We acquired a 7 month old kitten that appeared to be starving to death. His sister came along with him and she looked healthy and happy. After several trips to the vet and potty accidents all over the house he was DX with a UTI.or bladder infection this was not the case he wasn't eating at all and we returned to the vet. He was then DX with diabetes and placed on lantus 2 x per day. He is now 9 months old and not doing well. He was restarted on a liquid Antibiotic and this caused him to have a very elevated blood sugar. 459 we had to force feed him with a syringe just to get a bit of food down him since we gave him his insulin. Normally he eats like he is starving.The vet does not know how to treat him and said that in 15 years he has never seen a diabetic kitten. I believe he was in a diabetic coma today when I rechecked his blood glucose it had gone up to almost 500. Not sure how to handle this situation any suggestions? What is the life expectancies of diabetic kittens? I am a nurse and deal with diabetes with my patients but this is a little different and I feel lost. Thanks Kathy.
Sick kitten
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BJM
Member Since 2010
Ok.
First things first:
1) Lantus is a good insulin.
2) You're home testing the blood glucose; that's great. When are you testing? Testing before all shots for safety, mid-cycle around the expected lowest glucose (nadir) whenever you can, and before bed for peace of mind are suggested.
3) What are you feeding? Low carb canned or raw food is suggested. Pop over to Cat Info for full explanation why.
First things first:
1) Lantus is a good insulin.
2) You're home testing the blood glucose; that's great. When are you testing? Testing before all shots for safety, mid-cycle around the expected lowest glucose (nadir) whenever you can, and before bed for peace of mind are suggested.
3) What are you feeding? Low carb canned or raw food is suggested. Pop over to Cat Info for full explanation why.
Tara & Buster
Member Since 2012
Diabetes isn't a death sentence. It is treatable, even for a kitten. You have found a great place to get help. Don't give up on the lil guy!!
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
Hi and welcome to FDMB?
Can you give us more info so we can try to help you
1) What are you feeding him? Is it canned or dry?
2) Lantus is a good insulin. Was 2 units your starting dose or has it been increased since he was originally diagnosed?
3) Have you been hometesting since he was diagnosed? Are you testing before every shot? Any tests between shots?
It may be possible that you are experiencing Somogyi rebound. What this means is that your dose may be too high and your kitten's body is responding by producing extra glucose to prevent hypoglycemia. This could explain the high readings and why your cat is starving. When the glucose levels are under control, his appetite should level off and he will begin eating and peeing normally. Until then, you will need to feed him extra food. Right now his body is not processing food properly and that is why he is starving and may be losing weight.
If this is the case, I suggest that you start over with 1 unit twice a day and test before and between each shot. After a week of staying at this dose and consistent testing, we can look at your spreadsheet and help you determine if you need to increase the dose. If a change is needed, then you would repeat a week at the new dose before determinining if another increase is needed. This method will help you find the optimal dose you kitten needs to control his BG level.
Also, if he does have an infection, that also will cause the BG levels to rise. Did you vet do any blood work besides testing the glucose levels?
Can you give us more info so we can try to help you
1) What are you feeding him? Is it canned or dry?
2) Lantus is a good insulin. Was 2 units your starting dose or has it been increased since he was originally diagnosed?
3) Have you been hometesting since he was diagnosed? Are you testing before every shot? Any tests between shots?
It may be possible that you are experiencing Somogyi rebound. What this means is that your dose may be too high and your kitten's body is responding by producing extra glucose to prevent hypoglycemia. This could explain the high readings and why your cat is starving. When the glucose levels are under control, his appetite should level off and he will begin eating and peeing normally. Until then, you will need to feed him extra food. Right now his body is not processing food properly and that is why he is starving and may be losing weight.
If this is the case, I suggest that you start over with 1 unit twice a day and test before and between each shot. After a week of staying at this dose and consistent testing, we can look at your spreadsheet and help you determine if you need to increase the dose. If a change is needed, then you would repeat a week at the new dose before determinining if another increase is needed. This method will help you find the optimal dose you kitten needs to control his BG level.
Also, if he does have an infection, that also will cause the BG levels to rise. Did you vet do any blood work besides testing the glucose levels?
Welcome Kathy, you aren't the only one with a diabetic kitten. One of our members, KPassa, had a kitten diagnosed diabetic at 6 months old. It's now two years later and he's doing well, and still on insulin. His insulin needs did change as he grew, so once you find the "right" dose, you may find that his needs increase as he grows in size. What is your kitten's name?
A number of liquid antibiotics come in syrup. Can you ask the vet whether there is an equivalent that isn't sweetened? If you get a pill, you can wrap it in Greenies Duck and Pea Allergy version pill pockets (for dogs). It's OK for diabetics. Just take a piece to wrap the pill in. Also, antibiotics can be hard on the stomach and digestive system. Try asking the vet for FortiFlora, or you can order if from Amazon. It has a probiotic in it and lots of kitties can't resist the taste when it's sprinkled on food. Alternatively, see if there is a different kind of antibiotic that would work. Sometimes that switch will help.
A number of liquid antibiotics come in syrup. Can you ask the vet whether there is an equivalent that isn't sweetened? If you get a pill, you can wrap it in Greenies Duck and Pea Allergy version pill pockets (for dogs). It's OK for diabetics. Just take a piece to wrap the pill in. Also, antibiotics can be hard on the stomach and digestive system. Try asking the vet for FortiFlora, or you can order if from Amazon. It has a probiotic in it and lots of kitties can't resist the taste when it's sprinkled on food. Alternatively, see if there is a different kind of antibiotic that would work. Sometimes that switch will help.
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