Vet doing correct thing??

[Cat girl]

Hi I haven't been on here in a long time but I do trust your opinions and experiences.Miss kitty didn't do well on Lantus so had her on Novolin N for 11/2-2yrs.Took Miss kitty to vet for multiple issues including getting her insulin switched to something else that worked better for her.Novolin N wasn't working well either.Vet her to Vetsulin but she wanted to put her on a pretty high starting dose that I don't trust at all.2.5units!!Miss kitty weighs 11.6-12lbs.she did bloodwork and Miss Kitty has very very low potassium and vet believes it is from the insulin and told me to take Miss and kitty off the insulin completely until her potassium levels come back up again.also prescribed potassium supplements.Does she really need to come off her insulin completely to get her potassium levels back up again?Has anyone else had one of their diabetic cats go through this?I don't like the idea of Miss kitty being completely off her insulin especially for a long period of time.She was also having allergies or something.Eyes runny and face and nose itching her really badly plus sneezing fits that have been different than the upper respiratory issues she has had in the past.Vet said she has normal temperature and white blood cell are normal but still put her on an antibiotic which has made Miss Kitty super sick an she stopped eating.I stopped the antibiotic about 2 days ago but she still don't have an appetite.I'm giving Nutri-cal to her and called vet's office and they want to switch antibiotic and give appetite stimulate.I have been giving her Claritin which helps some with her symptoms.I don't think she even has an infection.Her sugar has been in the 300s and 400s since taking her off the insulin.I thought maybe she was getting neuropathy and put her on B12 methylcobalamin but her symptoms turned out to be low potassium related.

 

[Squalliesmom]

How low was her potassium level? If potassium concentration in the body is already low, insulin can trigger a severe deficiency, called hypokalemia. If Miss Kitty's levels were critically low, the vet might want to stop insulin until the potassium levels rise.

 

[Cat girl]

How low was her potassium level? If potassium concentration in the body is already low, insulin can trigger a severe deficiency, called hypokalemia. If Miss Kitty's levels were critically low, the vet might want to stop insulin until the potassium levels rise.

I forget what level she said it was but She is having low potassium related muscle weakness issues etc.I was thinking it was neuropathy cause she started walking on her wrist.Right now she is miserable with high Blood sugar.Her eyes are dilated from it too.I showed up late to get the script and the vet was gone and they had shut down everything so decided to get a copy of her blood work another day.

 

[JanetNJ]

Just

I forget what level she said it was but She is having low potassium related muscle weakness issues etc.I was thinking it was neuropathy cause she started walking on her wrist.Right now she is miserable with high Blood sugar.Her eyes are dilated from it too.I showed up late to get the script and the vet was gone and they had shut down everything so decided to get a copy of her blood work another day.

have them email you a copy

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

You really need to know what are her lab results to get an idea of what's going on, did vet mention her having some issue with her kidneys, liver, thyroid, aldosterone?

What potassium supplement the vet gave you? When did the vet said he would check her again?

Low potassium will make her feel weak and kind of depressed but that will improve once her potassium levels get back or close to normal

 

[Olive & Paula]

While all this is being investigated, please start checking ketones. You can use human dip sticks available in most pharmacies.

 

[Cat girl]

You really need to know what are her lab results to get an idea of what's going on, did vet mention her having some issue with her kidneys, liver, thyroid, aldosterone?

What potassium supplement the vet gave you? When did the vet said he would check her again?

Low potassium will make her feel weak and kind of depressed but that will improve once her potassium levels get back or close to normal

Vet said her organs were fine except a heart murmur.she gave her Tumil-K 2 meq 2xs daily.I picked her up more Entyce medicine cause she is still refusing to eat.She was feeling ok before I took her to the vet and after giving her the clindamycine she got super sick and stopped eating and her sugar is over 600.Pupils are dilated.I believe she needs some insulin.all this was too much for her at once.I check her ketones.she didn't mention when she wanted to see Miss kitty again or how long she wanted her off insulin.

