DUMB QUESTIONS

[DiabeticMom]

I apologize if this post is a duplicate. I wrote a post out with my dumb questions and it disappeared. I can't see if it posted or not.

Here are a few dumb questions and I reserve the right to ask more, some even dumber!

When *you* say to use acquarium gravel in getting urine for ketone testing, do you actually mean the gravel at the bottom of fish acquariums or are these code words for something else. Is one acquarium gravel better than another?

Dumb Question #2: What does OTJ mean?

Dumb Question #3: What does the little candle with the holder mean?

Dumb Question #4: Why didn't either of my vets (used 2) test for ketones or tell me to test? Is there a 'red flag' in behaviot that will alert you to take a look at ketones?

That's all my dumb questions for now, but I'm sure I'll be back with more and even dumber questions!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these.

Barb & Chong (DiabeticMom)

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

they aren't dumb questions - you can ask anything!

yes, we literally use aquarium gravel in a temporary litter box to check for ketones. ketones develop when a cat becomes ill, doesn't have enough insulin, doesn't eat enough food. if a cat only has trace ketones we can help a person deal with it at home. if they have more than a small amount you really need a vet's help.

the reason we use aquarium gravel is because you need to test the urine and you don't want it to soak into litter. i actually use lentils from the bulk aisle at the grocery store. put them into a box (i slide a cardboard box lid into a plastic garbage bag) and when the cat pees in the box it won't absorb. then dip the ketostix into the urine and follow directions EXACTLY on timing and checking the color of the strip against the bottle.

you can use any clean gravel or non-absorbent material instead of aquarium gravel. you can also stick the ketostix under the cat's urine stream if you can manage it. some people try to catch some with an old soup ladle or spoon. some sink a little cup into the regular cat litter, some put some plastic wrap in the box so that hopefully a little urine lands onto the plastic wrap.

doesn't matter how you do it, but if you suspect your cat might have ketones, your cat is acting sick, or your cat is having high numbers, it's always good to check for ketones. those are the signs the vets would look for. if a cat has had ketones in the past they are more likely to get them again. perhaps your vets didn't check because they didn't see any signs of ketones. not all diabetic cats develop them.

OTJ = off the juice. it's a slang meaning that the cat has become diet-regulated and no longer needs insulin to help its blood glucose stay in the normal range for a cat. that's a major celebration for all of us!

the candle & rainbow post icons mean that a cat has died.

you're welcome to keep asking questions. we're all happy to help.