Diabetic-hypoglycemic crisis 2 wks ago-anorexia

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petuniafish

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Help! My cats been diagnosed w diabetes for just over a year. Her blood sugar has never been under control. Always in the 250-350 range at home :-| But she's always had a good appetite. Weight has been great. HUGE amounts of urine and water intake. Despite her excellent kidney function tests, knew her kidneys were in big trouble. With her high sugar levels was giving her 5u two x daily and she's been under a vets care. Two weeks ago found her under the bed, comatose, drooling- raced her to vet and her blood sugar was < 20! She stayed over night and looked great in the morning. Because her blood sugar was still high on discharge vet advised 5u two x day again. WRONG! Her blood sugar was 20 two days later.
So two weeks later, appetite very poor. Her usual is high protein Fancy Feast Classic. She is eating 1/4 can a day. Have tried EVERYTHING else to whet her appetite. She'll have nothing to do with it. She's shying away from love. Vet says she most likely has cancer somewhere in the gut. Since we've spent over $2,000
on her care in 6 months, he says it's time to stop. I could do an ultrasound but he says surgery is not going to help. She's 10.
Thoughts?
 
It very much sounds like you went too high on her insulin dose.

What insulin?
Have you got a spreadsheet set up, or an electronic file with a history of her tests? It will help us to see her historical data.
Do you test before every shot?
Do you test mid-cycle, ar roughly 6 hours after the insulin?

Some appetitite stimulants include:
Warming the food to make it smellier
Sprinkling with Parmesan cheese
Sprinkling with Forti Flora
Playing with her to trigger the catch, kill, eat pattern
Hand feeding
 
Hi!
Wow. Um, what type of insulin is she on?
You said she's eating 1/4 of 1 can a day? That's less than 1 oz of food.
OK, just off the top of my head..... She's been overdosed with insulin for a long time. If she's been down to 20, and more than once that you have seen, chances are she's been hypoglycemic multiple times that you haven't seen.

You absolutely must get her to eat. Have you tried syringe feeding?
I would not assume "she's got cancer somewhere" to be correct? Has the vet done any tests to arrive at a dx of cancer?
10 years old is not old. It's early middle-aged.

Is she on 5u BID right now? You aren't giving any insulin with numbers around 200 and no food intake, are you? She can't have insulin unless she is eating.

Please fill in the blanks?
Carl
 
I would guess that her BG swinging wildly has her feeling pretty crummy. Kazi had very little appetite until I got her BG under control - still not a big eater but eating much better now that her BG stays more stable. Have you tried getting her to eat other brands, flavors? Baby food (with no onion or garlic) ? Gravy foods?
 
Cats stop eating for various reasons. You have to get food into your cat or the cat will develop fatter liver and be in worse shape. A cat needs about 5 to 6 ounces of food a day. Can your assist feed the cat with a syringe?
 
To every kind person who has replied. Feel my little kitty is headed home. She has become very quiet. Not eating or drinking.
No pooping or peeing. Won't let me touch her. She was just barely interested in her favorite toy. She can walk, but very slowly.
Hunches over the water bowl. She doesn't behave like she is in pain but she is purring almost constantly and LOUDLY so realize that
it *could* be pain or she may be trying to calm herself.

Her history...run terribly high blood sugars for six months now, daily BS >300. A 250 thereabouts once a week or so. Have tried every insulin
available, but PZI gave her the best "control", if >300 can be called control. Nothing else brought her <400 even at max. doses for her weight. Her urine output has been massive in the last six months, specific gravity always very low. As a nurse knew that those high glucose levels were devastating her kidneys, and other organs. Vet tried valiantly to bring under control, but without even doing an ultrasound said he was certain it was chronic pancreatitis, insulinoma, hepatic encephalopathy, or cancer somewhere in the gut.

Carl, you asked about the possibility of insulin overdose all along...since we took her blood sugar daily and with her all day long, very much doubt it.
Every insulin we tried had little effect even at max doses for her weight. She had insulin resistance beyond anything our vet has seen. I continued taking her blood sugars and giving PZI on the faint hope that something in her little body would change. On the day she became comatose, her blood sugar was 320 four hours previously. Again that 320 blood sugar was her normal and no signs of hypoglycemia in the days and weeks preceeding. Was hoping that it was an outrageous anomaly, but when it happened 2 days later knew something bad was in process. Vet's prognosis was poor. Of course I stopped insulin altogether in the last two weeks with her waning appetite.

