Cat in DKA BG 600

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agg1966

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My cat, Louis, is at the vet with DKA. He was just diagnosed early this afternoon. His BG was 600. I called the vet for an update and his BG is now 400....four hours later....is that good progress? Thanks!!
 
Yes, a lower bg level does mean progress. DKA is a deadly complication but we do have many cats here who recover. The ER is the best place for your kitty to be. One thing you can do is to take in an unwashed tshirt so he can sleep on something that smells like home.

One way to help Louis when he comes home is to learn to hometest and be ready when he comes home. Here is how we do it: Video for hometesting We test before each shot to make sure it is safe to give the amount of insulin we are planning on, and we test mid cycle to see how the insulin is working. We have taught hundreds of people how to do it over the internet; we would love to help you learn.
 
Yes, that is progress, now you have a lot to learn .... a cat that goes into DKA throws off ketones
and you will need to monitor those when you bring him home, you use ketone strips. As you can tell
by my signature, my cat Payne has survived DKA 3x .... I believe the last two could have been avoided
had I learned some basics earlier. I agree, learning to test his BG #'s is so important. You have a
wealth of information here and many people willing to teach you, good luck.
 
I am no "expert" on anything as my cat, Kitty, was just dx. with Diabetes about a month ago.

That being said, she was dx. with DKA last Sunday and ended up at the emergency vet just like Louis. I will share my experience, so maybe you can relate to it.

Kitty's BG was 587 when she went in and her Ketone level was 50. She also was suffering from a terrible UTI. The vet started her on regular insulin (once the Ketones were gone she went back on PZI), and just like Louis her BG started to come down. She was also started on fluids (her electrolytes were out of balance--especially her potassium) and within 36 hours the Ketones had disappeared. She stayed in the vet until Friday---but, some of that was due to trying to get her UTI under control. She was on fluids until Wednesday.

She came home Friday and has had a good weekend.

I have purchased Ketone strips and will start testing at home twice a week.

I don't have much more to offer, as I don't have a lot of experience with any of this---BUT, maybe this will give you some encouragement. I was really scared, so I know how you feel.

Best of Luck to you and Louis.

Kim
 
Hi agg1966, and, of course, you too, extra-sweet Louis,

My Gizmo was diagnosed extra-sweet and DKA in the same breath. I was pretty much hysterical at the time, but remember her BG was 580-something... She spent three days in ICU at the ER vet hospital. I wasn't allowed to visit -- hospital policy, not mine -- but, was allowed to bring her treats... Positively cleaned out my fridge, and included a tuna sandwich and a banana for her vet...

We danced our sugar dance for four more years. She was 14 at diagnosis and was 18 when she decided her work here was sadly done... It had nothing to do with diabetes. It probably had more to her having like 90 years of life experience as a cat...









Who can't love a cat named Louis?!




I can't tell you if this is good progress after four hours, dear agg1966. Every cat is different. What I can tell you is Louis's BGs are coming down, and that is a good thing!

Can also give you a couple of questions to ask on your next phone call, which I sense you will make. Is Louis eating okay? Can you bring him a t-shirt that you've worn and haven't washed yet or something from home that smells like you or him? Can you bring him some of his usual food? Can you bring him some toys, not that he's probably going to feel like playing with them right now; but, he might like knowing he could...? You know, comfort kind of parent/Louis stuff...


DKA can take a lot out of them, dear agg1966. But, that doesn't mean Louis won't return full form at some point. Giz sure as hell did! It took a few weeks before we figured out our new dance steps... Okay, and a hot pad I practiced shooting that bore a remarkable resemblance to her scruff...

And, then one night when I came home from work, she greeted me at the door, and I knew we were good to go...




Did I mention we danced for four more years?












As much outside love from purrfect strangers and encouraging hugs as you and Louis can handle,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...

PS: KetoStix test for ketones in pee. KetoDiastix test for ketones and glucose (just the presence, not the BG) in pee. Both require catching pee... Giz was a really high pee-er. Nikki has really short legs... We can discuss pee-catching methods when you come back, dear agg1966... And, please do! It's not nearly as yucky as you might be thinking.
 
Dear agg1966,

How is Louis? How are you?

Please post an update when you can, okay?

Not stalking or nagging, just sending more hugs for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...
 
Louis was doing better this morning....able to hold his head up....seemed more alert. The vet told me that today he stood a little and tried to used the litter box.....so I was pumped!! When I went to see him this afternoon, he didn't respond at all. Vet said they can't get him to eat. She said by this time tomorrow, if he isn't better, a decision will have to be made. It's only been a little over 24 hours. Is she being too hasty? Please help.
 
I think that your vet is being too hasty in that it has only been 24 hours. With 24/7 care, it took Jake 6 days to recover from DKA. I am sure others will tell you the same or similar. Below is Jake's story copied and pasted from another message I posted in February of this year if you want to read what actually took place. Please do not give up!!

Judy





Dear Lantus Land folks,

One year ago today, Jake came home from the E.R. after a close call of death at the hands of his veterinarian. It was you that advised me to rescue him from this vet's hospital where he was being "treated" for DKA after this same veterinarian had previously taken him off his insulin due to "fluctuating" numbers. Duh! Because this veterinarian's treatment of DKA was not successful (she was sending him at home with me each night so he would not die at her place), she wanted to put Jake to sleep to cover up her mistake. I was in a "temporary insanity" state when I agreed to this procedure; I had trusted this vet after being a patron there for many years. Just two hours before the "time," I got on the other feline diabetes board (I do not know about you at the time) and a wonderful woman named Paige guided me to you where I immediately posted Jake's situation. Immediately I was inundated with replies with themes to get Jake out of there, 24/7 care, E.R., feeding tube, etc. I immediately went to this vet's hospital (I overheard the vet state that she was dismayed that she had not gotten the "deed" done earlier in the day) and rescued Jake; I have never set foot in that place again. Jake who was a little more than 17-1/2 years old at the time spent 6 days in the E.R. where he received R insulin through an IV 24/7 for a while before going back on his Lantus and slowly but surely recovered from the acidosis. He came home with a feeding tube, but was eating on his own within a couple of weeks. Jake went officially went into remission May 13, 2010 (last insulin was April 29, 2010)just after his 18th birthday. Thanks to you guys, he is still with us and is healthier than he has been in a long time. God willing, he will be 19 May 1st, 2011. We are so grateful to you and will never forget.

Judy
 
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