My cat Bo went to the vet last week and was dx as diabetic, his glucose level was 436. He was put on Prozinc insulin by the vet at 2 units twice a day. He has lost a lot of weight in the last 3 months and drinks water all the time. The vet told me to change his food to a perscription food for diabetic cats--- MD. Bo does not like the food. I have been reading this site for the last week and have now changed his food to wet foods from Binky's chart, but Bo still has not been eating good. Yesterday he seemed really sick so I took him to the vet this morning and the vet said he has ketones. I have researched and know that ketones are not good, but how bad will this be for him. The vet is keeping Bo overnight and giving him fluids, but he said the blood glucose was registering high (I don't know the number). My vet said Bo could probably come home tomorrow but I don't want him to come home to soon. How will I know if it is safe to bring him home? Thanks for any help.
New Cat Bo has ketones
- Thread starter Mary&Bo
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Mary&Bo said:
I know that all the others will have lots to say, I'll just say a bit as I do not have first hand experience with ketones.
some info for you to read:
Ketones
Pet Diabetes Wiki: Ketoacidosis
As Bo has ketones, you want to be sure you test him all the time, as often as possible, when he comes home. You can get a container of KETOSTIX at the pharmacy and you need to test his urine frequently. Be sure to post if you get even a trace showing on the test strip.
When you pick Bo up, be sure you get instructions from the vet on how he/she would like Bo watched later, and also you would do well go get a Sub-Q fluids kit from the vet. Have the vet show you how to give them, but I don't see there will be a problem because you are already familiar with needles and stuff.
For now, I would suggest that you read all the other posts that mention ketones .... it seems there have been quite a few poor kitties that have had this same problem in the last week. I am positive that you will find excellent suggestions on what to do and what to avoid and what to get from your vet.
I hope Bo feels better soon and is home where he will be much happier.
Ann & Scatcats
Very Active Member
I wish I had some answers for you.
Bo have gotten the ketones due to getting too little insulin.
I can't advice you what to do since it is your $$$ money, but I personally didn't bring my Simba home from hospital when he got both pancreatitis and high ketones, diabetic keto acidosis, DKA. I had my Simba in 24/7 hospital for two weeks, it took that long for it to become better.
Bo have gotten the ketones due to getting too little insulin.
I can't advice you what to do since it is your $$$ money, but I personally didn't bring my Simba home from hospital when he got both pancreatitis and high ketones, diabetic keto acidosis, DKA. I had my Simba in 24/7 hospital for two weeks, it took that long for it to become better.
Ann & Scatcats
Very Active Member
Yes, there is a difference to ketones and acidosis ketones.
When one don't eat enough or are on a diet or those no carb diets, the body takes fat instead and turn it into ketones as fuel to the brain and nerve system instead of glucose. Apart from that ones potassium and sodium are on order. Thus not so dangerous condition
Acidosis ketones have the same basics as above, the body take the fat instead of glucose and turn into fuel for the brain and nervesystem. But the huge difference with DKA, diabetic keto acidosis, is that the potassium and sodium levels gets all out of order, and then it is when it become dangerous, and the body can't handle it.
Ask your vet what he based his ketones diagnosis on, and if he can check for DKA.
When one don't eat enough or are on a diet or those no carb diets, the body takes fat instead and turn it into ketones as fuel to the brain and nerve system instead of glucose. Apart from that ones potassium and sodium are on order. Thus not so dangerous condition
Acidosis ketones have the same basics as above, the body take the fat instead of glucose and turn into fuel for the brain and nervesystem. But the huge difference with DKA, diabetic keto acidosis, is that the potassium and sodium levels gets all out of order, and then it is when it become dangerous, and the body can't handle it.
Ask your vet what he based his ketones diagnosis on, and if he can check for DKA.
Grayson & Lu
Very Active Member
There's currently a thread on health (911 near top) and mine on Prozinc regarding ketones. Two weeks ago we tested for "Moderate" ketones. Grayson was there again last night.
I'm giving 100 mL of Lactated Ringers subcutaneously twice a day. I'm making sure he continues to eat, and I've increased his insulin. He was on an antibiotic for several days, but was discontinued. THere was no sign of infection in his blood or urine when we went in, but I requested the antibiotic anyways - and he had a little bit of a snotty nose.
