Urgent Advice - cat is in DKA and not responding to treatment

Status
Not open for further replies.
JaneEApril74

JaneEApril74

New Member
Hello - I am an owner of an 8 yr old diabetic cat. This is her 3rd DKA event in 3 years and we still do not know why she keeps having these events.

She is currently in the emergency care - we are on our 3rd day of treatment and she is not responding to care. Things are looking quite bad and I am trying to be my own detective and see if I can offer any suggestions to the vets as they don’t seem to be winning.

She still has electrolyte inbalances, despite ‘a lot’ of supplementation via the drip, her BP is low and is not responding to noradrenaline, she hasn’t eaten in 3 days. I think her blood sugars are behaving ok - and acidosis is apparently a little better today, but she is not - she is extremely weak and dull. I suggested they start antibiotics last night and they agreed and started her on some.

Any suggestions as to why she is not responding?
 
Thanks very much.

We are going in tonight (9.30pm) to meet with the new vet - I will ask about a feeding tube (changeover vet for the night shift) - because it is an emergency hospital we have seen 4 vets so far - makes it tricky. The morning vet has told me she is critical and we should be prepared for a poor outcome.
 
I don't know even about levels to comment.
But I do know about food.
Both ondansetron and cerenia for nausea and vomiting. They can be taken together because they work on different pathways.
An appetite stimulant.
Then offer a variety of food. She might eat out of your hand.
If she still does not eat, or if she does not eat enough (a lot), then insist on a feeding tube tonight.

And take in a t-shirt that has been worn. A familiar smell to curl up in.
 
Thanks - she is on anti-nausea meds but not sure of the name. Has an item of clothing (our daughter’s, who is her favourite person).

Will ask about appetite stimulant and tube.

so heartbreaking. She has been an adorable nightmare since the day we got her - just full of health issues - skin issues, positive genes for polycystic kidney disease…and the terrible diabetes. I am a crazy cat lover - we have 3 - but this girl will be my last - I would never want to experience this again.
 
JaneEApril74 said:
she hasn’t eaten in 3 days. I think her blood sugars are behaving ok - and acidosis is apparently a little better today, but she is not - she is extremely weak and dull. I suggested they start antibiotics last night and they agreed and started her on some.

Any suggestions as to why she is not responding?
Click to expand...

They need to get a feeding tube into to her if she won't eat.

Basic care for dka
1) food
2)hydration (fluids)
3) she needs to be getting her insulin shots
4) underlying infection/inflammation treated.

How did it go at the vets.

Sending prayers
 
Thanks for your replies.

After $10,000 in fees (AUD), we had no choice but to bring our cat home. She picked up about 20% in the hospital but still wasn’t eating. I brought her home yesterday. She is weak, emaciated and very sick. I am now syringe feeding her with some watered down Hill’s Urgent Care food. I don’t hold high hopes for her recovery but will keep trying. We are not in a position to afford any more care - we weren’t in the first place and have used much needed funds for other ‘emergencies’ - ie kids.

Her electrolytes were mostly stable yesterday on discharge from the vets - blood sugars are a bit high - about 18 on average, I am not giving her insulin as she is not eating and prone to hypo events.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top