Pixie's Blood Tests and Question

[pixiesmom]

When Pixie was diagnosed with diabetes in July, his white count was 32,000.
His Neutrophils (sp?) were normal.
He was sick for about 3 days before I took him in and was diagnosed.

Put him on insulin and he bounced back quite nicely.

Now that he was on day 15 of no insulin, he gets sick again.
Just like last time.
His white count is 47,000 this time and Neutrophils are high.

Points to a sign of infection according to the vet.

Could this be in any way an indication that he needs to go on insulin again?
Will his white count be elevated because of diabetes?

I am trying to make sense of this.
I see his BG slowly creeping up (+9 )225.

I have not been able to get him to eat since this am. And that was only a little bit. maybe a 1/4 can FF and some tuna water.
He just looks at the food and walks away.
I am going to get some FF appetizers, chicken and baby food and try that.

At what point would I have to consider giving him some insulin?

 

[BJM]

infection may raise glucose; high glucose from diabetes makes it easier for some infections to occur.

Kind of a vicious cycle, there.

Do your best to control and manage the diabetes and whatever else is going on.

If he goes to, looks at, then walks away from food, his stomach may be upset. You could try 1/4 of a Pepcid AC tablet about 20-30 minutes before feeding to see if it helps. Check with your vet if he's on any other meds, to make sure its OK.

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

I had a few days of the same kind of not eating spell.

I tried the Pepcid ac and it made a difference. MKe sure it's the original strength Pepcid ac famotidine tablets 10 mg....
there are other types in the Pepcid line and you can't use those.

 

[pixiesmom]

I can hardly give him his AB's...then he runs away after and is mad for hours.
He seemed a bit more alert this am, but still walked away from his food.
Ate a bit last night,not a lot.
Pooped and peed.
BG was 120 this am....better.

 

[BJM]

If it is a tablet AB, try wrapping in a piece of processed cheese or a pill pocket to see if that makes it easier. I have one on a half tablet of prednisolone and he scarfs it down in a pill pocket. You may need to cut it smaller and wrap pieces so its not too big.

If a liquid, maybe add a bit of canned plain meat babyfood to cover the taste a bit. (Suck both up in an oral syringe, shake well to mix). Don't use a favorite food, as a taste aversion could develop.

And if does OK with sub-Q shots,ask the vet if an injectable AB is possible next time.

 

[pixiesmom]

If it is a tablet AB, try wrapping in a piece of processed cheese or a pill pocket to see if that makes it easier. I have one on a half tablet of prednisolone and he scarfs it down in a pill pocket. You may need to cut it smaller and wrap pieces so its not too big.

If a liquid, maybe add a bit of canned plain meat babyfood to cover the taste a bit. (Suck both up in an oral syringe, shake well to mix). Don't use a favorite food, as a taste aversion could develop.

And if does OK with sub-Q shots,ask the vet if an injectable AB is possible next time.

The problem is that he is not eating. If I could get him to eat like normal, this may be a bit easier.
All he ate today was some FF appetizer in the am (about 1/3) and about 1tsp baby food in the evening.
His BG is better today, hoping that's a sign that the antibiotics are working.
I put a call into the vet about subQ Ab's...that would be so easy!!

 

[BJM]

If the vet won't do an injectable, the oral syringe method may be your best bet. Maybe include 1/4 th tablet Pepcid AC (regular version) with it an the same time, unless it conflicts with any other meds being given.