Seeking any and all suggestions, guidance and prayers

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geenaroses

geenaroses

Member Since 2015
Hi everyone....

I had posted last night in the Vetsulin forum with a situation I was going through with my furbaby boy Princeton. Yesterday I was to take him to my local Humane Society Animal Clinic to do a 6 hr curve on him as he is 10 days post insulin. He was diagnosed in 2015, but he was quite overweight and with blood monitoring and diet adjustment I was able to get his readings where they were good. He displayed symptoms again (as did my other baby, Sunshine). She unfortunately was in dire straits and I am forever beside myself about it with guilt. My only defense is that I was consumed in grief over recently losing my husband who was only 49 and there is no excuse....she was my best friend in the world.

Anyway, he at a full meal of his Fancy Feast Classic chicken in the morning and had his insulin shot. I brought him in. Just a note....My boy does have a couple of bad teeth. I was told this a couple of weeks ago by the dr here besides my own observation. They told me they need to come out, but they will not extract them until his sugar is regulated. So later I return to pick my boy up...I notice as I look at him he has a little blood on his paws. I think that maybe he wiped his ears after they were drawing his blood. Then I get him home and take him out of his carrier and he is so ready to eat. I proceed quickly to the kitchen to prepare his and his sister's food dishes and when I go to put his down, I notice he has a long strand of blood tinged drool hanging from his mouth. He takes a couple of licks of his food and starts to swipe at his face. I think, what the heck is going on??? I then water his food down and the same thing...a couple of licks and swiping at his face and then his nail nips his lip and more blood. I wiped down his little paws and trimmed his nails. Then I contacted you guys. I wanted to get some more food in him and guidance regarding the insulin...to dose or not?

Today I returned to the clinic after trying to feed Princeton this morning and having a repeat of last night. They tell me how inflammed his gums are and they cannot extract his teeth. They recommend emergency treatment of IV fluids and feeding tube. How did a 6 hr curve in this place go like this??? This call sounded like a death sentence! :( NO, I will not accept this....I am reaching out for help. Time to make calls and go rescue my baby!! If anyone has suggestions, etc. I am in the Tampa, FL area and I am also on disability/fixed income. Greatly appreciate and blessings to you.:bighug::bighug::bighug: IMG_20150526_094617.jpg
 
I had something else posted but deleted if after I found your original post on Vetsulin thread :). Is there any update on Princeton?
 
I honestly feel for you, that is the kind of story no one could make up. I have been where you are now with the exception of the loss of a spouse, it was my Mother along with eight cats and a dog. MRI's, a spinal tap, ultrasounds and oncologists that drained 1/4 of my retirement savings. Someone here can point you to a financial aid site. I'm not being heartless to say Humane Society doctors and surgeons, no matter how good their intentions, generally work with inferior equipment and are underpaid (if paid at all). Their heart is in the right place but in the back of their mind has to be the thought of a shiny clinic with their name on the door and an Audi in the garage. I'm not heartless, just realistic. Noah's brother Nigel, also a diabetic, came home the same day from major dental surgery. Modern medicine can work miracles but we pay for aircraft carriers, not pets. You are correct, DO NOT ACCEPT THIS! Love is a powerful motivator and the internet and this site is a powerful tool. Give us every detail no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be. Cats can live just fine without any teeth. In the meantime do not fear painkillers. Noah has cardiomyopathy and an enlarged heart so his major dental surgery is not going to happen, ever! Buprenorphine has commuted his death sentence.
Now for the mean sounding part. I personally think GoFundMe campaigns can sometimes be a scam. If you want to be believable (a shameful thing to say) include a link to your husband's obituary and another to your cat's medical condition. People don't trust for a reason, there are too many professional liars in the world. That is very sad but true. Some people spend more on a pair of shoes than what you need right now. Again, I can say I'll pray for you etc. but instead I'm offering solid advice that might really help you hang on to what is keeping you emotionally alive. Sorry to be so blunt, I'm writing this in a big hurry but I sincerely hope things get better for you, we all do.
Dickson and Cynthia and all our cats.
 
Am I allowed to post Princeton's "discharge" paper I received ? I have him home with me finally and relaxed. I am so emotionally spent from today and my head is just spinning from everything they said to me at the Humane Society place.
 
geenaroses said:
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I didn't sign anything, but I did get him the heck out. With pain meds and antibiotics and 2 cans of this liquid critical care food. They told me that a cat blood glucose monitor is different than a human one and their 400 reading and is like my 200 reading. I just was about to lose it. I am not saying they are not caring people by any means....it just went against everything I have learned so far and I wasn't about to quit.
 
