Hello all,

Having spent a week at the specialist, I've got my precious boy home. Hes so lively! He hasn't stopped strutting around and rubbing himself on everything he can, he has been loving laying in the sunshine in the garden and having so many cuddles. In summary, his kidneys wont end his life, nor will his diabetes, but his heart probably will. They've given him drugs to lessen the likelihood of heart failure, but its inevitable eventually. We must love and enjoy every second of him now for who knows how long he will be with us.
His BG continues to look good and the vet loves that I home test, I will do a curve on sunday and they will look at the dose again.
For now I have a full heart and a warm purring Toby cat by my side. Xxx


Pic is post food chill out xxx
 

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Oh Kate I'm so happy Toby is home with you and is enjoying laying in the garden, giving lovins to you and strutting his stuff lol, I pray for him that with the heart medication that he is with you until he is 20 yes old or longer. It makes me so sad to hear this about his heart. Like you said enjoy every second with him and spoil him rotten. He is such a handsome boy. Kiss that nose of his for me
 
What is the heart diagnosis? And what medications is he on? Did they tell you about monitoring his resting respiration rate? That latter told me when Neko needed help, though externally everything else was fine. I too was in your position with some kidney disease but not able to give fluids due to the heart condition. In spite of that, we still had some good times, and even did a little vacation together.
 
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