Joe's high numbers

Status
Not open for further replies.
If you managed to get some ketone strips, it might be worth checking for ketones. While he is acting fine at the moment, with the trend up in BG numbers, for some kitties, ketones can build up quickly. As I previously posted the basic recipe for developing DKA is an insufficient supply of insulin + inappetance + infection OR other systemic stresses.
 
Susan Pomo said:
Yes, there are a ton of Weruva's on the "good list" that are fishy stuff BUT another group I belong to (and many vets) say fish choices are not good for cats due to the low quality of fish used and the toxins found in the fish sourced for cat food. In the articles I was sent, so much radiation and such gets into the fish they use for canned cat food. I am sort of paying attention to this at the moment although I was looking into fresh caught Salmon as a treat.
https://www.catwhisperer.se/why-fish-is-bad-for-cats/ one of the many articles I have read.
Another one: https://littlebigcat.com/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/
Click to expand...
You could try human grade canned sardines and mackerel? Probably not too pricy, and maybe some peace of mind. And oh man, fresh caught salmon, how enticing would that be!
 
Awesome videos. Looks like you could probably weigh Cheddar with those bathroom antics by the scale ;)
I don't know enough to help with the labs, but I do know that things change quickly, (thus the vets want new fresh labs all the time) so you could try using urinalysis strips to test for ketones AND liver and kidney function. That way if you test the urine regularly, if a value changes, you'll know immediately.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FC59PR3?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
 
Christie & Maverick said:
If you managed to get some ketone strips, it might be worth checking for ketones.
Click to expand...
I was silently praying this would not come up again. LOL.
I just cannot imagine. Explain to me how you do this please? wait around for Joe to pee and catch some of it in a cup or spoon?
Christie, I looked at your spreadsheet and it is so wonderful to see such a normal one. I live in hope that Joe's looks like that one day
 
Susan Pomo said:
I was silently praying this would not come up again. LOL.
I just cannot imagine. Explain to me how you do this please? wait around for Joe to pee and catch some of it in a cup or spoon?
Christie, I looked at your spreadsheet and it is so wonderful to see such a normal one. I live in hope that Joe's looks like that one day
Click to expand...
I opted for a ketone blood meter. I found it easier than trying to catch her in the box
 
Thanks, Susan, I'm sure you'll get there as well. There are other kitties who are more consistent in better numbers, but my goal for the last few years has been to keep Maverick in good numbers and as well-regulated as I can.

You may have a little glucose toxicity, where the kitty just gets a bit too comfy in higher numbers, since that's what they've become used to. It sometimes takes an increase or two to break through. That said, I'll leave the topic of dosing and when to increase to those who have used Prozinc :).

The good thing is that Joe is eating well, albeit unregulated cats are often quite hungry. Not all kitties have troubles with ketones. Here is a really good info page that gives some tips on how to catch and test urine

I just non-chalantly follow Maverick when he's heading downstairs where the litter boxes are, and sneak up on him when he's mid-stream.

Or, as Janet said, many find using a blood ketone meter easier, if you can't catch them in the litter box.
 
HI Christie and Janet,
I will decide which route is best for me to go with this.
One question? How often am I to check his ketones? Could I pay for the vet to do it once and see if there is a problem first. Like, see if they are normal once and not worry about it again until say Next blood work day?
Of course if they were not normal I would then invest in the meter. BUT if there is not a problem then I would rather not tackle it.
Please give me your thoughts on this.
 
Hi, Susan. You've given Joe more than six shots (cycles) at 3.5, so time to up another 0.25u, and I hope his BGs will start coming down. P.S. For peace of mind, I too opted for a ketone blood monitor which is easier than trying to catch my Smoky peeing and so far 0 ketones despite very high BGs all of a sudden.
 
Thanks Varlene. I usually wait 7 days to up things. AND today he had great numbers. Going to hold out and see but I thank you for your advice.
Where did you get the ketone blood monitor? And how often do you test with it?
 
Susan Pomo said:
HI Christie and Janet,
I will decide which route is best for me to go with this.
One question? How often am I to check his ketones? Could I pay for the vet to do it once and see if there is a problem first. Like, see if they are normal once and not worry about it again until say Next blood work day?
Of course if they were not normal I would then invest in the meter. BUT if there is not a problem then I would rather not tackle it.
Please give me your thoughts on this.
Click to expand...
Write look at those numbers today!!!! Fantastic... 108!!! Loving that yellow preshot
 
varlene said:
Hi, Susan. You've given Joe more than six shots (cycles) at 3.5, so time to up another 0.25u, and I hope his BGs will start coming down. P.S. For peace of mind, I too opted for a ketone blood monitor which is easier than trying to catch my Smoky peeing and so far 0 ketones despite very high BGs all of a sudden.
Click to expand...
Actually she should hold.... He got down to 108 today
 
