vampfaye
Member Since 2012
Hi,
My name is Lisa and I have two wonderful kitties. I've been a lurker for a while and never posted before. Sorry for not making myself known sooner...
My oldest, Magic, was diagnosed in Feb 2011 and is 11 years old. We have been successfully controlling his diabetes with Lantus at 4 units every 12 hours - 3am and 3pm. He's a 17 pounder and was 20 at diagnosis. I took him to the vet on Saturday and had a glowing report. His glucose test was 97 at 8 hours post injection. He was due for a booster shot so that was given during the visit as well. That's where the trouble began... We've had our first real hypoglycemic episode. Even at diagnosis, he wasn't hypoglycemic. He was actually at over 500 when he was first tested and dx'd.
He seemed ok when we got home from the vet Saturday and he slept for quite a while. I gave him his normal dose of Lantus at 3pm - right on time. He went back to sleep and I went back to normal life. Approximately, 7pm I found him lying on the kitchen floor but thought nothing of it as occasionally he likes to lay on the cool tile. Two hours later he was at the base of the steps, still seeming to be sleeping. I picked him up and he was hyper salivating. Within a couple of minutes he had a seizure. Being new to the area, I had to call a friend to find out where the pet ER was and by the time we got there it was close to an hour since the first observed seizure and he had two more while in my arms on the way to the ER. I assume he had at least one prior to my discovery of him.
He was post dictal when we got him checked in and they took him back immediately, gave him some valium and did a glucose check. He was <20. After starting an IV, running fluids and a dextrose bolus, he seemed to perk up and knew we were there. The ER wanted to keep him overnight, so my daughter and I said our goodbyes during which he gave me one of his head butts and I felt pretty hopeful that he was going to be ok - although I did sign a DNR in case he crashed during the night. (one of the hardest things I've ever done) I was instructed to be back at 8am to take him to my vet for further treatment options.
I got him to my vet this morning, with IV catheter still in place. His glucose check was 190 and she cleared him to come home with the promise of starting to do checks on him myself. (I had tried when he was first dx but was unsuccessful.) The IV was removed and I was directed to test him and call her about 3pm for further instructions. After getting him home, he ate a 1/3 can of fancy feast, which is a treat for him, and seemed tired but ok. At 3pm, I tested him and his glucose was at 151. I called the vet and she said do not give him any insulin unless his levels go over 200 and then to only give 3 units.
His behavior has been a bit off and he is cuddling but not purring. He has been hiding under the bed and when I woke a bit ago I had to dig him out from under there again. His level was 151 at 200a. I put him in his litter box and he urinated quite a bit. I offered food but he refused, so I opened a can of chicken and drained off a bit of water and added a few drops of karo syrup then fed him with a dropper. He seemed to perk up a tad and managed to jump into the bay window on his own, which is where he is right now. He has not had any insulin since his 3pm dose Sunday afternoon.
Here are my concerns... is it typical that he isn't sleeping with me on the bed like normal? Usually, he's all over me all night long. He's also not purring at all. I guess if he feels punky for a few days that he won't exhibit typical behaviors but the behaviors that are calming to him, like sleeping with me or purring when I barely touch him seem to be absent. When we got home he ate like he was absolutely starving, now I had to force feed him. Am I worrying for nothing? Should I just let him alone and monitor his glucose for a few days or should I be concerned? This guy has been with me through so much and he is my rock. (debilitating illness, comfort after many of my surgeries, devastating divorce and new relationship) I'm not ready to lose him. In the past, just thinking of losing him reduced me to tears. I've been crying a lot the last 24 hours and am exhausted myself. In fact, I was afraid that I wouldn't wake up for his 3am test.
What are any of your thoughts on this?
I'm worried sick and guess I just need some reassurance right now. nailbite_smile Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa - Akron Ohio
Magic aka Boo - born 5/15/2001 - Black Siamese mix
Roxy aka SpEd - born April 2007 - Siamese/Ragdoll mix
My name is Lisa and I have two wonderful kitties. I've been a lurker for a while and never posted before. Sorry for not making myself known sooner...