 

[JanetNJ]

Vet said her organs were fine except a heart murmur.she gave her Tumil-K 2 meq 2xs daily.I picked her up more Entyce medicine cause she is still refusing to eat.She was feeling ok before I took her to the vet and after giving her the clindamycine she got super sick and stopped eating and her sugar is over 600.Pupils are dilated.I believe she needs some insulin.all this was too much for her at once.I check her ketones.she didn't mention when she wanted to see Miss kitty again or how long she wanted her off insulin.

Maybe time for a second opinion. And call the receptionist and ask him or her to email you the lab reports

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Tumil-K 2 meq 2xs daily

By 2 meq you mean 2 tablets twice a day ? If that is so it seems like a high dose (higher than recommended), I agree with Janet I think is time for a second opinion and soon

When giving extra potassium some extra follow up is needed because potassium is something that has to be monitored closely to make sure is working but also that you are not giving too much because high levels of potassium are also not good, and you can not suspend insulin indefinitely ( few days maybe but not more ) you need to start addressing both issues at the same time

 

[Squalliesmom]

Please get a second opinion! I am very worried for Miss Kitty.

This is what I found for Tumil K:

"Tumil-K is a prescription medication FDA approved for veterinary use in dogs and cats. Tumil-K is available as 2 mEq (468 mg) scored tablets. The usual dose in dogs and cats is 1 tablet (2 mEq) per 10 lbs of body weight twice a day."

I think your current dose is probably okay but, as Veronica says, it must be closely monitored by your vet.

Please take Miss Kitty back to her usual vet if you can't get a second opinion TODAY. You don't want to head into a weekend with her health at risk. Keep us posted, please!

 

[Cat girl]

Please get a second opinion! I am very worried for Miss Kitty.

This is what I found for Tumil K:

"Tumil-K is a prescription medication FDA approved for veterinary use in dogs and cats. Tumil-K is available as 2 mEq (468 mg) scored tablets. The usual dose in dogs and cats is 1 tablet (2 mEq) per 10 lbs of body weight twice a day."

I think your current dose is probably okay but, as Veronica says, it must be closely monitored by your vet.

Please take Miss Kitty back to her usual vet if you can't get a second opinion TODAY. You don't want to head into a weekend with her health at risk. Keep us posted, please!

Ok here is update.I got a copy of lab report and I was right to be worried about the vet taking her off her insulin cause Miss kitty's sugar went over 600.Not sure how high cause my machine stops at 600.She laid in the floor like a limp rag like she was dying with dilated pupils still and even with Entyce today she wouldn't eat at all.I gave her a shot of Vetsulin last night and this morning and sugar didn't respond so I rushed her to back to the vet and they started her on reg insulin along with Vetsulin to bring her back down.Also gave her fluids.Tonight I have to give fluids and gave a shot of reg insulin and she is now 296 so she don't need any more reg just the Vetsulin unless she goes back above 300 again.I'm syringe feeding a/d urgent care canned food they gave me.she is more with it now but still weak and laying around like limp rag.Vet is off tomorrow but wants to come in,in the morning for Miss kitty check on her and set me up on what to do over the weekend.Think she feels bad for causing all this.She should have gave the appointment for free since she caused it.They bruised her poor ears all up poking the vein instead of the outer edge too and that hurts her.grrrr...also vet said her machine would not register how high she was either.that is strange.

 

[JanetNJ]

Ok here is update.I got a copy of lab report and I was right to be worried about the vet taking her off her insulin cause Miss kitty's sugar went over 600.Not sure how high cause my machine stops at 600.She laid in the floor like a limp rag like she was dying with dilated pupils still and even with Entyce today she wouldn't eat at all.I gave her a shot of Vetsulin last night and this morning and sugar didn't respond so I rushed her to back to the vet and they started her on reg insulin along with Vetsulin to bring her back down.Also gave her fluids.Tonight I have to give fluids and gave a shot of reg insulin and she is now 296 so she don't need any more reg just the Vetsulin unless she goes back above 300 again.I'm syringe feeding a/d urgent care canned food they gave me.she is more with it now but still weak and laying around like limp rag.Vet is off tomorrow but wants to come in,in the morning for Miss kitty check on her and set me up on what to do over the weekend.Think she feels bad for causing all this.She should have gave the appointment for free since she caused it.They bruised her poor ears all up poking the vein instead of the outer edge too and that hurts her.grrrr...also vet said her machine would not register how high she was either.that is strange.

