scared!

[roxiesmama]

Roxie is 8 years old. I adopted her in Feb 2011 because her person passed away. She is the sweetest little girl and now she's really sick. I'm not sure about the vet I'm taking her to but finances are an issue (I'm low income). I took her to the vet last Tuesday because she had not only quit eating and drinking but hadn't gone pee all day. He gave her iv, took blood for labs and she then peed on the table. Her ketones were as high as they could be (brown). He was out of the office on Wed, Thurs am she got her first insulin shot and more iv. I've given her the insulin 2x a day since. She has tried to eat (very little), I've tried everything to tempt her. I do think she's drinking ok today but she is so weak.

I am open to any and all suggestions. We go back tomorrow so he check her sugar. I know she's going to need more iv.

I lost my partner in Nov 2010 and this little girl just stole my heart and its just her and I. I'm just scared and trying to not let her feel it.

Thanks!

 

[carolynandlatte]

Hi Roxie's mom!!!
It is very scary when they are so ill. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

I do not have any personal experience with Ketones. But I do know they are pretty serious and often best treated in the hospital with iv fluids, insulin, and food. It sounds like that is not a financial option for you. Would your vet take a payment plan? Have you tried care credit (http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/).

Some things you could do at home, now:
1. Ask your vet to teach you how to do fluids, get a prescription and bring it to walmart pharmacy (cheapest). It will take a few days for the 'shipment' to arrive, so you will need to also buy a bag from your vet. In the end, you may save $ by not having to pay for clinic visits and medication administration.

2. Give Roxie lots of food! Whatever she will eat, for the most part. If she will eat any canned food, you can mush it up with a lot of water to make it soupy. Maybe you could ask your vet for a syringe or two, and try some assist feeding. Other things you can try...
-meat only baby food (ie/gerbers chicken, turkey)
-boiled chicken
-small bits of cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, licks of whip cream, or vanilla ice cream
-treats (freeze dried, temptations, whiskas...whatever!)
-feed off spoon or fingers vs bowl
Here is a link to a yahoo support group (assist feeding). It may take up to a day to get 'approved'. I think you could find the support and resources very helpful.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Feline-Assisted-Feeding/

3. Buy some ketone sticks, which will allow YOU to monitor ketones during the day/night. You can get them at most pharmacies for about $10. Here is a picture of what you would want:

4. Order a home testing kit from the owner of this site:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=60261
Teach yourself to home test blood sugar (another $ saver), by reviewing these links:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287
and/or post what area of the country you are in and we can see if there is someone near by you who can help you learn.

5. CONTACT DCIN regarding financial support:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=29083

Should you need help with a diabetic cat, or know someone who does, you are welcome to contact Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) or Venita and Ennis93 by private message (PM) here or by email at Venita@dcin.info to discuss specifics.

6. Keep asking for help/support. Keep loving your kitty. And, take care of YOURSELF.

 

[RobbiesMom]

Roxie's mom - I am a Roxie's mom too (as well as Robbie) you were just given a ton of good advice and it might seem overwhelming at first but do go thru it and you'll see it's not so hard and it's all really on target. The people here on FDMB are awesome and will help you thru this- You are doing the best for your kitty that you can and that is great. Hang in there post if you just need to vent - Care Credit is good too if your vet doesn't take it maybe another local vet will and you can check that out if you are not totally stuck on your current vet. Hang in there and good luck with Roxie -

 

[BJM]

What kind of insulin are you using? We recommend using a gentle long lasting insulin such as Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, or PZI, which last roughly 12 hours (some may overlap a bit).

And what dose are you giving her?

 

[Venita]

Roxie's Mom,

I am the person who runs Diabetic Cats in Need. Please private Message me here or (better) email me at Venita@dcin.info and we can talk about what DCIN might be able to do for Roxie.

Venita