GENERAL RULE OF THUMB FOR TREATING HYPOGLYCEMIA
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Your
best defense against hypoglycemia is home blood glucose testing.
If you’re not already doing so and your cat allows it, I HIGHLY
recommend you test before each shot.
Hypoglycemia
or low blood sugar is a dangerous condition that must be treated immediately.
Also known as insulin shock or insulin reaction, hypoglycemia occurs when
there is too much insulin in the body potentially leading to neurological damage
and/or death.
Knowing
how to respond to a hypoglycemic event whether or not symptoms are present can
save the life of your diabetic cat. The
following general guidelines are intended for those who home test the blood
glucose levels in their cats. These
guidelines are not intended to replace the advice given by your Veterinarian.
It is very important that you discuss any and all treatment options with
your cat’s physician BEFORE an event has
occurred.
Cat
may meow very loudly, stagger (drunkenness), be glassy eyed, hide in unusual
places, be unusually hungry (or in Popcorn’s case, have total disinterest in
even favorite foods), be disoriented, show muscle weakness or lack of
coordination, or wedge her/himself between furniture, etc.
Retest
glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if
you still get a very low number (under 40 mg/dL or 1.9 – 2.2 mmol/L)
administer a tablespoon of corn syrup, liquid glucose, pancake syrup or honey
and follow with food until the blood glucose numbers rise to acceptable levels. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if
the cat will eat the mixture. If
using liquid glucose, dilute with water for a thinner consistency.
Retest
glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if
you still get a low number (40 – 60mg/dL or 2.2 – 3.3mmol/L) give food or
treats until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level.
If the cat refuses to eat even his/her favorite foods, you can syringe
feed or administer a small amount of syrup.
Try
feeding first or give a little syrup or honey followed by food until the blood
glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level and the symptoms disappear. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if
the cat will eat the mixture. If
the cat will not eat, syringe feed. If
your cat will eat dry, feed this first as the high carbs will help to increase
his/her bgs quickly. You can then
follow with his/her favorite canned food. Keep
in mind that giving syrup (Karo, etc.) or honey is not enough because the
effects wear off quickly. You need
to follow with food. IF IN ANY DOUBT, TELEPHONE
YOUR VETERINARIAN.
Give
a tablespoon of syrup, a teaspoon of liquid glucose, a tablespoon of honey or a
tablespoon of sugar syrup followed by food and continue doing so until you see
the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level and all symptoms
disappear. The syrup, honey, or
glucose can be rubbed against the inside of the cat’s cheeks or on the gums
for quick absorption. You can also mix the syrup with wet food or pour over dry
if the cat will eat it. Continue to
give syrup and food as needed and observe your cat for signs of recurring
hypoglycemia. Keep in mind that
giving syrup (Karo, etc.) or honey is not enough because the effects wear off
quickly. You need to follow with
food. IF
IN ANY DOUBT, TELEPHONE YOUR VETERINARIAN.
LOW
NUMBERS – SEVERE SYMPTOMS
Rub
syrup, honey, or glucose on the gums and cheeks if your cat will allow it.
Another option for administering syrup, diluted liquid glucose, honey or sugar
syrup to a cat who is seizuring is to fill a needleless syringe with the mixture
and insert via the rectum.
Never try to squirt syrup, honey, or glucose to
a cat who is seizuring as the cat could choke on it!
RUSH TO EMERGENCY.
AGAIN!
ANYTIME YOU CAT IS SEIZURING OR LIMP, RUB KARO, GLUCOSE OR HONEY ONLY ON
GUMS OR ADMINISTER RECTALLY AND GET TO EMERGENCY OR YOUR NEAREST CLINIC
IMMEDIATELY!!!
Remember
that syrup or any other sugared syrup/preparation will spike the blood glucose
ONLY for a short period of time, so food is really important with mild and
moderate symptoms. Dry food (high
carbohydrates) will keep the blood glucose numbers elevated longer, so it’s a
better food to give during a hypoglycemic episode.
After
a hypoglycemic episode cats may be more sensitive to insulin, so a reduction in
dosage is generally required, especially considering too much insulin –
whether due to dosage, inadequate food intake, or the cat’s changing insulin
requirements – caused the hypoglycemic event in the first place.
With moderate to severe episodes, your Vet may have you skip the next
injection altogether.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU
DISCUSS YOUR CAT’S HYPOGLYCEMIC EVENT WITH YOUR VET, SO TOGETHER YOU CAN
DECIDE UPON THE NEXT COURSE OF ACTION.
Always
keep in mind that with low blood glucose and no symptoms, the BG you get is not
as important as where it is headed. In
other words, if you get a BG of 100 mg/dL or 5.6 mmol/L or less and there are
still several hours or more before the insulin peaks, your need to watch your
cat (and the numbers) carefully and take appropriate steps.
With very low numbers and NO SYMPTOMS, a cat can be fine one moment and
seizure the next.
BE
PREPARED! KNOW THE SYMPTOMS AND
KNOW THE TREATMENT!
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© 1998-2004
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