Sharyn & Fiona said:
Princess Enigma strikes again. Her BG's have been under 250. 215 this AM, 208 last night, 245 yesterday morning - all on no insulin. She's still not eating, although yesterday she was nibbling a lot. Appetite stimulant worked for a bit. Now her ketones are up to 3.5bbk. I was thinking we were safe since her BG's were low'ish - wrong. It's been 4 years since I've gone thru this with her. I forgot that infection can cause ketone too. sigh. She's not showing any outward signs of infection, like urine issues but she wasn't the last time either. I know I'm the ketone queen but my crown is a little dusty. Could use suggestions. I'm giving her fluids right after I send this.
blech! i really didn't want to see this post! your crown may be dusty, but it'll all come back to you.
we all have a tendency to forget ketones can rear their ugly heads at bg numbers of 120 or 520. when kitties are in high numbers we watch for ketones, but when the "right" set of circumstances presents itself (insufficient insulin, inappetence, and infection or certain other systemic stresses) ketones can and do develop at much lower numbers. your vet should treat infection (if present) or figure out what else is going on in fiona's little body. there could be another health issue concurring besides an easily identifiable infection.
i understand the reluctance to give her insulin while her numbers are under 250 and she's not eating, but she
needs insulin... even if she has to be put on a glucose drip or have a feeding tube put in order to feel comfortable administering insulin safely. home treatment normally consists of administering an adequate supply of insulin, fluids, treating the underlying cause, making sure kitty gets as much food as possible, an appetite stimulant if necessary, and testing for ketones as often as possible. we usually suggest the normal amount of calories plus half that amount everyday... especially when syringe feeding because not all of it gets into the cat. food is so important that i'd give her whatever she'll eat whether it's low or high carb foods... even if it's "people" food. that's how important food is. in most/many instances it's necessary to incorporate the use of R even if you have to feed high carb foods to prevent her from tanking.
karrie/maverick and linda/bear man will probably be along with med suggestions if fiona is experiencing any nausea. both of them have extensive experience.
i know how fiona has struggled with ketones in the past. i hope this is a short-lived episode and she's back to her normal self as quickly as possible.
sending positive thoughts and hugs...