My oldest, Magic, was diagnosed in Feb 2011 and is 11 years old. We have been successfully controlling his diabetes with Lantus at 4 units every 12 hours - 3am and 3pm. He's a 17 pounder and was 20 at diagnosis. I took him to the vet on Saturday and had a glowing report. His glucose test was 97 at 8 hours post injection. He was due for a booster shot so that was given during the visit as well. That's where the trouble began... We've had our first real hypoglycemic episode. Even at diagnosis, he wasn't hypoglycemic. He was actually at over 500 when he was first tested and dx'd.
He seemed ok when we got home from the vet Saturday and he slept for quite a while. I gave him his normal dose of Lantus at 3pm - right on time. He went back to sleep and I went back to normal life. Approximately, 7pm I found him lying on the kitchen floor but thought nothing of it as occasionally he likes to lay on the cool tile. Two hours later he was at the base of the steps, still seeming to be sleeping. I picked him up and he was hyper salivating. Within a couple of minutes he had a seizure. Being new to the area, I had to call a friend to find out where the pet ER was and by the time we got there it was close to an hour since the first observed seizure and he had two more while in my arms on the way to the ER. I assume he had at least one prior to my discovery of him.
He was post dictal when we got him checked in and they took him back immediately, gave him some valium and did a glucose check. He was <20. After starting an IV, running fluids and a dextrose bolus, he seemed to perk up and knew we were there. The ER wanted to keep him overnight, so my daughter and I said our goodbyes during which he gave me one of his head butts and I felt pretty hopeful that he was going to be ok - although I did sign a DNR in case he crashed during the night. (one of the hardest things I've ever done) I was instructed to be back at 8am to take him to my vet for further treatment options.
I got him to my vet this morning, with IV catheter still in place. His glucose check was 190 and she cleared him to come home with the promise of starting to do checks on him myself. (I had tried when he was first dx but was unsuccessful.) The IV was removed and I was directed to test him and call her about 3pm for further instructions. After getting him home, he ate a 1/3 can of fancy feast, which is a treat for him, and seemed tired but ok. At 3pm, I tested him and his glucose was at 151. I called the vet and she said do not give him any insulin unless his levels go over 200 and then to only give 3 units.
His behavior has been a bit off and he is cuddling but not purring. He has been hiding under the bed and when I woke a bit ago I had to dig him out from under there again. His level was 151 at 200a. I put him in his litter box and he urinated quite a bit. I offered food but he refused, so I opened a can of chicken and drained off a bit of water and added a few drops of karo syrup then fed him with a dropper. He seemed to perk up a tad and managed to jump into the bay window on his own, which is where he is right now. He has not had any insulin since his 3pm dose Sunday afternoon.
Here are my concerns... is it typical that he isn't sleeping with me on the bed like normal? Usually, he's all over me all night long. He's also not purring at all. I guess if he feels punky for a few days that he won't exhibit typical behaviors but the behaviors that are calming to him, like sleeping with me or purring when I barely touch him seem to be absent. When we got home he ate like he was absolutely starving, now I had to force feed him. Am I worrying for nothing? Should I just let him alone and monitor his glucose for a few days or should I be concerned? This guy has been with me through so much and he is my rock. (debilitating illness, comfort after many of my surgeries, devastating divorce and new relationship) I'm not ready to lose him. In the past, just thinking of losing him reduced me to tears. I've been crying a lot the last 24 hours and am exhausted myself. In fact, I was afraid that I wouldn't wake up for his 3am test.
What are any of your thoughts on this?
I'm worried sick and guess I just need some reassurance right now. nailbite_smile Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Lisa - Akron Ohio
Magic aka Boo - born 5/15/2001 - Black Siamese mix
Roxy aka SpEd - born April 2007 - Siamese/Ragdoll mix