ketones?

[smiley747]

Hi all - Brandy has been doing great, but I noticed over the weekend she doesn't seem to be feeling too well the last couple of days. She seems lethargic/depressed like she was when I first got her, she doesn't finish all of her food (saturday morning she didn't eat breakfast period) and I think (I have other pets) she threw up. She sort of scrunches herself up, but doesn't fully lie down - as if she has pain or something, but not all the time.

Her fur also seems greasy again. She has a vet appointment with yet another vet. I hope we have better luck this time. She has been doing so well, but I needed to find a new vet anyway.

How often do you all check for ketones? I have strips, but I haven't gotten a sample yet.

Can they go into Diabetic ketoacidosis even when their blood sugar is at a decent level?

 

[smiley747]

Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

 

[Rachel]

I don't know much about DKA, but I'd say get a ketone test if you can. If nothing else, it will relieve your mind. And it certainly sounds like she isn't feeling well.

 

[BJM]

Ketones form as a by-product of fat breakdown. A high fat diet may generate some ketones as the body can create glucose from fats if it needs some.
The numbers you have make it unlikely that it is DKA.

Check my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some other assessments you can do which will help you when you go to the vet.

 

[Critter Mom]

She seems lethargic/depressed like she was when I first got her, she doesn't finish all of her food (saturday morning she didn't eat breakfast period) and I think (I have other pets) she threw up. She sort of scrunches herself up, but doesn't fully lie down - as if she has pain or something, but not all the time.

I'd suggest asking your vet to run a Spec fPL test to check for pancreatitis. It would be a good idea to observe Brandy at mealtimes. See if she shows any symptoms of nausea and also note whether the meatloafing behaviour is worse after eating. Let your vet know about the clinical signs (handy to record them in the Remarks column of Brandy's spreadsheet - helps to identify patterns).

For further information, here's the IDEXX guide to pancreatitis symptoms and treatment.


Mogs
.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

My cat was prone to ketones so whenever anything was "off" (behavior, appetite, illness), I tried to test her urine for ketones twice a day. It was pretty easy to get a sample from Alex. I used a long-handled soup ladle placed under her bottom to catch a sample.

High BG numbers scream "test for ketones!", but some of the worst cases of DKA I've seen on the board have been when kitty's BG has been in the 100s.
The basic recipe for developing ketones = an insufficient supply of insulin + inappetance + infection OR other systemic stresses.
DKA is more likely to happen when all three of those ingredients are in place.

Signs of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

• Drinking excessive amounts of water OR no water
• Excessive urination
• Diminished activity
• Not eating for over 12 hours
• Vomiting
• Lethargy and depression
• Weakness
• Breathing very fast
• Dehydration
• Ketone odor on breath (smells like nail-polish remover or fruit)

You can find a lot more info about ketones and DKA here: Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters.


Hope this helps...

 

[smiley747]

I don't know much about DKA, but I'd say get a ketone test if you can. If nothing else, it will relieve your mind. And it certainly sounds like she isn't feeling well.

Tried to get a urine test but she didn't pee all day and then peed in the carrier on the way but they had already cleaned it. Will have to try again tomorrow. But she was alert And looked better. Did a fructosamine test.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

DKA can happen at lower numbers, yes. I wish the vet had tested her blood for ketones, which is more accurate because it tells them her current status.

I like Mogs' suggestion regarding pancreatitis. The description you gave of her being scrunched up, but not laying down sounds like what some call the "meatloaf position", and I've seen that mentioned when kitties are dealing with pancreatitis.