Just tested BG at 82 + then 73... I think Agatha is hypo!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by AggyBear, Jan 25, 2021.

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  1. AggyBear

    AggyBear Member

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    Jan 9, 2021
    Do I need to give her honey? How much?

    She has not been eating full meals. She's on Cerenia for anti-nausea + Mirataz for appetite stimulant. Please help!

    Could the Mirataz on the ears be messing with the numbers? They've been high the last few times I tested (like 393). (Spreadsheet isn't up to date... It's been a really stressful weekend)

    Edit: Maybe 15 minutes later BG was 134. She just ate 10-15 Greenies treats out of my hand. Refused the four other foods. I'm retest in a bit.

    I don't know what to do if I cannot get get to eat. It's been a week tomorrow that her appetite has gone downhill. She's on Cerenia 12mg tablet + Mirataz now, each once daily. The vet did say until she's eating regularly again to not give insulin.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
  2. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    If you are not giving any insulin please test your kitty for ketones.
    If you stop giving insulin when a cat is not ready to go off insulin, you are running a big risk of your kitty getting ketones which if undetected or not treated can lead to the much more serious DKA which can be deadly.
    Please go out and buy a bottle of Ketostix now and collect a urine specimen from your kitty or put the test strip under a stream of urine and then after exactly 15 seconds, compare the colour against the colours on the side of the bottle. Anything above a trace and I would ring the vet. In fact I would ring the vet if there was even a trace because the insulin would need to be restarted.

    73 on a human meter is OK but you need to get her to eat something and test again in 20 minutes.
    If cerenia isn’t working, ask the vet for some ondansetron which works on a different pathway and can be given at the same time as cerenia. It often works when cerenia doesn’t.
    Has the vet tested for pancreatitis? You need a fPL blood test to diagnose it. It isn’t in the normal blood test screening. It is a separate test.
    Or did he test for a UTI?

    It is really hard to help you if you haven’t got your SS to date. Do you think you could update it please.?
    Have you thought about syringe feeding her?. It is really important that cats continue to eat otherwise you are going to run into other big problems
    Link to syringe feedinghttps://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/syringe-assisted-feeding-videos-and-tips.144367/

    Link to stimulating appetite https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/suggestions-on-how-to-stimulate-kittys-appetite.130770/
     
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  3. AggyBear

    AggyBear Member

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    Jan 9, 2021
    Thank you for your suggestions! I'm rushing to work but testing her now. Will Walmart's ReliOn Ketone Test Strips work comparably to the Ketostix?

    Looks like she ate a bit of the cat treats overnight.

    Agatha + I have been through 2 feeding tubes- the first in 2014 when she was 7yo and again in 2018 at 11yo. I don't know if she can go through that again. She was traumatized by me trying to syringe feed her, lots of avoidant behavior. I am concerned it will make her not want to eat anything on her own. I will have to try though if her appetite doesn't resume. I will update her SS + get the ketone strips after work.

    Edit: the Mirataz keeps messing up the test bc the blood just smears. Took 4 tries to get 472. She ate a couple treats after that. I will give her ½ unit before I leave. I'm doing what I think is best. I wish I was a vet to help her!
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
  4. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    The Walmart urine ketone strips will be fine.

    When you're at the store, maybe pick up some cat-safe baby foods (no onion, garlic, chives, spices) for Agatha? Some cats will eat a bit of those even when they refuse other foods. There are some suggested products at the following link:

    Persuading your cat to eat

    Another helpful resource:

    Tips for collecting urine samples


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
    Reason for edit: Added link.
  5. CLM1975

    CLM1975 Member

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    Feb 19, 2020
    Syringe feeding stinks, it's incredibly awful. But, as you know, in dire situations it can save your cat's life. When we were doing it with George over the summer I was a wreck before one of the feeding sessions, (Well I was a wreck for weeks, I'm sure we're all familiar) and my husband made me relax before we grabbed G and it really helped. Forcing myself to relax and act calm and soothing made sessions slightly easier.

    Hopefully you can entice her to eat.
     
  6. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Another thought: maybe put a call in to your vet about the inappetence to see whether a check-up is indicated, and also perhaps ask about a prescription for ondansetron? Don't know whether you've tried i for Agatha before, but I've found it helped my cats' nausea better than the Cerenia. Also, both Cerenia and ondansetron can be used in tandem if required because they have different modes of action. Ondansetron's a human med and a written veterinary Rx can be filled at a human pharmacy.


    Mogs
    .
     
  7. AggyBear

    AggyBear Member

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    Jan 9, 2021
    Signature + spread sheet updated! Getting ReliOn ketone test strips, BeechNut meat baby foods + cat treats as that is what she's mostly been eating. I need to get in touch with my vet asap. Thank you all...
     
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  8. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    So it looks like she wasn't on any insulin when she was 73, correct?
     
  9. AggyBear

    AggyBear Member

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    Jan 9, 2021
    That's correct. I was able to give her some last night and will shortly as she is eating a bit. She comes running to the kitchen like she's super interested in food and wants to eat but doesn't want most of what is put in front of her. The BeechNut beef was a winner last night + the turkey one she almost ate most of just now.
     
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  10. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    I'm glad you got her to eat something. It's highly unlikely that she would go hypo without insulin so I wouldn't be worried about that... but I do want to know why she's not eating well.
     
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  11. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    I'm pleased and relieved to hear that Agatha was willing to eat some of the baby food for you.

    I agree with Janet that it's important to determine the cause of the reluctance to eat and address it.


    Mogs
    .
     
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