Susan Pomo said:
Thanks Varlene. I usually wait 7 days to up things. AND today he had great numbers. Going to hold out and see but I thank you for your advice.
Where did you get the ketone blood monitor? And how often do you test with it?
Click to expand...
Hi, Susan: When I posted this morning, I only saw last night's numbers, so was concerned. I also thought it was good to confirm that each shot (12 hours) constituted the cycle because it wasn't something that was clear to me when I first joined. I am very glad Joe had a good day today so you are correct to hold, and I see @JanetNJ agrees. : )

I bought a KetoBM Blood Ketone Meter Kit a few weeks ago at amazon for $29.96 and used it twice. Smoky's BGs were very high and he was acting weird for no good reason, so it seemed like a good idea to rule out ketones. I learned that my AlphaTRAK 2 meter is a lot easier to use than the KetoBM as those strips are very difficult to insert and requires watching a countdown as it calculates. It made me appreciate my glucose monitor that beeps almost immediately once the blood is accepted. I don't know if a beeping ketone monitor is available but it is a feature that I think would be helpful. <SEE CORRECTION BELOW> I am keeping the KetoBM I bought as it does its job, and hopefully I will only have to use it from time to time

Hope Joe continues to do well!!

~Arlene

CORRECTION: Since my original post, I have had to use my KetoBM meter several times, and I see that it does indeed beep. It is not very loud, but now that I know it is there, I can listen for it, and it made the process much easier for me.
 
Last edited:
Susan Pomo said:
Could I pay for the vet to do it once and see if there is a problem first. Like, see if they are normal once and not worry about it again until say Next blood work day?
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure ketones are something that can appear quickly and become life threatening within a day if they get high enough. As in, faster than you would be getting blood work done. You'll probably want to tag someone with more experience, but I would not rely on far apart blood work on ketone monitoring.
I know, I know, something ELSE to worry about! But hey, at least you have some awesome numbers today. Wow he is doing better and must be feeling better as well? Worth that super late night the other day to get him here ;)
 
varlene said:
Hi, Susan: When I posted this morning, I only saw last night's numbers, so was concerned. I also thought it was good to confirm that each shot (12 hours) constituted the cycle because it wasn't something that was clear to me when I first joined. I am very glad Joe had a good day today so you are correct to hold, and I see @JanetNJ agrees. : )

I bought a KetoBM Blood Ketone Meter Kit a few weeks ago at amazon for $29.96 and used it twice. Smoky's BGs were very high and he was acting weird for no good reason, so it seemed like a good idea to rule out ketones. I learned that my AlphaTRAK 2 meter is a lot easier to use than the KetoBM as those strips are very difficult to insert and requires watching a countdown as it calculates. It made me appreciate my glucose monitor that beeps almost immediately once the blood is accepted. I don't know if a beeping ketone monitor is available but it is a feature that I think would be helpful. I am keeping the one I bought as it does its job, and hopefully I will only have to use it from time to time

Hope Joe continues to do well!!

~Arlene
Click to expand...
Ketone meters usually require a much bigger sample than the alpha too. It can be tricky to get it to read... Still easier than catching pee though. Hahaha. How big of a sample does the ketoBM need?
 
Last edited:
Susan Pomo said:
One question? How often am I to check his ketones?
Click to expand...
When my cat was in steady high numbers (all. pinks and above) I tested a couple times a week. Or if she just seemed a little off I tested. If she was in yellows and blues I didn't bother because she didn't have a history of a problem with ketones. If the meter detected any small traces at all I tested daily until they went back to 0.
 
JanetNJ said:
Ketone meters usually require a much bigger sample than the alpha too. It can be tricky to get it to read... Still easier than catching pee though. Hahaha. How big of a sample does the ketoBM need?
Click to expand...
The KetoBM Blood Monitor likes more blood than the AlphaTRAK 2, but a good prick will work easily. The amount of blood needed is acceptable, and there is no way Smoky would allow me to get near him while he is doing his business in the litter box, so the meter is the only way to go for me to test ketones.
 
Last edited:
smorgasbord said:
Naughty naughty Joe. Pretzels are not for you! So glad he gained weight Susan. Once his blood sugar gets lower, he'll put even more on.
I can't speak for if sardines or mackerel are low in phosphorus. hmm. Are any of the Weruva sardine or mackerel varieties on the "CKD friendly" list?
Click to expand...
Joe got his Shrimpies in the mail today and LOVES them. Finally a snack he likes!
 
Hi, Susan: I just made a correction to an earlier post about the KetoBM ketone blood meter I bought. Since my original post, I have had to use my KetoBM meter several times, and I see that it does indeed beep. It is not very loud, but now that I know it is there, I can listen for it, and it made the process much easier for me.
 
varlene said:
Hi, Susan: I just made a correction to an earlier post about the KetoBM ketone blood meter I bought. Since my original post, I have had to use my KetoBM meter several times, and I see that it does indeed beep. It is not very loud, but now that I know it is there, I can listen for it, and it made the process much easier for me.
Click to expand...
thanks Varlene
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top