Ok now I'm really worried

Bear is now not interested in food at all and is barely able to walk without falling over. Is this a possible hypo situation??

 

not if you did not give insulin. something else is at work here but I do not have a clue

 

do you notice anything else, like eyes moving back and forth rapid like?

 

Maybe I'm missing something, but could you provide more details.

What insulin was given?
How much?
When was it given?
Are you home testing?
Has he eaten anything?

Rather than wait for us to answer, you may want to get him to the vet ASAP just to be safe and if your vet isn't open, go to an emergency vet.

 

no he's just a little glazed over and spaced out. I found some dry kibble samples the vet gave me for my other cat and he ate a few pieces of that. What else could be making him walk this way when he was totally fine yesterday?

 

Hi Hillary and Maui,
He went to the vet earlier this morning and they did a full panel but I have to wait until the morning for the results. He's diet controlled and not on insulin right now but this morning he all of a sudden was walking like he was drunk and ate only a 1/4 of his canned breakfast.

 

He can't hypo if he is not on insulin. Can you call your vet?

 

I would call or go to your vet. was he walking this way at vets earlier??? should be seen.

 

the vet tech instructed me to rub karo on his gums and call them back in about an hr. She thinks that he's probably got low blood sugar from not feeling well?
he was walking weird this morning which is why i took him in but it's progressed and is worse.

 

agreed. vet asap

could be something like electrolyte imbalance, something neurological, what about stroke? are any of his feet colder than the others? blue? painful?

i don't think this is related to diabetes at all which in my opinion, is less critical than all the other possibilities anyway so i would want him seen by a vet asap

 

if he's not on insulin, he can't hypo.

It does sound like something is off and he needs to be seen by a vet. Like cindy said it could be almost anything and you don't want to wait and worry.

 

feet are fine and i'm going to call the vet back

 

Any updates, you two?

Please do so when you can, okay?

Love and prayers and hugs for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

So the vet tech tried to interpret some of the results and there's no glucose in the urine and she said it doesn't look like anything with the kidneys and his BG was only 214 (which some of it could be from vet stress). She said a trip to the ER wouldn't be unwarrented and she faxed the results down there in case I end up going there tonight. I have a vet appt for tomorrow morning at 9:00am as well to bring him back in.
I got him to eat some tuna but I had to stick it under his nose for him to eat it and he was really into it. However when I placed it a foot from him he tried to stand to walk and and lied back down.

 

Hi -- and I wish I knew your name and more about Bearcat...

Can you tell me his age? And, do you have and KetoStix or KetoDiastix and could catch some pee?

I read your previous post that he might have to go back on insulin, trying to get more information on your precious furry boy...

Can he walk at all?

Please respond when you can, okay, Bearcat's mom?

Love and continued prayers and hugs,
Deb

 

It is good at least that he is wanting to eat but not being able to walk is really troublesome. If he can't walk to his food how is he going to be able to use the litterbox even?

Did the vet give you any ideas of what he thought might be wrong?

ETA - Deb, I wasn't referring to your suggestion about catching a urine sample for ketones. We were posting at the same time.

 

The vet didn't want to assume anything and wanted to wait until the results were in and when I called the vet I talked to a tech and not the vet because he had already left. The tech said there was no glucose in the urine and it didn't appear to be a diabetes related issue but she also said she wasn't familiar with what all the numbers meant. She did say there were elevated levels of a couple of things.
So I pretty much am in the dark here.
I read a little bit about strokes and the only symptom I can see is the walking thing.
I don't own a car so if we go to the hospital it's going to be at least $100 dollars round trip for us. I'm going to stay up with him and monitor him and if he gets worse before our vet apt in the morning I will take him.

 

That sounds like a plan. I would keep a close eye on him. As others have said, this doesn't seem to be diabetes related.

You could also call an ER vet and see if they will give you some info on the phone. Sometimes they will give advice even if you don't come in. If you describe his symptoms, maybe they can give you an idea of the possibilities.

 

My hopeful thoughts and prayers are with you both, sweetie.

Please know you're not alone.

I'm on the east coast but will stay up with you as long as I can. This Board is global and owns many time zones. You can trust me on this...

Much love and only good thoughts for you both kind of hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

Hi Deb an Nikki,
My name is Rachel and Bear is 11 years old and was diagnosed 3 years ago with FD. He's been on insulin 2 different times for about 2 months each time and was able to be diet controlled in between. We've had no other health problems until now which is what makes this really scary for me. I do not have the sticks but his urinalysis came back good. He's not walking but is purring when I pet him and responsive when I say his name.
More about me:
I'm currently a full-time college student putting myself through school studying Environmental Science and just moved Portland, OR about 8 months ago.

 

Thanks Sue and Oliver,
I was just thinking about doing this. I will call and see what they recommend

 

Hi Rachel, and, of course, you too, precious Bear,

I'm glad he's purring and responsive. Good signs.

I know you're scared, Rachel. Please let us know how the call to the ER hospital goes, okay?

Love and our hopeful prayers and hugs continue for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

I'll post in this thread too. xrays were fine and the ER vet doesn't know what's wrong. His temp was a little low but thats about it. He is dehydrated though so they are keeping him overnight for observation with IV fluids. They said they would call me if anything happens and I will be calling them in the morning to see how he's doing.

