DKA Intro to a beautiful new diabetic not doing well cat

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susandoe

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Hi All -
I have come here to educate myself on feline diabetes. My cat Vanna (he is a boy...long story) - has been very sick for the last week - and spent 3 nights in the ASPCA emergency room hospital. He was released a early because after the $2400 in medical fees - I did not have any more immediate money on my credit card - and they discharged him early.

Vanna is 13-14 years old (till a week ago - alive - running - happy and healthy).
I thought he was suffering from constipation - which he has had on and off - but i knew it was bad when he could not walk. I rushed him to emergency room - where we found out he was diagnosed with pancryitus, dehydration, diabetes,
He had a high level of keytones - which are now showing up negative. His glucose was at 490. They gave him IV for 2 days - with antibiotics - brought his gluclose down - and he left with no keytones. He was not lively when i brought him home, but he was so much better than he was when I brought him to hospital.
The next day - he was doing so much better - tired and relaxing - eating a little (the prescription dry food - he would not eat wet). Then on Sunday he look liked death. I had to force feed him (i made fresh chicken cooked added DM diabetic wet food and water - put it in blender - and squirted it to his mouth in liquid form.

He still shows negative for keytones - but his gluclose is over 1000+ he is on the highest level on the strips. Today I brought a blood monitor - but i am scared - and he had to be fed water with the syringe today - his legs are giving out - and he is sooo tired. I called several vets - but they all want to evaluate - give me an estimate - and then we will see. I had this already - I know what is wrong - i just need help in treating him.

ANy advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Susan
 
Re: Intro to a beautiful new diabetic not doing well cat

It sounds like your kitty had DKA? If so, please put that in your subject line so you will attract others who have dealt with it.

Are you giving insulin now?
 
Re: DKA - Intro to a beautiful new diabetic not doing well c

He was DKA -

I am currently giving him lantus insulin - it is every 12 hrs - and he gets 3 units. The dr just told me to bring it to 3 1/2 because his glucose is still so high.

Yesterday we stopped the Bupernex pain killer - she thought that may have been adding to the drowsy and sluggish state that vanna is in.
He is only going to the bathroom 1x a day - large urine release and solid stool. He is also taking mirilax for constipation. He had an enema while he was in the hospital as well. He tends to suffer from constipation - and it was making him sluggish as well (which it has always done - this is why i never realized he had another disease). I feel so bad for him. He does not want to move or lift his head. Today we have given him 12 injections of water and 6 of wet food mix - and he seems to be feeling a little better. We pet and massage him so his muscles dont get week. But his back legs slide out from under him from time to time. He even urinated on his blanket because he could not make it across the apartment to the litter box. I move the litter box into my room where he choses to lay now...so it is close if he wants to go in there. I dont care where he goes - i just want to make him better. I feel so bad for him - it makes me cry because i feel so helpless for him - he needs my help and i dont know what to do.
 
I have asked some of our more experienced members to come have a look and give you some help. I just don't have experience with DKA or pancreatitis. Please check back in for more replies later.
 
Susan, I know people with more experience will come by soon. i'm a newbie myself and i just want to send youa little encouragement and a virtual hug! you love your little guy and are worried. hang in there. hugs!
 
Susan,

What type of action plan did the vet send home with you?

What meds are you giving?

How is Vanna's appetite?
How much is he eating?
Have you purchased a glucometer to test his blood glucose? This is something you need to do as soon as possible.
Lantus is a great insulin so that was a good choice, but you need to realize that they feel like crap even when the ketones have cleared. It's important to stay on top of the blood glucose numbers to keep them in a healthy range.
Was he tested for infection and if so, is he on an antibiotic?

If you are not taking him to another vet for follow-up care you need to get the plan from the ER vet. You can get copies of all tests, reports, files, etc., from them.

I hope he feels better soon - you have to keep him eating and keep his glucose in line.

Best,
Pam & Layla
 
Yesterday was my first time meeting this group - and Thank you all for your help and support!!!

