High BG & Keytones

[Becky Smith]

We have our sugar baby home, but I'm concerned about the instructions from the vet...when Ruckus went in on Wednesday, his BG was 580, and his keytones were 150....and he hadn't eaten in 36 hours.....they hooked him to IV's, and called us later that night...she said his BG was down to 260, and he was eating on his own....they called yesterday and said he could come home.....when we picked him up the vet said his BG was 250, his keytones were in the safe area, and he was eating on his own....however she wants us to give 3 units of ProZinc, twice daily, WITHOUT testing, for 1 week.....and then she wants us to do a curve.......

I'm concerned about the no testing part.....I do not like to shoot blindly......scares me to death.......but I understand what she explained......she said his body is trying to compensate for the lack of insulin, which is why the keytones were so high......I'm a newby to the keytone part, so any help would be really appreciated on any of this! HELP!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I do not agree with the vet about the no testing of the BSL. I think it is very important you continue testing before shots and during the cycle.
If you have not already done so, I would go out and buy a bottle of ketostix from the pharmacy to test for ketones. It is much better to know what is happening with the BSL and the ketones then blindly going on for a week and hoping for the best. It is easy to test. You just need a urine specimen and then dip the test strip into the urine and read.
When a cat has or has had ketones it is REALLY important they are getting their insulin and enough food and plenty of water. So make sure Ruckus is eating and drinking plenty.
I am going to tag @Meya14 for you as she knows a lot about ketones.

 

[Erica & Carter]

I agree with Bron. I would be testing especially under these circumstances. I can't see any benefits of not testing or why she would ask you not to?

 

[Becky Smith]

He is not better and right now I'm emotional and pissed...he's not well enough for them to have sent him home...I know it...I can see it....it was a struggle to get him to eat breakfast and " lunch....he did eat, but not like normal....he's wobbly and he looks like he's in pain....I'm waiting for the Doctor to call me back ....and sitting here crying....I can't pull the money out of my........wallet

 

[Erica & Carter]

Is there another hospital you could take him too that would be willing to make payments? Is he drinking? Do you have any ketone test trips at home to test his urine?

I have no experience with ketones so I wish I could offer you more advise. I would put the "911" in your thread title so you could get more attention to this thread as ketones and DKA are as you know very serious and maybe some more experienced eyes can assist you further while you wait to hear back from the current vet.

 

[Meya14]

Honestly, I would take your kitty to another vet ASAP if you can. There are a a few things that should be added to your current care.

First, in a cat with ketones zinc-based insulin might not last long enough to prevent them from returning. A basal insulin like lantus or levemir is much better as it provides a much longer insulin release.

Second, ketones are caused by two factors, either one or both can be the issue - not enough insulin, not enough calories. Often you have to increase both food AND insulin to help stop the weight loss that is creating the ketones. Ketones are a byproduct from burning fat that the body uses when starving or when insulin is not available. Ketones can cause nausea and severe dehydration, so lots of fluids (vets can give you subQ fluids you can do at home) and anti-nausea medications are usually necessary. The dehydration from ketones can be very serious or fatal. Most cats pull through with no lasting issues if the right care is given, so finding a great vet is important.

Testing both ketones and blood sugar is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, many vets are either uneducated about diabetes, or have owners that chose to put to sleep, so they don't know the ins-and-outs of the disease. They probably spend less than a week on it in school.

Where do you live near? Maybe someone on here can recommend a good vet in your area?