Ketones

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KittyMom777

KittyMom777

Member Since 2014
Hi, I have read a lot on the forum re ketones and the importance of testing for them. This is not something I have been doing so I need more info. The only thing my vet said about ketones was that "we are lucky, we have caught the diabetes in time and there are no ketones in his urine.

At what numbers should ketones be looked for
How do I test for ketones when I have TWO cats using the litter trays and I use pine pellets absorbent cat litter (its dry and odor free even when used and this is better for my tiny apartment)
Very rarely if ever do I see my kitties use the litter tray. They like to go when I am out or in another room. I would never know which one used the tray.

Can I get away with not doing this testing if his numbers are in the pink?

Juliet
 
Larry and Kitties said:
You have to catch the urine and test it with the strips. Some use a little non-absorbent stuff like aquarium gravel in a litter box. Some can catch the urine with a soup ladle when urinating. I myself have only done it once or twice just to see what it is like.

You can also get a special BG meter that also take trips that test the blood for ketones. The strips are expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Glucose ... tone+meter
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Xtra-Bl ... tone+meter
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That didn't actually answer my questions ;-)
 
Ketones with a diabetic is always a good idea regardless of the number while they are still on insulin. While they are normally associated with the higher numbers 250 and above they can happen at any number. I, in fact lost a little girl to DKA with numbers in the 60-100 range, because she got sick and stopped eating on her own.

There are two ways to check for ketones, either the common dipstick method where you just have to stalk kitty to the litter box and stick the strip into the urine stream, or with a special meter and strips for that meter. The special meter can be used to check both blood sugar with one type of strip and blood ketones with another type of strip. Using a special meter can be pricey but peace of mind is priceless.

You can get away with not testing ketones but much like you can get lucky shooting insulin blind, you are still playing with fire by not to at least periodically test for ketones, especially if your cat is above 180-250 which is the renal threshold in most cats. DKA can set in very quickly and not only is it expensive to treat if they can be treated, it is a lengthy hospital stay usually at an emergency 24 hour vet and even if treated by a vet can still be the death of your furry friend.

I have 16 cats and 17 litter boxes, so I can completely relate to trying to figure out who just did what in the box. What I do when I want to catch a ketone test on one of my three diabetics is, I put them in a room by themselves with a fresh clean litter box and wait them out. There is just something about a new freshly cleaned litter box that no cat can seem to resist, so it usually doesn't take long before the cat I'm waiting on goes to relieve themselves and I have what I want...fresh urine to test. With the litter box that I use to catch a ketone test I put only a small almost a dusting of litter in the bottom, just enough to give it that "perfume" of a litter box but not enough to soak up all the urine at once. So when they finally do go I have a nice little pool to dip into, and if there is a tiny bit of litter in the tray if I'm in the room with them I can usually hear them scratch and that's my cue to have the dipstick ready to go as soon as they leave the box.

I'm sure others have tips and tricks as well for ketone testing with multiple cats. Just the above is what works for me and my cats.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
I put them in a room by themselves with a fresh clean litter box and wait them out. There is just something about a new freshly cleaned litter box that no cat can seem to resist, so it usually doesn't take long before the cat I'm waiting on goes to relieve themselves and I have what I want...fresh urine to test.
Mel and The Fur Gang
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My problem is that I live in a one bedroom basement apartment. I really only have one room. If I separate them by shutting one into the bedroom (sometimes I have by accident) they would set up the cats chorus with one cat on either side of the door and pick up at the carpet until they were released. Its tricky when its not my house and I cant have them destroying stuff. Silver has already peed on the area rug and I cant get the smell out despite washing it countless times. I guess I will just have to have the vet check for ketones each time we visit. Budget is very very tight so I couldn't buy another meter :-(

I just have to hope I get lucky and have no ketones.
 
For odor removal, try Simple Solution. Carpet may need to be pulled back and the underneath and padding treated.

For segregating, a 30" dog crate is large enough for a small box, food, water, and a place to lie down. check your local Craigslist for 2nd hand ones, when the budget eases up a bit.
 
KittyMom777 said:
Budget is very very tight so I couldn't buy another meter :-( I just have to hope I get lucky and have no ketones.
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It might be an idea to check the scent of Silver's breath regularly. IIRC from what I've read here, some ketones produce a fruity/nail polish remover smell on the breath (but not all).