 

Dear Rachel,

I'm glad you took your darling Bear to the hospital. Hopefully getting some fluids and spending the night there will perk him up.

Please let us know what they say when you call them in the morning, okay?

Much love and our hopeful, healing thoughts, prayers, and hugs continue for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

PS: Just read your other post... Sometimes they do "that" on their way to the vet's...

 

so glad you took bear in. hopefully he just needs fluids. you did say his electrolytes were good??
update as soon as you hear anything. hugs and prayers

 

I know this is scary especially the not knowing what's wrong and the worry about money. Just know you are doing the best you can and you put Bear first and foremost and he is where he needs to be for right now. Hopefully, the vet(s) will be able to figure out what's going on and hopefully, it will be something simple and easy to deal with.

Please keep us posted when you learn more.

 

Update: He's not responding to fluids. They are sending a neurologist to evaluate him tonight at the ER. I'm really scared and I hope it's just something like he needs time to rest and recover but it doesn't sound good.

 

Praying really hard for your kitty.
jeanne

 

Keeping paws and fingers crossed over here.

 

Dearest Rachel,

Please know we're all holding you and your precious Bear close in our hearts and prayers.

It's okay to be scared, Rachel. But, please know you are not alone, okay?

Much love and our countless hopeful, healing prayers and hugs continue for you and Bear,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

Praying for Bear and you.

Pattie

 

sending prayers and healing energy to you and Bearcat...

celi & binks

 

Sending prayers and healing vibes your and Bear's way.

 

Update:
He is staying until Monday morning at the hospital as he's still not standing or eating but I went to visit him tonight and he was purring and aware that I was there. Neurologist said he he wants to do a CT scan to look for signs of a stroke, hemorrhage, inflammation or brain tumor. He said there is hope for recovery if it's stroke or hemorrhage and possibly the brain inflammation. He doesn't want to give any steroids or inflammatory meds cuz it could react badly with his diabetes. Neurologist is going to pick him up Monday morning and take him to his clinic to give him the scan. If the scan doesn't tell him what he needs to know the next thing is a spinal tap.

 

My dearest Rachel, and, of course, you too, precious Bear,

Bear is a very special cat, isn't he? Purring when you visit... Then again, look at his mom...

Sometimes diabetes can take a back seat to some other health issue. If the neurologist feels Bear could do well with steroids or anti-inflammatory meds, his insulin could be worked around it. I'm just humbly putting that out there in case you need to know that, okay, Rachel?

Please get some rest, honey. And, please know we continue to hold you and Bear very close in our hearts and prayers.

I think you're both very special.

Much love and our countless hopeful, healing hugs and prayers continue for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

Rachel, I am praying for you and Bearcat too. You are a remarkable mombean and getting him the best care possible. I know how scary this must be for you. You've gotten tons of good advice here already and I don't have anything else to offer. We're all holding you close in our thoughts and prayers.

 

hang in there Rachael. we are all here for you and Bear. Prayers and hugs continue

 

Rachel, has a cardiologist gone over his heart yet with an echo and ekg? Sending prayers that Bearcat pulls through this and you also get some answers.

 

This was initially a concern but the vet didn't think it was the problem after looking at the xrays.

 

x-rays do not show how the heart is functioning and not all heart problems mean the heart is always enlarged.

 

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but my cat experienced the exact same thing (dizzyness, falling over, glazed eyes) about 2 months before being diagnosed with Diabetes.

We concluded that it was Vestibular disease - it can be caused by a brain tumor, inner ear infection or completely unknown reasons.

After Simba's first bout we did nothing in terms of treatment, thinking it was probably a brain tumor. After his second bout (which occured about 1 week later) we put him on ear drops for a possible (unseen) inner ear infection.

He has not had another bout (to my knowledge).

The symptoms look a lot like a stroke, but the repercussions are much less severe!

Good luck, and if you have questions about vestibular disease, feel free to PM me

Sarah.

 

Hi Sara and Simba,
I read through that link and I will ask the specialist about this. He didn't have the eye symptoms or tilting of the head but its certainly worth mentioning. Bear's CT scan is this morning.

 

my cat only developed the fast-moving side to side eye thing when we put him in the car at night and he was watching all the street lights go by. He developed the head tilt much later.

The only symptoms at onset was wobbly-walk/falling over and glazed eyes.

 

Update: Specialist believes it was a brain hemorrhage and is treating him tonight with an anti inflammatory. He said there's a far out chance the little spot in the CT scan is a tumor but he thinks its a hemorrhage. If he looks like he's responding in the morning to the treatment then I can bring him home tomorrow. He should recover in a few weeks.
In an effort to pay down my vet bills I'm running a 30% off sale in my etsy shop right now. So far I have raised about $200 through my shop but I have another $2600 (given he responds to the meds and I can take him home) to pay off. If you would like to take a look at my work here's the link to my shop: http://www.twilightvisions.etsy.com
Coupon Code: BEARCAT

Thanks everyone for lending your ears and hearts to Bear and I. I will update in the morning as to how he responds.

