? ?!?! Not doing well

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Amanda McMasters said:
I just tried taking him to the vet they quoted me &150 on the phone but when I got here they handed me an estimate of $ 543.59... I applied for care credit at which I go denied.... now Ham and I are sitting in the crying... I don't know what to do
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Amanda, please contact Chris @Chris & China to see if DCIN can help with his veterinary care. What did they say that $543.59 was for? What do they think he needs?
 
A recheck fee, fluid administration pump, fluids: normosol liter, day board, capstar, cerenis, iv catheter, profile: senior 17 screen, electrolytes, hemogram complete, glicose: blood levels, fpl, x rays, feline a/d
 
Amanda, the tests they are suggesting seem reasonable, I can't comment on cost as I don't live in US, Chris is usually on the board a little later, I am keeping my paws crossed that DCIN might be able to help you.

In the meantime is it worth asking the vet which he feels is the most urgent test/treatment? Might it make sense to start with that if it's affordable?
 
Does Ham go outside? The Capstar is for fleas. Unless Ham has fleas, I don't see why that would be necessary. Otherwise the estimate seems reasonable. I would think getting Ham rehydrated and eating would be the urgency right. If they can get him on fluids for now it would buy some time to see if DCIN can help with the costs to get the testing done to figure out what is causing Ham to feel so poorly. Paws crossed here too!
 
I just took Ham back to the old vet... he may not be well educated on diabetes but I can make payments to him if I can't get any help. They are already starting him on fluids and they said not to worry we'll get in back up and moving.

I had made a smart comment at that other vet about how it might be cheaper to put Ham to sleep and they said that's an option if you can't afford his medical care. I was appalled at that response.
 
Good move going back to the old vet Amanda!! It sounds like even if they aren't totally up on the diabetes, they are more interested in his well being than your money. That comment from the new vet was horrible.:mad::mad::mad::mad: We can help you out with the diabetes stuff but right now the focus has to be on getting Ham feeling better. Please keep us posted. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Amanda McMasters said:
I just took Ham back to the old vet... he may not be well educated on diabetes but I can make payments to him if I can't get any help. They are already starting him on fluids and they said not to worry we'll get in back up and moving.

I had made a smart comment at that other vet about how it might be cheaper to put Ham to sleep and they said that's an option if you can't afford his medical care. I was appalled at that response.
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Good momma bean! He has us all worried!! Hang in there hammie!
 
I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear this news:bighug::bighug::bighug:

If you are otherwise happy with your old vet, as Linda says, you can get help with the diabetes here. FWIW my vet is great, but BFG was her only diabetic cat, and she painted a very bleak picture for George, as I drove home just after he had been diagnosed I really felt that his days were numbered, so it was with the folks here that I was able to get George regulated and OTJ.(in remission), he's like a new cat now.:)
Once you get your lantus supplies, you'll have a wealth of experience available at the click of web browser, and all the support you could possibly need.

Keep us posted on his progress. We are all rooting for him.
 
Amanda McMasters said:
I just took Ham back to the old vet... he may not be well educated on diabetes but I can make payments to him if I can't get any help. They are already starting him on fluids and they said not to worry we'll get in back up and moving.

I had made a smart comment at that other vet about how it might be cheaper to put Ham to sleep and they said that's an option if you can't afford his medical care. I was appalled at that response.
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As others have said, we can help you with the diabetes. This vet sounds like a much more reasonable and compassionate person. That's worth a lot.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Does Ham go outside? The Capstar is for fleas. Unless Ham has fleas, I don't see why that would be necessary.
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Linda, indoor cats can have fleas. Some vets will routinely administer Capstar to a kitty remaining in-house for treatment if kitty hasn't recently been treated for fleas and/or if there's any hint of fleas. It's to protect all the other animals by keeping his clinic flea free.

Amanda, please update when you can. We're all rooting for you and Ham!
:bighug:
 
Amanda McMasters said:
I had made a smart comment at that other vet about how it might be cheaper to put Ham to sleep and they said that's an option if you can't afford his medical care. I was appalled at that response.
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How awful! I am appalled, too, but sadly, not really surprised. Seems like it's all about the $$ to some vets, rather than genuine care and concern about the innocent creatures they have vowed to help and protect!

Amanda McMasters said:
I just took Ham back to the old vet... he may not be well educated on diabetes but I can make payments to him if I can't get any help. They are already starting him on fluids and they said not to worry we'll get in back up and moving.
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I am SOOOOO relieved that Ham is getting treatment! Good move, going back to his other vet, and God bless them for being so compassionate!

Please do keep us posted, we will worry about Ham! Sending prayers and healing vines-
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
May be worth thinking about but when I moved Sky to a different insulin and had to increase the dosage of it she was sick and stopped eating. This was a huge deal for her as she loves her food. She had anti nausea medication, tests, everything. Looked as if she wanted to eat but didn't.

I was lucky and could trace it back to the increase in her insulin. Stopped her insulin completely and she was eating again within 48 hours. Switched her back to her old insulin and she has been fine ever since.

It could be the insulin is making him feel poorly and not wanting to eat?

My vet was fully supportive of me stopping the insulin for a short time as I could show that it all linked in. I'm not suggesting you stop the insulin but could be worth trying to think back and see if anything changed in the week or so leading up to him stopping eating or even asking the vet to consider that the insulin may be disagreeing with him. If they do think it could be linked stopping insulin for a couple of days (if he can cope without it) could be a cheaper option than a barage of tests and more medicines.

Hope you get him sorted soon. They are a worry.
 
