Tucker's potassium - Sat., it's only getting worse

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tuckers mom

tuckers mom

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[I posted to below, a new reply]

Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. I'm exhausted so will try to write this so it makes sense, although I don't really understand.

The vet said this acute episode was caused by a drop in his potassium level. Normal levels are 3.5-5.8, his is 3.3. He has to start potassium supplements. She said every cell in the body needs potassium which is why he crashed this morning. He will need monitoring going forward because apparently too much potassium is bad too.

He has lost another full half pound. This is now about 3 pounds lost since November.

He is getting an enima, he's got some stool, but he's not blocked.

He is to get miralax every day going forward.

He will be given some subq fluids today and should be coming home tonight.

Also have to start him on prednisone. We don't know what's causing the weight loss or the dymensia and circling but think it's a brain thingy so the pred should help with his IBD and hopefully make the brain thing better as well as add some weight on my skinny little man. He's now at 14 pounds 10 ounces. He is a large cat, part main coone, 18 pounds is a good healthy weight for him. Right now he's boney.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

((((((Jenn and Tucker))))))))) You have no idea how glad I am to read this update. I hope the meds and pred help him.

Lots of love and (((hugs))) to both of you...
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

The vet just called. His condition is called Hypokalemia.

She gave him insulin, potassium, pred and the enima. He passed some stool, he ate some food.

He's there all day, I have to bring him back on Tuesday to monitor his potassium level. He'll be taking 1.5 pills BID of the potassium. She said I can split the pills and use cream cheese or pill pockets if I need to.

When I found him this morning, I thought he had already passed away. I've never seen him look so lifeless. I hope when I get him tonight he has some energy because this morning really scared me.

The vet said potassium loss happens with diabetes, I don't think I've ever seen anyone post about that here.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

oh my goodness. (((tucker))) (((jennifer)))

The vet said potassium loss happens with diabetes, I don't think I've ever seen anyone post about that here.
Click to expand...

in ckd kitties, potassium loss can happen with polyuria; the potassium gets lost in the frequent urination. since diabetics has polyuria too, could that be how it happened for tucker?

meowzi gets potassium supplementation daily, BID.

be sure to give K to him with a meal; if he eats it on an empty stomach, it may hurt his tummy, and he may vomit.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

I just posted on the other one, Jennifer...I'm so glad to see that Tucker is going to be ok. Thank God!! Our prayers have been answered.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

WCF and Meowzi said:
oh my goodness. (((tucker))) (((jennifer)))

The vet said potassium loss happens with diabetes, I don't think I've ever seen anyone post about that here.
Click to expand...

in ckd kitties, potassium loss can happen with polyuria; the potassium gets lost in the frequent urination. since diabetics has polyuria too, could that be how it happened for tucker?

meowzi gets potassium supplementation daily, BID.

be sure to give K to him with a meal; if he eats it on an empty stomach, it may hurt his tummy, and he may vomit.
Click to expand...


Thank you, I know nothing about this. He has a bad belly to start with, I certainly don't want to make it worse. Does Meowzi have to get rechecks a lot? My vet said recheck on Tuesday and then we'll see from there, maybe recheck every month depending on how he does this weekend through Tuesday.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Whew, Jennifer! Scary but a nice update. Hope this takes care of these issues for Tucker.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Whew! Scary but something treatable! Low potassium is not a usual side effect from diabetes unless there is still uncontrolled PU, renal involvement or DKA, and then it becomes a huge concern. The muscles get so weak, they can't even hold their heads up. :-(

Supplements work well (with food, as mentioned) but frequent rechecks are needs to make sure that it is working, and that it isn't going too high (a whole other problem!)

Is Tucker on any meds that may be binding with the Potassium and leaching it from his body?

By the way, Pred should be given in the morning for optimal efficiency, and, of course, you know to watch the BGs carefully. It should ease the IBD and increase his appetite.

Fingers crossed and thanks for taking the time to update us!
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

So glad to read Tucker will be okay. Just wondering though......had you seen him in the past few days look like a stallion with the head tucked down to the chest? That is a good sign to watch for when it comes to low potassium.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

So sorry to hear about this episode. Hope he's feeling better soon. Potassium supplementation may have to be an ongoing thing now. When Charles was in DKA a couple years ago I was told by the ER vet that I was in a catch 22 situation with him being diabetic: insulin lowers the potassium levels but he needs the insulin for the diabetes. Food can bring potassium levels up but at the time he wasn't eating much. I'm sure I told you about 22-year-old Batley who I adopted that had cancer, hyper-t, heart disease, and low potassium (but not diabetic, lol)...I used to have to give 3-4 scoops of Renal-K powder to keep his potassium levels up and to relieve the lowered head stance. He too had "collapsing" episodes where all of a sudden his level would just bottom out and he'd either go down on his side or be so uncoordinated he couldn't walk. I adjusted his potassium supplementation according to his blood levels. But for Batley it took 3-4 scoops a day. I used the powder cause Batley hated to be pilled. I feel for what you're going through. It scares ya when you see them just drop. But now you know what to look for.

