Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high levels

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gizzysmom

Member Since 2014
Hi..I'm a newbie here. My 10 year old male Gizzy started this constant swallowing 6 weeks ago. After ck up, vet found nothing and sent him home with antibiotics. The swallowing continued and I noticed that he seemed to be losing weight. I rescue cats so I guess I wS a little slow on picking up on the weight loss because I am currently taking care of 15 cats. Took him back to vet after about 6 weeks and he had lost almost 2 pounds. We hAd been keeping him in for a while but I hadn't noticed him drinking, eating or peeing excessively. Well after blood panel his sugar was 420 and they said diabetes and he had ketones. He also has an abscessed tooth. He has been at vets since last Tuesday. His sugar Wednesday afternoon had gone down to 280 and no longer had ketones. Thursday started going back up to 380.These days he was given 1 unit. Friday around 400, Saturday 440 and today 520. They gave him 2 units these days. They say he is eating. When I visit he is alert, getting fluids, pain meds and antibiotics. He perks up when he sees me. Tomorrow they want to remove the abscessed tooth. I'm just concerned as to why it keeps climbing. Could it be the infection or stress? Will it be okay to remove tooth? And why the higher units given, the higher his numbers are going? Would appreciate any advice :)
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

Yes, health problems like an abscessed tooth can cause high BG and even ketones.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

Larry...thank you for your response. If they remove the tooth, could his bg levels go back to normal? He just never presented as being diabetic and I think his weight loss could be from the tooth and not eating. I'm scared giving him the insulin is making him worse but I'm not an expert and I am DEFINITELY CONCERNED!
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

Sometimes health problems can trigger diabetes. After the tooth is removed and any infection cleared the cat may need insulin for a short time period or maybe a long period.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

This probably sounds dumb but if after the tooth is pulled, would continuing to give him insulin keep him a diabetic?
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

No, it won't keep him diabetic. It is a hormone, not a drug, so there is no addiction potential.

You home test the blood glucose before every shot to make sure it is safe to give insulin and test mid-cycle to determine how effective the dose is.
 
Re: Newly diagnosed....could abscessed tooth cause high leve

You definitely want to remove that tooth and any others that are bad.

It is very possible that you can get him to remission status ...
he might need a little bit of insulin.... even a micro-dose amount for a period of time to get there. Your vet might not be familiar with that idea...
( I'm talking half units, quarter units, even 1 drop)
we can help you learn everything you need to help him.
 
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