? Blood glucose rising and wobbly

Status
Not open for further replies.
Carol and Rosie (Beaka)

Carol and Rosie (Beaka)

Member Since 2016
hi all,
should have known it was too good to be true! Just when everything was going well with Rosie and she was back to her normal self, the last two days she has been really wobbly and unsteady and this morning her BG is 15.5, 2 hours after eating. I have a vet appt for this evening but wonder if anyone has any idea what's going on?
She's eating and drinking normally and no excessive urinating. Most importantly, negative for ketones.
Thanks xx
 
Hmmmm... Could be various things. Has she been out and eaten anything out of the ordinary? Does she have signs of an infection? As she's eating and drinking normally, that's a good sign. Hopefully others with more experience of this will be along to give proper advice but meanwhile try not to worry... I think that once a cat has been diabetic there will always be tendencies for BGs to be higher at times. Hopefully the vet will advise you and be able to treat Rosie and put your mind at rest.
Meanwhile well done for being vigilant and testing!
Hugs
Diana
 
Hi Diana
Thank you for responding. It's very scary to see her wobbly and sometimes actually falling, it seems worse when she looks up or turns, she's ok when she's just walking.
I did ask the vet if it could be an ear infection as she had been scratching them quite a bit and they look wet inside? He said it's possible and he'll check when i bring her in tonight. I'm actually hoping that's all it is! If he wants to treat her I wonder if there is anything I should avoid re medication. Xx
 
Hi Carol,

Does Rosie have neuropathy issues?

Can you tell us a bit more about the wobbliness/unsteadiness?

Is it correct that she hasn't had any Caninsulin since April? Looking at her BG test results (human meter), although they were in a good range she was, on average, running above the normal range when you stopped the Caninsulin. I had a similar issue with Saoirse; it became unsafe to give her Caninsulin (plus it was making her feel lousy) but her pancreas had not had enough time to rest and recover. Could you get some more spot checks in over the next few days to see how Rosie's numbers are trending? Is she showing signs of possible infection at all?

If numbers have trended upwards but nothing else is amiss, I'd suggest you ask your vet about continuing Rosie's insulin treatment for a time with a gentler-acting, longer-lasting insulin like Lantus. With a well-tuned dose it produces relatively flat, smooth curves and it is far better suited to giving a longer period of support to a pancreas that's 'almost there' by enabling Rosie's body to run in the healing range for a time so the pancreas might rest longer and therefore lay the foundation for a strong remission.

My two penn'orth. Other members may have different suggestions.


Mogs
.
 
Hi Mogs

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Rosie doesn't have neuropathy, if that's what I think, walking on hocks etc?

No caninsulin since April 8th.

I noticed for the last week or so when she has looked up when I was getting her food she kind of wobbled to the side but then righted herself.

On Tuesday morning she vomited but then was okay but when I called her from her basket at teatime yesterday she was kind of (it's hard to explain but staggering). She isn't jumping at all this morning and twice when she has turned rounsd she had fallen over. It seems to be when she looks up or turns around, very strange. She is okay when she walks forwards but I notice she is going quite slowly.

It could be infection, but she is eating and I thought they didn't eat when they had one.

I'll be honest I'm really worried about her ATM. Xx
 
Cross-post!

An ear issue could definitely cause wobbles (e.g. idiopathic vestibular syndrome). Glad to hear the vet's seeing Rosie tonight.


Mogs
.
 
It's good to hear Rosie's eating. (BTW, infection doesn't automatically mean loss of appetite. For general information, one needs to be extra careful when both infection and poor appetite are present because of concern over possible problems with ketones. One also needs to ensure that the cat has enough insulin for its metabolic needs.)

If it is a problem with Rosie's ears then maybe the vomiting might be something akin to motion sickness in humans.

Have a look on YouTube for cats with vestibular problems to see if any of their symptoms are similar (wobbly walk, head tilting, 'dancing' eyes). I saw on the Cornell website that typically the symptoms of vestibular syndrome resolve with treatment of whatever underlying issue has triggered it. If there is an ear infection it could be feeding into the higher BG level seen in your most recent test.

Having been in similar situations, I empathise fully with how scared you're feeling right now, Carol. I'm sending you some HUGE hugs plus prayers for the vet to identify the problem and prescribe an effective treatment so that Rosie will be feeling much better very soon!

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
.
 
Thank you for your kindness, understanding and support. I am on my own here so it's lovely to have that!

I understand what you say about coming off the insulin maybe slightly too early, the vet was concerned about giving caninsulin with the numbers she had and so was I. If he says she needs to go back on it, I'll ask about lantus.

If he wants to give her antibiotic is that okay? Is there anything I should say no to?

