New here! Need help please...

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Tritt3180, Dec 24, 2017.

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  1. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Whoops! Forgot to attach the document to my previous post. :oops::rolleyes: Here it is now.

    Have fun at Wally World. ;)


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  2. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Can I use regular ketone strips? None of the listed stores carry the Nova Care meters... So, all I see is ReliOn and the strips are pricy. :-/
     
  3. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Human urine ketone test strips are fine.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
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  4. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    I brought Ringo home today. I gave him his zofran at 7p and wanted to give him time for it to dissolve in his body. Forgot I didn't buy glucose strips, so I had to go out and get some making his accucheck a bit later than normal. I ended up checking him at 8p instead of 7p. His glucose on my glucometer was 422 on the left ear, 366 on the right, and 402 on the left again. I gave him the 1 unit of pzi and 12cc of a recovery foods from the very. I'll be getting up in 6 hours to check him again.

    I was concerned because he hasn't been that high ever, I don't think, so I called the ER again. They suggested to just do the 1 unit, recheck him, and call the vet in the morning. Thing is, I'll have to give him more insulin at 5:30 because I have to leave for work at 6. It took me a half hour to do all this and feed him. Makes me nervous...
     
  5. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    That sounds appropriate. Good to hear that Ringo is home and on the road to recovery.
     
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  6. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Morning update:
    0200: 294L ear glucose
    Poop nuggets in litter box!
    0530a: 282L ear glucose
    2 units insulin
    10cc recovery, couple bites of kibble
    He has also been stopping at the water bowel here and there, but not a significant amount of thirst each time.

    I'm thinking it may be safe to cancel the other vet appointment for now?
     
  7. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    For the recovery, he wouldn't take the syringe from me. But, once he tasted it, he would east it after I squirted it onto a napkin/plate. This was the pattern each feeding. I'm still waiting to talk with his vet to see if they want me to adjust the night dose any.
     
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  8. Nan & Amber (GA)

    Nan & Amber (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Have you been able to test for ketones?

    Good news on the improved eating! Hopefully that will continue-- often, once they get started, they start feeling better and want to eat more!
     
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  9. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    I have not been able to test, yet. He has been urinating, but I just bought strips to test him. I'm hoping to get a sample today at some point.
     
  10. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    I sure hope so. He's only showing interest in the recovery diet food, and some to the kibble. None to anything else we've given him yet. In hopeful, though! :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
    Reason for edit: Typo
  11. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    It's great that you're able to trigger eating in this fashion. Another tip: sometimes you can help a queasy kitty to eat if you let them eat from your hand at a height where the kitty doesn't have to bend down to eat. Elevating food and water bowls a few inches from the ground can help, too.

    Glad to hear that poops are happening, too.

    As you get more practice in and Ringo starts eating better you'll find a routine that works for you both and it will become second nature. It might not feel like it right now, but you're doing really well. :)

    Ringo has a great mom. :bighug:


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  12. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    It's wonderful that he's showing interest in any food! Especially at times like this, the 'right' food is the one that a kitty can eat. :)


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  13. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    PS: It may take a day or so for the Zofran to build up to full therapeutic effect. What dose has been prescribed?

    ETA: What's Ringo's approximate weight?


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    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
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  14. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    I'll have to look at the dose again to be sure, but he's only 10lbs now. And it's oral zofran... I waited an hour to let it dissolve, but if it has to build up in cats, then I'll give him another dose tonight.
     
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  15. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Thank you. :bighug:
     
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  16. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    His zofran dose is 2mg every 12 hours.
     
  17. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I was hoping it would be 2mg q12. I found that 1mg BID was OK for maintenance but for times when Saoirse's nausea was more severe the 2mg BID dose made a huge difference. As recovery progresses and Ringo's eating becomes more steady and reliable you'll be able to titrate the dose downwards.

    If Ringo's still needing a lot of assistance with food after 36-48 hours from the time you gave the first dose I'd suggest addition of an appy stimulant. With the weekend coming up it might be an idea to ask the vet on Friday for an appy stimulant Rx so that you will have it available over the weekend should it be needed. If Ringo doesn't need it, well and good but I've found it's better to have the option available (especially for weekend/holiday periods when it's not as easy to contact/visit the vet). Note: if you're not able to assist feed regularly (e.g. working/sleeping) the bit of appetite stimulation may be of particular benefit in your situation to help Ringo eat more steadily in your absence. Assuming that it's not contraindicated, cyproheptadine might give you finer control over the level of appetite stimulation given. Assuming nausea's not a problem, cypro usually kicks in about 30-60 minutes after administration. Note: it's better to start at a very small dose administered more frequently; some cats get lethargic (and sometimes a bit depressed) on more 'generous' vet-prescribed doses of cypro and this can be counterproductive as they may become too apathetic/mopey to want to eat.

