Should I be really worried? Blood ketones .7 on meter

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lovetheduns

lovetheduns

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So--- tonight DoDo didn't want to go pee in the box for me, so I used the Precision Xtra meter.

He tested .7 on the meter.

BAH!!!! .6 and below is what the meter advertises as just a trace and nothing to worry about.

I have irritated my little fellow at least 2-3 times extra to try and get him to go to the bathroom for me.

I mixed in quite a bit of water in his food (much to his displeasure) and I have also tube fed him 30ml of water.

*sighs*

He doesn't smell or anything. Does anyone else use the meter and if so what is usually the comparison to the Ketostix?

Thanks
 
do you know how to give subQ fluids? have you learned?

it would be a very useful skill to have. i had to learn by fire when cleo was first diagnosed and i figure if i could learn anyone else can. one of the vet techs at your vet's office would probably help you learn.

fluids are very cheap at costco (around $13 for a case if you join their prescription club), as are terumo 20-gauge needles at thrivingpets.com and the tubing sets for the fluid bags (via wholeseller online).
 
chriscleo said:
do you know how to give subQ fluids? have you learned?

it would be a very useful skill to have. i had to learn by fire when cleo was first diagnosed and i figure if i could learn anyone else can. one of the vet techs at your vet's office would probably help you learn.

fluids are very cheap at costco (around $13 for a case if you join their prescription club), as are terumo 20-gauge needles at thrivingpets.com and the tubing sets for the fluid bags (via wholeseller online).
Click to expand...

I have not learned yet. I think once we go back for our check up from the DKA this week or early next week I am going to ask to be taught so that it is another tool that I have. She had mentioned it so might as well have the skill.
 
Pam and Layla said:
I wouldn't say worry yet if he is acting normal otherwise.

Here's the chart:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0n_030.htm

I would suggest testing again later tonight or in the morning, but in the meanwhile, encourage water consumption - maybe add extra water to his food.
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So I did test with his urine again and nothing showed up. It was definitely tan and not turning pink.

So I don't know if the meter is just more sensitive or if it is because it is showing in the blood. I think I will test later this night with a strip when I do another BG test. I had to just change his etube bandage. I can't wait for the kitty kollars to come in-- he breathes so funky with the big collar around his neck made from gauze no matter how many fingers I can stick in between him and the bandage.
 
my understanding is that it shows up in the blood first before it would appear in the urine. so i'd be watchful.

yes, please learn. if you can inject your cat you can give fluids. with a nice slick needle like a terumo 20 gauge, they don't even feel the needle. best trick is to warm the fluids beforehand by keeping the bag in a large pan of hot water from the tap for about 15 to 20 minutes. then it's not startlingly cold going in.

it's really a handy skill to help with other health issues as well. saves money and time and potential vet stress. just need to know that the cat doesn't have heart problems or any health problem arguing against administering fluids at home.
 
Do you keep the neck well-wrapped? You can put a bandage around the gauze. You can buy it at the pharmacy - it is just like they use on the leg for the iv placement. It sticks to itself and not the fur.

Also, I would put a non-stick pad between the feeding tube and the gauze, because the gauze can stick to the tube site. So, non-stick pad (first aid supplies at the pharmacy), gauze or tube sock, and then the sport-tape type wrapped around that. You should be set and can change it every other day.
 
Pam and Layla said:
Do you keep the neck well-wrapped? You can put a bandage around the gauze. You can buy it at the pharmacy - it is just like they use on the leg for the iv placement. It sticks to itself and not the fur.

Also, I would put a non-stick pad between the feeding tube and the gauze, because the gauze can stick to the tube site. So, non-stick pad (first aid supplies at the pharmacy), gauze or tube sock, and then the sport-tape type wrapped around that. You should be set and can change it every other day.
Click to expand...

Yeah the tube is wrapped in-- the gauze square with a betadine cream, a cottony bandagy wrap thing that wraps around the neck, vetrap next, I tape down the long tube with bandage tape that doesnt really stick to the vetwrap well, then I use a lose wrap of vetwrap over the taped down tube.

He reminds me of those national geographic pictures of the African tribal folks with the rings around their necks.

He has such a tiny neck and all the bulk I am afraid bothers him although when I changed him tonight it does not seem to bother him as much.
 
Re: A new update, no ketones on meter

Took me three strips of the Xtra (the other two just would not suck up blood and then when they did there was no feedback saying it had sucked up the blood).

He came back as 0.00 ketones. :)

Now his sugars are 200 which is disappointing since he got his shot at 730pm

Have a good night
 
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