Cat very sick, help

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Gracie'smom

Gracie'smom

Member Since 2014
I got home an hour ago and I could hear her crying through the door. She goes in and out of the litter box every minutes but can't go. She pacing around, panting at times and acting very strange (going into unusual places, starching in the tub like a litter box) I tried to feed her, she had one lick and threw up really badly. She has her does of insulin this morning and ate lunch. (Yes I know not to give her insulin if she is not eating) I absolutely cannot afford to take her to the vet on an emergency, I cannot afford to take her to the vet for a regular visit, all my money is gone to insulin an syringes. I talked to the vet on call, he said he can't 'tell me anything without seeing her. I cannot get care credit. Is there anything I can do for her at home?
 
Sounds like a bad UTI or possible blockage and if it is either of those conditions, she needs to be seen by a vet. Do you have a meter and can you test her to see where she is at?

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
I m sorry I know how hard it is when your cat is unwell and you have no money but I agree I think you need to take her to the vet. As mel said it could be a urinary tract infection or maybe she is backed up. Either way it's awful to see them in pain and distress.

When did she last pass a motion? This website is great if she is constipated but I would still advise the vet I'm afraid.

http://www.felineconstipation.org
 
Can you tell if she's peed or pooped? It could be constipation too. Diabetic cats, even those in remission tend to get constipated. That's how my kitty acts when he's constipated and can't go, he'll go in and out of the litter box, then he'll throw up, then he'll pee outside the box, then he'll start leaving little bits of liquid poop everywhere and finally he'll pass some solid poop and it's all over. Thanks to me adding pumpkin in his food he's been very regular. I just started by mixing a toothpick tip amount in his food and gradually increased until his poop was too soft. The ideal dosage is currently about two toothpick tips of pumpkin per meal.
 
I live in upstate NY. Today is she is dragging her behind on the floor. She had to have her anal glads drained before so made it's that.
 
If anal glands are a problem now, the application of a warm, moist compress may help them express on their own. Adding a small amount of psyllium fiber to the diet may help keep them functioning more normally.

Going to the litterbox repeatedly and not having much to produce is more suggestive of a urinary infection of constipation.
 
I still think that you should take her to the vets before the weekend. Can't you take her to your normal vet and explain that you have no money and ask to pay at a later date or pay part now and part later on. My vet is very accommodating, especially as they know that I have spent a lot of money there. You don't want it getting worse and having to go to an emergency vet this weekend.

Has she passed a stool recently. That link I gave about constipation gives suggestions about what you do to help make them go.
 
I'm at the vet, they are worried she has keytones and the test is $300. Is the a way to test for this at home?
 
I do not understand the $300 cost. If yo can catch a urine sample you can just go to a human pharmacy and purchase test trips that test for ketones. Maybe $15 for 25 strips.
 
They tested her urine, but said they can't always tell just from the urine. She had a UTI and they expressed her anal glands. Said it was critical I get a curve on her.
 
You can do a curve yourself at home with an inexpensive human glucometer, matching test strips, and 26-27 gauge lancets. Cost is maybe $20-$30 total. The WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm micro takes the smallest blood droplet, and has reasonably priced test strips.

A curve just means testing ever 2 hours from pre-shot to pre_shot.
 
The $300 test for not for a the curve, it was for keytone testing.

So her level was 389 the Thursday night without insulin. She ate at midnight Friday and got 1 unit of insulin (that's the only insulin she got all day.) This morning her pre-insulin level was 258. Seems like a big difference? Can someone also tell me approximately how much the Relion reading is usually "off" from a feline/pet meter?
 
Gracie'smom said:
The $300 test for not for a the curve, it was for keytone testing.

So her level was 389 the Thursday night without insulin. She ate at midnight Friday and got 1 unit of insulin (that's the only insulin she got all day.) This morning her pre-insulin level was 258. Seems like a big difference? Can someone also tell me the approximately how much the Relion reading is usually "off" from a feline/pet meter?
Click to expand...

I think most people on the board use a human meter.
 
Um, I know... that's why I thought someone would know. I'm confused by your response because that's not what I asked.

I saw the information somewhere on this site, but can't find it. I'm not asking someone to calculate my reading, I'm just asking what the difference usually is. I'm sure I can find out from my vet Monday, it just seemed like common knowledge around here.
 
If you look at BJM's signature a couple of responses ago click on the link that says Glucometer Notes. It's a great reference with approximate ranges for human vs pet meter readings.
 
Certainly wouldn't have thought to look there.

So it's about an 18 point difference to make it simple for anyone else who might want to know.
 
I am glad you took Gracie to the vet. Are they treating her for the UTI infection? Is she on an antibiotic?

The reason they are worried about keytones is because she has an infection, hasn't eaten as much as normal and hasn't been getting her insulin. Hopefully if the UTI gets better she will eat more and be able to have her insulin.
 
Gracie'smom said:
Certainly wouldn't have thought to look there.

So it's about an 18 point difference to make it simple for anyone else who might want to know.
Click to expand...

It is about 18 mg/dL at the low end. Once you get up to numbers over 300, it is irrelevant. High is high and you need to work on reducing it.

Its the +/- 20% variation from what a lab would get that makes high numbers impossible to convert. A span of 40% around 100 is 80 to 120; up at 500, that 20% span is from 400-600.
 
I find the tone our your responses unnecessary. I won't post here again unless it's an emergency. In that case I'd apperciate if you didn't respond.

And phlika29, I never said I didn't understand why they were concerned.

The pettiness is really unfortunate, it's too bad there isn't more kindness among people with sick pets.

BJM said:
Gracie'smom said:
Certainly wouldn't have thought to look there.

So it's about an 18 point difference to make it simple for anyone else who might want to know.
Click to expand...

It is about 18 mg/dL at the low end. Once you get up to numbers over 300, it is irrelevant. High is high and you need to work on reducing it.

Its the +/- 20% variation from what a lab would get that makes high numbers impossible to convert. A span of 40% around 100 is 80 to 120; up at 500, that 20% span is from 400-600.
Click to expand...
 
Er actually all I have tried to be is helpful and supportive. Sorry if this hasn't come across but it sounds like you are misreading people here. No worries and best of luck with it all.
 
That was intended as a clarification.

Many folks think these home glucometers are like scales and very, very accurate, reliable, and precise. They aren't. They give you some clues about the important range - going too low can be deadly, quickly, but precision at high ranges isn't really needed.

If you get caught up focusing on the numbers, you may miss the important stuff like your cat is drinking less, not flooding the litter box any more, the appetite is reasonable, not ravenous, the coat is groomed, the dandruff going away, and now, the normal behaviors are back play, or cuddling, or vocalizing, etc.

And if I think something is important to share, I will do so, as will a lot of folks here. Many of us will be direct in what we say. Such is the nature of message boards. If you heard my voice, the intonation I use is typically explanatory, because I am an information kind of person.
 
I understand why you might be upset. But it's very hard to tell tone in the written word. But I have found BJM's comments to be a little abrasive myself. It took me a while to realize it myself but the Board and people here really are here to help you. I am convinced they have saved the life of my cat. Give them/us a chance and I think you'll be glad you did.

I'll be looking forward to your updates on how your kitty is doing

Juliet and Silver
 
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