Help with High sugar after steroid injection

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Kathy & Dabey

Kathy & Dabey

Member Since 2011
My cat had diabetes last year and was on Lantus and then after a few months his sugar went back to normal. He has been great and insulin free for a year.... he's been itching and having licking problems recently, either allergic to fleas so ended up giving him an injection of cortizone.. The vet did a blood test on his liver/kidneys and everything was fine. The vet said one shot will not bring his sugar diabetes back, but I tested his sugar and it is 377 and now 400. Will it be higher for a while or should I be concerned. He's acting normal and not drinking alot .

I don't have any lantus and didn't know if I should get some to give him a little or just keep testing and watching him..

thanks for any help..
 
I would be worried. That steroid shot will stay in his system for awhile. I would test him atleast twice a day prior to meals. He may need to be back on insulin for a few weeks until the steroid gets out of his system. My diabetic kitty is on oral pred for cancer. Since he's been on the pred his sugars have been running higher and I've had to make adjustments to his insulin dose. He needs the pred and we are managing. Many cats get steroids and never have problems. My civie Boo who crossed had really bad allergies to almost everything outside. He had eosinophilic granuloma complex. If I would open the windows in the spring and summer and fall he would itch and scratch himself raw. His liver enzymes shot up really high after a depo shot. The shot really helped his skin but after that reaction he couldn't have steroids anymore. He ended up getting help from a veterinary dermatologist and lived many more years. This is also rare to have this reaction. Getting back to the sugars I would probably consider asking the vet about starting back on insulin. It may only be for a short time but if you can test before meals pre shot and maybe around nadir that will give you a good picture on how to dose your kitty. From my experience with Boo getting depo shots I saw that the shot would start wearing off after about two weeks. My Brie's sugars have been a challange but not horrible. Prior to starting pred he was very well managed on 1 unit of Lantus twice a day for 4 years.

Sandy
 
How long is the injection expected to last? Is it likely to be repeated?

Short term hyperglycemia can be tolerated, although urine ketone testing is a good idea.

Regular steroid doses will likely require insulin again. Discuss with your vet how to do the steroid in even dosing vs bolus, depot doses so the effects don't cause cyclic glucose levels. That will allow any insulin dosing to be more even, too.
 
When Boo was getting the depo the protocal was on shot every two weeks up to three doses. That was over 12 years ago. I'm guessing it stays in the system for atleast two weeks probably longer. Two weeks just sticks in my mind.

Sandy
 
The shot only had to be repeated if necessary. Boo's allergies were severe but he never had to do more than two shots at a time. However it always came back. Going to a dermatologist is the best thing I ever did for him. It saved his life. If a cat just has flea allergies getting rid of the fleas would solve the problem.

Sandy
 
For 2 weeks, I'd want some insulin available to avoid possible ketoacidosis/DKA.

Maybe pick up an Rx for a pen of Lantus. Sam's club or a hospital pharmacy may sell them individually.
 
Thanks for the info. That is the only steroid shot he will be getting. If anyone has an extra lantus pen they'd want to sell please let me know... Hard to find anyone to sell individual..

thanks so much
 
Check Craigslist in your area too.

Pen should be unopened, before expiration date, stored in a non-moving location, and refrigeration helps preserve it.
 
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