Rosie has just got up, eaten her dinner and gone out in to the sunshine (she just stays in the garden), she's hardly wobbly now but then she seems really bad at other times. Hopefully, the vet will have some answers. I'll report back later xx
 
Carol and Rosie (Beaka) said:
If he wants to give her antibiotic is that okay? Is there anything I should say no to?
Click to expand...


The one antibiotic that is to be avoided is Convenia which is one long lasting injection rather than daily pills:

"Convenia (manufactured by Zoetis) is an injectable long-acting antibiotic that is labeled for the treatment of skin infections in cats and dogs. It exerts its antibacterial effects for approximately 1-2 weeks but stays in the body for over 2 months........

That said, with regard to Convenia, it is important to consider the fact that if a patient has an adverse reaction to Convenia there is no way to retrieve this long-acting drug from his body."

http://catinfo.org/?link=convenia

As was stated this AB is intended for skin infections but is often used off-label for other infections. Since it is only one shot many owners feel it is more convenient than having to pill their cat each day. However, if there is any adverse reactions, the Convenia still continues acting and there is no way to stop it once it has been given. There have been numerous adverse effects reported ranging from diarrhea, to vomitting to death.
 
Last edited:
Carol and Rosie (Beaka) said:
the vet was concerned about giving caninsulin with the numbers she had and so was I.
Click to expand...
Rightly so; it has a very harsh action in many cats.

I've PM'd you a link to Saoirse's spreadsheet from the times when she was being treated with both Caninsulin and Lantus so that you can see just how big a difference there is between the effects the two insulins can have on blood glucose levels. It might be helpful to you and your vet to have a real world example to look at.

Be sure to let us know how you got on at the vet.


Mogs
.
 
Last edited:
Oh gosh, (((Carol))), sorry to hear about Rosie.

Keeping fingers and paws crossed that this is something that is easily treatable and will very soon resolve.

Please update us when you can.

Huge hugs,

Eliz x

PS. In the event that Rosie may need to go back onto insulin you may want to know that Prozinc (a US PZI insulin for cats) is now available in the UK also. It's different to Lantus/glargine (and I don't know how the price compares).
 
Hi all
Back from vet but not much wiser. Her blood glucose was up to 18 but he doesn't want her to go back on insulin just yet, he's happy for me to keep checking at home. She is not drinking or peeing any more than she has been.

He doesn't think it is infection because she is presenting so well and is eating. He has given her the antibiotic jab (I know, not the great, but she has had it before) and some anti inflammatory drops.

He thinks a stroke is another possibility because of her staggering, gait etc although he checked her eyes and said they were okay. He did also say that, very rarely, a brain lesion can trigger diabetes in the first place and although he doesn't suspect that it can't be ruled out.

We have to go back on Tuesday but call or go in before that if there are any concerns.

Rosie herself has been quite a bit steadier this afternoon and has had a few sucessful attempts at washing (without overbalancing). She is not staggering much now but her gait is odd.

All very worrying and uncertain. Hard to believe that on Monday she was running, jumping, playing etc with just the occasional wobble.

Thanks again to all for caring xxx
 
(((((Carol))))) Sorry you haven't got a definitive diagnosis, I can well imagine how you feel, but try to stay positive - Rosie sounds as if she is feeling ok in herself so hopefully she will make a good recovery. Your vet sounds good - it does help to have faith in one's vet and I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you do contact him before next week if you're worried.

I hope you both have a good night... Thinking of you.
Hugs
Diana
 
Thanks for updating us, Carol. I'm really sorry that the vet wasn't able to give you a definitive Dx. I can relate to how worrying that uncertainty must be for you. :bighug:

What did the vet say about Rosie's ears?


Mogs
.
 
Last edited:
Hi
Sorry Mogs I forgot about her ears, he didn't look at them! And I forgot to mention it, I will next week when we go back.

My vet is great Diana, I don't know if it's because he's young but he really makes me feel like he is working with me, listens to my suggestions and really seems to care about Rosie, he's so lovely with her. She lets him take blood from her neck (hates her paws touching!) without sedation or indeed any fuss at all. He's the only one that's able to do that, unfortunately he is taking a year out to go travelling, at the end of May The other vets are good too xx
 
Carol and Rosie (Beaka) said:
Sorry Mogs I forgot about her ears, he didn't look at them!
Click to expand...
Grrrrr. I'm quite surprised given that she's showing clinical signs that could possibly be down to a problem affecting balance and motion. Maybe give him a call about her ears tomorrow? There might be something he could do before the weekend.

In the meantime here's a link to a symptom checker for vestibular issues. It might give you an idea of what to watch for in Rosie which might give you and your vet a better idea of whether the wobbliness may be related to an inner ear problem:

http://vestibular.org/sites/default/files/page_files/Vestibular disease in dogs and cats.pdf


Carol and Rosie (Beaka) said:
I don't think so Mogs, how would he [check her blood pressure]?
Click to expand...

