Hi all. My first post here. My cat has been diagnosed with diabetes about 6 weeks ago. 7M. He had to be hospitalized for 24hrs with DKA and they started him on prozinc 1unit every 12 hrs. He seemed better for a bit but sugar was still too high so my vet increased it to 1.5. He was having big spikes and we switched to glargine last Saturday 1unit every 12 hrs. Sunday morning he was smelling like acetone again and lethargic. He was eating but less than normal. Took him to the ER again. I can’t afford another hospitalization, if I could I would spend all the money I have on this but the first one cost me 4K and I just don’t have money. They charged me 1200 for blood work fluids and anti nausea. We went home and he seemed a bit better. The following evening he looked dehydrated and had decreased appetite. Took him to a regular vet and asked for fluids. He perked up a bit but not as much. Following day we picked up fluids to administer at home as needed. I gave it to him last night along with more anti nausea. He seemed a bit better and sugar went down to 330 for a couple hours which is low for him.usually he’s around 350-450 Today again he smells a bit like acetone, only ate a little and hasn’t been drinking as much as he used to. Freestyle libre sensor says high out of range so over 400. Do I give him more fluids ? The vet doesnt want to increase glargine yet. Is it normal that it’s taking so long to recover from DKA? Is it normal that he isn’t eating a lot and smells like acetone ? How long until the sugar will go down. Should I bring him to a different vet and ask for more insulin? Please help. I’m overwhelmed and in debt because of all this and just want to help my kitty but don’t know what to do. I feel like the vet is minimizing what’s happening. He also takes amitriptyline for anxiety and severe over grooming.
Recovering from DKA
- Thread starter Poekitty
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Sorry no one responded to your post yesterday. How is he doing today?
I think you can give fluids once per day, but I'd check the amount and that question with your regular vet. You can also add a little water to his food.
Can you tell me what anti nausea medication you are giving? I find ondansetron to work best. It is not good that he's not eating and smells like acetone. Are you home testing him for ketones? Ketones (what you are smelling) are a precursor to DKA, which you want to get out of as soon as possible. You can pick up ketones testing strips for the urine at any pharmacy - details on how to test here: Tips to catch and test a urine sample
Did the ER hospital mention anything about infection or inflammation? The recipe for DKA is not enough food + not enough insulin + infection/systemic inflammation. More information here: Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters
What food are you feeding him? He needs to eat about 1.5 times his normal calories.
If the Libre has shown nothing below 300 since last Saturday, basically almost a week now, you should be OK to increase. Do you have U-100 syringes with half unit markings on them?
Sorry to dump so much into, but another post for new time members that tells you how to set up information on your account so we can help you better:
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I think you can give fluids once per day, but I'd check the amount and that question with your regular vet. You can also add a little water to his food.
Can you tell me what anti nausea medication you are giving? I find ondansetron to work best. It is not good that he's not eating and smells like acetone. Are you home testing him for ketones? Ketones (what you are smelling) are a precursor to DKA, which you want to get out of as soon as possible. You can pick up ketones testing strips for the urine at any pharmacy - details on how to test here: Tips to catch and test a urine sample
Did the ER hospital mention anything about infection or inflammation? The recipe for DKA is not enough food + not enough insulin + infection/systemic inflammation. More information here: Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters
What food are you feeding him? He needs to eat about 1.5 times his normal calories.
If the Libre has shown nothing below 300 since last Saturday, basically almost a week now, you should be OK to increase. Do you have U-100 syringes with half unit markings on them?
Sorry to dump so much into, but another post for new time members that tells you how to set up information on your account so we can help you better:
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
Bron and Sheba (GA)
Member Since 2015
Hi and welcome to the forum.
How is your kitty today? Has his appetite improved?
You may need to get more anti nausea medications to give each day for a while as kitties post DKA are often nauseated and that means they find it hard to eat without regular anti nausea meds. The 2 main anti nausea meds are Cerenia, which is given daily….you can give it orally…and ondansetron which can be given orally three time a a day. Ondansetron is better for nausea.
Make sure he is getting lots to eat and often. This is very important.
And make sure you get the Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy to test the urine for ketones at least every day if ketones are showing. If you can small acetone, then there are most likely ketones present. It is food and insulin which will help get rid of the ketones.
While you are asking the vet about getting more antinausea meds, as Wendy said, ask about did they test for an infection or inflammation…this is also really important.
Looking forward to hearing an update from you.
How is your kitty today? Has his appetite improved?
You may need to get more anti nausea medications to give each day for a while as kitties post DKA are often nauseated and that means they find it hard to eat without regular anti nausea meds. The 2 main anti nausea meds are Cerenia, which is given daily….you can give it orally…and ondansetron which can be given orally three time a a day. Ondansetron is better for nausea.
Make sure he is getting lots to eat and often. This is very important.
And make sure you get the Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy to test the urine for ketones at least every day if ketones are showing. If you can small acetone, then there are most likely ketones present. It is food and insulin which will help get rid of the ketones.
While you are asking the vet about getting more antinausea meds, as Wendy said, ask about did they test for an infection or inflammation…this is also really important.
Looking forward to hearing an update from you.
Bron and Sheba (GA)
Member Since 2015
Any updates?
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