Do you have a pet carrier? Perhaps if you could keep Sasha in the same room but in the carrier for a while until you got a urine sample from Silver maybe it might help with the separation anxiety?
 
Critter Mom said:
KittyMom777 said:
Budget is very very tight so I couldn't buy another meter :-( I just have to hope I get lucky and have no ketones.
Click to expand...
It might be an idea to check the scent of Silver's breath regularly. IIRC from what I've read here, some ketones produce a fruity/nail polish remover smell on the breath (but not all).

Do you have a pet carrier? Perhaps if you could keep Sasha in the same room but in the carrier for a while until you got a urine sample from Silver maybe it might help with the separation anxiety?
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His breath is fine - believe me, he sleeps in my bed! He has no ketones according the last test the vet did a week ago. For now I am not going to test for ketones. Its too hard for me to that right now. I am home for only 3 hrs a day and its hard enough fitting in three BG tests.
 
That again is like having his blood sugar tested last week at the vet's. It doesn't tell you anything about the here and now. Not all ketones will make the breath smell. Musette's didn't. And yes she slept on my pillow at night.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
Only 2 of 3 types of ketones have a detectable odor of fruit or nail polish remover.
Not smelling one of those does NOT mean no ketones.
 
Just being aware of my limitations. I can't take in any more stress with this right now. I'm doing the best I can with his BG testing but I can't figure out how to do ketone testing right now as well. It's too complicated to get a test. Like I said I NEVER see him pee. I'm not going off to buy a pet cage to put him in - he would have to be there all day or all night and he would hate it. The litter I use is completely absorbent. I can't use the other kinds of they will use the floor. I have tried. I'm out of options.
 
Don't get me wrong. I know it's important. I'm just trying to figure out a way to do it that works with my situation.

Is there a way of testing the litter that's been used? Perhaps taking the litter and adding water, stirring it in the litter then testing that? Found this online:

"If you can’t get hold of aquarium gravel, you can try it with your normal pet litter. You’ll have to be quick before the urine soaks into the litter though! If you’re going to try this, first test the litter itself, by wetting a teaspoon of it and then dip-sticking it. If the Keto-Diastix changes colour at all, you can’t use your litter as it will give you a false reading"
 
How about getting some non absorbent cat littler like Katkor

http://www.katkor.com/Home.html

If I have to take a urine sample into the vets I clean out the litter tray with hot soapy water and then out in just Katkor. I know remi pees first thing in the morning so I do it last thing at night. Then I just monitor him in the mornign and as soon as he does a pee I use the pipette that comes with the Katkor and put it in the the little test tube that also comes with it. Ofcourse what you want is to then just dip in the test strip in the fresh urine.
 
phlika29 said:
How about getting some non absorbent cat littler like Katkor

http://www.katkor.com/Home.html

If I have to take a urine sample into the vets I clean out the litter tray with hot soapy water and then out in just Katkor. I know remi pees first thing in the morning so I do it last thing at night. Then I just monitor him in the mornign and as soon as he does a pee I use the pipette that comes with the Katkor and put it in the the little test tube that also comes with it. Ofcourse what you want is to then just dip in the test strip in the fresh urine.
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If I can get that stuff in Canada that's an option altho I eong know which cat's pee I am testing.
 
Catrine is another brand of non-absorbent litter. They do little kits with the pipette and test tube included, too.
 
Critter Mom said:
Catrine is another brand of non-absorbent litter. They do little kits with the pipette and test tube included, too.
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Thanks. I'll go looking at the weekend. How often should I be testing?
 
I think Nadine (Tibbs' mom) uses a ketone meter. Might be worth posting a cross-link to this thread in the Relaxed Lantus group to get her input, Juliet.
 
Critter Mom said:
I think Nadine (Tibbs' mom) uses a ketone meter. Might be worth posting a cross-link to this thread in the Relaxed Lantus group to get her input, Juliet.
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How do I do a cross link?

I'm going to have to just use strips. Can't afford another meter and Mel says they are pricey. Seriously, at this rate, the cats are eating better than I am!
 
What the website was talking about is that you get a sample of your clean litter, wet it with water and stick the strip in that to see if just the litter alone will give you a reading. If just plain clean water on clean litter turns the strip a color then you can't use it when checking for ketones as it will give a false positive reading. If it doesn't change the color on the strip then you can just wait for kitty to leave the box and stick the strip in the now peed on litter and get your test.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
What the website was talking about is that you get a sample of your clean litter, wet it with water and stick the strip in that to see if just the litter alone will give you a reading. If just plain clean water on clean litter turns the strip a color then you can't use it when checking for ketones as it will give a false positive reading. If it doesn't change the color on the strip then you can just wait for kitty to leave the box and stick the strip in the now peed on litter and get your test.

