High glucose-wont eat

[MachoZeCat]

This AM Macho's Relion meter said "high", tested again was 551. Gave insulin, ate tiny bit kibble hour later. Its 4 hours later and his glucose reads 432. He wont eat, but is meowing like hungry. Tried wet food and kibble. What should I do?
edit: he is eating some of a different dry food now

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Have you gotten a recent ketone test? Does he have any history of ketones/DKA?

Is there anything else going on (vomiting, litter box issues, lethargy) that could indicate a general health issue?

Glad you found something he'd eat!

 

[MachoZeCat]

Have you gotten a recent ketone test? Does he have any history of ketones/DKA?

Is there anything else going on (vomiting, litter box issues, lethargy) that could indicate a general health issue?

Glad you found something he'd eat!

I think ketones were normal one week ago. I can get strips. I don't know what ketones are. Can you explain why good to test that in addition to glucose etc and what normal ranges are?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

You can get urine test strips in any local pharmacy (pretty cheap, usually).

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious (potentially life-threatening) complication of unregulated diabetes. Lots more information here, but the basics are: some underlying infection or health issue, cat not eating, not enough insulin and/or high BG => ketones develop. It can progress rapidly from just a trace amount to full-blown DKA requiring vet hospitalization-- very scary, and very $$$.

It doesn't happen every day, but it does happen. It is easy to test for (and much easier to fix/reverse if caught early), and the potential consequences are so severe, it's something you want to be aware of whenever a diabetic cat suddenly goes "off his feed" for any length of time. Anything above "trace" on the urine ketone sticks merits immediate vet attention-- again, it's quite treatable in the early stages.

 

[MachoZeCat]

You can get urine test strips in any local pharmacy (pretty cheap, usually).

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious (potentially life-threatening) complication of unregulated diabetes. Lots more information here, but the basics are: some underlying infection or health issue, cat not eating, not enough insulin and/or high BG => ketones develop. It can progress rapidly from just a trace amount to full-blown DKA requiring vet hospitalization-- very scary, and very $$$.

It doesn't happen every day, but it does happen. It is easy to test for (and much easier to fix/reverse if caught early), and the potential consequences are so severe, it's something you want to be aware of whenever a diabetic cat suddenly goes "off his feed" for any length of time. Anything above "trace" on the urine ketone sticks merits immediate vet attention-- again, it's quite treatable in the early stages.

Thanks I just got strips and will test asap

 

[MachoZeCat]

Thanks I just got strips and will test asap

Do i wait for him to urinate and test it before he covers it with litter?

 

[Djamila]

You need to stalk him, and get the test while he's peeing. You put the test strip in the stream of urine, before it hits the litter. There are some tricks for collecting the urine while still giving your cat some privacy if he won't let you that close while he's taking care of his business, but others will have to chime in on those since my kitty has no sense of privacy and just lets me walk up and do it.

 

[MachoZeCat]

Have you gotten a recent ketone test? Does he have any history of ketones/DKA?

Is there anything else going on (vomiting, litter box issues, lethargy) that could indicate a general health issue?

Glad you found something he'd eat!

The only other thing is yesterday he was drooling a little bit

 

[Djamila]

Here's a link that might have some info for you
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/are-you-testing-your-cat-for-ketones-if-not-do-it.48383/

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Do i wait for him to urinate and test it before he covers it with litter?

I'm going to shamelessly cut-and-paste from a recent post on another thread by @Kris & Teasel

Here's another tool you need in your diabetes kit - urine ketone test strips. You can buy them at any human pharmacy. The brand I use is Bayer Keto-Diastix but there are others. When a kitty is in high BG numbers, urine ketone testing is a good idea. Here are some ways to do it:

1. put the testing end of the strip right in the urine stream when he's in the litter box OR
2. put a shallow long handled spoon under his backside as he pees OR
3. cover his favourite part of the litter box with a few layers of plastic food wrap and push little depressions into it to catch urine.

The only other thing is yesterday he was drooling a little bit

Maybe a dental issue? Has a vet checked out his mouth recently to see if he has anything going on?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

The only other thing is yesterday he was drooling a little bit

Or is it possible he got into something (toxic houseplant, etc.) that he shouldn't have?

 

[MachoZeCat]

Or is it possible he got into something (toxic houseplant, etc.) that he shouldn't have?

No

 

[MachoZeCat]

I'm going to shamelessly cut-and-paste from a recent post on another thread by @Kris & Teasel


I asked them to look and they said it was fine. He goes to a specialist Monday and I'll have them check again, he doesn't let me mess with his mouth.



Maybe a dental issue? Has a vet checked out his mouth recently to see if he has anything going on?

 

[MachoZeCat]

I'm going to shamelessly cut-and-paste from a recent post on another thread by @Kris & Teasel


He doesn't usually cover his urine so I can try sticking it in the pool of urine in the litter after. He's on my lap now- just waiting for him to pee soon



Maybe a dental issue? Has a vet checked out his mouth recently to see if he has anything going on?

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

You need to stalk him, and get the test while he's peeing. You put the test strip in the stream of urine, before it hits the litter. There are some tricks for collecting the urine while still giving your cat some privacy if he won't let you that close while he's taking care of his business, but others will have to chime in on those since my kitty has no sense of privacy and just lets me walk up and do it.

I dip mine in the ummm urine cake he leaves, is that a no no?

 

[Djamila]

I'm not an expert in this since it isn't much of an issue for Sam, but I was told the urine needed to be 'clean' and that contact with litter could mess with the results. Hopefully someone who deals with this more often can chime in though since I'm just going by hearsay.

 

[StephG]

I dip mine in the ummm urine cake he leaves, is that a no no?

I think it is best to test a fresh and clean urine sample. I have used the urine cake before just to settle my nerves until I could catch some clean on plastic wrap and both tested negative. I have recently dumped a urine sample in the box after testing it and heard a "sizzling" sound so I'm assuming that's the baking soda or whatever is in it to neutralize the odors. I honestly wouldn't trust a "cake" sample if you have concerns that they might have ketones- behavior or other symptoms.
I saw someone post before that they put wrapping paper around the box to alert them that the cat was getting into the litter box. I thought that was a nifty idea and have used plastic walmart bags around Chuck's so I can hear him getting in the box.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

I don't think Scoop away has baking soda. Doesn't say anywhere on the boxes and I can't really find answers online lol. No concerns right now, just my weekly testing . I just feel bad disturbing him. Might try to find a big spoon and clearly label it

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I don't think Scoop away has baking soda. Doesn't say anywhere on the boxes and I can't really find answers online lol. No concerns right now, just my weekly testing . I just feel bad disturbing him. Might try to find a big spoon and clearly label it

Teasel has his own shallow long handled spoon with his name on it. It's near the litter box so I can grab it when I see him go to do his business. Works great to catch a bit of pee.

 

[Meya14]

You can make a little dimple in the litter where he typically aims, and place a small amount of plastic wrap over to catch some. You really only need a few drops for the dipstick. The drooling can happen when a cat has nausea (which would explain the lack of eating too). All these are signs of DKA or perhaps pancreatitis both which are common in diabetic cats.