Anyways,...fast forward 2 weeks. Still has his appetite, although it waned for a couple of days. Other than this second "MODERATE", we've stayed at trace or small. The little $6-10 bottle of ketone test strips is an insurance policy. You can keep an eye on Bo and treat him much more economically (than the vet stay). Ask the vet to teach you how to do the SubQ fluids. Get the supplies and take him home. Hopefully you've got a second set of arms to hold him, as Grayson was extremely well-behaved at the vets, and totally wiggly when I was at home w/ him alone and trying to do them! It's all about keeping an eye on them.
Let me know if I can answer any specific questions... BTW: the ER at NC State's Vet School told me that if he went to DKA, it would be between $2-4000 to treat - but that usually the cats that come in with it haven't eaten for days, as a result are insulin deprived, and usually an infection going on. That little bottle is looking really good right now! Hopefully you've caught yours early and can stay on top of it. Good luck!
Lu-Ann
I'm giving 100 mL of Lactated Ringers subcutaneously twice a day. I'm making sure he continues to eat, and I've increased his insulin. He was on an antibiotic for several days, but was discontinued. THere was no sign of infection in his blood or urine when we went in, but I requested the antibiotic anyways - and he had a little bit of a snotty nose.
Anyways,...fast forward 2 weeks. Still has his appetite, although it waned for a couple of days. Other than this second "MODERATE", we've stayed at trace or small. The little $6-10 bottle of ketone test strips is an insurance policy. You can keep an eye on Bo and treat him much more economically (than the vet stay). Ask the vet to teach you how to do the SubQ fluids. Get the supplies and take him home. Hopefully you've got a second set of arms to hold him, as Grayson was extremely well-behaved at the vets, and totally wiggly when I was at home w/ him alone and trying to do them! It's all about keeping an eye on them.
Let me know if I can answer any specific questions... BTW: the ER at NC State's Vet School told me that if he went to DKA, it would be between $2-4000 to treat - but that usually the cats that come in with it haven't eaten for days, as a result are insulin deprived, and usually an infection going on. That little bottle is looking really good right now! Hopefully you've caught yours early and can stay on top of it. Good luck!
Lu-Ann
nancy and payne
Very Active Member
I hope you got your questions answered about ketones, they are really an important piece of the puzzle in keeping your kitty well. I see where you use PZI you could come over to the pzi site and post and we could help you with dosage and such. Hope things are well.
Nancy and Payne ....
Nancy and Payne ....
Grayson & Lu
Very Active Member
Hi Mary -
Just checking in to see how Bo is doing? Grayson has been back and forth w/ his ketones, but we're holding them in check. Got a reading tonight between NEGATIVE and TRACE - after a MODERATE earlier today. Just have to stay on top of them! Flush the fluids, make sure he's eating, and of course getting adequate insulin and AB as needed.
Lu-Ann
Just checking in to see how Bo is doing? Grayson has been back and forth w/ his ketones, but we're holding them in check. Got a reading tonight between NEGATIVE and TRACE - after a MODERATE earlier today. Just have to stay on top of them! Flush the fluids, make sure he's eating, and of course getting adequate insulin and AB as needed.
Lu-Ann
Thanks for the responses.
Bo is still at the vet, but is coming home today. I asked the vet if it was DKA and he said it was just ketones. Bo's glucose levels are still high and above 450 for most of the day. I have read a lot about ketones and DKA and I am really scared. I might would leave Bo at the vet, but they are not open on the weekends so I figured he is better at home with me monitoring him. The vet has increased the insulin to 3 units twice a day, but it doesn't seem to be helping the numbers. He did say the ketones were less today.
I am picking him up late this afternoon. I am sure I will have more questions once I get him home. Thank you for helping me and Bo.
Bo is still at the vet, but is coming home today. I asked the vet if it was DKA and he said it was just ketones. Bo's glucose levels are still high and above 450 for most of the day. I have read a lot about ketones and DKA and I am really scared. I might would leave Bo at the vet, but they are not open on the weekends so I figured he is better at home with me monitoring him. The vet has increased the insulin to 3 units twice a day, but it doesn't seem to be helping the numbers. He did say the ketones were less today.
I am picking him up late this afternoon. I am sure I will have more questions once I get him home. Thank you for helping me and Bo.
Grayson & Lu
Very Active Member
Good - both picking up the stix and being home with him. I should be around most of the weekend and will be tuned in. I'll check your posts regularly.
Lu-Ann
Lu-Ann
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