? So confused

Hi, I need help. I am still trying to get Cher regulated after almost a month of being on insulin. All of a sudden in the last day or so, Cher' appetite has decreased. She's sleeping a lot and drinking more. The stagger in her walk seems worse and she seems very weak. Her levels are still high (over 250) even though the vet increased her insulin from .5 to .75 nearly 2 weeks ago. Usually, I can get her to eat the FF beef flavor easily and if all else fails, tuna. Today, she has eaten very little of anything. Our regular vet is off til Tuesday and the fill in didn't return my call today. Is this normal, like a temporary thing?

 

Hi Pamela, have you checked Cher for ketones? It's important to do especially if she's not eating. You can get ketone test strips at any pharmacy.

 

Hi Pamela, I am sorry you and Cher are having such a hard time. Do you test at home? Can you give us some examples of her recent numbers - in the am/pm before her shot or mid cycle? Did she have an infection when diagnosed?

As Sharon suggested, right away I would suggest getting some ketone strips and testing her urine. There is a dangerous condition called DKA that is usually caused by an infection, high levels and inappetite. Eliminating that would make the possibilities easier for us to deal with. You get the same ketone strips that humans use and stick the strip (or a ladle) in her urine stream.

 

Hi Pamela. Not sure what's going on there...has she eaten at all? If she doesn't eat, she needs a vet visit. It's not good for diabetic kitties to stop eating.
As Sharon said, I'd check for ketones and then, if she won't eat tomorrow, bring her in to get checked out.

 

Thank you, I have some strips here. Didn't think of that because she isn't peeing huge amounts, but I will check next time. She isn't regulated yet so her reading this am was 261 and later on I checked because I was afraid of hypoglycemia, but it was 391. She has eaten some, just not as much as usual. It will be time for another shot soon. What's the least amount they should eat in order to give her shot?

 

With ProZinc, it isn't imperative she eat a lot, as long as she eats something. What is she eating? Have you recently changed foods? Or does she just seem off her food? Any chance of a hairball or infection?

 

Sorry, I've been dealing with Cher. She ate 1 oz of FF before her shot 2 hrs ago, so that was good. Then she finally peed for me about 20 minutes ago and her Ketone strip showed moderate. So I guess we're off to the ER. On the phone with them now.

 

Hope they can get her hydrated and get those ketones down. Fingers and paws crossed that all goes well

 

Pamela, how's Cher?

 

Oh Pamela, sorry to hear that! I'm so glad you were able to get a test in though. How is Cher today?

 

Thank you all so much for your advice and concern. Things didn't go as I had hoped at the ER. I had to make the very difficult decision to let Cher go about 4o this morning. The ketones were in her blood (DKA) and her kidneys were shutting down as well. After talking extensively with the techs and the vet and even looking for help on-line, in the end, we all agreed. Cher showed up at my home about 11 years ago, so her age is a mystery. She was always a tiny girl of about 7 pounds and since her diagnosis, has been about 5 1/2 pounds. Last night she weighed in at 4.6 pounds and her temp was just 100.2. She had a great life with us and we loved her so much. She was quite the talker, our girl, and our home will never be the same without her. Thank you again...for being here when Cher and I really needed you.

 

So sorry to hear this! Fly free sweet Cher, land softly

 

(((PAMELA))

I was watching this thread hoping for good news.

I am so sorry to hear that Cher has gone to the bridge. She had 11 years of love and care with you and you gave her the final gift of unconditional love by letting her go in peace. May your wonderful memories give you peace and strength at this sad time.

 

Oh no, Pamela. I am so sorry you have lost your sweet Cher. I hope it will help your aching heart to remember how she must have seen her life with you - full of wonderful food and treats, lots of love, a warm safe place to sleep. I know she knew she was loved.

 

so so sorry.

 

I'm so sorry, Pamela! You did everything you could.

Fly free, sweet Cher!

 

I am so sorry to hear about Cher. What a great kitty parent you have been. Cher had you at the end.

Fly free kitty angel.

 

so so sorry. It never gets easier. I've lost two and not a day goes by that I don't think about them. I have their pictures and their urns. I miss them dearly. I wish they could live forever.

 

I still have a weekly Monday evening remembrance for Little Buddy whom we lost in 2006.

Cher had a loving parent. That is so good that you were with her during her final hours. Sweet kitty angel.

 

I am really sorry that you lost your sweet Cher. Fly high, land softly

 

I just read this thread and was so shocked to read the tragic news about Cher- I am so sorry about this. You are in my thoughts during this very sad time. Very, very sorry