New member: Overseas w/ few vets and severe hypogly

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I'm so glad to hear that Waffles made it through the night. I know it had to be difficult, but did an amazing job with him last night. Prayers and positive thoughts for sweet Waffles. We’re all rooting for you Waffles!!!
 
I too have been checking in frequently and am hoping for a miracle.

With the multiple confirmed hypos and last night’s series of seizures, I’m afraid the prognosis is grave. I hope I’m wrong.

Hopefully the veterinarian has the expertise and tools to pull Waffles through this. As Marje said, one would think the insulin should have cleared his system that many hours after his last injection, but seizures can take on a life of their own. In layman’s terms, each succeeding seizure “lays down a track” in the brain that makes it more likely that the next seizure will occur, even if BG is back in safer ranges. That’s why its so important to stop them. I’ve seen Valium used successfully to settle things down and stop seizure activity but I don’t know what the vets have access to there. To watch a cat seize and not be able to do anything is gut wrenching. I’ve been there.

Cats have absolutely amazing healing capabilities but Waffles has just been through a whiplashing few days and I’m sure it has taken a toll. If he survives, it might take a while (days, even weeks) to recover and to be able to evaluate how much quality of life he’ll have. Sometimes there’s brain damage, sometimes not. We’re only speculating that he might have been overdosed and of course it’s possible that something else entirely is at play here.

Please post again and give us an update, good or bad. We care. I’m sending strength and positive vibes for Waffles to have a full recovery.
 
Thank you all again for support and advice, and good vibes being sent across the world. I've only been able to update now (6pm) my time as been waiting to hear from vet about prognosis. For the last two hours before I managed to send him to the vet he was seizing continuously. One vet I did manage to speak to at 6am who was at his home told to me to give him some valium to counteract some of the seizures. I did, and it calmed him a bit but didn't stop the seizures, but by then I think it was too late. In fact, I injected him three separate times with valium in the hope of giving him some peace at least. He's been at the vet now for 10 hours, and I finally saw him just now and it isn't good. His eye sight has mostly gone, and I think he definitely has some form of brain damage. He is a shell of a cat now sadly. They did do a full blood work and concern now over his liver with high numbers (I forgot to get a copy), and this morning his BGL was still only at 55 despite hours of honey etc. They want to try to see for the next day or two to keep him monitored and give IV glucose and figure out his liver, but I think he has gone, and there isn't any coming back for his brain activity. Being a buddhist country vets here rarely agree to put animals down, but the vet did say that they would consider it in no improvement in 2 days. It is tragic in that mistakes have been made that has led to this result over the last two years, and of course I wish I knew them what I know now about cat health - steroids, diabetes, rodent ulcer - that could have led to a better outcome. My kids got to say goodbye and could see that their cat was already gone, so accept it. For Waffles litter brother, I can tell he kind of knows, as he sat and then paced by his brother for an hour during the seizures.
The only positive about this is that I have found this group, and have already recommended the FAQs for another American friend living here with her cats that she brought with her from Fiji, and one of whom is border-line diabetic. So, thanks again to all for being a calming voice during a night of storms. Maybe maybe.... but I think I know the outcome for my little cat sadly.
 
I’m so sorry you, your kids and poor Waffles had to go through this. I have heard though that sometimes the blindness can reverse after awhile. I hope Waffles recovers and can live a good life, if so, please keep posting here and we can help you with any struggles he may have in the hypo aftermath. But either way you are always welcome here to ask any questions about your other kitty too. It always helps to have others to get ideas from. I will keep sending prayers for sweet Waffles. Keep us posted.
 
Wow. I am truly sorry for what you’ve been through, but especially sorry that I didn’t mention the Valium sooner. It never occurred to me that you might have access to some. Even though I couldn’t have suggested a dose or advised you administer it without a vet’s guidance, it’s still hard to realize I neglected to offer that up.

Blindness isn’t uncommon after a severe hypo event and can be temporary. Even if it’s permanent, blind cats can function just fine. I’m more concerned with the potential brain damage. Old timers here probably remember Stefani and Toonces — Toonces suffered a severe hypo and seizures when he was boarded at the vet clinic and they massively overdosed him by accidentally using a tuberculin syringe rather than an insulin syringe. He survived but barely, and it did unfortunately affect him long term.

