How long did it take your cat to recover from DKA?

New here. My sweet girl, Muffin, is nine years old and has been diagnosed with diabetes (the vet is certain that she has DKA). She is in critical condition at the vet right now with hypothermia and her glucose started at 700, but had dropped to 560 and is now at 600. She was unable to move for a couple of days but today she lifted her head up for the first time! She still recognizes us and we can see that she is still responsive to being talked to and being petted.

We are praying for a miraculous recovery. The poor kitty was fine two days ago and this happened very suddenly. If your cat has had DKA, would you mind sharing how long they were in the hospital before they recovered?

For those of you who do pray, any prayers that you send Muffin's way would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance.

 

I have no experience with DKA, but will send prayers for Muffins recovery

 

Thank you so much, Sharon! Every prayer means the world to us.

 

Sending prayers your way

 

Thank you Laura. That means so much.

 

It was so long ago, but I think Alex was in the hospital for 6 or 7 days. However, hypothermia was never one of her problems. She experienced hyperglycemia, was dehydrated, wouldn't eat, was lethargic, and electrolytes were depleted. She was very, very sick... could hardly move. We weren't sure she'd make it.

After she was released from the hospital we made sure she ate well, remained hydrated, and made sure she was receiving an adequate amount of insulin. We learned to test her blood glucose at home with a human blood glucose meter in order to stay on top of her blood glucose numbers. She was pretty much back to normal after another week.

Sending positive thoughts for a speedy and complete recovery...

 

Here's a lot more info on diabetic ketoacidosis: Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters.

 

Felix was in the hospital for five days with DKA. He was very sick the first two or three days, then he perked up but they were hesitant to send him home because his blood glucose would go so high when he was off the IV insulin. Once he was home, he was kind of frail for awhile but he slowly improved without any setbacks; it took about three months for him to seem fully like himself. It took that long to get him on an effective insulin dose at home--it presumably would've gone faster if I'd found this site sooner and had known how to more methodically test him and adjust his dose.

That was about a year and a half ago, and he's doing well now. Sending prayers for Muffin's health and happiness for years to come. And for you--I know how scary it is.

 

@Mommy2cats , my cat Zander was first DX with diabetes precisely because he was in DKA. He was very sick, very thin, and wasn't eating. I'd say he was is the vet clinic for about 5-6 days. In the middle of treatment, his hematocrit (indicator for anemia) was plunging to dangerous levels so he needed an immediate blood transfusion at a Blue Pearl clinic nearby. After that, he made a slow and steady recovery. He needed a feeding tube in for a few weeks afterward but did fantastic with it and we've had no recurrences of DKA since then (almost a year now). It really is touch-and-go with DKA - some cats pull through and others don't. It can take a few days to see any signs of improvement; I don't think Zander really started to come around until day 3-4, then the anemia happened, and then he came back again. It's discouraging to hear of or see little signs of improvement (I know I was a little disappointed after 2 days and he still wasn't eating), but I think that's normal in the beginning as the vets begin to try to balance out electrolytes and get the acid levels under control in the blood and manage the insulin dosing. DKA can be a long struggle. I hope your kitty is one of the lucky ones. Let us know how she's doing!

 

Sending prayers for your sweet Muffin. My Uno had a DKA and was in the hospital for 4 days. We were able to visit him and I think that helped a lot. It took a couple of weeks after we got him home before he started to act like himself again. Best wishes to you and your fur baby!

 

Oh, Muffin I am so sorry your family is going through this. What’s your name? I’m Paige. A week ago I was home with a headache from crying and down one cat — my River was hospitalized with DKA (and a new diabetes diagnosis) earlier that Saturday. I could unfortunately only afford to keep her in the ER for 2 days because we’d run up a $3,800 bill and I knew the bills weren’t going to stop there.

She probably could have stayed through Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, which would have put us at 3 or 3.5 days.

She is home now and responding well to early insulin treatments. I am sending warm wishes your way for the health of Muffin and for your peace of mind. You are already doing the right thing being here.

 

Hi Paige! Thank you for your kind words. My name is Catherine. Nice to "meet" you. I truly hope your sweet kitty is still doing okay and that she will not have to go back to the animal hospital. My sweet Muffin was able to come home for home treatments after 4 nights at the vet. (She is still alive today, almost 3 weeks after the vets insisted that she would die or have to be put down!) She was deep in liver failure and kidney failure at the time, but all of her acute complications have resolved and now we are just trying to control her glucose with insulin and strict feeding regiments. (It is still way too high). She wouldn't even eat but now she eats and drinks on her own and she is almost acting like a normal kitty. She's basically a miracle. Thank you so much to everyone who prayed or sent good thoughts her way. My heart goes out to anyone who is going through similar things with their cats.

 

YES!!! Sending kisses to your little miracle![/QUOTE]

 

So glad Muffin has some improvement!

 

My precious muffin has started her OTJ trial as of yesterday! Just had to share that with everyone. My heart goes out to anyone whose cats are not doing as well. Thank you to everyone who commented on this with encouragement or advice.