With a Doppler or oscillometric BP monitor. Here's a vid of a vet using a Doppler unit:


If the vet thinks a stroke is a possibility then I think it would be a reasonable first step in any investigation to check for hypertension, hence my question about whether he had measured Rosie's BP. If he does check and her BP is raised it may be a transient issue due to infection or other issue (i.e. stress-related) but if he does detect high BP be sure to ask him to do an eye examination, preferably including a measurement of intraocular pressure if possible. (I'm suggesting the latter for thoroughness; diabetics need to be extra careful about these things.)


Mogs
.
 
Hi Carol,

I'm not sure whether you've yet encountered recently-joined member Jennie (@Nederland). She is a moderator on the Dutch diabetic cats' forum and they have a lot of knowledge about using Caninsulin. Jennie has also used Lantus and she knows about the experiences of other members of the Dutch forum who have switched to either Prozinc or Lantus.

I've just seen this post by Jennie on another thread discussing switching from Caninsulin to a different insulin and I thought it might be helpful to you:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ed-too-high-a-dose.156816/page-3#post-1671323


Mogs
.
 
Thank you for all the helpful advice and links.

Rosie is up and about this morning, walking is mostly steady now and jumping up is okay but jumping down is a bit of a disaster and she wobbles or falls as she lands. BG was 16.4 @2 hours after eating so not great.

Spoke to vet just now and he wants to leave her over the weekend to let the meds kick in and then review on Monday. I asked about changing insulin if she needs it and he said we can long term but he wants her to go back on caninsulin first as she responded so well to it before.
I asked about ears and he said she wasn't showing any signs of ear problems but he will have a look next visit, I forgot about bp but I will ask him to check it when we go in.

I really can't work out what's going on, I asked if it could be neuropathy (she doesn't walk on her hocks) as her back legs seem weak but vet doesn't think she had uncontrolled diabetes long enough for it to be that.
It's very frustrating. But she is eating fine and seems okay in herself so I just have to wait and see. Xx
 
Hi Carol. Sorry Rosie is having so much trouble! When was the last time she had any blood work done? Has your vet checked her potassium level lately? Low potassium can cause weakness and wobbling, and one of the first symptoms lots of people notice is weakened back legs. It also sounds like the position of her head causes exacerbation of her symptoms, so it could be an ear problem. Last but not least, is there any chance she might have sustained a slight injury to her neck or spine while she was outside playing? Doubtful that's what's causing her problems but throwing it out there, just to take everything into consideration.
 
(((Carol))), it is very worrying when our kitties are unwell, but also very frustrating when we don't have a diagnosis. ...Though, from what you say, it sounds as though there is a slight improvement..?

A couple of questions:
Has the hometesting got any easier? (Just wondering, because if you go back onto Caninsulin you'll then be able to monitor and hopefully 'nip any problems in the bud').
And what is Rosie eating at the moment? And might it be possible to feed her something slightly lower carb? I do realise she's already on a low carb diet, but just wondering if it's possible to inch it down a bit and lower her blood glucose levels in the process.....

Huge hugs to you,

Eliz
 
Thank you for the suggestions, any idea are gratefully received.

The vet takes a blood test every time we go and tests her glucose levels, not sure what he does with the rest of it. They have testing facilities onsite so he may check but I'm not sure. If he doesn't, the last test would be when she was hospitalised at the end of February
She could have fallen because she tried to get on the fence this morning and nearLy fell of but managed to balance, that confuses me too though because if her balance was so off she wouldn't have been able to right herself?

Eliz
Yes, unbelievably, the home testing is much better, well at least in the sense that Rosie tolerates me doing it, I don't always get blood but I'm getting there!
She eats a variety but mostly, encore chicken, thrive chicken and turkey or fish, Sheba fine flakes poultry, fresh chicken. I use the online checker and stick to food below 5% carbs.

Rosie has been walking okay today with just a couple of wobbles and ate well this morning. She hasn't eaten her tea and seems lethargic this afternoon, could that be the effects of the higher blood glucose? I find I'm worrying over everything ATM especially as it is now the weekend. Fortunately my vet has a 24hour service. Xx
 
Carol, I don't have any advice I'm afraid but just to say that I think you're doing really well. I know what it's like when it gets to the weekend and you're worrying over your kitty but as you say, Rosie seems ok in herself so take heart from that. She has a lovely diet so hopefully she will eat her tea soon - it's been much warmer today and that can make all of us less peckish and more lethargic...

Hugs to you - hang in there!

Diana x
 
Everyone on here is sooo kind and you all seem to have the knack of saying the right thing to make people feel better!

Thank you for your kind words and support Diana, it's very much appreciated. Rosie has eaten now, not as much as usual but enough, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief! Xx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top