 

Rachel - I'm just seeing this and am so sorry that you and your sweet Bear have gone through such a horrendous weekend - you must be so worried.

Am sending many,many healing prayers that this is indeed a hemorrhage and that your sweet boy will be able to come home and return to normal. My heart goes out to you - such worry when they're sick and we don't know what to do for them, isn't it?

Will be watching for your updates.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)

 

Dearest Rachel, and, of course, you too, precious Bear,

Please know you and your darling furry boy are held close in many hearts, thoughts, and prayers tonight.

He is a fighter, just like his mom. And, I'm so hoping and praying he gets to come home today.

Much love and our countless hopeful, healing prayers and hugs continue for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz...

 

After a rough cab ride Bear is now home and enjoying a big helping of Tuna. He's on some anti inflammatory and it will be a slow recovery but he should be ok in about a month or less. He can only take a couple of steps at a time and rests in between for a few minutes but thats still better than before

 

So glad he's movin a little better - and yay tuna! Simba'll line up for that too!

 

I'm so glad he is improving ..... I'll bet he is happy to be home with his mom and the tuna is a real bonus! You must be exhausted Rachel!

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery!

 

Dearest Rachel, and, of course, you too, precious Bear,

What a fighter he is! Must take after his mom...

He's home! He's eating! And, he's taking baby paw steps!

Thank you so very much for this update, Rachel. And, please let us know how you're both doing -- after you two get some much needed rest!

Bless you both...

Much love and our countless hopeful and healing hugs continue for you and your precious Bear,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, watching over us all...

 

Oooohh, so happy to see this post - eating - and home - and taking a few small steps - that's real progress and sounds really good.

Your boy sounds like a real fighter and I'm sure he was as happy to be home in your arms as you were to get him home.

You're not too far from us if you're in Portland - we're down in North Bend and there are others on the board even nearer to you.

Let us know if we can help you - so glad to see this good news.

Emmy & Dude (& Mittsi too)

 

Re: Ok now I'm really worried - Update on Bear

Hi everyone, thought I would pop in for an update. Bear is starting to walk again. He's still wobbly and can't jump on or off anything without crashing (hopefully not hitting his head when it happens) but he's starting to act more like himself a little but at a time. We are waiting for our test strips to come in the mail so that we can see where he's at BG wise. He's been drinking more water and showing a couple of signs his sugar may be going up again. They were feeding him dry meow mix in the hospital and between that and all the other trauma he want through I don't doubt we will have to get him regular again with insulin for awhile. He was a PZI user but I heard they are discontinuing that?

 

They discontinued PZI but there is a new insulin called ProZinc. Here is some info about it: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=32799

 

Thanks I will read up on that. Anyone know if anti inflammatories mess with BG in cats??

 

Rachel,

You should be commended for your proactiveness in getting to the root of your cat's illness, and for your determination to get him well.

Glad he is feeling better.

 

I got a call from the specialist yesterday who said he took a second look at the CT scan and doesn't want to rule out the brain tumor. It's obviously in an inoperable part of the brain and he said if Bear starts to have problems at all after we finish the meds that he wants to do a spinal tap. I knew I wasn't out of the woods yet as he's still in recovery but I've seen him slowly improving and getting my hopes up. I can't afford anymore tests and what is the spinal tap really going to tell me anyway? What type of manageable health problems are going to be revealed in a tap if any?
Grrrr!

Bear and Rachel

 

During any of this was Bear's potassium checked?

 

Rachel,

I hear what you are saying. and I agree - if he has a brain tumor, there isn't anything you can do about it, so why put him through the pain, fear (not to mention $$) of a spinal tap. To confirm what may be and then what.....

I was told something similar with my civvie Buster who has seizures. I took her to a specialist who wanted to do all these invasive procedures - the best one being - exploratory brain surgery - to see if there is a brain tumor. And when I asked what happens if there is one, well, there isn't anything to do. So then I asked the next obvious question, so if you do this surgery, she then has to go through x amount of time to recover, assuming she recovers, all so you can charge me thousands of dollars just to confirm that she may or may not have a tumor?

There comes a point when you have to question will this help the animal? Forget the money aspect for a moment, just think about does this really make sense, should I really put an animal through something like this, just to have something confirmed which can't be treated anyway....now add the $ in and honestly, it just doesn't make sense.

If Bear has a tumor (and I hope he doesn't), but if he does, then you've done everything humanely possible for him and you just need to prepare your head for the realization that you may have to make a decision that you don't want to make. Your heart will tell you otherwise, but the head will need to rule. I know it may sound harsh, but if you can mentally prepare yourself, you will be better able to handle things when and if that time comes.

I hope these meds work and he doesn't have any more issues. Paws crossed........

 

Dearest Rachel, and, of course, you too, brave Bear,

I'm happy that you're seeing signs of improvement and Bear is acting more like himself a little bit at a time.

No one knows what the future holds, Rachel. All we really can do is cherish each day and live and be in the moment. I'm hoping you and your fighting Bear have many, many, many fine moments together.

We're keeping you both close in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers.

Much love and countless hopeful, healing hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever dancing in my heart...