Potassium

[Thais Martins]

Hi,
New to all this. My 14 years old very feisty cat was diagnosed pre-diabetic and the reason may be the steroids she is on for asthma. She is too feisty to be injected with insulin and regular blood tests (she had to be sedated every time). I want to keep her as healthy as possible on no carbs diet and reduce steroids to the minimum. She is already looking tons better and no symptoms or either diabetes or asthma (so far, so good... but it is spring here and she is worse asthma wise in the winter...). She was also prescribed potassium drops and the idea is to keep her on them for ever now. What is the function of potassium and why forever?
Thanks, Thais

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

Hi. I hope urine glucose strips at least can be used to check for her glucose.

I don't know why the pottassium drops was ordered by the vet. It should have shown a defiency in the Blood Tests for that.

It's drops you said. At what strenght?

I have a terminal adrenal and pottassium fault myself since 2012. So since I can't keep any pottassium at all for long in the body, I need a constant supply of daily pottassium, with one tablet on 750 mg times 4. And constant Blood Tests of the levels.

Pottassium is tricky, too little your muscles stops with paralysations and also your heart stop. Too much and your heart stops too. Your vet should give you the reason for it and in depth explain this to you concerning your Ms Kitty.

 

[manxcat419]

Potassium is one of the major electrolytes that is required in the body. It helps with the healthy function of nerves, and it's also key to the ability of muscles to contract. It also helps to regulate the heartbeat. Normally in diabetic, or pre-diabetic cats you'll actually see a high-end of normal or even high potassium level because insulin not only allows glucose to be converted to cell energy, it also allows potassium access to the cells. So if a pre-diabetic cat has a low potassium level, then it's likely that their "true" level is even lower than you're seeing on blood work. And supplementing is very important to protect her heart, nerves, and muscles.