Hi,
Hello to everyone on the forum. My cat Mai (10 years old) had a dka about 17 days ago and I rushed him to the ED. He did well the first night and then everything got worse. We transferred him to a critical care hospital where he got most of his treatment for the last 15 days (in the ICU). I have been reading on the forum, esp about all the successful stories after getting help from each other. His recover is a bit long, but I would really appreciate if those of you who have experiences can take a look and give me some advices.
It was really bad for a while. His electrolytes were very messed up, glucose and ketones all very high, and one point had very low blood pressure and body temperature. Luckily after the most scary moment when he did not respond to multiple doses of the most common blood pressure treatment, he responded to the only other medicine. Then he took a few days to stabilize, and after about 3-5 days his vitals went back to normal. At one point, even his ketone went down to normal. We let him stabilize for a few days and he got two blood transfusion due to low PCP level (red blood cell). During that time, he also had an NG tube for continuous feeding. At one point, he had one good day when he actually ate some treat and tried some food.
Then he had another DKA while at the ICU about 5 days ago. The doctor believes that this happened because after he stabilized, we switched him to the long-lasting insulin without him getting regular meals. He was not eating and was relying on the NG tube for food. Luckily this time tho, while the glucose level at one point went up to 700, and the ketone went back to 8-9, he did not have any electrolytes or blood pressure issues.
We put an e-tube in him about 3-4 days ago and while his ketone did not go down completely to normal (at ~3), the doctor believes this is due to hepatic lipidosis (a liver issue associated with DKA) and to recover from this he just needs some time with regular feeding and getting regulated.
So we just got back home late this afternoon, after 17 days in the hospital, which include 15 days in ICU and lots of $$$. I am feeding him a fixed amount of food calculated by the doctor 4 times per day and giving him 2 doses of long-lasting insulin (1 unit every 12-hours) per day until the next follow-up, which is in a week.
What breaks me now is that he seems worse now than the night I took him to the first ED. He is still tired and lethargic. He walks slowly and you can see how weak he is. He is not interested in much of anything except sleeping. He also goes immediately to hide at places where he typically doesn't go.
I wonder how long did it take your cat to recover? Not fully but at least becomes kind of energetic so I feel like his quality of life is there? I understand my cat was probably sicker than most but for those of you who had similar episodes, how long did take yours to show signs of recovery? And for the rest of you (so happy that most of the cats do not have to go through this much btw), do you think it is normal that he is behaving like this today?
I really do love him. He was there for me for a decade when I was moving around the country. I am willing to do everything for him, both financially and effort wise. But I just want to be sure that he does have a chance to "recover" because if he will always be like this, I am not sure if I am doing all of this for my benefits or his.
Thanks to everyone in advance!
Hao
Hello to everyone on the forum. My cat Mai (10 years old) had a dka about 17 days ago and I rushed him to the ED. He did well the first night and then everything got worse. We transferred him to a critical care hospital where he got most of his treatment for the last 15 days (in the ICU). I have been reading on the forum, esp about all the successful stories after getting help from each other. His recover is a bit long, but I would really appreciate if those of you who have experiences can take a look and give me some advices.
It was really bad for a while. His electrolytes were very messed up, glucose and ketones all very high, and one point had very low blood pressure and body temperature. Luckily after the most scary moment when he did not respond to multiple doses of the most common blood pressure treatment, he responded to the only other medicine. Then he took a few days to stabilize, and after about 3-5 days his vitals went back to normal. At one point, even his ketone went down to normal. We let him stabilize for a few days and he got two blood transfusion due to low PCP level (red blood cell). During that time, he also had an NG tube for continuous feeding. At one point, he had one good day when he actually ate some treat and tried some food.
Then he had another DKA while at the ICU about 5 days ago. The doctor believes that this happened because after he stabilized, we switched him to the long-lasting insulin without him getting regular meals. He was not eating and was relying on the NG tube for food. Luckily this time tho, while the glucose level at one point went up to 700, and the ketone went back to 8-9, he did not have any electrolytes or blood pressure issues.
We put an e-tube in him about 3-4 days ago and while his ketone did not go down completely to normal (at ~3), the doctor believes this is due to hepatic lipidosis (a liver issue associated with DKA) and to recover from this he just needs some time with regular feeding and getting regulated.
So we just got back home late this afternoon, after 17 days in the hospital, which include 15 days in ICU and lots of $$$. I am feeding him a fixed amount of food calculated by the doctor 4 times per day and giving him 2 doses of long-lasting insulin (1 unit every 12-hours) per day until the next follow-up, which is in a week.
What breaks me now is that he seems worse now than the night I took him to the first ED. He is still tired and lethargic. He walks slowly and you can see how weak he is. He is not interested in much of anything except sleeping. He also goes immediately to hide at places where he typically doesn't go.
I wonder how long did it take your cat to recover? Not fully but at least becomes kind of energetic so I feel like his quality of life is there? I understand my cat was probably sicker than most but for those of you who had similar episodes, how long did take yours to show signs of recovery? And for the rest of you (so happy that most of the cats do not have to go through this much btw), do you think it is normal that he is behaving like this today?
I really do love him. He was there for me for a decade when I was moving around the country. I am willing to do everything for him, both financially and effort wise. But I just want to be sure that he does have a chance to "recover" because if he will always be like this, I am not sure if I am doing all of this for my benefits or his.
Thanks to everyone in advance!
Hao
