Any vets in the house? Cat sick
Discussion
Tommy, 16, he's been diabetic for 8 years or so, pretty controlled on insulin etc. He's generally a tough old moggy. Over the past few days he's been off his food, not eating his whole portion (8kg Maine Coon - so he likes his food) his stools are OK, no sick. Today he's not well at all. He can't stand and is wobbling all over the place like a drunk. Immediate thought was blood sugar (hypo?), but its not that. He's also retching a bit, nothing coming out.
I took him to vet this morning and they took a fructosamine test (I think that is the name) to check his diabetes is under control. The vet checked all his organs and all she could look at, all fine. Only strange thing was temperature was 36.2 which is low. His blood sugar was 19 this morning so the vet said to give him his usual injection, which I have.
She mentioned it could be a hyper-thyroid problem, but they'd test for that next. Next appointment is 5pm tomorrow.
Any ideas?
Tommy says thanks.
I took him to vet this morning and they took a fructosamine test (I think that is the name) to check his diabetes is under control. The vet checked all his organs and all she could look at, all fine. Only strange thing was temperature was 36.2 which is low. His blood sugar was 19 this morning so the vet said to give him his usual injection, which I have.
She mentioned it could be a hyper-thyroid problem, but they'd test for that next. Next appointment is 5pm tomorrow.
Any ideas?
Tommy says thanks.
Did they check his electrolytes especially his potassium levels? Oh and his kidney enzymes as well.
I ask because as an elderly cat with diabetes he is at risk of this and causes the symptoms you describe. If they didn't I suggest you phone them and see if they csn test him, preferably today (a lot of vets can do this on site, fructosamine usually needs sending away to an external lab)
I ask because as an elderly cat with diabetes he is at risk of this and causes the symptoms you describe. If they didn't I suggest you phone them and see if they csn test him, preferably today (a lot of vets can do this on site, fructosamine usually needs sending away to an external lab)
Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th July 15:48
Edited by bexVN on Monday 4th July 15:55
Targarama said:
Thanks. The vet said he had no urine in his bladder so they couldn't test? Does that make sense? Is there another way?
Yes they can do it via blood testing for both potassium and kidneys (well they should be able to) in fact I don't think we ever check for potassium via urine samples (not in house anyway)Could they have been referring to anything else re: testing his urine?
Is he drinking plenty?
Low potassium can be quite serious so they should at least rule it out.
bexVN said:
Yes they can do it via blood testing for both potassium and kidneys (well they should be able to) in fact I don't think we ever check for potassium via urine samples (not in house anyway)
Could they have been referring to anything else re: testing his urine?
Is he drinking plenty?
Low potassium can be quite serious so they should at least rule it out.
He's not drinking or eating. I'm going to call them again. Thanks.Could they have been referring to anything else re: testing his urine?
Is he drinking plenty?
Low potassium can be quite serious so they should at least rule it out.
Targarama said:
bexVN said:
Yes they can do it via blood testing for both potassium and kidneys (well they should be able to) in fact I don't think we ever check for potassium via urine samples (not in house anyway)
Could they have been referring to anything else re: testing his urine?
Is he drinking plenty?
Low potassium can be quite serious so they should at least rule it out.
He's not drinking or eating. I'm going to call them again. Thanks.Could they have been referring to anything else re: testing his urine?
Is he drinking plenty?
Low potassium can be quite serious so they should at least rule it out.
bexVN said:
I would, a not drinking diabetic cat is a real problem, he may even need to go onto I/V fluids. Good luck, hope I'm being ott but better safe.
Back from vet. His blood sugars are OK, he's a pretty tough cat from a diabetes perspective - never had a problem with him in 8 years, with regular checks. Vet kept him in this time to test all organs etc. Cat is basically a vegetable now, twitching. Vet thinks his central nervous system is shutting down, hence the low core temp too. Will know more in a few hours but I suspect its bye bye time.bexVN said:
To be honest with an earlier reading of 19 his blood sugars were not my concern for him. Have they checked his electrolytes and kidneys? He does sound poorly but you never know. This weather is not good for our old cats
Sorry missed the bit about them testing his organs.
Thanks for your reply. They've tested everything, they're a very competent outfit. He'll either be better tomorrow or not.Sorry missed the bit about them testing his organs.
I hope your cat gets better Targarama said:
bexVN said:
To be honest with an earlier reading of 19 his blood sugars were not my concern for him. Have they checked his electrolytes and kidneys? He does sound poorly but you never know. This weather is not good for our old cats
Sorry missed the bit about them testing his organs.
Thanks for your reply. They've tested everything, they're a very competent outfit. He'll either be better tomorrow or not.Sorry missed the bit about them testing his organs.
What a beautiful cat.
Sorry to hear he lost the battle.
Our own Black Cat is not eating enough at the moment, he used to be a "big old Bruiser" as the Vet called him. He's little more than a bag of bones now, but he keeps turning his nose up at all the food we offer him, although he did have a little bit of salmon earlier.
Sorry to hear he lost the battle.
Our own Black Cat is not eating enough at the moment, he used to be a "big old Bruiser" as the Vet called him. He's little more than a bag of bones now, but he keeps turning his nose up at all the food we offer him, although he did have a little bit of salmon earlier.
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