Mel and The Fur Gang
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Ok gotcha. Thx
 
tibbs5 said:
hi
this company has a deal on strips and meter. i have 11 cats so it's the only way to be sure i get Tibbs tested for ketones.
http://www.novacares.com/nova-max-plus/

also http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004T4NUO ... SY200_QL40

sand is non absorbant and he loves it. you can get a urine sample and use a dip strip. please feel free to PM me ( just click on pm to send a private message) if you have any questions about ketone testing

.....


.
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Thx. I'm in Canada tho.
 
There is a Canadian Amazon link through our SHOP button above. Bonus - purchases made through our SHOP link help support this message board.
 
Yep those are the ones that I have used in the past.

As far as how often can depend on the cat. If they have ever gone into DKA then they are more prone to developing ketones. So you want to monitor closely, as in several times a week, if not daily.

If never had ketones before but still unregulated and in high numbers, or not eating well, or with an infection at least weekly.

If well regulated, eating well and just being a general cat, periodically to keep an eye on things, I still test Autumn about every other week or so. If she starts acting off in anyway then I check her at least once daily.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
Yep those are the ones that I have used in the past.

As far as how often can depend on the cat. If they have ever gone into DKA then they are more prone to developing ketones. So you want to monitor closely, as in several times a week, if not daily.

If never had ketones before but still unregulated and in high numbers, or not eating well, or with an infection at least weekly.

If well regulated, eating well and just being a general cat, periodically to keep an eye on things, I still test Autumn about every other week or so. If she starts acting off in anyway then I check her at least once daily.

Mel and The Fur Gang
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What about "not had ketones before, not regulated, eating well but in the pink numbers" as in Silver's case?

I tried to buy these but they don't ship to Canada. Back to the drawing board. I think this forum is mostly folks in the USA right?

Juliet
 
KittyMom777 said:
I tried to buy these but they don't ship to Canada. Back to the drawing board. I think this forum is mostly folks in the USA right?
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Nope we have members all over the world. There are quite a few that are Canadian like yourself.

As far as Ketones in Silver's case I would try to snag a test at least weekly. Ketostixs can be found anywhere they sell human diabetic supplies. Here they are on the shelves with the meters, test strips, lancets etc but if you don't see them there trying asking at the pharmacy counter, they may have them behind the counter with the syringes.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
KittyMom777 said:
I tried to buy these but they don't ship to Canada. Back to the drawing board. I think this forum is mostly folks in the USA right?
Click to expand...

Nope we have members all over the world. There are quite a few that are Canadian like yourself.

As far as Ketones in Silver's case I would try to snag a test at least weekly. Ketostixs can be found anywhere they sell human diabetic supplies. Here they are on the shelves with the meters, test strips, lancets etc but if you don't see them there trying asking at the pharmacy counter, they may have them behind the counter with the syringes.

Mel and The Fur Gang
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Will do. thanks.

Juliet
 
MommaOfMuse said:
KittyMom777 said:
I tried to buy these but they don't ship to Canada. Back to the drawing board. I think this forum is mostly folks in the USA right?
Click to expand...

Nope we have members all over the world. There are quite a few that are Canadian like yourself.

As far as Ketones in Silver's case I would try to snag a test at least weekly. Ketostixs can be found anywhere they sell human diabetic supplies. Here they are on the shelves with the meters, test strips, lancets etc but if you don't see them there trying asking at the pharmacy counter, they may have them behind the counter with the syringes.

Mel and The Fur Gang
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Hi, I just ordered Ketostix not Ketodiastix - did I get the wrong thing? http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000053 ... UTF8&psc=1

Juliet
 
Since you're most interested in ketones and can test glucose in the blood, those are fine.
If you have a cat prone to ketones, it can be worth getting a ketone meter, like the Nova Max.
 
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The keto stix can just be put under a stream of pee. It's easy. There's a type of litter box that has 2 level, the pee goes through holes in the top of the box to the collection area below. If you could put your baby in a room just until the llitterbox is used then dip the keto stix. I don't have one of these so don't know the brand or where to get it, someone on here will know though!
 
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