Big George New Member

S

Sbaker4205

Member Since 2026
Hey there! Very new to this as I just received the call back from my vet that Big George’s # was 515! I don’t know his age as he was a feral but he seems like an elderly cat! He has dental issues with little to no teeth and vet wants to start on antibiotics to make sure there isn’t some kind of infection going on! He wasn’t tested for FIV but most of the recent TNR Tom’s that we have fixed lately have been! Vet recommended to start on Purina DM food and that since all his other bloodwork came back fine, that he could be a candidate for Bexacat! Just after reading some of the reviews/side effects, I am a little nervous about the drug and unsure of the direction to go! Any help or guidance is appreciated as we’ve never had a diabetic cat and want to try to do what is best for him! I just noticed in the past couple of weeks him drinking/urinating more but it has been very hot here so I thought it was that but then noticed some weight loss which seemed more than what was expected with me trying to get him to exercise more and dieting! He also can’t hear and developed a head tilt we tried to treat once he wasn’t feral and I could catch him! He gained weight due to from being feral and then fixed and staying in my screened in back porch when I’m at work/cant keep an eye on him due to me not wanting him to get hit by a car! Thanks!
 
Hello and welcomed. Sorry you have to be here, but I hope we can help you. First, dental issues are the bane of many a cat and diabetes. If at all possibly to get that fixed, that would go a long way to helping him. You definitely want to make sure there is no infection, but even inflammation can cause some problems.

There is nothing special about the Purina DM food - it's ingredients are actually rather poor. It is called dietetic management, not diabetic management. What you do want to feed is a low carb wet or raw food ideally. What was he eating before the diabetes diagnosis? This list is one that has many of the foods available in the US, though there are others. Look for foods 10% carbs or lower as low carb foods. DM is ls expensive. There are many options available at pet food or even grocery stores.

Regarding Bexacat, it can be a good solution, but you have to make sure Big George doesn't have any of the contra indications. We've seen sad results with people starting cats on Bexacat with the contraindications, so extra cautious about that. More details here: New Treatments for Feline Diabetes. Did the vet test his urine at his diagnosis? We want to make absolutely sure there are no ketones present. The possible dental infection has me concerned for that.
 
Thank you so much for your response! We started him on antibiotics today to hopefully get rid of any possible infection! As of last Friday, there were no ketones in his urine! I bought some strips and non clumping litter this evening but haven’t been able to get a sample I feel like is readable yet for ketones since the non clumping litter absorbed more urine than expected!

I’ve been extremely worried about starting the Bexacat after reading about it and just want to do what is best for him! I will start him on a classic Fancy Feast pate fully tomorrow since the DM is not recommended! He was eating a mixture of normal Purina, Purina weight management and science diet light/something like this since I had been trying to get his weight down but unfortunately not timely enough!

I’ve attached his results from last week! I had previously read that new labs may need to be completed if it goes past 7 days! I also wasn’t sure if I should try diet first or if that will cause more damage? The vet says that she thinks we’ve caught it earlier since his other bloodwork came back good but with his # so high, I just don’t know what is best to do since we’ve never had a diabetic cat before! Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it!
 

Attachments

Maybe some tips here to help: Tips to catch and test a urine sample

The DM food is OK to feed, the regular wet, not the selects. It's just not great ingredients, some cats tire of the taste, and it's expensive! The weight management foods are often high in carbs too. Go figure. Fancy Feast is what many feed, though I did not. Cats seem to like the taste. It is rather higher in phosphorus if your cat has kidney disease.
 
Okay, I’ll check some other foods on the foods list as well!

I was able to get some urine and the strip was the light pink, showing trace ketones! Do I need to have the vet run another urinalysis before starting the Bexacat or just go the insulin route? The vet thought that he’d be a good candidate due to his previous results! I’m going to try to go and get a blood meter today and have some additional things that will hopefully be delivered this evening! Thank you for the additional link and response!
 
i was told by my vet that oral meds dont work as well as the insulin shot. if he allows you to do it, the shot might be better.

(i am not a vet, just passing on what my vet said.)
 
ps. my elderly cat also had really high BG when first diagnosed & he's now in the normal range. dont despair!
 
Sbaker4205 said:
I was able to get some urine and the strip was the light pink, showing trace ketones! Do I need to have the vet run another urinalysis before starting the Bexacat or just go the insulin route?
Click to expand...
Getting that blood meter is a good idea. It is not on the list, but another one people use is the Keto Mojo. If he shows anything above trace you need to take him to the vet. More background on ketones here: Ketones, Ketoacidosis and Diabetic Cats: A Primer on Ketones. You could call the vet clinic (or email, whatever they do) and let them know you saw trace ketones and ask what you should do. With just one day to the weekend, you want to get this attended to soon.

Make sure Big George is eating lots and getting lots of fluids in him. You want to try to get another ketones test in today too if you can. Side note, you can test yourself to make sure you tested correctly. Make sure you wait exactly the length of time it says on the ketones test strip box.
 
