? Possible ear infection causing higher BG?

Marc & Jen

Marc & Jen

Member Since 2018
Last post on DKA/Pancreatitis recovery here

In my last post, I had mentioned that FA's BG numbers were looking quite good on 3u, however that seems to have changed in the last couple of days - not sure if it's a bounce or if there is another factor at play.

I first noticed on Sunday evening that he seemed to have some ear wax on the fur that sticks out of his ear. I didn't think anything of it. Last night my husband mentioned to me (I am out of town) that his one ear seems to have some green/brown gunk in it - based on a quick google search it seems like he may possibly have an infection. His blood ketone readings were 0.7-0.8 on Sunday and Monday. Could an ear infection affect BG levels? If so, it makes me worry about another DKA episode.

FA has a follow up appointment scheduled with the internal med vet on 9/27 - currently the vet is out of town so I have left a message for the other internist at the hospital but haven't heard back yet. We really don't want to return to our regular vet as it is clear that they aren't knowledgeable about feline diabetes based on the events that led up to his last hospitalization.

Right now both our schedules are crazy, I'll be home Thursday night. Should we be concerned or am I overreacting? Currently I am very worried. Any advice on what we can do to manage it at home for the next couple of days if we can't get him to the vet until later in the week?
 
An ear infection could make his BG higher. If you get him to the vet and they give you medicine for his ear it may also cause his numbers to go higher. Most ear medicine has a steroid in it. I've used this in the past for Furball because it doesn't have a steroid.
https://www.1800petmeds.com/Zymox+Otic+Enzymatic+Solution+Hydrocortisone+Free-prod338153.html

If you use a medicine from the vet, you can adjust his insulin if it makes his numbers higher. They will come back down once he's done with the medicine.
 
carfurby said:
An ear infection could make his BG higher. If you get him to the vet and they give you medicine for his ear it may also cause his numbers to go higher. Most ear medicine has a steroid in it. I've used this in the past for Furball because it doesn't have a steroid.
https://www.1800petmeds.com/Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution Hydrocortisone Free-prod338153.html
Click to expand...

Thanks! This may be a good option, I haven't found it anywhere in stores yet but looks like I can get it in 1-2 days on amazon. Since we suspect an infection, can we try increasing his dose for a couple rounds if his pre shot numbers stay high until we are able to begin treatment? We would only do this when able to monitor closely of course. My biggest fear is another round of DKA.
 
You need to be careful. Remember dosing is based on how low the dose takes him, not he pre-shot numbers. Before you increase you should try to see what his nadir is.
 
Yep an ear infection can cause higher numbers for sure. Bubba was recently on a OTJ trail and a yeast infection caused his numbers to increase and I had to put him back on some insulin.

We are actually at the vet right now to see if we kicked it.

Hopefully you can be seen by another vet before the 27th, that’s too long to wait. The sooner you can get the ear meds , the better.

Carla mentioned the Zymox w/o steroid which is what I used. It works just might take a little get time to kick it. I got it on Amazon prime and received it the next day.
 
carfurby said:
You need to be careful. Remember dosing is based on how low the dose takes him, not he pre-shot numbers. Before you increase you should try to see what his nadir is.
Click to expand...
Understood. His nadir seems to be around +5 but in any case we likely won't go this route since we really won't be home much to monitor until we begin treatment anyways.
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Yep an ear infection can cause higher numbers for sure. Bubba was recently on a OTJ trail and a yeast infection caused his numbers to increase and I had to put him back on some insulin.

We are actually at the vet right now to see if we kicked it.

Hopefully you can be seen by another vet before the 27th, that’s too long to wait. The sooner you can get the ear meds , the better.

Carla mentioned the Zymox w/o steroid which is what I used. It works just might take a little get time to kick it. I got it on Amazon prime and received it the next day.
Click to expand...
The Zymox w/o steroids will be delivered tomorrow!

While I'm not happy he has an infection, I am glad to hear there is at least an explanation for the higher numbers. Thank you so much for your input!
 
Ollie gets them too. And a civvie has one now. I do use the script from vet to start with. I did not notice change in BS. I use zymox now for prevention. Thanks for reminding me to clean the ears tonight.
 
Just wanted you to know thE outcome of the vet visitation today . 28 days on the Zymox w/o steroids did not kick Bubba’s yeast infection. So if FA continues to shake his head and and scratch at his ears , or you see gunk in his ears , have him seen by the vet.

My vet RX MicaVed 1 % today . No steroids in it. We’ll see how that goes. Started today. BUT, since FA has recently been DKA, you might want to go with the big guns (steroids drops ) and get rid of it if you don’t get a good result after 1 week on the ZYMOX. You will adjust your dose accordingly if you need the steroid.

JMHO
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Just wanted you to know thE outcome of the vet visitation today . 28 days on the Zymox w/o steroids did not kick Bubba’s yeast infection. So if FA continues to shake his head and and scratch at his ears , or you see gunk in his ears , have him seen by the vet.

My vet RX MicaVed 1 % today . No steroids in it. We’ll see how that goes. Started today. BUT, since FA has recently been DKA, you might want to go with the big guns (steroids drops ) and get rid of it if you don’t get a good result after 1 week on the ZYMOX. You will adjust your dose accordingly if you need the steroid.

JMHO
Click to expand...

Is that a spray?
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Just wanted you to know thE outcome of the vet visitation today . 28 days on the Zymox w/o steroids did not kick Bubba’s yeast infection. So if FA continues to shake his head and and scratch at his ears , or you see gunk in his ears , have him seen by the vet.

My vet RX MicaVed 1 % today . No steroids in it. We’ll see how that goes. Started today. BUT, since FA has recently been DKA, you might want to go with the big guns (steroids drops ) and get rid of it if you don’t get a good result after 1 week on the ZYMOX. You will adjust your dose accordingly if you need the steroid.

JMHO
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that Bubba still has an infection, I'm hoping the new meds help out! I did end up calling the vet today and they did write a prescription for some antibiotics (ear drops but don't know the medication specifically) which my husband will pick up later today. FA's BG was almost at 400 this morning and he was acting really crazy and was super hungry so I was worried that he was in ketosis but luckily his blood ketones were only at 0.3 which is actually lower than they were earlier in the week when checked at +6 today.

Not being home with him, has been stressful as I am the one that usually does all the monitoring but I'll be home tomorrow night and will be able to spend plenty of time watching him this weekend before my next trip on Monday :(
 
Olive & Paula said:
Ollie gets them too. And a civvie has one now. I do use the script from vet to start with. I did not notice change in BS. I use zymox now for prevention. Thanks for reminding me to clean the ears tonight.
Click to expand...
Do you use anything special to clean their ears? We are picking up a prescription from the vet later today but still have the Zymox being delivered today so will save that for once the infection clears up - how often do you apply it for preventative measures?
 
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