    It might also be worth looking at a timed feeder, too, so that you can make sure Ringo will have food dispensed to him later in the cycle. Many people here rate the Petsafe 5 (myself included - I have two of them). The downside of the Petsafe 5 for a cat with unpredictable eating is that it rotates any uneaten food under the cover when the next feed is due so the cat might end up missing out on the full amount of food it should be eating. If the cat needs longer grazing access to food, an alternative to consider is the Cat Mate C20. This is the autofeeder I use when appetite is poor and eating time/amount is unpredictable. After the compartment pops open, it allows full and free access to the dispensed food without the kitty being under any time pressure to finish it before the next feed is due. Importantly, by enabling you to stagger the time when more food becomes available for grazing it means that the cat can't scoff all of the food allowance all at once in the early part of the cycle and then be left having to fast too long before its next meal (and therefore be at risk of a bout of vomiting). Hope I've explained this OK. o_O)


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    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
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  18. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Took Ringo to my dogs vet to get established and have them monitor his care. At the end of the visit the tech brought in a small bag of DM kibble. Eventually we will want to get him on all wet food, but for now he needs to eat whatever we can get him to. When she brought the bag in, he jumped up and turned around quickly with a look on his face as of to say, "is that for me??" He ran to the bag and was acting like his old self again. The tech opened the bag to see how he'd like it and he went to town on TWO HANDFULLS of food!! This is the most excited I've seen him about eating in quite a while. Looks like we found a winner for now. Makes this mama proud! (Especially since he lost another pound since Saturday.) :):cat:
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
    Reason for edit: Typos
  19. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Way to go, Ringo!!!!!! :woot:

    Having had to deal with protracted/recurrent feline inappetence and GI issues, I can't put into words how thrilled I am for you both to read this news. Long may this improved appetite continue!

    Make your mama happy, Ringo: keep eating your new fudz - comfortably and happily!!! :cat:


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  20. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Question... Is it recommended to give the famotidine with the zofran, or space them out? Trying to figure out how to get all his meds to him.
     
  21. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Don't give them together. IIRC famotidine can interfere with absorption of other meds. I'll see if I can find a link for you about this ...


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  22. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Good to know! He still is making the gagging face after eating sometimes, but he's eating... And not a ton of assistance tonight - just put it right in front of him and my finger with food once until I scraped the bowl at the end. However, I have had to space it out to q16 hours because I missed a dose and didn't want him to get nothing until the next day. Hoping tomorrow is a better schedule day.
     
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  23. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    That's OK. I did give it tonight with his antibiotic. Mostly because of the gagging face. I'll know not to in the future. Thanks!
     
  24. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Dec 23, 2017
    He got Mirt yesterday and I have more for the 30th if needed. I'm thinking I may keep giving it to him until he is eating well on his own, and had put on some more weight.
     
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  25. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Can't find an online info source, but for a fact I can tell you that my bestest vet made a point of telling me to leave a few hours gap between giving famotidine and any other meds.

    BTW, famotidine is normally dosed only once every 24 hours. (Ranitidine, aka Zantac, is normally dosed q12.)


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  26. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Sounds good. I may have to look into that in the near future. My mom like he's with me and has been very attentive to the Ringo during the day. She spent a lot of time with him and he rays well for her. I may try mixing in the famotidine with his food she gives him in the morning.
     
  27. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Fingers crossed. It takes a while to get into a rhythm, especially when juggling so many different treatments AND doing the food coaxing bit, too! :confused:


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  28. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    This is my famotidine I was given for Ringo.
     

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  29. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    It makes sense, though, with the kind of med it is... Once a day would be MUCH easier to do!
     
  30. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    A liquid prep. Handy.

    I've always had the joy of trying to split a 20mg tablet into 1/8th tablet doses. (A lot of each tablet ends up binned. :rolleyes:)


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  31. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Sounds delightful! o_O
     
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  32. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I lead a thrilling life ... :rolleyes:
     
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  33. Fiona & Ruby

    Fiona & Ruby Member

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    This is an awesomely supportive post, so much valuable info here!
     
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  34. Fiona & Ruby

    Fiona & Ruby Member

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    Hooly dooly, what a trip you've been on...and still going. I really hope you're coming out the other side of it and well done for holding it together. Sending lots of healing prayers to Ringo, who must be feeling it's been a trip to hell and back!
     
  35. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Everyone has been incredible on this forum!! I would've been lost without all the help, info, encouragement and direction given by people on this site.

    This is how Ringo's been doing with glucose, insulin and eating so far... I have been instructed to give only 1 unit insulin at night, but his numbers have continued to climb at night. Plus, I will be checking him again at 0100 tomorrow morning. So, he got 2 units last night by mistake and I liked the results so I gave him another 2 tonight. Would appreciate your thoughts.

    12/27: 8p: 422L 366R 407L
    1 unit insulin
    12cc recovery

    12/28 2a: 294L ear
    Poop nuggets!
    530a: 282L ear
    2 units insulin
    10cc recovery, couple bites
    kibble
    1230: 157L ear
    1823: 373
    2 units insulin
    12cc recovery; grazing on DM
    kibble
    2100: 1ml Famotidine; antibiotic

    12/29
    0105: 171
    0528: 289
    2 units insulin
    10cc recovery
    0800-1330: 1tsp recovery + 1tsp DM pate
    + 1ml famotidine + DM kibble graze
    1850: 497L ear (after alcohol pad)
    1904: 470R paw (after alcohol pad)
    2 units insulin
    11cc recovery
    Urine (-) for ketones
    2mg Zofran

    **only 1/3 cup kibble has been eaten w/in 28 hours.**
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2017
  36. Tritt3180

    Tritt3180 Member

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    Basically... Am I doing things right? Should I not have increased his night dose? The increasing number at night has me most concerned. The vet did not seem to be too worried about it and told me to keep him on 1 unit at night. But tonight was almost 500 on a ReliOn meter. Just scary to me. I can do more of an around the clock check this weekend for 3 days since its a holiday weekend.

    I have posted on the pzi forum, too, but I have noticed it does not seem as active as this one.

    Thanks in advance!!
     
  37. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Aug 1, 2015
    I responded in the Prozinc forum. :)
     
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