Thank you! I ordered the Keto Mojo but just not here yet and I just got home with another meter! I will call the vet to see if I can take him and they can just draw/recheck as well! I have swapped him to just can food and put water in it every time today! He drank 2 oz last night!

The vet told me not to worry too much if I saw trace but I haven’t started the Bexacat yet due to wanting to test and reading the horror stories…as well as some of the success!
 
Trace is fine for now as long as eating and not lethargic, but do keep monitoring that it won't get worse. How old is Big George?
 
I’m not really sure as he was a feral but at least 6-8 but I would say most likely older! I’m going to try to test his BG but found a vet that can do both blood and urine in house and maybe work me in today!

He is eating and not lethargic but just afraid to start something if we have trace ketones on my test!
 
I know, so hard to tell with ferals unless you get them as kittens. My last couple adoptees have also been "approximate age".

With trace ketones, you probably want to start some treatment soon. I'd lean to insulin. More learning curve but safer with that dental infection. Good insulins for cats are Lantus or Prozinc.

Good luck with the vet today.
 
I just did his ketones with a strip and read within 15 seconds and it was still trace! Did my first blood draw which took longer than expected and it was 318!
 
Congrats on that first blood test. That is a real achievement. :) I shed many a tear at my first attempts. 318 at home, definitely diabetic. Some cats have inflated numbers at the vet due to stress.

OK, now that you are working on a treatment, it's probably time to get you set up with things we like to see in the signature and also a spreadsheet for recording BG (blood glucose) numbers. More information here: New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
 
I called the vet and they were okay with me starting the Bexacat even with the trace. Unsure if I just start that or wait until tomorrow to get insulin!
 
Not yet! It’s supposed to be delivered this evening! I will wait and post numbers from that! Sorry just feel like I’m doing more damage waiting but don’t want to do the wrong thing! Thank you so much for your responses! The blood draw was difficult but I’m sure will get easier! I will also update my signature and start the spreadsheet! Thank you again!
 
I had previously read one of the documents but then just realized after reading one of the posts, is it that Bexacat may not be a good option for Big George since we are treating him for some kind of infection since that and inflammation can cause DKA? Am I understanding that correctly? Still waiting on the meter to be delivered to be able to test his blood for ketones! Thanks!
 
Got the Keto-Mojo meter! It showed 3.8 for ketones and his glucose was 311 using the ReliOn meter! The urine stick also showed trace ketones and the new Pet Urine 4 in 1 test strips showed trace as well! Did better with the ear sticks but it takes my Mom coming over to help but we will get it! He is acting himself and eating but hasn’t had much water today…but I have been adding quite a bit of water to each feeding and then rewetting it until it’s finished!
 
The PH on the Pet Urine stick was also 5 so do I need to get him to an ER tonight? Or are you familiar with the Pawfly Pet Urine 4 in 1 test strips
 
That link I gave in post #21 says 2.6 ketones is where there is risk of DKA. Good luck at the ER. Keep us posted. If he's still acting OK, that's a good sign. They should be to give fluids and see what else they can do to bring down the ketones. They'll do blood work to see if there are electrolyte imbalances. Maybe even start him on insulin.
 
Thank you! It is there! So sorry, it’s been a lot to take in! He is still very alert and not happy about being in the kennel and trying to scratch out! He also ate a little before we came but the info above is helpful! I appreciate this so much and am hoping that it turns out okay for him!

Do I just go with their suggestion of insulin if it’s started tonight or okay to mention the two recommended!
 
We are here and they are going to hospitalize him, run new bloodwork/urinalysis, start fluids and maybe insulin! Will have an update in the morning on how he does overnight! Appreciate the guidance and support!
 
Sbaker4205 said:
Do I just go with their suggestion of insulin if it’s started tonight or okay to mention the two recommended!
Click to expand...
It's possible they will start with a shorter acting insulin just to get his blood sugars down, but that might not be the longer term solution.

Thinking of you and Big George this morning.
 
At 2 am his bloodwork/urinalysis results were all okay except for a little low potassium, his BG (over 400), ketones (4.9) and still signs of an infection! Also said he was extremely dehydrated! They started fluids with added potassium and the short acting insulin like you said! Update just a few minutes ago said that insulin was down to 348, he ate some food and that he has been demanding pets whenever they check on him and that they had to put a sign that he will try to get out so he is still alert and acting like himself! Said that they will recheck his bloodwork/ketones at 2 pm!

Appreciate the sweet thoughts! 😊
 
Also, unsure where to post this but I already had a Purina Tidy Cats Breeze litter box and in the tray where the urine pads go, I put a small baking pan, so when Big George peed the urine was collected in the pan! Then I could just empty the urine in the toilet after testing and wash the pan! May not be a good idea to share or need to be vetted first but thought it might be able to help someone having a hard time collecting/testing urine!
 
