Posted on 05/06/2014 1:55:14 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
You could Google it, but as Catherine pointed out, donuts-to-dollars there’s already a long line.
What you say is true, that patients in diabetic ketoacidosis produce acetone, which has a characteristic odor. But ketoacidosis is almost always associated with HIGH blood sugars (HYPERglycemia). However, the article talks about the cat detecting HYPOglycemia - too low a blood sugar level for the girl. The possible mechanism is that the girl might be having seizures, which are often associated with hypoglycemia, perhaps even seizures not dectected all that readily by the naked human eye, but nonetheless detectable by the cat's sense of movement or vibration of the girl's bed.
Interesting point. Over my pay grade though to determine what the kittie is actually sensing.
You are absolutely correct about DKA and hyperglycemia. My mistake - brain tired.
IIRC, hypoglycemia leads to lactic acidosis as cells denied insulin metabolize glucose anaerobically. Perhaps Pippa is smelling some metabolite produced by this process? (I’m harping on smell because cats have a very acute sense of smell, and are very scent-oriented.)
P.S. Brain still tired - I meant that they generate glucose from protein, and Pippa may be smelling a product of that process.
The punk is lucky this country is a nation of laws...........I’m all in favor of a sub-culture of internet vigilantes..............
I’ve been hypoglycemic most of my life (since the age of 10, or younger) and know when I need food. I often wake up in the middle of the night and have to get something eat. I have no doubt that a cat (or dog) could detect this anomaly from my normal odors.
Kudos to the kitteh!
Some people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them.
On the bright side, Anonymous *really* dislikes people who abuse cats.
“Some people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them.”
Some people are alive only because it’s illegal to kill them after they’re born.
Sorry, you’re wrong-—that is something that
occurs w/ a HIGH blood sugar
Yeah, I know - I was thinking of how the body cannibalizes itself when blood sugar gets too low.
Anonymous would certainly like to have the perpetrators of animal abuse in his geographic location so as to exact justice...............
That makes sense, I think you might be right :-)
I think I was mixing up diabetic ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis, but I’m reasonably sure that hyperglycemia could alter a patient’s scent.
An Update: Did watch “Hannity” last night, and he did do a report on that perp that kicked the cat and from what I have heard, she was rescued and she is doing okay, but she must have been traumatized mental-wise as a cat. She WILL NEED A LOT OF TLC .
Thank-you for the update, the REAL UPDATE!
Read the article posted, that the cat is a boy, a stray by the name of King and that the North Shore Animal League rescued him. Hope he gets a great home. The organization is legendary in the animal rescue movement. :) =^..^=
THANK-YOU in shoutout for posting cat/human interest stories and helping to do your job in regards to animal rescue.
A friend of mine is diabetic and her cat does the same thing.
G-d bless all guardian kitties.
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