? Senior cat just diagnosed - Concerns!

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No, it would mean the insulin didn't last a full 12 hours. If the dose is too low, she would likely be higher and flatter. Not lasting long enough would not be unusual with Humulin; it is usually one of the shorter lasting insulins. Raising the dose would also likely lower the nadir number. She does have some room to drop further at nadir, but I would stick with the dose at least a few more days. It does take awhile for their bodies to get used to using the insulin efficiently and to the change in diet. Raising the dose too soon can mean some surprises in terms of lower numbers. Better to give it awhile.

Make sense?
 
I am supposed to do her shot in 30 minutes. I think she is having trouble with constipation right now, not sure if that's normal or not, but she's only just started eating well again the last day or so....hasn't seemed too interested in food for the last few hours or so, and she's been walking back and forth to the litter box for a few minutes now trying to go. Is there something I can do to help her?
 
Is she peeing normally? Just hasn't had a bowel movement? To prevent constipation, we often add plain canned pumpkin- not pie filling- to their food. Let me check around to see what to do for now.
 
Ahh!!! I read your first post and went ahead with the 1 unit like you said. I will stay up to test her tonight. I have k/d dry food that I can probably feed her if that would help...I'm not sure what to do now. :(
 
Sorry, Bobbi. My fault. She should be fine but yes, I'd monitor. What works best if she'd go down to the 50s is the gravy off higher carb food - Fancy Feast gravy foods are good. Just a teaspoon brings them up. They work better than dry, but you can use it if that is what you have.

I will be up 5 more hours and will keep an eye on you two.
 
I'm sure she'll be fine. She stayed in the blues today so didn't drop too low. It wouldn't hurt to get a test @+1 Do you have honey or syrup, just in case? Has she pooped?
 
Ok, thanks. I have some syrup her, like maple syrup? I can go get some Karo syrup though.

She pooped a little bit before I did her shot, but it wasn't a full bowel movement like she usually has. She wasn't eating or pooping much before yesterday.

Should I go get some Miralax for her? She seems like she isn't feeling so well. When I just petted near her abdomen, she growled at me. I'm assuming constipation in a cat is just like in humans and can be making her feel a little sick to her stomach.
 
I mix it in Colin's food with lots of water and he eats it up. If she won't, you can syringe it. Just make sure to mix it with plenty water, because that's how it works.
The maple syrup should be fine, as long as it's not sugar free -that contains artificial sugars.
 
Ok, I got her to at least eat a little bit of watery food mixed with the Miralax. I did less than 1/8 tsp, so she didn't even get that much.

She seems so sick right now, like we just went back to how she was in the beginning, I dont understand what's going on.
 
If she has peed, it hasn't been in a few hours and I don't think she's been drinking in those hours either. Right now she's laying down on a chair and doesn't seem interested in much of anythig at all.

I'm not sure if her poop was dry, but it definitely wasn't wet or runny at all.
 
She ate a little bit around when I gave her shot and drank a relatively small amount of water, but I put them both in front of her face to get her to do it. She seems lethargic.
 
Check for dehydration
- if you pull up the scruff and release, does it stay pulled up and only slowly go back down?
- if you press on the gums in her mouth and release, do they stay white or pink right back up? Are the gums tacky?

You could try a syringe of water if you think she is dehydrated. A small needle less syringe of water slowly in the side of her mouth.
 
When I pull up her fur, it goes down slowly so I think she is dehydrated. I will try to give her some water that way. How much should I do?
 
I am really worried, she seems to not be feeling well at all! I'm going to go get a syringe, I was going to go see fireworks tonight but I'm not sure if I should put off getting her water.

also, I think I should go to the vet tomorrow and get supplies for at home fluids. I have to work tomorrow 830-4 and I don't know how I will be able to do what she needs tomorrow but I definitely cannot afford to let her stay at the vet again so soon.
 
I just got her to drink some water by putting it in the cap of a water bottle.

I'll call for the fluids as soon as the vet opens tomorrow because they only open at 8 and like I said, I have to be at work at 830.
 
I put water in teacups in windowsills and other places my cats like to sit. It has increased their intake significantly.
 
She seems to suddenly have realized that she is thirsty and got up for a pretty long drink.

I tested her blood sugar and got 170. I'm going to put out a little tray of Fancy Feast tuna for her to see if I can entice her.

Its probably safe for me to leave for a little while right? I am going to have to run to Walmart now because the drugstore near me is closed. I don't understand why she seems to be so all over the place with her eating and drinking habits. It's very concerning and confusing.
 
Glad she drank. It looks like she is dropping pretty slowly which is a good thing.

Yes, I definitely think you can run to the store. Did you get some gravy Fancy Feast?
 
I will look for the fancy feast at Walmart.

Any idea how often I would need to do fluids to start? I didn't see that on the link you posted, but maybe I missed it.

Thanks for all your help, sorry I am panicking so much!!! but its so scary when she suddenly gets lethargic and won't get up.
 
I will call the vet tomorrow morning and ask if we can maybe do bloodwork sooner or talk about subq fluids sooner. The plan was to wait one week from Angel's vet stay to go back and do another round of bloodwork, so it wouldn't be until Saturday that we go back. I'm not sure what the logic for waiting was but I feel uneasy with waiting so long.
 
If you tell the vet you are concerned and nervous about her progress, he/she should be willing to do things on your time table. Just tell he/she your gut tells you she is not feeling well and you don't want to put off helping her.
 
Ok. I don't think they will give me a problem, since they've been listening every other time I call.

Ok, Sharon. I will be able to observe her tonight until probably midnight or so (+5).
 
Glad she is drinking. How about giving her a little something to eat? 94 is a good number, but you still have a way to go before her nadir - if it is the same as today's. It would easy for you if she'd surf along and not go a whole lot lower. Food might slow her down. Remember, if she gets to 50, give her some gravy off the food (like a teaspoonful) and test again in 20 minutes.

I am not going to be around for an hour or so. If you want reassurance or help, start a new thread with her numbers.
 
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