Re: diabetic help needed!

midlandsvet973 — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:04:11 GMT

Thanks for your reply! I just got back from checking on him. The little monster had pulled his catheter out in the 2 hours he'd be left and glucose was back down to 1.5. Got it back up above 5 for the last 2 readings by restarting his cri and giving him and 1ml bolus. I'm going to go back in another couple of hours to recheck it. I'm not sure what started the seizures, he's been stable for a while and was only seen last week. A basic biochem was all normal when he came in. I'll try feeding and monitoring in the morning if he's still stable. My plan is to hand the case to my boss on Monday and go back to the cows and horses!

Re: diabetic help needed!

Fiona French — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:49:27 GMT

It sounds like you are doing well so far. It's probably best to keep him on the CRI tonight if staying stable, especially if it's going to be difficult to monitor him overnight. Tomorrow morning if the blood glucose is still at a sensible level I would probably offer food, and if he eats stop the infusion and check glucose every hour or so initially. The effects of the insulin overdose should have pretty much worn off by then, but I would be cautious about re-introducing the insulin for a few days, probably start back on a low dose if glucose is persistently over 20 or so.

Why did this seizure episode start in the first place? If he was having a hypo and the owners just made it worse by giving more insulin you will need to restart insulin at a low dose only if sure it is required, and start the stabilisation process from scratch. Or is there something else going on?

I'm no expert and am happy to be corrected, but seeing as you have no replies so far I thought I would offer my opinion!