BTW, just a thought...ask your vet if when Tucker has (hopefully never again) another episode if you can take the powdered form of potassium and mix it with water and shoot it rectally to get some quick results.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Jennifer, I'm sorry to hear you had such a scary episode with Tucker! Sounds like you have a good vet though, thank heavens!

Also, thank you everyone for sharing your info about low potassium. It may help others whose kitties experience low potassium. Sounds very scary and with a diabetic most of us would think hypo if we found them incapacitated like that.

Glad Tucker's on the mend.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Wow, thank you all for the information.

Tucker is on Lev, B12 (weekly) and Miralax but no other meds. He did get into the foster kittens Wellness Core dry food about 2 weeks ago and had a CP flare, but other than that his diabetes is pretty much the same as always.

He was fine last night. Well, other than the circling that he's been doing. His head was up high, his tail was up high, he jumped on the bed and I do have a tall bed.

This morning was a complete shock to me. There was no indication that anything was wrong.

I will need to learn the warning signs and will ask the vet about the powder to keep on hand.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

((((((((((((((((((((JENN)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

How scary!! OMG I am so glad they caught what it was. I hope he will be on the mend soon.
Sending cyber hugs..
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Wow, what a scare! I am so glad that Tucker is doing better. This is an amazing board. I am always in awe of the information that is available for situations like this.

Hugs,
Ruthe and Rugs
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Oh gosh Jenn.... I am just catching this now. How scary!! I'm so glad to hear he is feeling better and that it is something treatable.

Continued positive thoughts and healing vines coming for Tucker.

((((Jennifer & Tucker))))
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

(((Jenn))) (((Tucker)))

Glad to hear they are helping him. What a frightening thing this morning.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Oh wow ! What a terrible scare you have had. I'm so glad that you got him to the vet right away and they have been able to help Tucker. It sounds like they have a good handle on things. Will be praying that he continues to improve and that you can take him home soon.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Oh Jennifer, how scary! I am adding my thoughts and prayers to everyone else's for Tucker's complete recovery. I am sorry you guys had to go through this but glad he is getting the help he needs from the vet. (((hugs)))
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Thank you everyone.

I just spoke to Tucker's favorite vet tech, I'm so glad she's there today. She has him out of his cage and he's walking around the back with her. She said he's a little confused. His cage door was open and he was out of the cage but when he got to the door, he stopped, as if he thought he was still in his cage. She had to scoot him around that.

I'm hoping he behaves and doesn't start circling so that Aimee can keep him out for a while.

My husband went to visit him about 2 hours ago. Tucker was able to stand and take some steps. He made some strange meows, I heard them while DH was talking to me, but hopefully that will prove to be nothing.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

I just commented on the other thread.. but may ask the vet if the powder K would be absorbed faster than a pill? or if it makes no difference. Cuddles was getting enough allergy pills, and poked with everything, that I used a powder, and mixed it into about half a jar of baby food every day for her. It was her little treat, just for her. :smile: She seemed to enjoy it! But yeah.. when they're low potassium, it's scary. My dad was even dangerously low one time.. not sure if anyone remembers me freaking out on here back then. We had just put him into one of those group homes because he couldn't be by himself. Well, his pacemaker defib started going off one night while he was there!!! Apparently it's like being kicked in the chest by a horse! It did this multiple times before they raced him to the ER. Found out later that he was way low on potassium, and it was affecting his muscles, as well as his heart! I think he was only like 1.something on the potassium reading. VERY scary, but something as simple as potassium can REALLY affect the body! We had a BBQ over there that day too, and he was very quiet, subdued, and even went to bed when it was still light outside.

I hope Tucker feels MUCH better with the potassium! Unfortunately you do have to keep a close eye on it since you can get too much of it too.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

Wow, how frightening. My mom just went through this, so I hope they will both be fine! Glad to hear Tucker's out of his cage and checking out the place. Please let us know when he is home!
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

We're home now but Tucker is not good.

Once we got into the car he started to foam at the mouth and then vomitted. I turned back and they gave him a shot of selenium, it's supposed to stop vomitting for 24 hours. On the way back home again he was limp.

In the house I placed him on his bed and he fell off of it, then stumbled a bit, fell a few more times. Then he started to walk the house, he didn't seem to see anything, just kept walking. Walked right through the litterboxes, walked into the bathroom, the bedroom, just kept walking.

