DUMB QUESTIONS

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DiabeticMom

Member
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)
 
Hi Barb, these are not dumb questions!

When we say aquarium gravel we mean plain old aquarium gravel... or anything else that is non-absorbent that kitty will pee on. That way you can tilt the box and collect the pee for ketone testing. Some people also just stick a ladle or something under the cat while it is peeing.

OTJ means "Off The Juice". :lol: It is when a kitty no longer needs insulin to control his blood sugar and is a very good thing!

Both of the candles, and also the rainbow, are used when someone's cat has died.

We look for ketones if a kitty's BG is very high, if they seem lethargic and thirsty, or otherwise ill. You can test for ketones at home, just like you can test BG at home and save yourself some money. I don't know why your vet didn't test - was your kitty very sick at diagnosis?

Keep on asking questions, and welcome to you and your kitty!
 
Barb,

You can test your kitty for ketones at home by using Ketostix. It's crucial. Vets would need a urine sample to do it at their clinic, and I am not sure why many vets don't do it and strongly recommend to parents of diabetic cats that we do it.

Here is a page on testing urine that explains the "stix" -- including the Diastix that also test glucose in the urine -- and the various ways to collect urine specimens.

http://www.sugarpet.net/urine.html

There are no dumb questions!

Sending positive thoughts to you and Chong,
Susan and Sasha
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top