Gilbert still sick & ketones high.

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Christy & Gilbert

Christy & Gilbert

Member Since 2013
Gilbert ate a lizard yesterday & I thought that was why he was so sick today, but his ketones are high...just tested. I use the siemens stick & ketones is the 3rd 1 down from the siemens stamp on the strip isn't it? Called vet...she said force feed him & I can bring him in tonight if I want. I was thinking of waiting till morning & take him to get bloodwork sent off, but worry he may need iv tonight? He is drinking water like crazy as well...now I'm worried he is in kidney failure. What should I look for as far as KF goes? I am scared to death he is not going to make it & am an emotional wreck!
 
I agree. You can't fix ketones above trace at home. And they can go really bad, really fast.
 
Just to add, not to scare you, but both Carl and I had cats who nearly didn't make it from this. You have to act quickly, hon!
 
Test for any infection, probably fluids and depending on BG, some fast acting insulin.
 
Bob got fluids to fix his electrolytes, and simultaneous IM insulin and IV "sugar" to control the effect of the insulin. Each "as needed". His ketones were high and his BGs were off the chart. They didn't find any infection in his case. It took three days to get rid of the ketones and allow him to come home.
 
I ketones are high, it doesn't necessarily imply DKA. Blood work will determine whether electrolytes are out of balance. Right now, take it one step at a time. Getting Gilbert into the vet is the right thing to do.

Please update us when you can.
 
Sienne and Gabby said:
I ketones are high, it doesn't necessarily imply DKA....
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Exactly - they are a by-product of fat breakdown down for calories. If he hasn't been eating much, that can explain it.
 
The fact that they are there and that they are "high" is more important right now than "why", correct?

edit to add -
What are ketones?

Normally, cells get the energy that they need to function by using blood glucose. Insulin plays a vital role in the process: it is the key that unlocks the receptors on cells, letting them access this essential fuel. Cells are unable to access and use glucose to function when there is either insufficient insulin, or when insulin resistance has built up and the receptors are no longer receptive to the insulin present – the key doesn’t unlock the cell.

Because it can’t find its usual source of energy, the body turns to the next available energy source and starts burning up muscle and fat. The liver responds to the situation by secreting ketones and glycogen (pushing glucose levels higher in the process).

When the level of ketones becomes too high to be utilized by the system, ketones start building up in the blood stream. As this process continues, the ketones end up being too plentiful for the body to absorb, and spill into urine. At the same time, they upset the acid balance in the body, leading to imbalances in electrolytes.....and, if left unchecked the result is DKA.
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Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, & advice! He is @ the vet. His ketones were high & something else was thru the roof, but I don't remember what it was. Sending bloodwork in the morning...should have results mid-morning. She gave him fluids sub Q, antibiotic for lizard poisoning, iv steroid, & force fed some wet food. I miss my baby...I just hate leaving him there. My vet is pretty doom & gloom...always gives me the bad news 1st, but it very supportive & does everything she can to help. We have used her for yrs & she has been good to us & our pets. She said my 1st option tonight was euthanasia because she thinks he is in kidney failure. He has lost some weight in the last 3 wks & is losing muscle again...backbone starting to show, eyes sunk in, neck shrinking...all the things he had 6 months ago when diagnosed, except @ that time they were much worse. I of course said heck no to euthanasia...I am not ready yet & he has been doing so well...I hate to not give him another chance. I am 1 sad puppy & am praying for decent bloodwork tomorrow!
 
Prayers and healing vines for Gilbert. Doogle was DKA at the end of June and it was the scariest thing I have been through. He was in the ER for 3 days. I really thought I was going to lose him. I hope everything comes out good.

Try and get some rest. Its not easy that is for sure but its the best thing you can do for yourself right now (or a strong drink....LOL)

Donna and Doogle
 
Christy,
Sending prayers for you and Gilbert this morning.
Carl
 
I will be keeping Gilbert in my prayers to have the vets pull him through this, and for a quick recovery.
I assume they are a 24 hour vet hospital. Fingers crossed here.
 
Woke up thinking of you and Gilbert. With your vet, maybe she suggested what she did because she thought you might not have the time/patience/commitment to treating him for renal failure. But if he's well enough to pull through, there is certainly lots of hope and help. Tanya's site is excellent: http://www.felinecrf.org/ and there are people here whose cats have CRF.

Let us know what the tests say, and best wishes to you.
 
Sending tons of positive thoughts, healing vines, and wishing for Gilbert to make a full and speedy recovery. I would like to know the results today as well when you can get him home. Hang in there. :YMHUG:
 
You are all so great! I love having this support...it means a lot. Donna & Doogle...I have definitely considered the stiff drink...lol & my husband who has been off whiskey now for about a yr. asked for some last night. Dyana...Not a 24 hr hospital...just my redneck vet out in the stix...she is so good to let me come day or night. Picknickchick...she knows I am totally committed...she has dealt w/ me for yrs...just always gives me the bad version 1st...thanks for the link!
 
