Sad news... DKA and not responding to treatment...

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Sherriek0304

Member Since 2012
Just as I was so hopeful about managing Pudgy's diabetes, the vet just called, and he is not responding to their treatment. He is on 4 times the insulin they started with, rehydrated, and he is non responsive, and can't keep his body temp up. The vet thinks we should give him tonight, and if no improvement, we should put him to sleep. His sugars are still in the upper 300's. I am so sad and heartbroken, I really need a miracle. I love him so much, he is more than a cat, he is my buddy and family member. I am do devastated. All of this happened so fast and came out of nowhere...

I will update my post with any new information, I just really hope it will be good news...

Sincerely,
Sherrie
:(
 
Re: Sad news...

I don't understand why his body temp is so low...

Sending prayers for a miracle, Sherrie

Carl
 
Re: Sad news...

Hi. I'm so very sorry for what you are going through right now. I hope his condition turns around.

Yours,
 
Re: Sad news...

I just called the vet, and his blood sugars went up 20 ... They stopped the fluids, and are giving just i.v. Insulin, hoping it will be more concentrated... I can't stop crying, I am absolutely beside myself... He just needs to pull out of the DKA. The big problem is the prednisone... The vet said it says in their system for about 4 weeks. I am so sad :(

-Sherrie. :(
 
Re: Sad news...

I'm so sorry, Sherrie. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Pudgy.

Many Hugs,
Elena
 
Re: Sad news...

Sherrie,
Go back to the first post you made in this thread, hit the "edit" button, and add "DKA" to your subject line. I'm hoping people who have gone through this will be able to offer some help. My cat was also DKA, but I never knew the details... They told me "Bob has to stay here and we'll treat him" but I wasn't aware of the seriousness of the situation (I had never heard of FD, or DKA, or this board). I knew it was bad. The third day, they told me to come get him, and taught me how to give fluids. It wasn't until later when I talked to my vet that she explained it to me. I can't offer any tips, or questions for you to ask them.

I am hoping someone else can.

Carl
 
Carl,

Thank you for the suggestion of adding DKA in the subject. I wish someone went through this same exact circumstance and can tell me Pudgy will be ok... I'm just anxiously waiting for midnight to call and see what his labs are. He usually sleeps with me at night, and he always hangs out with me... I cant believe this is happening :(

- Sherrie :(
 
Thinking of you and sending healing vines. Our kitty had DKA from prednisone use and came through Sept 2011. He was in the hospital for a week but is a happy furry purry guy today. I am praying really hard for you and your kitty.
 
Just read all your posts so now I know he is at an ER. Can they tell you what his blood pH is? They can get close to death and then suddenly turn around. Mishka has been through it several times.......at one point her blood pH was 6.9.......sending prayers that he pulls through this.
 
Sherrie-

I see that Pudgy is in a 24/7 emergency and I had my cat Squirt in the same situation when I was told to put to sleep- I refused- I left him there for the first 24 hrs then I went and sat with him at the vet in a room with him while he was hooked up to fluids and insulin for a few hours the next day. He was at the vet for 3 full days and he did survive DKA. I had to check for ketones on a regular basis once he was home and it is easier than you think- even with 4 other cats in the household.
Sending hugs and prayers your way.
 
I just spoke with the doctor, and he glucose level dropped by 5 points, and he is still unresponsive... He is on a major dose of insulin, and he is possibly in/ near a coma state... The major issue is the lack of movement, or any activity... He is under an air heating blanket now. I am going to call back at 6:30 to check his status, but the doctor doesn't know why he isn't even responding to the insulin. I love him so much, and am completely devastated. I would give anything to have him back to his normal self, and my heart is absolutely breaking

-Sherrie :(
 
Sherrie,

Can you tell us where you are? Are you in the U.S.? or the United Kingdom? We use different number scales in the U.S., and a BG of 20 is very, very low here. You would not want it to get lower than that in the U.S. A BG of 20 in the U.K. is high.

If you know, please tell us how much insulin he is getting? What kind? How often? Is he still testing positive for ketones? Do you have potassium and electrolyte readings? Blood pH? You probably don't know any of this information, but if you do, we would like to know, please.

A lot of cats here have pulled through DKA. It can be done, and even after steroids were given. If the BG dropped 5 points from 20 that's 25%.

At the very least, please post to let us know what you find out at 6:30. (We really worry when we don't hear anything, and I know that it seems like the last thing you need to do to is tell strangers what happened if you know. . . something bad happens, but we will worry and assume the worst if you suddenly disappear. Thank you.)
 
Sherrie,
I have a lot of experience with DKA .... and we have pulled through it four times!! and each time seemed like the end. It seems like there's no hope, I know but cats are resilient and in ER he is getting what he needs. Take him a piece of your clothing that you have worn, visit and let him know you believe he will get better.

You can't blame the pred for the DKA .... sometimes for the diabetes yes but DKA needs ketones and other things .... infection, not enough insulin, etc. It is very tricky and once he is better you will need to always track his ketones.

I am sending healing thoughts your way ......
Nancy and Payne (who is fat and sassy and running the whole shebang!)
 
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