DKA on introductory forum needs help vet won't help

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The vet told me over the phone this morning that they were afraid to let me give her her normal dosage which is 4 units without then testing her levels today butt they couldn't get her in at all today
 
I would think 4 units at one time would be too much. Get her to eat or syringe feed her. Use treats, dry, whatever it takes.
 
Sharon14 said:
I would think 4 units at one time would be too much. Get her to eat or syringe feed her. Use treats, dry, whatever it takes.
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She's been getting 4 units of vetsulin every morning since September. As for feeding her l just syringe fed her 1.5 oz of gerber chicken baby food about an hour and a half ago.
 
222 isn't a horrible number. How's she feeling, will she eat on her own? Since it's been over an hour since she ate, maybe feed her some more then shoot. I don't know Vetsulin dosing, but she needs insulin because of the DKA
@MrWorfMen's Mom may know
 
I highly recommend only doing 1 unit of vetsulin and monitoring but only if you can get her to eat and keep it down. It is a hard fast acting insulin. The low number is a couple hours after injection.
 
Let me look.
I can't post more often than every 7 minutes, so I will up date this post.

222 isn't horribly high. Since you are now testing, I would go with a 0.5 -1.0 units.
You may need to test at least hourly to monitor the condition and it could be a long night of nursing. If you drink coffee, you might put on a pot to help you stay awake.

Are there any 24 hour pharmacies near you?
- If yes, you might pick up some regular insulin, so we don't have to worry about overlapping nadirs. If not, we'll go with what you have. Urine ketone test strips may also be helpful.
H
ow does the breath smell - like vinegar or flowers? Either of those is a sign of possible ketones and those building up can make the body acidic, which we do not want.

Check for dehydration
- if you pull up the scruff and release, does it stay pulled up and only slowly go back down? If yes, that is moderate to severe dehydration
- if you press on the gums in her mouth and release, do they stay white or pink right back up? Are the gums tacky/sticky? That may indicate mild to moderate dehydration.
-- syringing in water will help flush the ketones, but don't slam it in or she may vomit.

Is she drinking? Peeing? How does the urine smell? (sweet is another sign of glucose dumping; sour could be ketones).
 
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scoobydoox said:
I highly recommend only doing 1 unit of vetsulin and monitoring but only if you can get her to eat and keep it down. It is a hard fast acting insulin. The low number is a couple hours after injection.
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She's been keeping what l gave her down.
 
scoobydoox said:
Ok. my cat was on vetsulin when first diagnosed for almost 3 weeks and it was a rollercoaster ride. he sometimes wouldnt eat. I am wondering if your cat has an infection going on possibly.
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No infection l was told yesterday when l took her in. I just spoke to the Vet and told her Phoebe's blood glucose levels were at 222 and she said don't give her any vetsulin tonight.
 
How long since you fed her?
Have you given any insulin yet?

Would you please get another test?
 
EricH. said:
No infection l was told yesterday when l took her in. I just spoke to the Vet and told her Phoebe's blood glucose levels were at 222 and she said don't give her any vetsulin tonight.
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With having DKA your kitty needs to have some insulin as well as food and fluids. Whatever you need to feed her to get her to eat, just go ahead and get some food into her.

Can someone give a suggestion of what dose should be given for this ituation?
 
BJM said:
How long since you fed her?
Have you given any insulin yet?

Would you please get another test?
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I just attempted to feed her 20 minutes ago. Didn't go well. She's getting tired of the syringe feedings. She only had 2 units of vetsulin this morning.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
With having DKA your kitty needs to have some insulin as well as food and fluids. Whatever you need to feed her to get her to eat, just go ahead and get some food into her.

Can someone give a suggestion of what dose should be given for this ituation?
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I've been syringe feeding her baby food. She's getting annoyed and not having it anymore.
 
Google search for 24 hour vet near mchenry il
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=24 hour vet near mchenry il

OK. Needs some insulin, question is how much.
You have fed her some food within the last hour. That is likely to bump her glucose up. To counter that somewhat, a dose of 0.25 to 1.0 units could be given. Without test data, we don't know her normal insulin response, so I would err with the lower amount first, which you'd need to eyeball.

Vetsulin lasts 8-12 hours, depending on the cat. It hits its maximum effect about 3-4 hours post shot.
 
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Maybe she's tired of that food. Do you have some treats. I don't know if I can agree with the vet about no insulin. I've never dealt with DKA, but from everything I've read they need insulin and 222, while not horrible, is a shootable number. But she needs food in her system. BJM suggested .25 units with monitoring.
 
How much are you syringe feeding at a time?

I haven't dealt with this, but I had to syringe feed for about 4 days for a different reason.

If you can manage it, I found it much easier to give small amounts but more frequently. Mine would only accept 2.5 ml (about 0.5 tsp) at a time of a food/water mixture, but he would accept that amount every 10-15 minutes. So I was able to get food into him without too much fighting that way. I just made up a small bowl of the food/water mixture and kept it in the fridge, then every little bit went and got some, fed it, and left him alone again.
A few times I tried to up it to 5 ml (1 tsp), and he would have none of it.

It's exhausting, but if you have the time it might be worth a try.
 
I'm going to attempt too sleep.
Sharon14 said:
Maybe she's tired of that food. Do you have some treats. I don't know if I can agree with the vet about no insulin. I've never dealt with DKA, but from everything I've read they need insulin and 222, while not horrible, is a shootable number. But she needs food in her system. BJM suggested .25 units with monitoring.
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I've tried multiple types of food today including our normal cat food as well as kibbles. Plus treats and tuna fish and baby food.
 
How many hours since the shot this morning?

7:30 am 2.0 units Vetsulin

+15 hours post-shot 222 mg/dL (10:30 pm)
 
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I just wanted to thank everyone for your help. Phoebe and l appreciate all your kindness. Today has been a long day. I've been up since 5am trying to help Phoebe. I'm gonna sign off so Phoebe and l can get some rest. Thank you everyone!
 
Sorry I just saw the tag. I have never dealt with DKA myself. Fluids, food and insulin are the key components necessary to deal with it. I agree with several comments here that insulin is needed and I wouldn't skip doses entirely but without much data to see how insulin is working for Phoebe it's difficult to determine what the dose should be.
 
Well l just got back from the emergency vet. They administered fluids, famotidine injection, and famotidine injection. They also administered a feeding just so I can get her home and give her 2 units of insulin which I just did. They also sent me home with mirtzapine which will stimulate her appetite which I don't understand why they didn't send it home initially on Saturday? But everyone please pray and send positive energy Phoebe's way in hopes we make it to our normal vet tomorrow.
 
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any luck checking for ketones? Did the vets do that? Did they do any bloodwork?
Eric, sending you and Phoebe all the positive energy possible
 
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