New to the Group & need your help....

Status
Not open for further replies.

mccat2

Member
Hi Everyone:
I am new to this site and am looking for your help. I have a 16 year old male cat Sampson who was diagnosed as a diabetic. He was drinking a lot of water and losing weight. His glucose level was over 500 when we discovered it. The vet had me start insulin injections at the 1 unit dose of humalin 2 times per day. We went weekly for 3 weeks, with sugar decreasing from over 500, to 360 to 228 on November 12th. The working vet that day told me to increase his dosage to 2 units per day twice a day. On Thursday November 18th Sampson went into hypoglycemic shock and I had to rush him to an emergency vet after hours. Cost me a lot of money, but I love him dearly. His glucose level had dropped to 20. Apparently I nearly killed him with those injections. Got him out of the emergency Vet and transported him to my regular vet when he was stable. We have been taking his sugar weekly (but waited through the holidays). The last several times his sugar has been at 284 and 247 respectively. Oh yeah, he hasn't been on insulin since the episode (frankly I am scared to death to give him any). My next vet appointment is on Monday. However, he is looking really frail, a little wobbly and seems confused from time to time. Could this be due his sugar level dropping so low? I had gotten out of bed that night around midnight, looked for him, he didn't look right picked him up, put him on the bathroom floor and he fell over and began to urinate. I immediately got him to the vet within 20 minutes of him falling. What are your thoughts? He also has an odor eminating from him, It's not horrible but I smell it on him. It's almost medicinal but hard to accurately describe.
I also have to believe that the vet that day made a big mistake in having me double his dose when his sugar was coming down so nicely. However, I didn't know and I also didn't have knowledge of the corn syrup at time either. My question is how do I get this sugar under control and how to I prevent another episode like this and also why is he not seeming right to me after this problem. However, he does have some better days, where is more like this old self and a little more peppy. Please help, I would really appreciate you input.

Also just learning this website so bear with me.

Vicki & Sampson
 
Sorry that you are going through this. From your description and the medicinal smell that you mentioned, you may have a cat with ketones. Might smell like nail polish remover. This link will explain it better.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm

If this were my cat, I'd first let the vet handle the ketones or possible ketoacidosis, and then start hometesting immediately. Hometesting blood sugar sounds scary, but it's really pretty simple once you start.
This link has hometesting videos and information:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287

I'd also ask the vet about starting Lantus(Glargine) insulin instead the humulin. It's a gentler, long lasting insulin and is, in my opinion much better for cats. If you're using Humulin N or something similar, it tends to have a sharper drop and loses duration sooner.

Diet also plays a role with FD. What type of food is your cat on now?
 
- Does it smell like finger nail polish remover? If it is that means that the cat has ketones which is very serious. and requires a vet visit ASAP. You can buy test strips an a pharmacy (You may have to ask the pharmacist) to test the urine for ketones.
- A hypo can cause brain damage but 20 is not that low. The symptoms you now see can be due to the ketones and called DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis). See http://www.vetinfo.com/feline-diabetic- ... dosis.html
 
You'll find that the most common recommendation we give to newbies is the advise that Jennifer (Tucker's mom) gave -- to hometest. It's possible that your vet won't encourage this -- or that he/she may tell you that you have to buy a very expensive glucometer designed for animals. That's not necessary, and you really don't need anyone's permission to hometest YOUR cat. You just need one designed for humans -- they work well and are less likely to break your budget.

It sounds scary -- poking your baby in the ear. But it gets easier over time, and lots of cats don't even notice it. Many cats (mine included) get to the point where they may remind you that it's poke-time (because they get yummy treats and lots of loving at the same time). You've come to the right place! Just read as much as you can. And if you feel like your mind is spinning from information overload, then shut it down and come back the next day -- it feels like it's a lot to learn, but we've all been there, and there are LOTS of people here who are willing to help any time -- even into the middle of the night!

((((Hugs)))) and be patient with yourself -- you can handle this!

Kris
 
his current condition concerns me and while reading your post my first thought was ketones too. as someone asked, is the odor similar to nail polish remover? if so, can you get him to the vet asap and get him professionally tested for ketones as in all honesty, that might be faster than getting strips of your own and waiting for him to pee. without insulin, this far out from a bad hypo, his glucose levels aren't going to drop too low on their own so i don't think that's causing the stuff you are seeing, and smelling, now.
 
I have to agree with everyone's post so far.

The odor peaks my concern and I would have him to the vet today ...ASAP to be checked. Waiting over the weekend might be too long to wait. If you haven't picked up the phone to the vet...I would do so before they close for the day.

After that it sounds like it is time to learn home testing. It will save you lots of stress, time, money, and your cat's life.

Keeping you in our thoughts.


Edit: smell like nail polish remover, my Tilei smelled like juicy fruit gum to me.
 
