Help! Cat acting hypo with numbers in the 300s

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CharlotteandKitty

Member Since 2017
Hi Everyone!

I'm Charlotte and I have a 14 year old cat named Kitty (lol I know) who was diagnosed early August of 2017.

Background:
On advice from our vet, she was eating a high protein dry food and getting dosed 2 units of Vetsulin once every 24 hours. I continued this until 2 weeks ago when I noticed Kitty was in bad shape and I found the incredible information here on the FDMB.
I began by switching her to 1 unit every 12 hours. The problem is that Kitty is a finicky eater to begin with and would only eat her dry food if you sprinkled her carb-loaded tuna treats on top of it. Even then she was only eating 1/4th of the actual food. She refuses to eat any wet food. I've tried so many brands. So she has an overall lack of desire for food, but will occasionally demand treats and only treats.​

CURRENT SITUATION
Yesterday and today I began to do assisted feeding of Friskies pate using a mouth syringe right before each insulin injection. I can only get about 2 oz of food in her before she becomes unbearable to manage. I also started recording her BG.

10/13/17 (dry food - for reference)
  • PMPS - 485
  • tested negative for ketones
  • before bed - 457
10/14/17 (wet food)
  • AMPS - 414
  • PMPS - 287
today: 10/15/17 (wet food)
  • AMPS - 318
  • +1 - 299
  • +2 - 387
  • +3 - 328
  • +4 - 342
  • +5 - 317
  • +6 - 323
  • From +4 to +6 Kitty started acting very unresponsive. She was sitting up, but eyes were squinty and two times she just let her head fall face first into the couch cushion like a kid thats nodding off in class. I was able to gently shake her awake but this behavior seemed very odd accompanied by her unresponsive and lethargic attitude all day.
  • It seemed odd that she'd be acting this way when her BG was in the 300s.
  • I decided to feed her bc I feared her BG might drop suddenly. I put little shreds of chicken, tuna, and even tried her old favorite carb tuna treats but she refused all of it. I ended up doing .5 oz Friskies Pate via mouth syringe.
  • (post 2nd feeding) +7 - 416
  • Perked up a little after this, but still very lethargic
So my question is: is it really just that Kitty didn't eat enough food to be alert? Is her body acting like she is hypoglycemic because compared to her old numbers, mid and low 300s are relatively low?

Please help! I want to get my kitty regulated, but its disheartening seeing that she was acting better and more lively while on a carb heavy diet. How should I move forward?
 
OMG, how stressful that must be!

CharlotteandKitty said:
She was sitting up, but eyes were squinty and two times she just let her head fall face first into the couch cushion like a kid thats nodding off in class.
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Hmm, not a hypo , as I heard of, in the BG 300s level.

Any chance you can take her to the ER?
It might be heart related, as a mini stroke..
Just a guess...

How is she now?
 
Welcome Charlotte and kitty! :)

Well done on everything you are doing! Amazing work!

That does sound alarming indeed. Is she any perkier now?
Could she have an infection going on, uti that sort of thing?
I think I'd be testing for keytones as soon as you can too.

Editing this to add more after re-reading your post. If she has not been ingesting enough calories it causes hepatic lipidosis which would concern me too. This can come on pretty rapidly. Will she eat plain boiled chicken, right now I think it's more important she eats.

Sending prayers for you both. :bighug:
 
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Thank you both for your thoughtful messages!

I was considering the ER. I'm thinking I might.

TempestsMum, I tested for ketones in her urine on Friday and she was totally negative (took two tests to be sure). Should I test again? Her numbers have been lower since she tested negative. I'm new at all this :(

She perked up temporarily but then went back to looking like she might pass out :/ I fed her a little more just now and shes kind of perked up again. I'm going to try to feed her the rest of her 3 oz serving size in increments, give her her insulin shot, and then most likely head to the ER.
 
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CharlotteandKitty said:
Thank you both for your thoughtful messages!