He got to the cat's room and walked into the corner where the cat skyscraper is and his head went into the piece of furniture and now he's lost. He doesn't seem to know how to reverse or get out, but at least it made him sit. So now he's sitting on a bed with his head in a climbing tree. He looks lifeless, there's nothing in his eyes. This is devistating. The vet said she'll call me later to check on him but just to give him his potassium again tonight with his insulin and some fluids.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

I'm sorry to hear he's not doing well back home. I hope you can reconnect with your vet soon and see what's going on.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

(((Jennifer))) (((Tucker))) I hope things turn around quickly for Tucker....you and DH are wonderful beans, for sweet Tucker. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sherry & Zoe
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Oh, Jennifer, this is so sad. I will keep him in my prayers. (((Tucker))). Common, baby!

You will be in my thoughts tonight as I am sure you will be for many here. Know that we are all with you in spirit.

(((Jennifer and DH)))
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Hope + (((Baby)))GA said:
Jen, has Tucker had a complete cardio workup?
Click to expand...


Thank you everyone. Tucker's last cardio was over a year ago. He's had some ultra sounds of his heart to check for HCM because his heart is large however since adoption the size of his heart has not gotten any bigger.

He moved his head a few minutes after he passed gas. I guess that's good. I think instead of trying to pill him, the potassium pills are large and he needs 1.5 pills, I will crush them and make a slurry. Vet gave me permission earlier to do that. I'll do that now and hope, pray, that tomorrow will show some improvement.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Oh Jennifer I'm so sorry that Tucker is having such a bad time. I don't even know what to say except that you two will be in my thoughts and I will be hoping that the vet gets back to you with some kind of solution as to what you can do for him. You've stopped the vomiting and that's good as you don't want him to lose any more potassium. Were you told to give him any fluids or anything?

Poor Tucker.. :-|

Hang in there.
(((Jennifer))) (((Tucker)))
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

I echo Caryl's sympathies - and hope that he turns around.

I can tell you that my father has this issue - potassium leakage/loss and it's scary when it happens. - he ends up in the hospital to get it regulated and it seems somehow to coincide with him going into A-fib and needing a shock to the heart to get it beating correctly again.

I don't know if something similar is happening to Tucker, but it's worth asking about - if there is some correlation with the two and maybe he needs his heart checked.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Lot and lots of get strong/stay strong thoughts for Tuckerman.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

I am supposed to give him subq fluids tonight. Just waiting for DH to get home, he can squeeze the bag for me so it goes faster.

I mashed the pills in some A/D and made a food slurry so hopefully he'll be feeling better. I had to feed Lilly Grace so didn't get to do his BG yet, but will do that now.

Tucker is sitting in his cat bed and his head is up, he looks tired but he's not limp at this point.

I'll probably bring Tucker back to the vet in the morning and have her check his heart. I'm assuming she would have been monitorig that today, she's a pretty decent vet, even came into work early to be with Tucker this morning. She's always gone over and above for him, I really should send her a card... sorry, rambling.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

tuckers mom said:
I really should send her a card...
Click to expand...

If you do, please do sign it with thanks from all of us too!!
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

((((((((((((((((((((((Jenn and Tucker))))))))))))))))))))))))

I wish I knew what to say... or had a magic wand...

Both of you are just so special to me...
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

((Jenn)) ((Tucker)) I missed your first post because I haven't been on here but am now reading this one. How scary for you - am so glad you were able to get Tucker to the vet and she was able to help.

Low potassium can be really difficult to see. I take two supps. a day and it drops slowly and isn't noticeable until it's almost too late. I hope that these supplements will do the job for your sweet boy and that he will be much better tomorrow and the days to come.

Sending many healing and comforting prayers your way -

Will be watching for your update.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)
 
Re: Tucker's potassium level dropped so he crashed

tuckers mom said:
The vet just called. His condition is called Hypokalemia.

She gave him insulin, potassium, pred and the enima. He passed some stool, he ate some food.

He's there all day, I have to bring him back on Tuesday to monitor his potassium level. He'll be taking 1.5 pills BID of the potassium. She said I can split the pills and use cream cheese or pill pockets if I need to.

When I found him this morning, I thought he had already passed away. I've never seen him look so lifeless. I hope when I get him tonight he has some energy because this morning really scared me.

The vet said potassium loss happens with diabetes, I don't think I've ever seen anyone post about that here.
Click to expand...

Pearl had a time when her potassium got low. Sometimes when she acts odd, I will mix some in her food for a few days and she perks up. The time I discovered it, she leaped off my bed one night and went and sat in the corner. SHe was carrying her head low. I took her right in to the vet in the morning and that was the only thing that was off. Also, one time this happened to a co-worker and, my, she was hospitalized and awful one day and after getting the potassium she needed, back to normal. I'm so sorry Tucker is doing poorly. ((((((hugs))))))) I hope this perks him up.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

tuckers mom said:
Hope + (((Baby)))GA said:
Jen, has Tucker had a complete cardio workup?
Click to expand...