She's not eating today- maybe 2 tsps yesterday. Tried to get her BS a few hours ago- she screamed, never does that. Tried 3 times with no success. I'm a pediatric nurse and have a perfect success rate getting blood, and take it as another sign she's dehydrated and circulatory system shutting down.
So she's sitting in her condo, eyes half shut, purring LOUDLY (which scares me- doesn't act like she's in pain but never know!)

I could bring her in to vet, get labs, ultrasound, rehydration, etc, but maybe at the point where it's enough for her. She's devastated every time we go in, and particularly the last couple weeks. It's at that awful stage where you start to beat on yourself for all the things you may have missed in the past. And now beating myself for indecision about her future course. I vacillate from moment to moment.

My last cat died of CRF at age 20 and I kept her alive and sadly suffering way too long. Want to let little "White Cat" be with us until she is no longer comfortable. Thinking it won't be long. Unfortunately we are having houseguests, little 1 yr and 3 yr grandkids and their parents tomorrow. Parents aren't cat people and won't understand my hovering around little White Cat. Very awkward, but the way it is. I won't let her suffer, but want to keep her with us as long as we can. So hard to evaluate as you all know!

Thanks for listening everyone. Deeply appreciate your words of wisdom, caring and prayers. Will write again. Love to you all. Nancy
 
I am so sorry to hear this, Nancy.

I have heard that purring can also be a sign of pain in cats, so she may be in pain.

It is always hard to let go and choose the exact right time for it. I always thought better a day too soon than a day too late. You have certainly nursed her with incredible care and patience and she has been blessed to have a home full of love. What better life could a kitty wish for?

You will make the right decision at the right time because it will be made with love. I am so, so sorry.
 
Thanks soooo much Sue. Your words are giving me a much needed cry! She looks comfortable but that purring really worries me.
Going to watch her closely today. She's resting (sort of) in the sun, looks comfortable (darn I hope she is!) but then there is this LOUD purring.
Can't let her go when she seems peaceful. But then again they are so guarded with their relative "peacefulness".
I really really appreciate your most loving and kind words. Thanks and much love to you and Oliver. Nancy
 
petuniafish said:
To every kind person who has replied. Feel my little kitty is headed home. She has become very quiet. Not eating or drinking.
No pooping or peeing. Won't let me touch her. She was just barely interested in her favorite toy. She can walk, but very slowly.
Hunches over the water bowl. She doesn't behave like she is in pain but she is purring almost constantly and LOUDLY so realize that
it *could* be pain or she may be trying to calm herself.

I'm a pediatric nurse and have a perfect success rate getting blood, and take it as another sign she's dehydrated and circulatory system shutting down.
So she's sitting in her condo, eyes half shut, purring LOUDLY (which scares me- doesn't act like she's in pain but never know!)
Click to expand...

Dear Nancy

She is telling you what needs to happen - She's not eating. She's not drinking. She's not pooping. She's not peeing.

... She's letting go.

I'm so sorry. I think it s time to let her go quietly and comfortably - can you get a vet to the house?
 
I could bring her in to vet, get labs, ultrasound, rehydration, etc, but maybe at the point where it's enough for her. She's devastated every time we go in, and particularly the last couple weeks. It's at that awful stage where you start to beat on yourself for all the things you may have missed in the past. And now beating myself for indecision about her future course. I vacillate from moment to moment.
Click to expand...

Dear Nancy and sweet White Cat,
I am so, so sorry. It does sound like her body just won't respond to insulin of any type or any dose. Please Nancy, do not beat on yourself about the past. And I am sure that in your heart, you know the future course, and that what you choose will be done out of love. All of us are faced at one time or another with this decision. It is inevitable - as soon as our beloved pets become a part of our lives, we know that one day, we are going to be faced with a choice, because they will only be a part of our lives for a limited time. But we take them in, and love them without limit anyway. That makes us special. It makes you special.
My heart and thoughts are with you, and I just wish there were some magic words that would make this easy, but I have none that can do that.

I wish peace for you and for White Cat,
Carl
 
Thanks BJ. Know it's probably time but I'm not ready. She seems comfortable, except for the purring. I live on the ocean and can always here the sound of the ocean inside, but can still hear her purring softly above that. She'll let me sit and scratch her ears. Husband also asks me to wait until she develops more signs that she's ready, even tho we both understand clearly that this is the end. I JUST CAN'T do it unless I KNOW she's in pain. I'll probably be kicking myself in a few days but it would feel very uncomfortable bringing a purring, "everything on the outside looking good" kitty in for euthanasia. Unfortunately I live in very rural area where it's too far for vets to make housecalls unless it's a farm animal.
I'll keep close in touch here- if and when there are changes in her status will post. Thank you all for all your caring...much love from Nancy and White Cat
 
