Help please - possible ketones

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I just noticed that one of my 3 cats (not sure who) threw up at the litter box. There was urine looking liquid as part of the vomit and I was unsure if it was urine or not (when isolated as a sample it does not smell like urine - might be cat food liquid as they just got done eating).

I decided to test for sugar and ketones in case it was urine and in case it was my diabetic kitty. There are trace ketones in the liquid, though the sugar is low. I suspect it's not really urine I tested and it may or may not be from my diabetic, but now I'm terrified. If it was my diabetic that vomited, can ketones show up in vomit?

I'm so nervous right now,she'd had DKA twice. I hope this wasn't too confusing.

Thanks for any advice.
 
Do you test her sugar level at home? It would be good to have a number.

I would put her in a room alone with the box and some food mixed with water to make a gravy and hope she pees so you can get a true reading. If that doesn't work and you can't get a blood glucose reading, I think I would go to the vet. Since she has DKA before, this isn't anything to mess with.
 
I really do not think that ketones can show up in vomit as they are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and are excreted with urine. What level of ketones does the strip show? If it is close to trace I would think it may be just the colour of the liquid tainting the strip.
 
Trace.

This cat hardly urinates. If I isolate her, etc it could be 12 hours or more until she urinates. This is an awful feeling.
 
How about learning to test? That will really ease your mind with a ketone prone kitty. You won't have to guess if she is running high.

If money is not a problem, there is a meter that tests for blood glucose and ketones - the PrecisionXTra. The meter itself isn't expensive. The strips are, but after your first purchase, you can get them for 50% less on bay.

We have taught hundreds of people how to test over the Internet, or we can see if there is someone who lives near you.

BTW, I'm with Jen. Testing vomit with ketones probably won't tell you anything.
 
Call your vet and ask if they can test blood ketones. With a cat who has already had DKA, I wouldn't want to risk it - if they can bring her in for a quick test.

You can buy a blood glucose meter called Precision Xtra that also can test for blood ketones (separate strips) before they show up in the urine. You may want to invest in one.

Good luck.
 
You could go to the vet and have them draw blood for a ketone test. However, for the same price or less you could go out to Walmart or CVS and buy a PrecisionXtra meter and the ketone strips. Be sure to ask for the precision meter that can test for ketones because they have several precision models. Even if you already have a glucose meter, it is always a good idea to have a second one anyways. You never know when a meter might get lost or pushed off the counter by a naughty kitty!
 
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