Has your cat survided DKA?

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TammieCA

TammieCA

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Hi everyone,

My name is Tammie and I am new here. I come here today for much needed support and advice.

As I write this, my 7 year old boy Darius is at the emergency vet. About three months ago, we found out he had diabetes. He's on Lantus, 1 unit, 2x a day. We're still in the process of trying to figure out where his insulin should be and this is all somewhat new to me.

The day before yesterday, I noticed he was somewhat lethargic and wasn't eating much. I was immediately concerned and got him into our vet. Due to it being a half holiday and they squeezed him in, I don't think he got the attention he really needed. But, his glucose was 207 so that wasn't immediately concerning. Our vet was concerned with him being so lethargic and thought he might have an infection. He ran a full blood panel (had to be sent out, results not in until tomorrow or Tues) and gave him an injectible antibiotic in case he had an infection.

When we brought him home, he seemed so much worse. He was even more lethargic and just really out of it. I monitored him until the next morning and then I brought him to the emergency vet. This was yesterday morning.

When they tested him yesterday morning, his glucose had shot up to 460. He wasn't eating or drinking. They immediately put him on fluids. I just saw him about an hour ago and my heart is so broken.He's still so out of it. Barely can open his eyes and isn't moving around a lot. He is getting up to use his litter pan,but he's still not eating. His sugar was back down to 208 today, and they were going to test it again after I left. I'm going back to see him tonight.

I'm so sad, so scared and just so surprised at how rapid his decline has been. He's definitely in DKA.

My question to you friends is has your kitty pulled through this? I've read so many horrible things and I'm so scared he's not going to be able fight this thing. Please...I just need a little hope.

Thanks for listening,
Tammie and Darius
 
Others will be along soon....

My Smokey never had DKA, but the short answer is YES....they can survive.

It sounds like the right things are being done for Darius at the ER.

I'm sending prayers for you and Darius.
 
I am so sorry you and Darius are going through this, Tammie. As Karen said, lots of cats do survive DKA, but it is very serious.

The next time you go visit, take a "used"T shirt that smells like you, so the ER will feel a little more like home.
 
Yes, they can pull through and Darius is exactly where he should be.......at a 24/7 ER clinic. His electrolytes need to be monitored and given supplements as needed. He will be on IV's for fluid and R insulin which is short acting and only used usually be vets. Please do not go by his numbers as to whether he is in trouble with ketones. Mishka has always had her problems with ketones and a few episodes of DKA when her numbers where in a good range. If you were not hometesting, now is the time to buy a meter and learn how once he is home. Also, pick up some Ketostix that will test the urine for ketones. Please keep in touch and let us know how Darius is doing and also please do not take him from the ER back to your vet......not until he is back up, eating, and ketone free.
 
Yes!

Dearest Tammie, and, of course, you too, extra-sweet, miserable Darius,

Yes!

Giz was DKA at her diagnosis and spent three days in ER ICU. I had no clue about the signs of diabetes. She lived another glorious four years, and at the age of 18 (pretty much 90 in human years) simply decided her work here was done. It had nothing to do with her diabetes, just her age.

She wouldn't eat either, at that time. The ER hospital had a no visiting policy because they felt that once a kidimal saw their mom or dad they thought they were going home and might become despondent when their parents left and they were left behind. I kind of understood this, yet was so torn by it...

What they did let me do, was pretty much empty my fridge and bring her all kinds of treats and deli meats and cheese. Giz loved peach yoghurt and I sent a lot of that... Besides their wondrous care, it's what also saved her because they saw she could eat on her own...

I got home to my answering machine recording the ER vet on duty's voice, and just grabbed phone and said HELLO! The ER vet then told me that she'd just offered a tongue depressor's worth of peach yoghurt to Giz, who immediately swatted it away because she thought it was meds, pretty much covering everyone in proximity... What the vet then went on to say was that she saw a different look on Giz's face, kind of a softer look, and she offered her another peach-yoghurt laden tongue-depressor-full -- and Gizzie ate it. And another. And another. And another.

It's good Darius is using his litter box. Now, you go and grab anything you can think that he loves out of your fridge or pantry and get it to him. Getting him eating is the most important thing right now, as you can work his insulin around it. Another possibility is a feeding tube, which can be incredibly temporary. I've "known" a few cats here who have chowed down on their own within a couple of days.

We're all holding you close and hoping and praying for a good update, Tammie...

Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found...

Much love and countless hopeful, healing, hungry hugs for you and Darius,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
 
Yes my cat survived one episode of DKA and also had two close calls. Nomad was a homeless kitty who showed up in my front yard in October 2009. His blood glucose was 520 and his blood ph was really acidic. His electrolytes were all off and the vet just suggested I have him put to sleep. I suggested I would bring him to another 24 hour hospital. It took almost six months to get him stable. He came close to DKA again two times. I noticed the change in his behavior first. He gets a glassy eyed look and starts aimlessly wandering around when he gets hypo or has high ketones. I also want everyone to know that a cat can develop DKA even when the blood sugar isn't sky high. In Nomad's second close call his serum acetoacetate level was 4..5 mM even though his BG was only 240.

I know there are several other people on this board who have cats that survived DKA. We have had some lively discussions about ketone testing. ;-). I am a human health care provider and I have seen many of my human patients also survive DKA. Our best wishes and purrs are with you.
 