Thank goodness you brought her in!

 

[Cat girl]

Thank goodness you brought her in!

This vet really confuses me big time.took Miss kitty in for morning check up.She didn't urinate for me all night.Looked like she tried to cause there were a few tiny wet drops where I was holding her up in car box.I mentioned it to vet and she expressed her urine and showed me how to do it if she didn't go for me.Didn't mention what to do if she Didn't poop for a long time though.I go back on Monday.The vet thinks she is ketoacidosis cause her urine smelled sweet said Miss kitty is a very hard case with the diabetes.What I don't understand is that they took her off her regular insulin and just want me to give the Vetsulin even though she is ketoacidosis!??Isn't she suppose to stay on break through regular insulin until she starts getting better??!That I don't understand.They recommend that I should think about taking her to a special vet place that specializes in diabetes cause she is considered a hard case.also recommended that I take her to a vet clinic that takes care of animals over the weekend which I can't really afford to do.She is comfortable here and I'm doing everything they would be doing.I'm just really worried about the regular insulin being cut off when she is this sick.Help??Who here has taken care of a ketoacidosis cat?Did the give regular insulin until they got better??giving Miss kitty fluids now and she is purring.Awwwww just breaks my heart.Stupid vet caused all this and I told her how her dose fluctuated a lot too.grrrrrr.....

 

[JanetNJ]

Can you update the spreadsheet with whatever readings you have from the past couple weeks?

What is “regular insulin”. She suspected DKA but didn’t do a simple test to determine it?

 

[Squalliesmom]

I'm tagging @Tanya and Ducia for you, she has experience in dealing with DKA at home.

I'm glad you took Miss Kitty back to the vet. I'm sorry your vet doesn't seem to be doing more to help. With DKA, Miss Kitty really would be better off staying at the vet's until she pulls through. If finances are an issue, you can try applying for Care Credit, that's how I just got my cat's dental work done. You can also check out DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need) to see if they can help, our contact here is @Chris & China .

I'm with Janet, I don't know what your men by "regular" insulin. Were they maybe giving her "R" insulin along with the Vetsulin?

 

[Cat girl]

I'm tagging @Tanya and Ducia for you, she has experience in dealing with DKA at home.

I'm glad you took Miss Kitty back to the vet. I'm sorry your vet doesn't seem to be doing more to help. With DKA, Miss Kitty really would be better off staying at the vet's until she pulls through. If finances are an issue, you can try applying for Care Credit, that's how I just got my cat's dental work done. You can also check out DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need) to see if they can help, our contact here is @Chris & China .

I'm with Janet, I don't know what your men by "regular" insulin. Were they maybe giving her "R" insulin along with the l?

Yes R insulin the 1 hr kind.It helped keep her sugar down last night with The Vetsulin but they took her off the R and she still needs it!I have one more R shot left and gave it to her just now cause her sugar jumped to 503.

 

[Squalliesmom]

R insulin can be tricky and really, in most cases, should be used under veterinary supervision. I know a few very experienced people here have used it, I think @Bobbie And Bubba may have been one of them.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Hi and I am so sorry you are going through all this with Miss Kitty. First, I would I am glad she is at the vet's and I would hope that they will give her Lantus and R to help get these high numbers down. If you are not feeling confident with this vet and their abilities, please seek out another opinion.

I do know about the potassium and why your vet would want to have her off insulin. Maybe some others will weigh in about that. Keep us posted.


