FurBabiesMama
Member Since 2017
This morning, Willow's breath has a smell I would describe as sweet but chemically... maybe sickeningly sweet would be another way to describe it (like a fake sweet-flavored medicine or something). I think this must be what is normally described as a 'fruity acetone smell' (doesn't smell like acetone to me though) which I have read can be a sign of ketoacidosis. She is not diabetic, and I just tested her glucose (first time ever), and it is definitely not high at all. I will not be able to test for ketones until at least tonight, possibly tomorrow. Is that okay? I have no experience with this, so if it is more urgent than that, I do not want to risk causing an emergency. Also, could something else be causing the smell? Any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated!
Here is more info for anyone that cares to keep reading...
This has never happened. Her last full blood work was in June. She had a urinalysis and protein/creatinine ratio in September, and everything was normal. We did that test because back in June there had been an indication that she may have the earliest signs of DKA. The plan is to check the urine every three months, so we would be doing that again in December. Her eating, drinking, litter box use all seems normal. The ONLY thing that has been different with her at all is that she has been extra whiny the last few days. She is a very spoiled mama's girl who has become very vocal as she has gotten older. (She is 17 1/2 and is my 'heart' kitty.) I am used to her crying when it is about an hour before any meal time (even if there is food left in her bowl from the last mean) or time for her to get medicine (she also gets chicken as a treat) or when she wants me to love on her or just be with her (especially while I am trying to sleep at night). But, it has been worse the last few days. I think most of it is the time change - instead of starting the crying an hour before a food time, she starts an hour and a half or two hours before, so she spends a lot more time crying. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that - it may have nothing to do with anything, but it is the only difference in behavior I can think of.
I was going to attempt to test her with the Keto-Mojo blood ketone meter I have for Mia, but my strips have all just expired (Mia has been well regulated for so long and has never had ketone issues, so I extremely rarely test her). I would have liked to test with the expired strips since they JUST expired, and it would be better than nothing, but the meter will not do a test with expired strips. I can order more and have them by tomorrow. I thought of running to the drug store to get urine ketone strips, but I am not going to be able to watch her closely enough today to be able to test fresh pee, so that would be tonight or probably tomorrow, too.
Here is more info for anyone that cares to keep reading...
This has never happened. Her last full blood work was in June. She had a urinalysis and protein/creatinine ratio in September, and everything was normal. We did that test because back in June there had been an indication that she may have the earliest signs of DKA. The plan is to check the urine every three months, so we would be doing that again in December. Her eating, drinking, litter box use all seems normal. The ONLY thing that has been different with her at all is that she has been extra whiny the last few days. She is a very spoiled mama's girl who has become very vocal as she has gotten older. (She is 17 1/2 and is my 'heart' kitty.) I am used to her crying when it is about an hour before any meal time (even if there is food left in her bowl from the last mean) or time for her to get medicine (she also gets chicken as a treat) or when she wants me to love on her or just be with her (especially while I am trying to sleep at night). But, it has been worse the last few days. I think most of it is the time change - instead of starting the crying an hour before a food time, she starts an hour and a half or two hours before, so she spends a lot more time crying. Anyway, I just wanted to mention that - it may have nothing to do with anything, but it is the only difference in behavior I can think of.
I was going to attempt to test her with the Keto-Mojo blood ketone meter I have for Mia, but my strips have all just expired (Mia has been well regulated for so long and has never had ketone issues, so I extremely rarely test her). I would have liked to test with the expired strips since they JUST expired, and it would be better than nothing, but the meter will not do a test with expired strips. I can order more and have them by tomorrow. I thought of running to the drug store to get urine ketone strips, but I am not going to be able to watch her closely enough today to be able to test fresh pee, so that would be tonight or probably tomorrow, too.
