Andy and I rushed her to the animal hospital to find out that she had a condition called: Diabetic Ketoacidosis. For anyone like me that doesn't know what that it is here is a definition:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life threatening complication of
uncontrolled diabetes caused by a lack, or insufficient amount of
insulin. This means glucose is unable to be used by the body for
energy. The body begins to search for alternate supplies of energy
& begins to break down fat. When fat is broken down (metabolised)
into fatty acids, waste products known as ketones (also known as ketone
bodies) are produced & accumulate in the bloodstream. This causes
the blood to become too acidic (acidosis).
The body will try to
get rid of the ketones by excreting them into the urine, which causes
increased urine output & increased thirst.
Our vet offered us three things as far as treatment...
Option #1: (really expensive)
Intravenous fluids & electrolytes to treat & correct dehydration & electrolyte imbalance (possibly supplementing with electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride). This will dilute glucose & acid levels.
Option 2:
Intravenous fluid to correct dehydration and some injections of human insulin along with antibiotics. The problem with this is cats don't always accept insulin, their bodies reject it. This option is very demanding it costs money for the insulin, the needles, glucose meter, she would need shots 2 times a day, plus antibiotics, and diabetic cat food.
Option 3:
Euthanasia (Don't think I need to explain)
By this point my mind was racing! I didn't know what to do. We asked the vet if this is painful and of course he said yes. My mind was playing out all kinds of scenerios: Do I try option 2 and hope that I can fully dedicate myself to her and what if this doesn't work do I want to put her through all this? Do I go with option 3 and just get it over, she wouldn't be suffering and I don't have to stress out about waking up in the morning to find my baby dead? Option 1 was out of the question because I just don't have that kind of money. By this point I'm clearly a MESS! I'm bawling, I don't know what to do! The vet tells us that we don't have to make a decision that night but to come back first thing the next morning. Andy and I go home and I just can't stop thinking about her, about how Charley will feel with out his best friend, about myself ( I know, selfish)... I attempt to get some sleep Thursday night but it just doesn't happen.
We go to the vets right at 8 am, we pull in the parking lot and I'm still lost! I have no idea what decision to make. We go in and I just lose it... I think to myself how can one tiny cat have such an impact on me. I thought to myself... geeze I just need to have a kid- you would never ever have to make the decision whether to put them to sleep or not!
They take us into a tiny room and I just look at Shylah and I start crying even harder. Thank goodness for Andy there was no way I could talk to this vet this morning. Andy and I thought of a few questions we wanted to ask before I made my finale decision. The vet answers all of our questions and takes his time with us, which was really appreciated!
My decision when we went into the vets was to go ahead and put her to sleep. I didn't want to see her suffer, I didn't want her to have to get 2 shots a day, and the thought that this may not work... After asking the questions I changed me mind to option 2.
So we started her on Humalin insulin shots 2 times daily, diabetic cat food, and antibiotics. So far she is doing well I hope and pray this continues. She is eating really well, she isn't urinating as often as she was, and she has more strength!
I am the proud new owner of a cat with diabetes!
To add a little smile to this blog I saw this picture a month ago... It fits perfect!
We go back to the vet on Tuesday to learn how to draw her blood and how to check her levels.
So please say a prayer for my little kitty!
Thanks!