ETA : This was suppose to say: I do not know about potassium and why your vet would want to have her off insulin. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Cat girl]

Hi and I am so sorry you are going through all this with Miss Kitty. First, I would I am glad she is at the vet's and I would hope that they will give her Lantus and R to help get these high numbers down. If you are not feeling confident with this vet and their abilities, please seek out another opinion.

I do know about the potassium and why your vet would want to have her off insulin. Maybe some others will weigh in about that. Keep us posted.

I tested her ketones twice but it is reading negative.

 

[Cat girl]

I tested her ketones twice but it is reading negative.

Went to vet this morning after caring for Miss kitty all weekend.She didn't want me leaving her side for very long so I made sure to be there to comfort her.She kept having heavy breathing episodes but they would calm down after an hr or so but last night it lasted all night and she started reminding me of how sable acted when she had her heart attack and couldn't breath.at first I thought she was panicking cause she couldn't move cause she was so weak but when I mentioned this to the vet the vet finally did an X-ray and saw fluid or something all around her heart.She said she could try some things to help but it didn't look good and one of the things she mentioned steroids would make her sugar worse.I decided to let her go.I couldn't let her suffer.When I was saying goodbye She started purring and blipping at me that broke my heart even more.Everything is so empty now without her.All of her things around but not her.

 

[JanetNJ]

Went to vet this morning after caring for Miss kitty all weekend.She didn't want me leaving her side for very long so I made sure to be there to comfort her.She kept having heavy breathing episodes but they would calm down after an hr or so but last night it lasted all night and she started reminding me of how sable acted when she had her heart attack and couldn't breath.at first I thought she was panicking cause she couldn't move cause she was so weak but when I mentioned this to the vet the vet finally did an X-ray and saw fluid or something all around her heart.She said she could try some things to help but it didn't look good and one of the things she mentioned steroids would make her sugar worse.I decided to let her go.I couldn't let her suffer.When I was saying goodbye She started purring and blipping at me that broke my heart even more.Everything is so empty now without her.All of her things around but not her.

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Coco’s Momma]

Oh I'm so sorry!

 

[Squalliesmom]

Oh, I am so, so sorry! My heart breaks for you. You are a wonderful kitty mom and Miss Kitty knows that you loved her very much. You will meet again one day at the Rainbow Bridge, where Miss Kitty will be free of pain and illness, with velvety grass at her feet, majestic trees to climb, honey-sweet streams to drink from, and fluffy white clouds in a deep blue sky over her head. There are many other beloved kitties there, all waiting to welcome her with love.

Sending you many (((hugs))), peace, strength, and love.

Fly free, sweet Miss Kitty, and travel safely on your journey to your new life at the Bridge

 

[Sandi and Toby]

Beth, I am so very sorry. I just now caught up on what you and Miss Kitty went through this past week. You were very brave to give Miss Kitty her wings.

She is now safe and will live on forever until you both can be reunited.

Best wishes to you during this difficult time of transition,

Sandi&Whisper.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Beth, I am so sorry that it was Miss Kitty's time to go.

Until you meet again........

Fly High, Land Softly ,Miss Kitty.

 

[Harley Baby & Michele]

I am so sorry to hear about Miss Kitty. You were a very loving mama to make the difficult decision to allow Miss Kitty to pass over the Rainbow Bridge.
I am crying with you.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I'm sorry you had to let her go.

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I am so sorry Miss Kitty has gone to the rainbow bridge
You did everything you could for her and I am sure she was telling you that as she purred when you said goodbye

 

[Cat girl]

I am so sorry Miss Kitty has gone to the rainbow bridge
You did everything you could for her and I am sure she was telling you that as she purred when you said goodbye

Thank you everyone for your support and condolences.I didn't want to let her go but I knew that would be selfish of me to make her suffer because I couldn't let go.I just wish the vet figured out what was wrong sooner so she didn't go through all that she did.I at least was there the entire time and hardly slept a wink the entire 3 last days.After I my mourning goes down some I'm going to get another cat.I have always had a cat in my home since I was a baby so it is strange not to have a cat around and too quite and lonely.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Sending purrs and prayers at this difficult time.