Tried to update on Tuesday morning about my kitty Fuzzy, but as we all know the site was on the fritz. So glad we're all up and running again! 
On Friday night we (the family) had noticed Fuzzy seemed to have a 'stuffy nose'. No biggie; a simple upper respiratory infection usually will resolve on it's own just like when we have a cold. But by Sunday afternoon she was lethargic and not eating or drinking. No vomiting or diarrhea. Monday morning she was looking jaundice (yellow skin) and I brought her with me to work. (I am a registered veterinary technician and work in a single doctor small animal general practice. Because of this I am very fortunate to have access to low cost or free care for my animals. Thankfully!)
We ran a comprehensive blood panel, took x-rays and started IV fluids and IV antibiotics. Her x-rays were clear: good. Her blood work however was all over the place like major shutdown and pointed to diabetic ketoacidosis: Seriously sick and life threatening.
I was surprised because I hadn't seen any warning signs for diabetes. I feel guilty that I might have missed something. What my boss (the doctor) is thinking is that she was borderline diabetic and when she slowed her eating and drinking because of the upper respiratory infection (URI) that started the domino effect.
She's been on 24 hour care. If she was a client's pet she would be hospitalized at a 24-hour hospital, but I am able to do what she needs so I take her home each night and bring her to work during the day. She's holding her own. There has been some slight improvement. Her URI cleared up yesterday and her follow-up blood panel showed some better values. I started her on insulin. She is still on IV fluids, antibiotics and I have to syringe feed her because she's not eating on her own. Hopefully she starts eating soon because that's going to be the biggest thing to help her be okay.
All About My Kitty
October 7th, 2011 at 04:12 am
October 7th, 2011 at 01:31 pm 1317994266
October 7th, 2011 at 04:20 pm 1318004407
Good luck! I hope your kitty feels better soon!
October 7th, 2011 at 11:28 pm 1318030111
October 8th, 2011 at 01:40 am 1318038008
October 9th, 2011 at 12:44 am 1318121066