Recovering from DKA - insight needed please

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Kristelena

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Hi all,
We are home now after three days in the hospital with DKA. On Friday when Patches came home, she ate her dinner and then got sick overnight. Of course, we were worried, but kept with our ProZinc 2 units/twice per day. BS was 520 on Saturday, but she ate, and did not get sick. Today she was perkier, and ate, and her BS dropped down to 350...but she just got sick again.

My question is - should we go back to the hospital, continue monitoring at home (she just started insulin on Wednesday at the hospital, so I know it's going to take some time to work), or is this kind of expected during recovery? All insight and suggestions needed, please!
 
Are you using ketodiastix to test the urine for ketones? With the recent DKA and not keeping food down it is worrisome.
 
DKA can arise from infection, high glucose, not eating (or keeping it down) and not enough insulin or any combination of these factors. At the hospital they use different types of insulin to get the numbers down then try to find the correct dose that keeps the numbers in a good range. Sometimes the correct dosing is not actually reached or the kitty needs longer treatment. You might want to call the hospital Patches was at and see what they advise.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
DKA can arise from infection, high glucose, not eating (or keeping it down) and not enough insulin or any combination of these factors. At the hospital they use different types of insulin to get the numbers down then try to find the correct dose that keeps the numbers in a good range. Sometimes the correct dosing is not actually reached or the kitty needs longer treatment. You might want to call the hospital Patches was at and see what they advise.
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I am going to call the hospital tonight and see what they advise. I had not heard about Diastix until last night when I posted about DKA. It wasn't something they gave at the hospital, but we are getting some.

She has pooped three times since being home and I thought she was getting better at keeping food down, but this is worrisome.
 
Kristelena said:
I am going to call the hospital tonight and see what they advise. I had not heard about Diastix until last night when I posted about DKA. It wasn't something they gave at the hospital, but we are getting some.

She has pooped three times since being home and I thought she was getting better at keeping food down, but this is worrisome.
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With any diabetic cat you want them to be eating properly but with a recent DKA cat, the vomitting is concerning since that is one o the symptoms of DKA. I would definitely ask at the same hospital Patches was at and see if they think she should go back in. At the very least they could test her for ketones which is a sign of DKA developing or already happening depending how high it is.
 
I'm with Mary Ann. Contacting the hospital is a good idea. It would be best if you could get her to eat something, but the vomiting is worrying.

We can help with her after care and the insulin dose, but it seems like the hospital might be able to give her eating and figure out the cause of her vomiting. Paws crossed that she will feel better soon.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
I'm with Mary Ann. Contacting the hospital is a good idea. It would be best if you could get her to eat something, but the vomiting is worrying.

We can help with her after care and the insulin dose, but it seems like the hospital might be able to give her eating and figure out the cause of her vomiting. Paws crossed that she will feel better soon.
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Thanks! We called the hospital and they said to give her some Mirtazapine (an appetite/anti nausea med that we got at her discharge) and continue to monitor her vomiting. If she vomits again, we go in for more fluids.

Very much appreciate this board and all of your insight!
 
Kristelena said:
Thanks! We called the hospital and they said to give her some Mirtazapine (an appetite/anti nausea med that we got at her discharge) and continue to monitor her vomiting. If she vomits again, we go in for more fluids.

Very much appreciate this board and all of your insight!
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Hope that works, but keep a good watch for any other signs because of the recent DKA. Definitely if there is more vomiting then fluids will be needed. Let us know how everything goes..we worry about all kitties :)

You could try offering a few different foods such as tuna or salmon. Sometimes the "smellier" foods will help trigger the appetite as well.
 
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