DKA

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Simba the ging

Simba the ging

Member Since 2018
Well, we went almost 2 years insulin free - Simba was in remission and non insulin dependent December 2018, we were doing twice daily BG checks and then this past weekend he was all out of sorts, and I knew something was wrong.... he was in DKA, caught it early but my poor baby and wallet.

Has anyone else had any experience with DKA? I'm a bit overwhelmed right now because he can easily go hypercalcemic or hypoglycemic, we just got him home from the emergency clinic this morning and it was a l o t of into to take in. This is such an overwhelming disease, I also have a 14y old CDK/Hyperthyroid/Hypertension/Heart kitty that I have to manage/medicate.. I'm very overwhelmed

Also, the Freestyle libre monitoring system is a game changer!!
Attached is a picture of Simba with a homemade sweater, to keep him from trying to bite/lick his libre montior off
 

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So sorry to hear about Simba's DKA. :( (((Simba)))

Really natty jumper, but wish he didn't need it.

Critical to recovery from DKA is to make sure that Simba is getting enough calories and insulin (assuming he's now back on it) plus adequate fluid intake to keep him ketone-free. I am hoping that your vets sent you home with a supply of anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds in case it takes a while for Simba's eating to return to normal. Monitor for signs of nausea and inappetence (see link below). If there's the slightest sign of appetite stalling then addressing the issue promptly is really important (to prevent relapse). Here's a very helpful resource:

Nausea and Inappetence - Symptoms and Treatments

Daily monitoring for ketones is highly advisable, either using urine test strips or a blood ketone meter (see Jeanne's link above). If you don't already have some at home, you can pick up urine ketone test strips at Walmart or any human pharmacy. The test strips for ketone meters are pricey but you don't need many of them and you can check ketone levels 'on demand' instead of waiting for a pee sample. Also, ketones may be detectable in the blood sooner than in the urine.

Tips for Collecting Urine Samples

With DKA, in addition to lack of sufficient food and insulin there is normally an underlying infection, inflammatory process or other systemic stressor in the mix. Did your vets identify any of the aforementioned and is Simba receiving treatment for same?


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
So sorry to hear about Simba's DKA. :( (((Simba)))

Really natty jumper, but wish he didn't need it.

Critical to recovery from DKA is to make sure that Simba is getting enough calories and insulin (assuming he's now back on it) plus adequate fluid intake to keep him ketone-free. I am hoping that your vets sent you home with a supply of anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds in case it takes a while for Simba's eating to return to normal. Monitor for signs of nausea and inappetence (see link below). If there's the slightest sign of appetite stalling then addressing the issue promptly is really important (to prevent relapse). Here's a very helpful resource:

Nausea and Inappetence - Symptoms and Treatments

Daily monitoring for ketones is highly advisable, either using urine test strips or a blood ketone meter (see Jeanne's link above). If you don't already have some at home, you can pick up urine ketone test strips at Walmart or any human pharmacy. The test strips for ketone meters are pricey but you don't need many of them and you can check ketone levels 'on demand' instead of waiting for a pee sample. Also, ketones may be detectable in the blood sooner than in the urine.

Tips for Collecting Urine Samples

With DKA, in addition to lack of sufficient food and insulin there is normally an underlying infection, inflammatory process or other systemic stressor in the mix. Did your vets identify any of the aforementioned and is Simba receiving treatment for same?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
He's eating totally normal already, quickest DKA DKA they've seen leave. He did have anti nausea
jt and trouble (GA) said:
VERY COOL SWEATER!!! wow

I havent had the pleasure of a DKA BUT thought maybe you could use this:

Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters

Posted the same in community.;)
Click to expand...
Thank you :)
 
Critter Mom said:
So sorry to hear about Simba's DKA. :( (((Simba)))

Really natty jumper, but wish he didn't need it.

Critical to recovery from DKA is to make sure that Simba is getting enough calories and insulin (assuming he's now back on it) plus adequate fluid intake to keep him ketone-free. I am hoping that your vets sent you home with a supply of anti-nausea and appetite stimulant meds in case it takes a while for Simba's eating to return to normal. Monitor for signs of nausea and inappetence (see link below). If there's the slightest sign of appetite stalling then addressing the issue promptly is really important (to prevent relapse). Here's a very helpful resource:

Nausea and Inappetence - Symptoms and Treatments

Daily monitoring for ketones is highly advisable, either using urine test strips or a blood ketone meter (see Jeanne's link above). If you don't already have some at home, you can pick up urine ketone test strips at Walmart or any human pharmacy. The test strips for ketone meters are pricey but you don't need many of them and you can check ketone levels 'on demand' instead of waiting for a pee sample. Also, ketones may be detectable in the blood sooner than in the urine.

Tips for Collecting Urine Samples

With DKA, in addition to lack of sufficient food and insulin there is normally an underlying infection, inflammatory process or other systemic stressor in the mix. Did your vets identify any of the aforementioned and is Simba receiving treatment for same?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...

He did get anti nausea medication, but he's eating totally normal! The vets said it was one of the quickest DKA cases they've seen leave, he had a urinary infection that we also found out about. And ketones are completely gone, in blood and urine. He's potassium level was only at 1.9 which was super low, so now that everything else is back to normal levels its just getting his BG under control
 
Simba the ging said:
Well, we went almost 2 years insulin free - Simba was in remission and non insulin dependent December 2018, we were doing twice daily BG checks and then this past weekend he was all out of sorts, and I knew something was wrong.... he was in DKA, caught it early but my poor baby and wallet.

Has anyone else had any experience with DKA? I'm a bit overwhelmed right now because he can easily go hypercalcemic or hypoglycemic, we just got him home from the emergency clinic this morning and it was a l o t of into to take in. This is such an overwhelming disease, I also have a 14y old CDK/Hyperthyroid/Hypertension/Heart kitty that I have to manage/medicate.. I'm very overwhelmed

Also, the Freestyle libre monitoring system is a game changer!!
Attached is a picture of Simba with a homemade sweater, to keep him from trying to bite/lick his libre montior off
Click to expand...

How do you feel about the Libre? My new vet (just moved) favors that monitoring system to monitor it and after my first visit with her yesterday, I'm still considering it.
 
KellieH said:
How do you feel about the Libre? My new vet (just moved) favors that monitoring system to monitor it and after my first visit with her yesterday, I'm still considering it.
Click to expand...
I love it! It stays on for 14 days and you can download the app right to your phone to check BG, there's still the option to do the actual blood test vs just scanning, but you can write notes in every scan and all the info of highs, lows, how much food was given, how much insulin was given is all there. Along with daily charts. It's so much less stressful on you and them, rather then poking them hourly or several times a day
 
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