Everyone:
Thanks for your help & keep it coming. I really appreciate your concern and will call my Vet before the end of the day. And the odor doesn't smell like nail polish remover, it is not nearly that strong, it's more like a stale, musty odor, not real over powering but can be smelled. And it's not coming from his breath but seems to be eminating from his hindquarters or skin. Not sure. I do clean and brush him so we do have pretty good hygeine when Sammy is in the mood.
I am just very worried about his general health and he seems confused after our episode. Sometime he will stare at a piece of furniture or my other cat Delilah as though he has never seen it before. Not all of the time, but he has never done this before. Also if he is testing at around 220 to 284 range can his sugar raise & lower drastically. Could that attribute to his slow and unsteady walking. He is also having a much more difficult time jumping up on chairs, ottomans, beds etc. And he has fallen off my bed one night. I know that he is getting older but his health seems to have gone down the tubes in the last year. Is this a problem with sugar or perhaps he has an underlying problem. He has had irritable bowel syndrom in the past and has taken medication for that as well.
Again thanks for all of your support and I am very happy that I found this website and joined. I think that this going to be a great gift for both me & Sampson.


Thanks

Vicki & Sammy
 
What did the vet say the problem was when he fell over and urinated and you took him in? Was that when you got the numbers in the 200 range - at the vets?

Are you open to learning how to test? We can teach you over the internet and you will know in just a few minutes whether he is too high or too low.
 
The readings you get at the clinic are problematic for two reasons
1. they are at one point in time. blood glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day in relation to the insulin shot. That is they are highest before the shot, and lowest at some point in between before rising again (this is where the term 'curve' comes from).

2. values at hte clinic may be skewed IF stress causes a hormonal reaction that in turn leads to raised blood glucose levels.

So. The values you had at the clinic may or may not be skewed, and even if they are valid, they do not reflect the entire picture of how your cat responds to insulin

You absolutely need to do a few things (in my humble opinion)
1. get a full blood panels and urine workup at the vet asap as well as a neurological assessment
2. test his urine at home for ketones on a regular basis
3. learn to test his blood glucose levels at home just like human diabetics do

You won't regret learning to test at home, it is incredibly empowering

Jen
 
The wobbliness and jumping problems sound like neuropathy, which is a classic symptom of feline diabetes. It presents in the back legs and makes jumping difficult, and often the cat will stumble and fall while walking. Once the diabetic cat is regulated, neuropathy will usually subside in time. Aside from getting checked for ketones, I would ask your vet to prescribe Lantus, which is a nice, steady insulin and not so harsh as the stuff you were using before. I urge you to read up on home testing, and start at a VERY low dose when re-introducing insulin to your cat. The only way you can find that ideal dose, and therefore know how to avoid another hypo episode, is though home testing. Our esteemed Dr. Lisa compares lack of home testing to driving your car down the highway with a bag over your head. It's an honest analogy.
 
Whew...I'm glad the odor concern seems to be a skin/fur issue, although it should be checked out as if it is causing inflammation of the skin, it could affect the blood glucose (BG).

Second it does sound like it could be neuropathy. And I'd like to point you to a post that
went up today over on the lantus board.

I'm pulling out the section I want you to see, but also providing a link to the condo.

by mybuddybinks » Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:48 pm

so, i thought I'd wait until I was sure before i mentioned this...but now it's pretty evident...

over the last 3 weeks, i've seen a real marked improvement in the symptoms of neuropathy...still shows the effects...but they are certainly diminishing. He still doesnt have regular strength returned...but occasionally does not hock-walk...and all four leggies are in their proper orientation..not turning in, out, this way & that.
SWEET!! it's what i had hoped to see when he got a little better regulated...though we still use MB12, massage, and play/exercise sessions.

Happiness reigns supreme in Cuddville...and we wanted to share...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33810

I want you to know...they can and do get better. Some owners and cats find us here and are in pretty horrible shape...and for some a few months later....well cuddleville reigns.
 
Hi Everyone;

Well tonight was our very 1st poke on our own with the glucose test. I set the lancet to 2 and then 3, I didn't get enough blood to even get on the strip. It was difficult at best, put Sammy on the bed, sort of held him between my legs. Overall he was pretty good and I would have been able to test if only I had gotten more blood. Any suggestions? I did keep squeezing & massaging his ear but no go. We will try again tomorrow.
P.S. I gave him a massage with a hand held massager that he loves and also a little cat nip.
Thanks for your support & help.


Vicki & Sampson
 
What gauge lancet? Some new diabetics need the larger ones - 25 or 26 gauge. Are you sure warming the ear? That was magic for us. And a smear of vaseline where you plan to poke will help the blood bead up.
 
Good news. I tested Sampson tonight and it went smoothly. We used a rice sock and the opposite ear. His reading was at 141 and he had eaten just a couple of bites of the kitten food (apparently he didn't like that brand). Took it about a half hour after he ate. I will continue to test him.



Vicki & Sampson
 
Welcome to the Vampire club! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT

When is the 141 in relation to the shot?

Vicky, pick one of your threads and reply to it and let the other ones slip down the page. It is too confusing to have so many.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top