question 7/09/20 bodie-medication?

[sadye claxton]

I suspect an ear infection in Bodie as he's shaking his head a bit and has some brown waxy substance I can clean out of it. And he really leans into it when I wipe them out. BUT his vet cannot see him until next Thursday. I asked for ear meds in the meantime so he didn't have to wait. Picked them up yesterday and realized one of the 3 ingredients is a steriod. Vet says, it shouldn't be a problem bc it shouldn't do much systemically since its an ear drop. IDK that I believe that...He's doing so well; I don't want to raise his sugars. He's not having a terrrible time; I wonder if they just need a good cleaning. I am more apt to wait until thursday for her to confirm he actually needs them before chancing it. THOUGHTS? Steriods in ear drops impacting blood sugars?? thanks!!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

tagging @carfurby who has lots of experience with ear meds. And yes, the steroids in ear drops can impact numbers.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Most ear meds for cats have a steroid in them. Furball has gone through a lot of them and they usually raise her BG. Tresaderm shoots it really high. The only thing I've found without a steroid is this: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Zymox+Otic+Enzymatic+Solution+Hydrocortisone+Free-prod338153.html

If you end up using the ear med with the steroid, you'll most likely have to increase his insulin dose to counteract the effect on his BG.

 

[sadye claxton]

thanks Carla! We just got back from the vet and she told me his ears DO need the ear med. She doenst think it'll raise it too much, but we shall see. Question- do I raise the insulin dose at the immediate sign of a rise? Or give it a few days? Is there a "too high" mark where we should consider discontinuing the meds? Right now his highest is about 197 for the past few weeks. And how long do you think after the med is done will it take his sugars to go back down to his "normal" THANK YOU

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Hopefully it won't raise his BG. With Furball it did and it took a couple of weeks for her to get back on track after I stopped giving it to her. If he needs the meds, he needs the meds. If it raises his BG, I'd let the vet know and see if there are other options. What is the name of the medicine you were given?

If it raises his BG, I'd give him a day to come back down and if he doesn't increase the dose to 1.0 units. You don't want him to be high too long. I don't know if there is a too high mark. If his numbers go up a lot, post and ask.