Puzzled and looking for insight

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MoonCatMama

MoonCatMama

Member Since 2015
Background: Sarah 6 yrs old. Went DKA after finding out she had a UTI. Diagnosed with diabetes.

1 week at Vet, kidneys almost failed but after pushing fuilds and starting an insulin regimen she improved enough to come home.

After 3-4 days home Sarah had a hypo reading at 36. Glucose levels after that days started consistently being under 200.

One week after (Monday) we went to Vet, they ran glucose which was 100 and right on track with what I had been getting. She had not needed insulin in 2 days by Monday. Vet advised to continue with diet and check glucose at home every few days.

Took her glucose this evening around 6pm, first time since Monday and her glucose was 49!?

Why would it be low now, she hasn't had insulin in about 5 days? This is so confusing.
 
A normal non-diabetic cat (and even those that have been on insulin and gone into remission) can normally be in the 40's...even high 30's is normal

As for the "why" question, that's another matter....but I do know that for some reason we don't fully understand, sometimes when a cat has a hypo episode (especially if it drops really low) their pancreas just "kicks back into gear"

I'd keep doing what you're doing and continue checking her blood glucose at home...but I'd probably do it daily for awhile...it's better to catch it if it's going back up early.

I'd also seriously consider starting to check for urinary ketones. As you've seen, DKA can be very dangerous and if you can catch the ketones early, it's much easier to treat. You can get urine ketone test strips at any pharmacy.

Here are some Urine Testing Tips to try too
 
Thank you! How do I go about checking her? I know how to use them for myself as I have used them but what is the easiest way to check her?
 
You can get a human glucometer, matching lancets and learn to home test by pricking the edge of her ears. The meter we like the most around here is the WalMart Relion Confirm or Micro because they take the tiniest sample and the strips are affordable.

Here's a video that does a pretty good job of showing how it's done
 
I have several glucose meters and check her blood glucose level without issues. I'm confused about how to check her ketones though? That sounds tricky.
 
Look at these Urine Testing tips ...hopefully you'll find something that will work for you!

Some people here are actually able to just walk up behind their cat while they're in the litter box and put a spoon in the urine stream!
 
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