Unfortunately - Vanna did not make it through the night. We went to the Emergency Room - and he was in so much pain and the doctor was great and supportive, which really helped my 15 year old daughter cope with this. Vanna was her cat as a birthday present when she was a toddler.

I wish I had noticed earlier - i feel so guilty that i could not help him and i did not see any of the warning signs.
I am so sad - i dont have words. But I also noticed from this amazing group that there are people who have difficulty with affording medication and needles etc.

I live in Manhattan - and maybe someone can tell me who i can donate the food, syringes, and almost a full bottle of insulin ($130) to. I would hate to discard this, when there are people who could use these items. I also have the glucose and ketone test strips. Vanna had only had 2 days worth of testing and medications - so there it is practically all unused.

Thanks again!
Susan
 
Oh, Susan, I am so sorry to hear this. It did sound like your poor kitty had multiple problems. I have had several kitties leave and felt blessed that I could help them out of their pain, even though I knew it would be the start of my pain. I know you and your daughter have wonderful memories of Vanna and I hope that it will help you to remember how much he was loved and cared for by both of you.

You must not blame yourself. Cats are very skillful at hiding pain and lots of us just didn't notice that something is a little different. Think of all the wonderful years you gave him.

It is very generous of you to donate your supplies; this is an expensive disease at the beginning and I know someone else will be able to help their cats in Vanna's name. You can post in the Supply Closet: viewforum.php?f=15
 
So sad to read your last post and my heart goes out to you and your daughter on the loss of Vanna. You have my deepest sympathy on his passing.
 
(((((((Susan))))))) you and your daughter have my deepest sympathy upon the loss of dear Vanna.
I've had to help six kitties pass from this world to the Rainbow Bridge and it's never easy but they were in need of healing, rest, and peace and that's what you've done for him. The pain will pass in time but the love always remains.

Fly free sweet Vanna. rb_icon
 
Supplies

The supplies you mentioned can be posted on the Supply Closet (part of this board). People needing them will be more likely to look there than to notice your offer in the middle of this thread.

So sorry Vanna had to leave. ((Hugs)) to you.
 
Thank you to everyone for the wishes and thoughts. This is so hard. I have not lost a pet since i am a kid - and Vanna really felt like my other child.

I have posted Vanna's diabetic medication in the supply closet - and hopefully we can help another family.

Thank you all!
Susan
 
Fly free, sweet Vanna. Susan, I am very sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathy for you and your daughter. Vanna is free of pain now and is being welcomed at the Bridge by all of our kitties who have gone ahead. He knows how much he is loved.

Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)
 
I am just seeing this and am so sorry that your daughter's baby Vanna didn't make it. It sounds as if there may have been other problems - it's so difficult to say goodbye to our special furry friends.

My heart goes out to you and to your daughter - she has lost her lifetime friend and I know it's so very difficult for her.

Sending lots of comforting prayers your way.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
my condolences to you and your daughter.
how kind of you to pass on his supplies to another kitty in need.

Since you are new to the board, I thought I would mention there is a grief forum. Perhaps there are resources there to help you and your daughter through this difficult time.

Peace Vanna rb_icon
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing our pets is always so painful but I'm glad you found this forum for support.
 
Susan,

My condolences to you and your daughter. Sorry to hear that Vanna didn't make it. He's at the Bridge now chasing butterflies.

Becky and AJ
 
I am very sorry for your loss. I work in Midtown (near Penn Station) if I can be of any help, please let me know.

What kind of insulin do you have? If it's lantus, we can let LLEF know as they may have someone who can use it. Or you can let Venita - from DCIN know, she can put it to use, I'm sure.
 
I am sooo sorry your Vanna had to leave..... Fly free sweet boy

We all have felt at some point we could or should have done more but please don't blame yourself. Sometimes things happen the way they are supposed to.

Many hugs to you and your daughter.
 
Susan, I am so sorry. Please don't beat yourself up over not catching the diabetes sooner. My cat, Seasaidh, lost a third of his body weight before I discovered anything was wrong! Now I felt like a bad cat-mom. Vanna knows how much he was loved by you and your daughter. (((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
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