I was considering the ER. I'm thinking I might.

TempestsMum, I tested for ketones in her urine on Friday and she was totally negative (took two tests to be sure). Should I test again? Her numbers have been lower since she tested negative. I'm new at all this :(

She perked up temporarily but is back to looking like she might pass out :/
Click to expand...

I added an edit to my post Charlotte. After reading the post again. Her eating habits may have caused a fatty liver problem - my gut says that's the likely culprit but I'm not a vet. xx this is what I get for responding and not thinking first.:confused:
 
With the bg numbers you've been getting today, we are not looking at hypoglycemia.
The fact that her numbers are high, her lethargy and inapettance, I'd be concerned about ketones, and possible dka, it can come on very quickly.
Have you been able to check for ketones?

If you haven't got the means to easily test for ketones if it were me in light of the symptoms id be wanting to have a vet check her over asap.
 
Gill & George said:
With the bg numbers you've been getting today, we are not looking at hypoglycemia.
The fact that her numbers are high, her lethargy and inapettance, I'd be concerned about ketones, and possible dka, it can come on very quickly.
Have you been able to check for ketones?

If you haven't got the means to easily test for ketones if it were me in light of the symptoms id be wanting to have a vet check her over asap.
Click to expand...

I have not been able to check for ketones today, but she tested completely negative for them two days ago. I'll be heading to the vet soon. She hasn't peed recently so I won't be able to check until she does. Thank you <3
 
TempestsMum said:
I added an edit to my post Charlotte. After reading the post again. Her eating habits may have caused a fatty liver problem - my gut says that's the likely culprit but I'm not a vet. xx this is what I get for responding and not thinking first.:confused:
Click to expand...
Great suggestion. I'll mention that to the vet when I take her over!
 
CharlotteandKitty said:
I have not been able to check for ketones today, but she tested completely negative for them two days ago. I'll be heading to the vet soon. She hasn't peed recently so I won't be able to check until she does. Thank you <3
Click to expand...
It's good that she was negative a couple of days ago, but it can happen quite quickly, so it doesn't necessarily exclude it as a possibility.

I'm glad you are taking her to the vet, sending prayeres.

Let us know how she gets on.
 
CharlotteandKitty said:
Great suggestion. I'll mention that to the vet when I take her over!
Click to expand...

It was just that you said about her head falling forward made me think (meatloaf position) and lethargy and not eating are usually associated with fatty liver. Sending hugs, kitty scritches and prayers. Please let us know how you get on. :bighug:
 
Ketone levels can change quickly, in less than 24 hours. Keep trying to get a test in. It's good that you fed her.

Another possible thought is pancreatitis, which can be painful and why she's inappetant and not moving.

Good luck at the vet. I hope they get answers for you quickly.
 
By the way, there are a few diabetic friendly dry foods. It's better then force feeding and both companies will send a free sample. My favorite is Young Again Zero carb (Youngagainpetfood.com) and dr elseys clean protein chicken flavor.
 
Hey guys, sad news :(

Turns out her symptoms have nothing to do with the diabetes. At the vet they found several masses in her tummy and she was diagnosed with lymphoma. My family and I decided that putting her down will be the best and most comfortable thing for her.

I'm so so heartbroken. I can't begin to explain. But I've felt something off with her for a while and it feels like her time.

Thank you all so much for all of your support, prayers, suggestions. This is such a beautiful community. I'm happy I was able to take part in it, even just for a little while.

Much love <3
 
If she is still with you, you may consider options. If it is small cell lymphoma it may be treatable. That is what Leo has, and he is being treated at home now for almost 4 months.
 
I'm so sorry. My heart hurts for you. I hope your wonderful memories of Kitty will help your heart to heal.

Fly free, beloved Kitty, and land softly at the Bridge.cat_wings>o
 
Oh Charlotte I'm so sorry. God bless you. Much love sent to you all. :bighug::bighug:
 
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