Ketones

[KittyMom777]

Hi, quick question.... I dont often get a ketostix near Silver when I need to but I got a test today and it showed "trace ketones". At what point should I be worried? Could the trace ketones be a reason for peeing on the floor? I really know nothing about ketones.

 

[tibbs5]

when they show trace ketones, i usually increase the water in their food and that will bring them down. also after i get a trace reading, i will test again the next day and it usually resolves. anything more than trace would be cause to go to the vet but for now, i would just try to flush them with extra water. i'm not sure about the peeing. i don't think so but i don't know for sure

 

[KittyMom777]

Thanks Nadine. I'm also not sure if it was exactly 15 seconds so I may have messed up the test. I'll try again tomorrow and add water to his food just in case.

 

[tibbs5]

ok. and yes it has to be only 15 seconds. any more than that and you could get an error so maybe if u waited longer than 15 sec it's possible he doesn't have trace ketones. let us know.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Juliet,
You're right, get another urine test as soon as you can and yes on the additional water. Even if you have to syringe some to be sure sweet boy needs to pee a lot which helps flush ketones. Ketones are caused by the body using stored fat for energy instead of the food. Yes it can be a reason he's peeing outside the box too. Don't panic that it was exactly 15 seconds, that doesn't matter enough to get upset over it. Make sure he gets plenty of food too, the body needs it right now. Vet if ketones gets any more - don't want to move from just ketonic to ketoacidosis (DKA).

HUGS and prayers!

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Okay everyone before we all get our undies in a bunch.

How is Silver eating? Appetite still good? And what is he testing at BG wise?

Granted the reference range is for humans but since normal for a cat on a human meter and normal for a human are fairly close here is what Jolin's has to say about the circumstances in which it is important to test for them (full article here)

When should I test for ketones?

Anytime your blood glucose is over 250 mg/dl for two tests in a row.
When you are ill. Often illness, infections, or injuries will cause sudden high blood glucose and this is an especially important time to check for ketones.
When you are planning to exercise and the blood glucose is over 250 mg/dl.
If you are pregnant, you should test for ketones each morning before breakfast and any time the blood glucose is over 250 mg/dl.

While I would grab another test as soon as possible given Silver's readings I really suspect it is just you waited too long to read the strip as they will darken over time

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[KittyMom777]

Thanks Mel. I thought it might just be paranoid mom kicking in. His eating and BG are excellent. And I seriously hope he isn't pregnant :lol:

There gotta be a reason for this floor peeing. Grrrr. I've tried everything.