That said, every cat is different and the fact that Waffles is still alive means there’s at least a bit of hope. After what he went through, he will look awful for days. Two days might not be enough time to truly evaluate likelihood of recovery. His brain and body need to heal and that takes time. I’ve seen animals who should have died, live, and animals who should have lived die. Sometimes all we can do is give them supportive care and let them decide.

C’mon Waffles. Keep fighting.
 
JL and Chip said:
Wow. I am truly sorry for what you’ve been through, but especially sorry that I didn’t mention the Valium sooner. It never occurred to me that you might have access to some. Even though I couldn’t have suggested a dose or advised you administer it without a vet’s guidance, it’s still hard to realize I neglected to offer that up.

Blindness isn’t uncommon after a severe hypo event and can be temporary. Even if it’s permanent, blind cats can function just fine. I’m more concerned with the potential brain damage. Old timers here probably remember Stefani and Toonces — Toonces suffered a severe hypo and seizures when he was boarded at the vet clinic and they massively overdosed him by accidentally using a tuberculin syringe rather than an insulin syringe. He survived but barely, and it did unfortunately affect him long term.

That said, every cat is different and the fact that Waffles is still alive means there’s at least a bit of hope. After what he went through, he will look awful for days. Two days might not be enough time to truly evaluate likelihood of recovery. His brain and body need to heal and that takes time. I’ve seen animals who should have died, live, and animals who should have lived die. Sometimes all we can do is give them supportive care and let them decide.

C’mon Waffles. Keep fighting.
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On the valium, I had thought about it much earlier in the evening, but was reluctant as know that it isn't recommended as much any more for cats. So I only decided to use it when I saw that the seizures pattern was changing. I happened to have some from a small febrile convulsion my son had years ago, and glad that I had kept it in case. With my kids (7 & 9) they do understand but of course - like me - are hoping that Waffles is still somehow in there. The worst was my younger son came back today from a week away with his school, so less time to prepare, but he saw him at the vet so understands more. But we should have more news over the weekend. Hoping that I will be back on this board with happier questions. He was our scrappy but beautiful rescue Persian/himalayan cat that came with us from Congo to Pakistan and now Myanmar so hoping he still has fight in him. And if not, I just don't want him to suffer. Thanks again.
 
You did everything possible to help your sweet Waffles. It's because of your good care that he even got to the vet and has a chance. I'll be keeping Waffles and your family in my thoughts. Please keep us posted, when you can.
 
Oh I am so sorry for all you went thought! It is a very scary thing to watch a kitty have seizures. I am so hoping there is a miracle

keep fighting Waffles! And in the event that he comes hope with a good prognosis, I would not give anymore insulin until you can test. After hypos kitties are extremely sensitive to insulin and some don’t need it anymore .

Keep us posted!
 
Sadly, the update is that Waffles didn't make it despite all best efforts. The first night at the vet he wasn't getting any better, and he still had some fits that continued for about 10 minutes each. He was definitely damaged when I saw him, a shell, and growling in pain. The next morning, with a few fits more, we decided that it wasn't worth his continued pain and they couldn't control the seizures. The vet advised us to put him down, which is incredibly rare intervention in this country. So, with a heavy heart, he is gone. His litter brother is getting extra attention from us all now, and he senses it though he also watched the seizures so am hoping he understands. Thank you all so much again, and hope that the next cat is saved through your great advice.
 
"If love could have saved you Waffles, you would have lived forever."
Lighting a ring of candles in memory of your beloved Waffles.

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@AriMyanmar I’m so sorry that Waffles wasn’t able to pull through. Sigh. I just lost my 18-year old girl to idiopathic stroke/seizures (unrelated to diabetes) so your situation hit home. You deserve a huge pat on the back for all of your efforts and for staying up all night and treating/comforting Waffles as best you could. I’m in awe that you handled the nonstop seizures without breaking down yourself.

Animals are smart, one might even say wise, so I’m sure your other cat understands that Waffles has moved on. They often grieve as well so it’s nice that you’re been mindful of that and giving extra attention.

If it’s any small consolation, please know that people from many locations around the world saw your post and cared. Thank you for coming back and following up.
 
You fought so hard, it is so clear how much you loved him. Letting him go was very kind. It sucks, but it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Adding our deepest condolences from all over the world.

cat_wings>o
 
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