Holly, the cat from South America

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shelly2893

Member Since 2013
Holly was diagnosed last July in Bogota, Colombia, and without the help offered here, I would have lost her. She stabilized somewhat, and we had very few issues until now. We just moved back to the states two weeks ago, I'm here in Northern Virginia, and she did not handle the move well. The fancy feast available in Colombia is NOT the same as it is here, and as soon as I started her on the true low-carb stuff, her readings improved. Her blood sugars were the lowest they been since this all started (mid-200's) and I'm happy, she's happy, etc. However, I've had to move around a lot and travel with her since my apartment is not yet ready. She started throwing serious ketones (without me knowing, because she was dehydrated, yet I would watch her drink water) and is at the vet (for two days now) lethargic and not eating. Kidney functions good, liver functions are a little elevated, potassium low, phosphorus was low but now normal, ultrasound shows nothing out of the ordinary. There is a possible inflammation near the pancreas, which the vet feels may be a mild pancreatitis, but no confirmation from the radiologist. They are having problems regulating her,(which is not a surprise to me, she's always been difficult) she is on Lantus, dose depending on her sugar levels. Over 400, (which is rare now) she gets 1.5, 300-400, 1.0, and 250-300, .50 -.75 (best guess on that one). If she's under 250, I have to decide to dose or not as she is prone to crashing if she gets the slightest overdose of insulin. She's about to turn 7. Yes, 7. That's not a typo. She weighs about 8.5 pounds, and should be closer to 9 or 10. The vets are excellent, they are the same ones who cared for her before we left the country. Does anyone know of anything natural I could give her? Vet said it is okay to ask you all and see what you say; they are willing to listen. (For example, I was giving her milk thistle for her liver since her functions went haywire when she was first diagnosed.) I think they are doing all they can for her, but we are going on 48 hours now and while she's holding her own, there's not much change. It's VERY expensive to keep her there, and I'm willing to give her the chance she deserves, but I also have to be realistic. So be honest and tell me what you think, whatever your advice is. I appreciate it!

Thanks,
Shelly
 
Hi Shelly and welcome back to the states. I remember how hard you worked to find some good food down in Bogata and the language barrier sometimes getting in the way and the vets there not really knowing a lot about treating diabetic cats.

Sorry to hear that Holly is throwing ketones and is very sick and in the vet hospital. Did the vet think she had DKA? (diabetic ketoacidosis)

Is she getting fluids with electrolytes to help her out?

I do not know of anything else you can give her, to help her out.

If it is DKA, she needs to be at the vet and monitored very closely to get her through this episode. Cats can survive DKA.

Is she somewhere she can be monitored 24/7?

Sending prayers and healing vines your way.
 
shelly2893 said:
...They are having problems regulating her,(which is not a surprise to me, she's always been difficult) she is on Lantus, dose depending on her sugar levels. Over 400, (which is rare now) she gets 1.5, 300-400, 1.0, and 250-300, .50 -.75 (best guess on that one). If she's under 250, I have to decide to dose or not as she is prone to crashing if she gets the slightest overdose of insulin....
Click to expand...
ACK!!!
Lantus should be kept at a consistent dose, at a consistent time because of the depot - the carryover between shots. That means you need to stabilize on a dose and stick with it. It is not adjusted based on the pre-shot level. It takes about 3 full days to stabilize on a dose.

Please read this post on the tight regulation protocol for guidelines on using Lantus most effectively.
 
Thank you, BJM, I had no idea about the Lantus dosing. If she pulls through, I will remember this. No wonder she had regulation problems.

Deb, yes, it was a lot of work last summer to get her through. Is it DKA, and she is on fluids with electrolytes, some type of sugar, and Humulin R, with added potassium, the whole works. After three days, her ketones are still high and she is still a little dehydrated. I have started mixing up the same food I used back then and they are using it at the vet. Last night, she yowled, tried to jump away from the tech's arms, walked around a little. She is now licking her lips when fed with the syringe. Her eyes were brighter, and she was turning her head whenever a sound piqued her interest. Little progress, but not much. Her chances are now at about 40/60. I'm going over to see her now. Ultrasound was negative, however her bilirubin is increasing indicating possible liver involvement. I just can't afford for this to take much longer unfortunately. I am tempted to have them stop the sugar in her bag and feed her just the stuff I am fixing - it has squash (carbs/sugar) in it, which helped with the dehydration last time.
 
Holly has turned out to have liver damage, and although her ketones are now trace, her bilirubin is high and spilling over into her urine. Given the treatment already given and the prognosis if she survives this, I have decided to let her go over the rainbow bridge in the morning. She has one last night, resting at the vet. She is too sick to come home for one last night by the fire (as it is snowing once again) and I will say goodbye in the morning. I spent several hours at the vet today, holding her, and when she couldn't get to the litter box in time, I just knew.

I would like to thank everyone here on the board who helped me keep her alive last summer, and to the newbies who may read this, never, ever think you can't handle this. It is a labor of love, and your sugar kitty, no matter how long they are with you, will love you back, forever.

Shelly
 
I appreciate your helpful words telling others that they can handle it, I admire your great strength and positivity. I'm very sorry to hear of your news, may peace be with you both.
wings_cat
 
Lighting a ring of candles, in memory of your beloved Holly. Goodbye sweet darling. You are so deeply loved
 

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To Holly! praying your travels to the rainbow bridge were quiet and simple.

You were so loved little one. You were so loved. rb_icon rb_icon
 

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Dear ((((Shelley)))),

Your sweet Holly will always be with you, tucked away in that special place in your heart. We are very sorry that it was her time to go. Fly free, dear Holly!

In deepest sympathy,

Ella & Edward, Rusty, and Stu(GA)
 
Oh Shelley,
I'm SO SO sorry it was sweet Holly's time to cross - THANK YOU for giving her such a life full of love.

Fly high sweet girl landing softly back in Mama's broken heart.

BIG HUGE LOOOOOOOOONG HUG,
 
We are so very sorry to read of the crossing of Holly. What a well traveled kitty and so beloved by her wonderful bean. You gave Holly the greatest and most difficult gift of all.
 

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