Loki Day after diagnosis and first Crash HELP

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jettcat

Member Since 2013
Okay, Have spoken to vet, Er vet, you wonderful people here. Er got him from BG 21 at 1:45am to BG 178 4am BG 204 at 8am.( Temp was 98.7 P- 180 r-30)
I checked him at noon after returning from both vets and he was at BG 201.
Vet said he presented with non complicated form of Diabetes. No kidney issues, keytones or other signs, although he had neuropathy as far as i can tell. He wasn't walking on Hocks, but legs very unsteady.
He was Given a shot of Humalin N (although he used a different name) 2 cc diluted form, at 6 pm. As I said I panicked and tested him at the six hour mark when I saw no improvement. BG was 20, I assumed the meter sucked since it was Walgreens brand with mixed reviews. Rushed to Er anyways. Meter was right.

So here is where I am at. Loki apparently ate at er at 4, 6, and 8 am. The first was syringe fed. The canned food. It is now almost four and time for testing, I could really use some advice on a reasonable schedule for my guy. He has not eaten anything I have put in front of him since we got home at eleven, even turkey meat. He has moved from place to place, but is only semi responsive. Not really drinking, has pooped a little, peed a little, but is generally lethargic. Is he just exhausted? Normally he is extremely needy, I read the note to newbies, but his behavior is just soooo off.
Currently hes under the sink sleeping. Trying not to bug him, but its just so scray.
The vet was saying we could switch insulins, He agrees I should monitor, but he said somthing about compounding a 1 % solution because Loki responded so drastically to the minimum dosage of the Humalin.
Is compounding diluting?
He seemed sure this was okay, but i held off getting any till friday when if Lokis numbers require it I should need it. I could use some advice on getting him to eat, even if i have to force feed him, 6.13 lbs is way too bony at his age and size, how do you force feed?
And a really good place to clarify how The Lantius works. I swear i saw something about not diluting it, but is this normal? Please Help.

Gotta go poke an ear.
 
Its always test, feed, and if > 200, shoot within 15 minutes for Lantus.
For Humulin N, you wait 30 minutes for the food to get on board after you get a test > 200.

Compounding means putting a med into a different concentration or mixing with another med in specific concentrations, or putting it in a different form for easier administration.

Humulin N may be diluted; Lantus should not be diluted.
If the dose needs to be so low, maybe he won't need it for long.
 
Lets see where he is before you shoot. and I am not sure you even should if he isnt eating unless he is super high - and even then a high could be a reaction to his low yesterday.

You still are on the Humalin right now ? No lantus yet?

Wendy
 
Pretty much scared the living #$#@ outta my vet this morning when i dropped what seemed like a ream of veterinary articles on him. It also probably helped that i left the er at 3 and had to be back at nine, so i look pretty rough.

He just called and had done some research, so he had product numbers for syringes that show half doses. We will be moving to the Lantus when Loki's numbers are high. He tested at GB 220 at four fifteen. I figure its a good sign he seemed angry about the ear piercing. It looks like loki has no problem absorbing the insulin, so he is thinking half a unit to start.

I really don't know what will happen if he keeps refusing to eat. Vet said to squirt a teaspoon of broth down him to try to stimulate hunger, and that this blase laying around is most likely exhaustion, and apparently at BG 220 its possible they feel bad, wich confuses me.... what is an ideal BG.

OH.....How do I get the Karo Syrup off his chops and whiskers? :mrgreen:
 
Hi, just to be sure....did the vet show you how to read the syringes for proper insulin dosing? Different types of syringes have different volumes. Let me see if I can find a reference link for you with photos just in case....
Glad Loki's doing ok and good work on catching the Hypo!
 
Ok I see you're switching to Lantus (glargine) which is awesome! Here's a link to tell you how to properly handle and store it as well as links to all sorts of good info regarding nutrition etc.
At the very bottom of this article are photos of the syringe and how to measure Units and what type of special syringe to order/use with Lantus (U-100).
different types of insulin syringes measure different volumes so it's important you have the right kind.

Here's the link (I got it from the lantus user's page, which you can find by clicking on board index above) http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18139
 
There a bunch of different ways to entice your Loki to eat.
You could try warming the canned food to mouse tempurature. You could try adding some FortiFlora or some crumbled freeze dried all meat topping to the top of the canned food. I just gave my kitty some baby food beef with broth, kind of as a treat, because he likes it (it doesn't have the vitamins they need but is okay once in a while).
You could try some freshly boiled unseasoned chicken breast, or my kitty particurally likes bits of unseasoned steak.
Some cats like parmesean sprinkled on their food. Fancy Feast Appetizers are well liked, but again are not good for everyday as they lack the proper vitamins, but can start an appetite going. Have you tried a bit of cheese if he is not lactose intolerant? a bit of unseasoned lunch meat? Maybe some freshly scrambled eggs? My J.D. loves thawed out already cooked frozen shrimp. You could also try a bit of human tuna in water as long as you read the can carefully to make sure there is no soy in there.

If all else fails, he has to eat as cats can not go too long without eating, then feed him whatever he'll eat no matter the carb content, but hopefully you can find him something he'll eat that is not too high in carbs.
 
Try a warm, damp washcloth and "mom cat" him with a bit of damp mopping to get the gook off.
 
Thanks so much for the feed back. On the Insulin and needles, printing out.
The food thing, I put the lunch-meat from my sandwich down, as usually, i am ashamed to admit i have gotten lax about as they age, he usually paws at to get his share.
Turkey meat No dice
cruddy fast food cat treats...no dice
Wet food.... no dice
Kibble.....no dice
I just squirted some broth down him, he licked his chops, looked at me as if i was the devil, and limped away.

I am worried that after such highs then bam the low, he might just waste away? I am not really sure i want to take him to the vet with me on Friday. Do they really need to see him if i do the sticks, and BG monitoring. I mean i seem to be the one who recognizes odd behavior. The vets just kind of look at me like I'm insane for pointing out an unusual look on his face, or a different walk. But believe me after five or six years of dealing with a cat with FLUTID, Struvite Crystals and seemingly incurable infections, i am hyper-aware of any change......Kinda wish i had been more paranoid this time.....sigh
 
Maybe he would eat some baby food. Can you try some Gerber or Beechnut all meat baby food? It's easy on the tummy and may get his appetite going.
 
Kentucky Fried Chicken is a great enticer to eat.

The half-unit marked syringes can be purchased at Walmart or Sam's Pharmacy. They are in a purpleish-banded marked box.

Good for you for printing out articles for the vet to read. No one is ever too old to learn something new...that is unless our ego gets in the way.
 
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