You are not the first to try this solution. I thought I saw someone say the Tidy Cats Breeze was harder to come by now. Anyway, whatever works. You do still want to take a sample that is fresh. The blood ketone meter is a better solution as it tests more types of ketones and gives you a better idea of his levels.

I am so glad you took Big George into the ER in time. He is where he needs to be. Low potassium is not an uncommon symptom. Did the vet say anything about DKA? Or did you manage to avoid that? Sounds like maybe the type of antibiotic might need to be changed too. Lots of moving parts here.
 
We talked about DKA in that was the concern was but will confirm if it was the diagnosis or avoided! They did change the antibiotic to a shot versus the amoxicillin!
 
I will confirm with the Vet this afternoon (or if I need to ask/talk to the Vets earlier, please let me know) but when talking to the front desk they said the analysis on his chart says DKA!
 
We have many cats here start their diabetic journeys with DKA. This is doable. You caught it early. It does mean he may need to be at the vets for a few days before he is stable enough to come home. Thank goodness you did not start Bexacat! You need to get some rest your self, in between visits to George. Be ready for when he gets home.
 
Okay, encouraging to hear it is doable although challenging! Wish I had taken him sooner/somewhere else yesterday but am so glad as well of your guidance to not start the Bexacat! 🥺

I did sleep in a little today (or the most I could due to having to take care of all the other animals) and will go ahead and ask work if I can work from home next week!

I’ve printed the hypo documents out to have handy and will start reading about the other since I hadn’t when I thought we were going to be able to go the Bexacat route!

We also confirmed that his is FIV positive so I know that won’t make things any easier and make fighting the infection harder!

Thank you!
 
Big George’s BG this afternoon was in the 280’s and his ketones are down to 1.8! His electrolytes have also returned to normal! They are going to try to start a longer acting insulin and stop the continuous infusion!
 
I haven’t been to see him yet and am going to go tonight and ask more questions! Just got an update from a sweet tech earlier and the vet left me a message but it didn’t have those details! I did ask about/mention the two that were recommended in previous posts last night when dropping him off! If it is not one of those or related to one of those should I ask if we can try instead?
 
In Canada and the rest of the world, Vetsulin is called Caninsulin. Gives you a hint which species it is good for. Not cats! The (2018) AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats on page 3/4 on treatment mentions Lantus (glargine) or Prozinc for cats. It also mentions Levemir, another human insulin, but it is discontinued in the US. Sadly.

Vetsulin may be OK as a short term measure, but not longer term. It will last longer than the short acting insulin they are using now. Vetsulin typically lasts only 8 hours in the cat, leaving them 8 hours in the day in high numbers if giving two shots a day. You might want to check with your general practice vet, to see what insulin they are familiar with.
 
Is it okay if I ask the ER vet to try the Lantus before sending him home and see how he responds? I can even call them tonight if that is a change you think we should make now?

I mentioned both of those last night but the vet called the Prozinc, PZI and I probably should have been more assertive that when he was to start a longer acting insulin that I would like for it to be one of those two!
 
Prozinc/PZI, same thing. The thing with Lantus, is that it is a depot style insulin. It can take a few days to build up to it's full potential for a dose. Which over the long term does make it a great insulin with fairly flat cycles. However, in a cat recovering from DKA, you might want an insulin that is fully "in place" right away. Part of the DKA formula is "not enough insulin".

After he is home, you are more likely to be working with your GP vet, which is why I suggested asking what they use.
 
I missed the vet’s call this morning and they said that Big George’s BG continued to do well last night and if everything goes okay throughout the day he can come home tonight!

I was thinking of changing from my GP vet to this ER vet since they have normal business hours that aren’t ER and are open 24 hours! They can also do all blood and urine tests in house when my GP vet has to overnight some things! I just called my GP and they said that they normally use Vetsulin as well! My GP vet is also only open until 1 today since it’s Saturday! I was going to try to call another local vet but they aren’t open on Saturday at all! I know they can do tests in house as well and they had mentioned that some of their patients have the continuous monitors!

Will post more details from overnight once I connect with the ER vet!
 
His ketones are still 1.8 and BG at 2am was 152 and at 6am was 234!

If he does okay during the day they would give his insulin around 6 pm and then I call around 6:30/7:30 to confirm he can come home!

ER vet also said that they prescribe different kinds of insulin and it was probably the vet that was seeing him at the time that thought that Vetsulin was the best to use at that time!

They are also feeding him Hill w/d
 
Last edited:
That's fabulous that he could come home tonight! Try to get a list of meds he'll come home with, so we can comment on it.

Hills w/d (is it the wet food?) is 25% carbs, what we consider high carb food. Not ideal for a diabetic, we suggest foods 10% and under carbs. The insulin dose they suggest may be too much if he starts eating his regular low carb food when he comes home.

Any word how the infection is doing?
 
I will call and ask for a list of meds! It is the w/d wet food! I believe they said he was on two units!

I asked last night and they said his numbers were good and he’s on a shot of antibiotics vs oral and temp has been good all readings!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top