Thank you everyone. Tucker's last cardio was over a year ago. He's had some ultra sounds of his heart to check for HCM because his heart is large however since adoption the size of his heart has not gotten any bigger.

He moved his head a few minutes after he passed gas. I guess that's good. I think instead of trying to pill him, the potassium pills are large and he needs 1.5 pills, I will crush them and make a slurry. Vet gave me permission earlier to do that. I'll do that now and hope, pray, that tomorrow will show some improvement.
Click to expand...

Maybe when he perks up he can get the tumil-K powder? That's what I use for Pearl. It mixes in to the food well. Maybe he needs too much right now.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

tuckers mom said:
I am supposed to give him subq fluids tonight. Just waiting for DH to get home, he can squeeze the bag for me so it goes faster.

I mashed the pills in some A/D and made a food slurry so hopefully he'll be feeling better. I had to feed Lilly Grace so didn't get to do his BG yet, but will do that now.

Tucker is sitting in his cat bed and his head is up, he looks tired but he's not limp at this point.

I'll probably bring Tucker back to the vet in the morning and have her check his heart. I'm assuming she would have been monitorig that today, she's a pretty decent vet, even came into work early to be with Tucker this morning. She's always gone over and above for him, I really should send her a card... sorry, rambling.
Click to expand...

The fluids have lots of good potassium in them..maybe Tucker has gotten them by now and has hopefully perked up a little bit? I'm betting the vet did check Tucker's heart this morning since the heart is directly affected by potassium deficiency. If lots of us know that..your vet is, I am SO sure, on top of this :)
Not limp is a good sign but please keep us up to date

(((big hugs to you both)))
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

So sorry to hear about Tucker's troubles. Just wanted to send a cyber hug and well wishes for a speedy recovery. You will be in my thoughts tonight.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

((((Jennifer)))) I'm so sorry to hear about Tucker. Sending mega prayers for Tucker.

Linda Lee
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

There was no improvement overnight. BGs stayed in the 270 range. I force fed some A/D last night but couldn't get too much into him.

I placed him on the bed with me and he laid there all night, on the blanket without moving. Now we're up and he's walking the house, getting stuck in corners. His walking and inability to comprehend what's around him reminds me of when Lucy(GA) lost her sight. But he can see, I think, but he keeps getting stuck.

As I wrote this he got stuck with his head in between the steps to his cedar house, DH pulled him out.

He will be going back to the vet as soon as they open this morning.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Please know that Tucker will be in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Sending healing vibes your way...watching for futher updates.

I don't know how this compares, but my Grandad had an extreme potassium deficiency that was thought to be related to kidney failure/dialysis.

We found this out by my uncle finding him on the floor of his apartment one morning- he'd been there for two days with only a thin blanket over him apparently.

Once we got to the hospital and tests were run it showed the deficiency....he also had a deep infection that was not found for another 3 weeks- but during that time he was confused, actually "forgot" how to swallow so he had to be tube fed, didn't recognize any us, could barely walk and would turn over in bed and say things like, " I don't like walking on the ceiling."

Doctors said dementia, that white counts indicated cancer and also found that he'd been having mini strokes.

The short of it is, that by accident an infected sore was found deep inside him- a bed sore on his bum that would not heal- a pic ( cat scan or mri, can't remember) revealed a large sac of infection almost on his tailbone- like 3 inches inside him associated with the sore.

He was put on several BIG hitter antibiotics at once and within 24 hours he was sitting up in bed, asking for food AND able to swallow again, his potassium levels straightened out, white counts returned to just outside normal and he recognized all of us...this after 3 weeks of "lights on/nobody home"

It was like the infection was so powerful it sucked all the life from his body- brain function, processing nutirents, just everything.

The dementia dx was retracted, btw and they never found any cancer.

As I said, don't know how it relates but wanted to share it in case there was something that could help.

Thinking only positve thoughts for Tucker.... cat_pet_icon
 
Re: Tucker's potassium - PM update, he does not look good

Thank you all for sharing your stories about the potassium and what it can do.

This is so hard to watch Tucker being gone and normally I put quality of life first and not quantity but in this case I am trying to let things be and see if Tucker can come out of this.

When I brought him to the clinic this morning I learned that they gave him his potassium before I picked him up last night, I assume he vomitted that up as we were pulling out of the lot. So maybe the only potassium he really got was what I gave him last night and then this morning. So, maybe he will perk up.

The vet tech on today, I don't know her well but she seems to be really smart and caring. She said she will watch him for ketones today and will start an IV if the doc approves it. Dr. L should be in soon, her hours start at 9AM but she knows Tucker is there and will probably come in sooner.

When she calls I'll ask her about his heart and what his white blood cell count was.

This morning's BG was 189 so I gave him his normal dose of insulin.
 
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