Noah & me said:
I honestly feel for you, that is the kind of story no one could make up. I have been where you are now with the exception of the loss of a spouse, it was my Mother along with eight cats and a dog. MRI's, a spinal tap, ultrasounds and oncologists that drained 1/4 of my retirement savings. Someone here can point you to a financial aid site. I'm not being heartless to say Humane Society doctors and surgeons, no matter how good their intentions, generally work with inferior equipment and are underpaid (if paid at all). Their heart is in the right place but in the back of their mind has to be the thought of a shiny clinic with their name on the door and an Audi in the garage. I'm not heartless, just realistic. Noah's brother Nigel, also a diabetic, came home the same day from major dental surgery. Modern medicine can work miracles but we pay for aircraft carriers, not pets. You are correct, DO NOT ACCEPT THIS! Love is a powerful motivator and the internet and this site is a powerful tool. Give us every detail no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be. Cats can live just fine without any teeth. In the meantime do not fear painkillers. Noah has cardiomyopathy and an enlarged heart so his major dental surgery is not going to happen, ever! Buprenorphine has commuted his death sentence.
Now for the mean sounding part. I personally think GoFundMe campaigns can sometimes be a scam. If you want to be believable (a shameful thing to say) include a link to your husband's obituary and another to your cat's medical condition. People don't trust for a reason, there are too many professional liars in the world. That is very sad but true. Some people spend more on a pair of shoes than what you need right now. Again, I can say I'll pray for you etc. but instead I'm offering solid advice that might really help you hang on to what is keeping you emotionally alive. Sorry to be so blunt, I'm writing this in a big hurry but I sincerely hope things get better for you, we all do.
Dickson and Cynthia and all our cats.
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Noah & me said:
I honestly feel for you, that is the kind of story no one could make up. I have been where you are now with the exception of the loss of a spouse, it was my Mother along with eight cats and a dog. MRI's, a spinal tap, ultrasounds and oncologists that drained 1/4 of my retirement savings. Someone here can point you to a financial aid site. I'm not being heartless to say Humane Society doctors and surgeons, no matter how good their intentions, generally work with inferior equipment and are underpaid (if paid at all). Their heart is in the right place but in the back of their mind has to be the thought of a shiny clinic with their name on the door and an Audi in the garage. I'm not heartless, just realistic. Noah's brother Nigel, also a diabetic, came home the same day from major dental surgery. Modern medicine can work miracles but we pay for aircraft carriers, not pets. You are correct, DO NOT ACCEPT THIS! Love is a powerful motivator and the internet and this site is a powerful tool. Give us every detail no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be. Cats can live just fine without any teeth. In the meantime do not fear painkillers. Noah has cardiomyopathy and an enlarged heart so his major dental surgery is not going to happen, ever! Buprenorphine has commuted his death sentence.
Now for the mean sounding part. I personally think GoFundMe campaigns can sometimes be a scam. If you want to be believable (a shameful thing to say) include a link to your husband's obituary and another to your cat's medical condition. People don't trust for a reason, there are too many professional liars in the world. That is very sad but true. Some people spend more on a pair of shoes than what you need right now. Again, I can say I'll pray for you etc. but instead I'm offering solid advice that might really help you hang on to what is keeping you emotionally alive. Sorry to be so blunt, I'm writing this in a big hurry but I sincerely hope things get better for you, we all do.
Dickson and Cynthia and all our cats.
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Thank you for sharing with me. :bighug: I am looking into all different options that I can. I have any and all documentation to show my needs, my situation....people to vouch (sp?) for me.

