Diabetic again? Antibiotic question...Please Help!

[Caryn and Powder]

My Powder (12 years old) was originally diagnosed as a diabetic back in January 2012. He was on .5 u of Lantus for about 1.5 months along with fancy feast classics and he went into remission. He has not been himself at all for the last few weeks. I took him to the vet yesterday. He had a temp of 104 and has a lump in his abdomon. The vet gave him fluids and prescribed amoxicillian drops so he will get stable enough for surgery to see about the lump. Ever since he was at the vet, his sugar levels are rising. He is at 357 right now. I do not know whether to start insulin again or if it is stress from the vet visit. Is the amoxicillian safe for him...the drops seem to have a sweet strawberry smell. PLEASE HELP. I am really worried about him.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Amoxcycillin will not contribute to diabetes. so you have no worries with that.

It could be that whatever is wrong, hence the need for antibiotics is why the bg's are high and once you get that issue resolved, the bg may go back to normal. However, it is also possible that using insulin may also help.

Hopefully the lump will not be anything to be concerned with and the antibiotics will help matters.

I'm sorry, that I can't provide any definitive answers, have you discussed this with the vet?

As long as he isn't getting sick because of the amoxcycyllin - meaning not vomiting after, etc. he should be fine. I say this, because it turns out that Maui is allergic to this particular drug.

 

[Caryn and Powder]

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately because it is Sunday, I cannot get a hold of my vet. I tested his numbers today because he started urinating a lot agin and thats when he was at 357. The last time I tested him about 5 days ago, he was at 140. I thought maybe it was the stress of everything and I just do not know whether to start shots agin. He isn't eating very well either today. I will be in touch with my vet in the morning. I just hope it is safe to wait till then.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

With those BGs I would start insulin.

 

[Caryn and Powder]

He doesn't want to eat so I do not want to give a shot. I guess I will keep trying to get some food into him and take it from there at least until tomorrow.

 

[BJM]

If he is not eating, his glucose is high, and he has an infection, he is at risk for ketones.

If you don't already have urine test strips and haven't been testing for ketones, please see my signature link for secondary monitoring tools and get what you need to test for ketones asap.

Note: his breath could have a fruity or nail polish-like odor if he has ketones, but not always! You have to test to be sure!

A very token dose (a drop) of insulin may bring his glucose down a bit and help him feel better - similar to what a vet might suggest during a fasting period before a dental.

Keep trying with the food, use a syringe if necessary. If you can't get him to eat for a day, he may need another vet visit.

 

[Blue]

If you start insulin again, will you be using a fresh Lantus, or are you going to use the same pen/vial?
You will likely need to start a fresh one.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Chances are that if you are giving liquid amoxicillen, it's in a sugar syrup solution -- it's usually in a sucrose solution. Infection or other forms of stress from an illness can also raise BG. I hope you've had a chance to talk to your vet and start insulin.