I am sending a ship load of good vet vines, feel better vines, and eating vines, to Ham.
We have a farm vet in our county that people come from states away to see. His prices are inexpensive and he may not be up on the latest and greatest but he cares, and I think that's why people drive from so far away to see him. I wish The Best Of Luck to you and Ham.
 
Amanda, that's wonderful! I'm so glad he got the help he needed! I know it's got to be a huge relief to you! Prayers and vines for a speedy recovery from whatever is griping him. :bighug::cat::bighug::cat:
 
Elated to hear the news! Such a relief for you, Ham (and us too!:)). It will be interesting to hear what the vet thinks caused the problem. It might be a good idea to ask the vet about having some anti-nausea medication and an appetite stimulant on hand at home while he continues to recover at home.
 
Once you get him home try some fortiflora on his food if he still doesn't want to eat. My cats love the taste, it settles their tummy, and gives them more energy.
 
Update: Ham is home!! Vet said he did have DKA and some ketones. But both are gone he wasn't eating on his own though bUT they did send me home with a syringe and some biomox (amoxicillin). I'm just glad he's home and up and moving drinking water... we'll try food in a little bit, I'm gonna let him settle for a bit.
 
Amanda McMasters said:
Update: Ham is home!! Vet said he did have DKA and some ketones. But both are gone he wasn't eating on his own though bUT they did send me home with a syringe and some biomox (amoxicillin). I'm just glad he's home and up and moving drinking water... we'll try food in a little bit, I'm gonna let him settle for a bit.
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Yay!!!! So glad he's home, and feeling better!
 
Wonderful news on Ham being home. Sorry to hear he had DKA. You will need to keep an eye on the ketones going forward by home testing his urine and getting him better regulated will certainly help. What did the vet suggest as far as insulin is concerned? That too plays a role in getting Ham fully recovered.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Wonderful news on Ham being home. Sorry to hear he had DKA. You will need to keep an eye on the ketones going forward by home testing his urine and getting him better regulated will certainly help. What did the vet suggest as far as insulin is concerned? That too plays a role in getting Ham fully recovered.
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I told him I was picking up some lantus tonight and what dose he said still keep him on 3 units
 
Amanda, can you provide us with a little history of how the dose was prescribed initially and how (I am assuming 1u at a time) it was increased for Ham? I'm just concerned that part of the problem might actually be too high a dose as opposed to too low. Ham is a big boy and that can affect how much insulin is needed but not necessarily. I am simply wondering if the dose has been increased too quickly and you might have skipped over the best dose for him. The cat has a remarkable defense system that will work to keep BG up if it detects the BG dropping too fast or too much. This is just a possible theory but something that I think bears looking into.
 
Trying to get up to speed on the situation: was any insulin given at the vet, or has he been completely off since 2/7?

There are a lot of factors going on here (recent DKA, poor eating, lower-than-usual preshot, uncertain dosing history) and I don't I have enough know-how to answer the question of dose. Tagging @Chris & China on this, but I don't know if she's currently online. How long until shot time?

Honestly, if it were not for the DKA, I would be inclined to say skip again until tomorrow morning given that he's in not-bad numbers now after (I think) no insulin for a while, but the DKA makes that tricky...
 
Shot time is now... just finished syringe feeding him... I must say not one of my favorite things since there is now food everywhere. Yes I can do +2 and +3 tonight. I'd like to give him something even if it is only 1 unit
 
Get a pre-shot test first to see what his BG is now so we know how much he is dropping with later tests and let us know what that test is. I'm thinking 1 unit because right now we have to be sure he keeps food down. That would be one click on your pen. But don't shoot till we know what his BG is now.
 
OK, if you can monitor and (especially) if he indeed has been getting insulin the past couple days, then definitely shoot! Edit: Linda just posted above with good counsel-- get a BG number to help make the final decision on dose.

I am not going to be able to stay up much later tonight, but there should be others on for your +2 and +3, so just holler if you get numbers that concern you.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I'm thinking 1 unit because right now we have to be sure he keeps food down. That would be one click on your pen.
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She should have some insulin syringes with half unit markings now.....DCIN found someone to donate the Lantus today since we couldn't ship with the storm that moved into the east coast.

If Ham has been on 3 or 4 units of Teujeo, (and you're able to test tonight) I think he could safely be started a little higher than 1U....especially since he's had ketones in the last 24 hours
 
Amanda.....did Erin show you how to use the syringes with the pens?

If not, you just pull the cap off and there's a little rubber stopper....insert the syringe and pull out a little more than what you want and then slowly expel the extra into the sink or something.....you don't want to push it back into the pen because that could contaminate the insulin
syringe in pen pic.jpg
syringe in pen close up.jpg
 
Didn't know she had the new Lantus already. Good to know. Waiting for pre-shot info. I agree a little higher would be ideal but was worried about the Toujeo. What are you thinking dose wise Chris?
 
Amanda, if you absolutely had to, could you test beyond the +3 tonight? By +3 it should be evident whether Ham is having an active cycle or not but if he is, it might be necessary to test him beyond that point to keep him safe or at least set an alarm to get up and test in the middle of the cycle. This is why I am waffling between 1 and 2u doses. Hopefully Chris will give us her opinion shortly and we can give you a consensus.
 
Not Chris, but I think it would be ok to start Lantus at 2u bid if kitty is monitored tonight. I'd be concerned about shooting any less than 2u because of the recent ketones.

Supposedly Lantus and Toujeo can be given 1 : 1. However, we've never seen Toujeo used for a cat. For that reason, I think monitoring is key since we don't really know what to expect.

Just giving an opinion based on what I would do if I were in Amanda's shoes...


ETA: GMTA!
 
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