Ketone-Positive - Advice Needed

Hey guys, okay, so I just picked up my first package of Ketostix (they apparently didnt have Keto-Diastix). I tested Lola’s urine, and it’s on the low end of “small” or the high end of “trace” - see the attached photo. Her blood sugar is usually around 10-11 mmol/L (180-200 mg/dL) pre-shot and she is on 1 unit ProZinc insulin twice daily.

The urine I used may have been ‘evaporating’ for around 30 minutes to an hour. I can’t get her to pee on the strips, but she pees in my bathtub (an eccentricity she’s always had - likes to watch it go down the drain), so there is usually a little bit of urine that wells up around the drain (10-20 mL maybe?), and I used that. What does this test result mean? Lola seems healthy/playful/drinking normally etc... do I need to worry?

Her blood sugar spreadsheet is up to date and linked in my signature. Thanks in advance for any and all advice...

 

As long as it's below "trace" and she's acting well, eating, playing, etc. I wouldn't worry about it.

Also make sure you're looking at it under good light and at exactly 15 seconds...it will continue to darken as it sits.

 

if i recall right, it only takes like 15-20mins for crystals to start forming in cat pee that is not put in sealed container and than in fridge. a 30 mins to an hr urine sitting in tub is not fresh and can be contaminated and will more than likely produce false results as well. i wouldn't worry about a trace result from unfresh urine but, i would make sure to do another test with fresh urine to verify if it was a false result or not..

 

Hi, I am another voice in support of the posts above.

I test my cat daily for ketones with Ketostix mostly and I found it easier to evaluate the color by the natural light - I'd go to a balcony or by a window. Somehow the electric light does not makes things clearer.

Ketones brings about lethargy, inappetance, abnormal behavior, etc - if she acts all right it is a good sign.
But I would not get cozy on my laurels just as yet - keep testing the urine.
Ketones develop very fast, and we know cats on here who developed it even when the BG was at a good level.