Bandit at ER - update 6/30 :(

Status
Not open for further replies.
Lisa and Witn (GA)

Lisa and Witn (GA)

Member Since 2009
Just took Bandit to the ER. Only gave him 1 unit of Vetsulin last night after testing BG at 326. Set my alarm to test again in 4 hours and he was 38. Tried for an hour with food and corn syrup and could not get BG to rise.

Took him to the closest ER and they were at capacity Had to take him to another one 15 minutes away. He was 30 by their meter and they are giving him an IV (I think that is what they said) to raise BG level. He is alert and not showing any signs of a hypo.

I hate Vetsulin. Ended up getting Walgreens to fill is script with Semglee since the Lantus coupon would not work But they did not have any at their store and will not get it until later today or tomorrow.

I am so glad I test and did not go with his normal dose. He is my 5th diabetic cat and this is the first time I have ever had to deal with a hypo.

Say prayers for Bandit and after this morning is over hopefully it will be a smoother ride in caring for him.
 
Oh my goodness, I’m sorry to hear this. What a shock it must have been for you. I’m glad he has no symptoms. I dont like Vetsulin either.

Please let us know how he gets on
 
They are doing blood work. He does have a fever and depending on the results and if they can get his glucose levels up may end up staying overnight. Why can't cats tell us the don't feel well when it first starts instead of waiting until it is an emergency. :(
 
Omg so scary. I'm so glad you were able to get him help in time. He may be very sensitive to insulin for a few days
 
JanetNJ said:
Omg so scary. I'm so glad you were able to get him help in time. He may be very sensitive to insulin for a few days
Click to expand...
I know. They are keeping him for a while to give him fluids to rehydrate him and do more blood work My poor baby. The last couple days have been rough for him Leaving his mom, dealing with almost 6 hours in a car and now this. I am so glad I was able to get him otherwise if he was still with his mom, she may not have realized something was wrong until too late.

I have also reached out to DCIN to see if they can help with some of the costs. He will get treated no matter what, I just was not expecting a large emergency bill right after adopting him.
 
Talk to the ER vet. They have been able to raise his glucose levels and are trying to get them stable. He has also been rehydrated. His WBC is low and they think he may have an infection. They are starting him on antibiotics and anti-nausea meds to hopefully get him to eat. Once he is eating on his own he will be able to come home, but they said it may be possible that he has to spend another night there.

After adopting a cat, you don't expect to have a big ER bill within 48 hours. But I do not have any regrets about it. If he had still been with his previous mom, he may not have survived. He was on 5 units of Vetsulin and she was not able to home test. Since he did not show any signs of not feeling well until last night, she most likely would have never known how sick he is. She believes God sent me to be his adopter for a reason, especially since she was running out of time to find him a home. This convinces me more that I was meant to have him.

Keep your prayers coming that he responds well to the antibiotics and starts eating so he can come home soon.
 
Vines this lucky cat comes home to you tonight, Lisa. In case it is later tonight and the BG is high enough to shoot, ask the ER vet not to give Vetsulin. In fact, ask the ER vet not to give insulin at all so you can use the insulin you are most comfortable with and can set your own shot times.

This union of you and Bandit was definitely meant to be.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Talk to the ER vet. They have been able to raise his glucose levels and are trying to get them stable. He has also been rehydrated. His WBC is low and they think he may have an infection. They are starting him on antibiotics and anti-nausea meds to hopefully get him to eat. Once he is eating on his own he will be able to come home, but they said it may be possible that he has to spend another night there.

After adopting a cat, you don't expect to have a big ER bill within 48 hours. But I do not have any regrets about it. If he had still been with his previous mom, he may not have survived. He was on 5 units of Vetsulin and she was not able to home test. Since he did not show any signs of not feeling well until last night, she most likely would have never known how sick he is. She believes God sent me to be his adopter for a reason, especially since she was running out of time to find him a home. This convinces me more that I was meant to have him.

Keep your prayers coming that he responds well to the antibiotics and starts eating so he can come home soon.
Click to expand...
She was probably feeding high carb
 
Poor buddy, 5 units to 1! Woof. Shows you what diet changes really can do. And Vetsulin is a faster acting insulin, but you don't have experience knowing when his nadir is. Good job mom :)

Hope he gets better and home to you fast.
 
I just spoke with the ER nurse. She said that Bandit's glucose levels are remaining stable and he is alert and demanding attention. :cat:

He has been given fluids, antibiotics, appetite stimulant and anti-nausea meds. She said they normally feed them around 7:00 so hopefully he will be interested in eating then. He probably will still need to spend the night again, but everything is looking better.

The doctor is supposed to call me in a couple hours with a full update on what they have found
 
I got to see him tonight when I dropped off his new insulin. He looks so much better - very alert and wanting to be petted. They are keeping him over night to make sure he eats on his own and start him on Semglee. After this mornings scare I would feel more comfortable with them staring his new insulin since they will be monitoring him. Hoping he is able to come home tomorrow. Keep the prayers coming, they are working.
 
Not great news today.

I just talked to the vet. Bandit has not eaten yet. Also his WBC is down to 0.17. They said he has a severe infection and found bacteria in his bladder. They are giving him several antibiotics to fight it. Right now his condition is guarded.

I have a feeling I will be letting him go across the bridge today.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
They said he has a severe infection and found bacteria in his bladder. They are giving him several antibiotics to fight it. Right now his condition is guarded.

I have a feeling I will be letting him go across the bridge today.
Click to expand...

Antibiotics can be wonder drugs -- I hope the infection gets kicked. You are an angel, and I hope you don't have to suffer for doing everything right:bighug::bighug::bighug:Prayers for little Bandit.
 
Prayers that the antibiotics are able to help:bighug:.
I am very sorry this is happening and hoping all will be ok.
 
Hopefully some encouraging news tonight. I did go to the vet to spend some time with Bandit tonight. He was more alert than last night including moving around more. He has also developed an attitude with the techs, I guess he is tired of the poking and taking his temp several times today. ;)

He still has a fever and has not eaten. If he has not eaten by tomorrow morning, the doctor will probably insert a feeding tube. Right now he is getting electrolytes and I guess whatever other nutrition he needs through the IV. His glucose has risen from around 100 this morning to 368 with no insulin since yesterday afternoon. In this case that may be a good thing. The doctor explained that the infection feeds off of the glucose in the blood and since the BG is rising, it may be a sign the antibiotics are starting to work. I never thought I would be happy about higher glucose numbers. I will know more tomorrow morning after they do more blood work.

Keep the prayers coming. What I saw tonight was encouraging and I am glad I did not have to say goodbye to him tonight.
 
Love to hear this update and that Bandit is spirited….that’s such great news!

Sending endless prayers :bighug::bighug::bighug:!!
 
I do hope there is better news of Bandit. My heart did a flip when I read he was so ill.
Poor baby.
Sending a plane load of strong Aussie vines to Bandit
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top