What is ketosis?

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Here is an article that explains what ketones are. It usually is caused by a combination of high blood glucose levels, not eating well and an infection. You can test for it at home by getting ketone strips and sticking the strips into her urine stream. If she won't let you do that, we have other ways. The strips have a color guide and if you get anything above normal, it is time to have her checked out by the vet.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm
 
My guess is that it might have been "ketoacidosis"?

Here's a great link to tons of info:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/ketoacidosis-in-cats
There are usually three things involved:
Insufficient food
Insufficient insulin
Some type of infection present

One thing that is usually noticeable is the smell of their breath. Think "nail polish remover". When my cat was diagnosed with DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) his breath smelled just like that.

Another potential illness from lack of eating is "hepatic lipidosis".
http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_hepatic_lipidosis

both of these are life threatening, and a vet visit is exactly what you would need.

Carl
 
Ketones form as a by-product of fat breakdown for calories (not enough insulin and/or not enough food).

When too many ketones collect in the blood, the pH balance can shift towards a more acid level, hence the -acidosis part of the word. It there is a severe enough shift towards acid, the body will stop working right. It can be fatal.
 
If he were mine, I'd get the strips and test him. They are inexpensive and easy to find at a drug store. If you have any idea he might have ketones, it's nothing to mess around with.
 
I'd look to test, too. Also, have you tried assist feeding (e.g. making a slurry of the food with some water and letting kitty lick it off your fingers). Every little thing can help.

Do you know of any recent changes that may have triggered your cat's inappetence? For example, were there any signs of nausea (symptom checker here)?
 
The first step is 'ketonic' or 'ketosis' meaning the body is producing ketones because it's burning stored fat rather than food. That's where the 'not enough insulin' and 'not eating' comes into play. A cat can have ketones but not yet be 'acidic' - the longer the cat has ketones without treatment, the more likely the 'acidic' ph part will happen causing DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). Both are emergencies but DKA is worse and more expensive to treat.

As others said and I'll echo - ketone test strips are inexpensive at any place that carries diabetic supplies - humans diabetics use them, same ones. Just dip the little pad on the end in fresh urine.
 
If he has DKA, they will probably put him in an intravenous drip of some kind, maybe tube feeding and insulin. It will most likely take a few days to get him back to normal. We'll hope that is not what is wrong. If he does not have ketones, be sure to ask them about pancreatitis, syringe or tube feeding at home and whether he is dehydrated and if so, what you should do.

I hope he is just off his feed and they can advise you what you can do at home.
 
lauriemcleod said:
should I still give him his insulin this morning
Click to expand...
What is his glucose level?

When vets have you fast a diabetic before a procedure, they sometimes ask you to give half the regular dose of insulin. Depending on his current numbers, if he is at or above where he normally pre-tests, half the dose or less may help him feel better.
 
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