I found out Sam (11 years old) had diabetes when he got horrifically ill and was already deep in DKA. He spent 7 days in a 24/7 animal hospital - but when I first took him into the vet, they told me to prepare myself for the worst because he was so sick. Everything about him was messed up, from his sugar to his electrolytes to his kidney values. Today, not even a month later, Sam is back to his vibrant, fabulous self. He's even been playing with toys the last few days.

I know exactly how hard things are for you right now, but have faith. Cats are so much more resilient than even vets give them credit for. One of Sam's vets even said, "Well, I guess we underestimated him." Yeah, I guess so. I went to visit him every day he was in the hospital and spent as much time with him as was prudent to his care schedule, but he really improved when he finally came home and I could take care of him here.

Hang in there. I'm going to say a prayer for Darius and you both.
 
Jake had DKA in February 2009 and spent five or six days in the E.R. He is was 17-1/2 at the time and was very, very sick. After six days in the E.R. to get rid of the acidosis, he came home with a feeding tube because he still was not eating on his own. After about two weeks he began to eat on his own and subsequently we got rid of the feeding tube. He has been in remission since April 2010. Today he is 18-1/2 and pretty healthy.

Judy & Jake
 
OOPS - that was in February of 2010 that Jake had DKA. The last time he had insulin was in April 29, 2010. He has now been in remission since his offical OTJ date of May 13, 2010.

Judy & Jake
 
Hi Tammy.
J.D. had DKA at Christmas of 2005.
I took him to the ER because of not eating and lethargy on a Sunday night. Because the ER closed during normal vet hours, I had to drive him to the University of PA School of Veterinary Medicine. He was in critical condition and it was a 2 hour drive and during commute hour. He was just laying there, and I was so scared. The next day he was transferred to ICU and stayed in there for about 3 days. I went to visit him every day. I brought him his food and treats and tried to get him to eat, because he would not eat for them at the hospital. Each day, he got a little bit better. He could lift up his head on the second day, and sit up a little bit on the 3rd day. On the 4th day he was transferred to internal medicine. He had to have a blood tranfusion, and we found out he had a very rare blood type. I was scared again. But it was okay. On the 5th day he was put into a bottom level cage, and I could sit on the floor and open the cage door to visit him. He weakly walked out of his cage with a tube in every leg, and sat on my lap. Every day he got a little bit stronger. They said he could go home if he would start eating. He would eat maybe a treat or two, from me, but nothing for them. Finally, on the 8th day, they released him home to me with a feeding tube. I was sooooooooooooooooooo happy to get him home. He was all I thought about that Christmas. He managed to get the feeding tube out somehow, the following day, and while I was on the phone to his regular vet to ask what I was supposed to do, I looked down and there he was eating on his own.
Today, I test his BGs a lot, and test for ketones when he's high.
 
Not only once but three times!! Because Payne is so young, just four, they didn't realize she
could go into DKA so quick ..... then after seven days in the ER at a teaching hospital, they let
us bring her home. Not a day later and we were back again, already in DKA. After ten days she
was great! two days home and back again. In the beginning they believed it was something we
were doing at home .....

That is when I found this group and we had some lively discussions about ketones :lol: But
I have learned sooo much in such a short time! But on a day to day basis having a cat that
throws off ketones, is like having a cat with diabetes, well you know what I mean. It is all
about testing and observation.

We check her ketones with urine stripes 2-3 times a day, I give my kids a buck if they catch one.
We feed the right food, and check BG before every shot and do a curve once a week. I watch
what she looks like, her eyes get glassy if she has ketones and her fur gets dull.

We have treated two more episodes at home because we were able to start doing something
immediately and she didn't have to go to the hospital. Last week we started tight
regulation (testing BG's and shots every 6-8 hrs.) which is suppose to be good for cats that
are ketone prone. So far her numbers are still pretty high but she is like a kitten! Full of
energy and living up to her name :) We are looking for more than survival and you should be
too! The more you learn, the smarter you become about this disease, your cat can live a
happy life. Stay here, this is the place to learn and good luck.
Nancy and Payne
 
Hi Tammie,

DKA is serious, as you know, but it is certainly possible to survive and go on to have a great life. I think it's important for you to take the time that Darius is in the hospital to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to keep him healthy and happy when he gets stronger.

You have a great insulin, so it is important that you understand how Lantus works. Go to the Board Index, and look for the Insulin Support Groups. Select that and then click the Lantus ISG. There are some Stickies that discuss how the insulin works and tips for the best way to use it with your kitty.

Next, it is important to learn how to monitor Darius' blood glucose. We do that by using a glucometer and getting blood from the ear. Here's a video with a demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8

When buying a glucometer the biggest cost will be the test strips, so you need to see what works for your budget.

While many cats, mine included, have been DKA despite good numbers, better control of the numbers will help prevent DKA and give you a healthier diabetic cat.

Please update when you can. It's important to rememeber that they don't feel well so, it does take time to recover.

Best to you and Darius,
Pam & Layla
 
Nancy,

I loved the "buck for a ketone" strategy. I'll bet that kept your kids vigilant!!

Just for future reference, how did you home treat your cat for early stage DKA - that would be so good to know as E.R.s aren't cheap as we well know?

Thanks,
Judy
 
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