Whether to give shot or not? URGENT mainly as it's 3am!

Hi, it's almost 3 am now and I don't know whether to give my cat her insulin jab. She usually has it at/around 11pm but threw up just before I was about to jab her. I took a glucose reading (using human glucose meter in the uk) and the reading was 16.6 mmol/L. It's usually in the mid-20s + when I give her a shot. I then tested 10 mins later, with a reading of 18.1. I thought that it would rise and hope to be able to give her the shot but then I tested again just under 2 hrs later and it was 16.1.

After this, she was sick again but then ate a bit soon after. Her reading was 19.5 and again, hoping it would increase, tested her about 20 mins later and it's 18.6. I realise testing her after 15 or so mins may not be helpful but as I said, it's almost 3 in the morning and I really need to get some sleep! But at the same time, I don't know whether to inject my cat with her insulin. I don't want her to be ill in the night.

She's not been sick since last time, which was almost 2 hours ago, and she's had a bit to eat and drink. She also seems completely fine now in herself.

Any advice? Her insulin dose is 1.5iu. I am planning on phoning the vets first thing later on.

Thanks.

 

Since you are already so far off schedule, I would probably suggest just skipping the shot for the night. Also, It doesn't sound like you would be able to stay up and testor check to make sure she doesn't drop too low, so better to skip. Better too high for a night than too low for a moment!Do you know why she is throwing up? Does she have a history of DKA? That would change the picture, if she does.

 

Hi Squalliesmom,

What's DKA? She does occasionally throw up but she hasn't for a while. The last time she did, I thought it may be to do with her heart murmur as one of her back legs went from under her. I took her to the vets, who said it could be early signs of heart failure and she was put on a low dose of aspirin, which I give her 3 times a week. (I need to add that to my signature thing.) That's what I thought as I read on another website that it's okay to have high blood sugar for a short period of time than low BS.

Thank you for your reply,

I'm going to bed now! .

 

I've just looked DKA up and no, she's had no history of it. She had a full blood test at the vets last month to test her kidneys and the results came back as all normal/good.

 

If you can't stay up to test, do not give the shot. Consider it a fur shot and shoot at your regular time tomorrow. Sleep well.

 

Sleep well!

 

Thanks Squalliesmom and Red & Rover,

I've just come back from the vets with her. She's had another blood test to test her pancreas and the results will be back sometime this afternoon. The vet said to give her a reduced insulin dose this morning and then her normal dose this evening. I've also been given some antacid if she doesn't eat much or at all. They're also ordering in some glucose solution for me, again if she doesn't eat I can give her some of that.

 

Fingers and paws crossed that the test results are good news! Also sending good appy vines!

 

Thanks Squalliesmom,

Unfortunately the results came back as abnormal and the blood sample has been sent off for further testing to get a more comprehensive reading. My cat has now been put on a 5-day course of antibiotics just in case there's an infection and a 5-day course of vetergesic multidose, which is a pain relief and I inject into her as I do insulin.

Looking up on the internet though, it says there may be a greater risk of respiratory depression with animals with cardiac dysfunction. I'm going to phone the vets tomorrow to make sure it's safe for the cat, as she has a heart murmur and problems with her breathing (which I've seen my usual vet and also cardiologist about). My usual vet is only in two days a week and today is not one of those days :/ and I don't think the vet I saw today knew the extent of Pepsi's health issues and medications.

Anyway, I'll get the results of this further testing by the end of the week.

 

For info:
Description
Vetergesic Multidose contains buprenorphine, which is a potent long-acting analgesic acting at opioid receptor sites in the central nervous system. Each mL contains 0.3 mg buprenorphine (as buprenorphine hydrochloride Mfr). Non-medicinal ingredients include dextrose (50mg), hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH), para-chloro-meta-cresol (1.35 mg) as preservative and water for injection.

https://www.drugs.com/vet/vetergesic-multidose-can.html

 

Oh no, I'm really sorry to hear that. I will keep her in my prayers. Please keep us posted!

 

Thank you Squalliesmom.

I've just come back from the vets about 40 mins ago with Pepsi. Luckily we were able to see our usual vet who knows all about Pepsi's medical history. I took her as she hasn't eaten much all day today and she's found it hard to pee as well.

The blood results show that she has pancreatitis and so the vet has given me three sachets of a new food, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal moderate calorie food. It's low fat as well, which the vet says is best with her pancreatitis. I've also started to give Pepsi some cooked chicken, which I was recommended to do when I took her on Wed, and she's eaten a tiny bit today (after we got back from the vets).

I'm going to see how she gets on as she has food/skin allergies so hopefully they won't flare up with this new food... I've also been given a urine test kit so on Monday I need to get a sample so the vet can test for a UTI.

(P.s. I phoned up the other day about the vetergesic and the vet said it's okay to give her it. The poor cat's out of sorts!)

 

Quick update: she loves her new food! She's tucking in to it right now, so that's one good thing!