Dialated Pupils

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Harleysmom25

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ok some may not consider this 911, but i'm freaking out...when I took Harlye's blood this am on 8/2 it was 399 last night 8/1 it was 296...I know that can vary, but just noticed something that I actually noticed yesterday but didn't dawn on me, but his pupils are dialted...they don't even go down in bright light to a slit..they have been wide open for 2 days...what is going on with my buddy? He has been doing so good, but just realized they were like this yesterday as well...does this have something to do with the neropothy or is it something with the keotones????? Please help me i'm SOO worried....
 
Hello,
you need to take your kitty to an ER immediately. I believe this is a strong indication of very high blood pressure &/or kidney disease. This may lead to blindness and even quick death. I am so sorry to be saying this but please do so STAT!

Praying for you and your kitty,
Sophie
 
Sophie,

I called the ER vet as no one had answered me for a bit and they told me to watch him overnight...do you think this has something to do with his BG or his neuropathy? I asked them that and they just said to watch it and call them back as needed, but i'm still worried...he is still acting "kindof" normal...other than he is very loving and that is not soo unusual other than the incestant wanting to sit on my lap....they said to call the regular vet in the am....he seems fine other than that and his BG level is fine..I just started home testing and that make him a little "hard" to deal with....

How long have you been dealing with this...it is soo scary being new to all this every little thing scares the ever living hell out of me
 
I have not personally dealt with it, but researched it when I saw your post just now. If you spoke to an ER vet with experience in this, then, you need to decide what to do. If the kitty were mine I would take him in. It's my impression that high blood pressure is poorly understood by a lot of vets. So sorry to be saying this. Where are you located? How many hours to your morning? Sophie
Sophie
 
Ask the ER vet 1) about high blood pressure; 2) renal disease

Do you now that your kitty's kidneys are healthy?
Sophie
 
TY again Sophie, it is now 3:20am here....his last check he had no keotones...so kidneys are fine...I didn't ask about blood pressure as I didn't even think about it I was just worried about the sugar...i'm calling them back now..ty for info!
 
hey there, i would have his blood pressure checked as soon as your vet can get you in. and fwiw, ketones don't have anything to do with kidney as far as i know so no ketones doesn't mean the kidneys are ok. if a kidney panel hasn't been done recently i would have that done too.

i have a kitty who went blind due to high blood pressure. we didn't know about the blood pressure until i noticed his huge eyes and their not responding to light and unfortunately it was too late for his eyes. he never regained any sight but he's adapted wonderfully and his blood pressure is controlled with an itty bitty bit of medicine once a day
 
How much insulin are you giving him? I believe dilated pupils can be a sign of hypoglycemia (too much insulin). More experienced members, please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Do you have any mid-cycle BG readings on your cat (say, 6 hours after you gave the injection) to know what his levels are? You say you are new at BG testing but that "his BG is fine," so I am wondering about the timing of his BG checks. That is, if you are only checking pre-shot numbers (taken before you give the shots) they don't really tell you if your insulin dose is taking Harlye too low or not). So you need to get a few readings about mid-way between shots if you can. If you have already done this, and his mid level BGs are fine, just disregard. :)
 
I believe dilated pupils can be a sign of hypoglycemia (too much insulin).
Click to expand...

That would be 'hyperglycemia'. 'Hypo' is 'less', 'Hyper' is 'more'. Same prefixes used with other 'chemicals' too such as 'hypokalemia' and 'hyperkalemia' - "low potassium" vs 'high potassium'.

I'm anxiously waiting an update too.....
 
Squeaky & KT: I thought HYPOglycemia was when too much insulin is given and the blood sugar goes too low as a result (???). That's what I read, but if that's incorrect, then disregard. Maybe the cat can get dilated pupils either way (too low or high BG??). But yes, a mid-cycle reading could help to rule either in or out. Dealing with a diabetic cat myself, I always think BG and hypo if she starts acting strange so run to check the BG so I can rule that out before moving on to something else. Thanks for the heads-up. :)
 
Hello Everyone,

just to share what I learned from 2 PMs from Harleysmom25 last night & not stated on the forum:

1. she planned to call his regular vet in the AM, per advice from the ER vet - although I'm not entirely clear on this point since the ER vet told her to call regular vet if Harley's pupils stayed dilated until morning. ER told her that early in the treatment of diabetes cats' eyes can stay dilated dues to pokes, stress, etc. I have not heard of this association previously except during a hypo. Anyone???

2. while she was calling the ER vet for the second time (to ask about blood pressure & kidney involvement with dilated pupils) Harley walked in & jumped in her lap :smile: , his eyes were fine & responding properly to light - she did not indicate what the ER said during the second conversation

3. Harley is 8 yo male, used to weigh 21lbs, now about 14lbs, has neuropathy - she's getting B12 today (I don't know if she meant methyl B-12 or ?) Don't know if she had any other BG numbers.

Also, waiting for an update on Harley.
Sophie
 
Good to know. Wish she had a spreadsheet posted, showing some mid-cycle readings, so we could look at possible insulin involvement (maybe too much or too little).
 
A little late to the dance, but Grayson's eyes were very glassy when he had moderate ketones. Hopefully she's had a chance to have him seen and checked out today!
 
hello everyone,

So sorry for the late response...Harley is OK..woo hoo...they are not sure what caused it...could have been stress..but levels are fine..I haven't poked him in 2 days to give his ears a chance and to ease him back into home testing as he was a little stressed on Fri and Sat when I tried...I will try to get one this evening and let everyone know...I am working on the spreadsheet, but haven't been home alot and work has been super busy i've had no time to sit here and start it..i'm sorry if we worried anyone, and thank you all for the responses...I did get the methyl b-12 he doesn't seem to mind the Cherry taste..lol...both cats LOVE the wet food think they are in heaven or something...lol...his last # was around 290 again so think we are making some progress....neuropathy still seems to be bothering him, but we just got the b-12 on Saturday and the pharmacist said it can take some time to start working in their systems...I really appreciate everyone's input and now I must go feed my human child before she starts growling at me...hahaha...I will give everyone an update and hopefully get that spreadsheet up and moving...

Thank you all!

Cherie & Harley
 
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