Hi Christy, I'm keeping you and Gilbert in my thoughts and hoping that he is feeling better soon! cat_pet_icon
 
More vines for Gilbert. How is he this morning? I know he is still critical but could you take down the 911? We know to keep watch for your posts now. Big hugs!
Liz
 
My vet just called...everything is high on his bloodwork. I will have #s shortly. She says he is renal failure. He won't eat & I could hear him crying in the background...just breaks my heart! He is not going to eat @ the vets office though for sure. She really gave me no hope. She said prolonging his life would only be for me, but she did say it very nicely. She says I have done a fantastic job the last 6 months, but it is time. She says being a hard to regulate diabetic, renal failure, (and his #s were slightly elevated 6 months ago...now really high) & now liver problems as well, that there is nothing more she can do for him. I am so confused & sad.
 
I also wander if him eating that lizard & we had to boost him for rabies 5 days ago has anything to do with why his #s are high & he is sick. Any advice? My vet said she could hook him up to iv for next couple of days, but she is leaving Wed. on vacation & she feels like I would only be doing it for me.
 
((((Christy)))) I would go visit, if you can. Spend a little time, offer some food, and look in his eyes. Maybe Gilbert will tell you what he wants you to do. I remember when Lucy was DKA, she was so extremely sick and the ER vet actually told me it would be a waste of time and money to try to save her! Something in her eyes told me she wasn't ready to go yet. On the other hand, other cats have made it clear to me that they were tired and ready to go. Of course sometimes it is not obvious at all, but I know you love Gilbert and whatever decision you make will be because you want what is best for him.

((((hugs))))

eta: another thought - is there a 24 hour vet in your area? The ER vet is the one who saved Lucy's life. They are usually more experienced in critical care than our regular vets. It's nothing against your usual vet, it's just the nature of their job. If you want to keep fighting, maybe moving him would be an option.
 
(((((Christy)))))
I am so sorry to hear this :cry: I wish I had some advice for you but I will leave that to the experts.
I just want to send you and Gilbert strength and loving ♥vines♥ to help you get thru this whatever decision you make :YMHUG:
 
I'd get the opinion of another vet. There are other ways to feed kitties to help them get the strength to feel well again, if you know that you and your boy still want to be together. Then that is worth pursuing.

I think that your vet may be very kind and well-meaning, and giving you the extent of her knowledge, and as much as she can do, but you may want to ask someone else. There are cats with renal failure who can be nursed back from a crisis and go on to live longer. Ask for some Denamarin, some bupe, and consider a feeding tube. This has saved cats. Tanya's site has info about it. Get your guy stable and well-hydrated and find a 24 hour clinic, and get another opinion.

When it's a matter as serious as this, I'm in favor of not hurrying to a decision, but finding out the options. It's too important, and there may be a much better solution. But sometimes ya gotta put on your armor and go out and find it.

Best wishes, love, and every good thing.
 
I'm just adding more prayers to the pile, and I agree - if you're able to seek a second opinion, I would do so. Between the lizard and the rabies shot, there certainly could be some sort of correlation here with Gilbert feeling so poorly...it seems like too much of a coincidence to me. Some kitties need help over such a hump, and once they make it over, they have a wonderful QOL.

We're thinking of you :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: .
 
When it's a matter as serious as this, I'm in favor of not hurrying to a decision, but finding out the options. It's too important, and there may be a much better solution. But sometimes ya gotta put on your armor and go out and find it.
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-I agree with Picknickchick. This is too serious of a matter to just go with one vet's opinion. And, just like Amy said, it really is a coincidence that he ate the lizard and got a rabies shot right before this. It may be something he can get over. With this said, I am sorry that you and Gilbert are going through this right now. My heart goes out to you.

Regarding your 911 icon, you can go to your original post, click "edit" and choose "None."
 
Here are his #s Blood glucose 428, bun 67, creatinine 3.6, protein 9.0, albumin 4.5, alt 109, ast 124, alk phos 9.5, calcium 9.2, billrub 1.0, sodium 159, potassium 4.4, wbc 28.9, rbc 9.55. hgb 14.9...Urinalysis = ketons 40, protein 100, bilirubin +2, sp gravity 1.020, ph 5.5, glucose 500.
 
I would try to get him to a 24 hour hospital, if you can.
J.D. was DKA and he stayed for 8 1/2 days at the Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine. He had to have transfusions to get some of his numbers back in the right range. I don't remember which were off, but there were a lot.

Sending the strong vines to Gilbert.
 
My civvie went into acute renal failure for unknown reasons, and my vet could not help her. I took her to a 24-hr care facility that could treat her, and while she was in bad shape, she pulled through it. It's worth looking into.

Prayers for Gilbert,
MJ
 
Thanks to everyone for all the support & advice. My boy has crossed over the rainbow bridge. I am heartbroken, but find comfort in that he is not suffering anymore. I will forever miss my brave, loving boy! Libby & Lucy, you were right about the eyes. I just bauled when I read your post. He told me he was so tired & so sick & ready. It is still the hardest thing ever.
 
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