Carl....thank you so much. Your gentle words make me weep.
Very grateful to have found you and the others at this site to get through this sad time.
Like everyone else in the last days and hours always looking for some miracle as part of my denial.
White Cat is sleeping very peacefully (purring) in her bed next to me. It would be such a blessing if she passed as she slept.....
Thanks so very much to you and sending love to you and yours. Nancy and White Cat
 
Nancy,
I also have wished so much for that "pass while you sleep" over the years. So far it hasn't happened, but still I wish for it. It would be my wish that some day, Bob goes that way. He's my first "sugarcat" and although I have had a couple dozen kitties take over my life in the last 3 decades, the bond between he and I, due to this past year, is stronger than with any other. I will hold out hope that White Cat can somehow recover from whatever it is that is going on. All I can give you is that you will know if the time comes that it is "the right thing". When your heart and your mind reach the same conclusion. But not until then.

Carl
 
Oh Carl....the heart is what hopes for a miracle, but I realize there are none coming! And like you, have never had a pet
die in sleep. Sadly I realize sweet White Cat is on her little last legs, maybe her last hours, her body has given out. I've watch
some families with patients in hospice even up til moments before death, hoping for a miracle. A mixed blessing I guess- our hope and our denial.
Going to leave my post for a little bit and take a shower. Dying human patients often wait til family leaves the room to give up the spirit.
It might be what my little cat is waiting for. You and Bob are a treasure. Nancy
 
Re: Diabetic-hypoglycemic crisis 2 wks ago-anorexia UPDATE

The Cat Whisperer:
Have written a lot about my little "White Cat" today. She is end stage. Today she did not eat, pee, poop and was very
subdued- stayed in her little condo all day. Just purring. I've come to grip,s but like most of us in that terrible turmoil
of trying to decide how best to help her be comfortable and when the "time" is to go to the vet for help.
My neighbor is a real life cat whisperer. She has a beautiful cattery in her home and rescues cats who are way, way beyond
rescue. One of her cats was found with an arrow through it's skull, and a bullet grazing the lung. She financed his surgeries and
recovery and loved that kitty (and ten others with similar stories) back to health and happiness. The cat is 18 years old now.
Andrea, the Cat Whisperer, is wealthy woman, and spends her life not only caring for cats and dogs but others in need of love and help.

My White Cat came to us as a rescue at age 7- she'd spent her entire life in a 2x2 cage. After a year of attention we could NOT connect
with her. She remained distant and hostile. Enter the Cat Whisperer neighbor who watched White Cat for a week while we were on vacation. Andrea did her magic.
When we came home White Cat was a DIFFERENT CAT. Loving, purring, playful. And we've had a beautiful relationship with her the last 2 years- sweetest most loving of all our cat family history. This story sounds far fetched but what can I say? (My neighbor also knows me more than I know myself!)

Fast forward to today and little White Cat who is most likely getting ready to depart soon. The Cat Whisperer was vacationing out of the
country. hated to disturb her but of course.... she knew I was calling anyway. I called her while I was sitting on chair about 12 feet from
where White Cat had rested in her condo all day listless. As soon as I started speaking with the Cat Whisperer Andrea, White Cat came out of her condo- sat and stared
at me while we chatted. My neighbor told me what White Cat was trying to talk to me. As she spoke to me, my goodness, White Cat came down walked across
the room lay down in front of me, invited me to play! She knew who was on the phone. We talked awhile about what our "process" should be and
soon ended the call. White Cat walked away, used the litter, had a tiny bite, some water and went to bed.

White and I had our heart to heart, and now she is sleeping- purring. Take this as only a story if you are a skeptic. I would if I were the reader.
We are so very fortunate to have Andrea The Cat Whisperer in our lives. She is a treasure.
 
Nancy,
I am not skeptical. That is a beautiful story. And thank you, even at this late date, for sharing so much about White Cat with us. You've seen what you've seen. And it's amazing. You are a very lucky bean. And blessed with a beautiful person for a neighbor.

Carl
 
Carl- I looked at your website- what a loving gift you bring to this world. Hope to be able to help out. I have an aggressive male cat or I would
take one of these angels home in a heartbeat. Love to you...Nancy with White Cat
 
Nancy, many of us here on FDMB have used Animal Communicators to help us so we believe as we have been helped also. Many of us also have used Reiki on ourselves and our cats and we believe in that also.

Sending prayers that if it is time for WhiteCat to leave, she does so peacefully in her own way.
 
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