And you are correct about trustworthiness and what people will spend money on or what the dollar will come down to in life. My husband's last 2 months in life were with COPD and unfortunately in the midst of applying for SSD he hadn't any health insurance. He went to the ER 3 times and was treated and as he felt "patted on his head" and sent home. 2 weeks after his last visit he had a double massive stroke and he happened to be home alone at the time. Our last ride home from the ER visit he said I think I might get the help I need when I am dead. And sure enough, the day after we took him off of life support...everything he had waited for, the "red tape"...came through. :(

I just don't have my little furbabies because I want them,,,,I need them and I love them. I respect them and cherish them. Without going into detail...I always have told my little love ones that no matter how much love I give to them, that they will never know how much how much they give to me. There is NO dollar amount that could ever be put on it. But yes, I do want to be realistic and have full unconditional compassion to them.
 
geenaroses said:
He went to the ER 3 times and was treated and as he felt "patted on his head" and sent home. QUOTE]
I had what I now know is called a Thunderclap Headache; an aneurysm that partially bled which is a stroke. I learned then never to say 10 out of 10 on the pain scale. First I was told I had a sinus infection, then at a different hospital I was told I had pulled a muscle in my face. I strongly urge people who get stupid advice to have the doctor write it down and sign it. Then call the hospital administrator. Hospitals don't like to deal with neurological issues, they like broken bones.
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Sorry, my response was "I had what I now know is called a Thunderclap Headache; an aneurysm that partially bled which is a stroke. I learned then never to say 10 out of 10 on the pain scale. First I was told I had a sinus infection, then at a different hospital I was told I had pulled a muscle in my face. I strongly urge people who get stupid advice to have the doctor write it down and sign it. Then call the hospital administrator. Hospitals don't like to deal with neurological issues, they like broken bones."
 
I'm so sorry for all the trouble. His numbers will be elevated with the mouth pain.

Human meters do run lower than pet meters. The higher the number the more significant the difference between the two types of meters.
 
JanetNJ said:
I'm so sorry for all the trouble. His numbers will be elevated with the mouth pain.

Human meters do run lower than pet meters. The higher the number the more significant the difference between the two types of meters.
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So was she correct in saying that mine will say 200 but their's will read 400?
 
Noah & me said:
Sorry, my response was "I had what I now know is called a Thunderclap Headache; an aneurysm that partially bled which is a stroke. I learned then never to say 10 out of 10 on the pain scale. First I was told I had a sinus infection, then at a different hospital I was told I had pulled a muscle in my face. I strongly urge people who get stupid advice to have the doctor write it down and sign it. Then call the hospital administrator. Hospitals don't like to deal with neurological issues, they like broken bones."
Click to expand...

I am so sorry for your experience as well. I used to work as a Medical Malpractice defense (hospitals and nursing homes) paralegal in a former life, but my morals, conscience and stomach couldn't be bought to stay in the field (no offense to people who do).
 
Kris & Teasel said:
How is Princeton doing?
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He is still trying to eat. I am giving him the critical car food the vet gave to me and offering Princeton the baby food and his own food. Whatever he will eat , even if it is a couple of licks, is progress until his mouth is feeling better. He has pain meds and antibiotics. I also have call in to another vet to go in and get a second opinion.Princeton's also drinking his water okay. I tested sugar a bit okay and got 314 so instead of the 3U of insulin though I gave him 2U...actually contemplated 1U because of lack of food, but I don't feel confident enough to call that alone.

Getting tired. Going to lay down with Princeton....
 
geenaroses said:
So was she correct in saying that mine will say 200 but their's will read 400?
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There's no exact formula for converting from a human meter to a pet meter's numbers

At the lower numbers, a 50 on a human meter is the same as a 68 on a pet meter, so they're actually pretty close, but the higher the number, the more variation their is

I doubt if your 200 would be 400 on a pet meter though....that's just too much of a difference
 
This is for Princeton's Mom and everyone. Anyone who has read enough of my posts know I sometimes go off the deep end. My "valid medical excuse" should also tell me when it's time to just shut up but that doesn't work. This is what I was thinking yesterday; there will be a lot of people here offering honest and heartfelt sympathy as well as valid medical advice. I saw a chance to warn Princeton's Mom that grief can overwhelm you and as a result people will just reach into your wallet, you'll make irrational decisions about all kinds of things and MOST IMPORTANTLY to many of us we will do anything to hang on to a living connection to someone we loved. It is so sad that there are people that can spot that weakness, take advantage of you or just don't care and and will give you bad advice or, worst of all, just want you to move on with your life. "Move on?" This is not a parakeet, it's someone's husband! I cannot take back what I said but it was meant to be more than a hug. If that were me I would have done the same thing. "NO, I've had enough and I am owed a miracle so I'm taking my cat to someone a little more caring who has a clue about what I'm going through."
Now I've shot my mouth off a second time. If that makes sense to any one person please let Princeton's Mom and me know. I'm not a good communicator but I really do care. And I know, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME.
 
Adding on to what Chris&China said, there is no exact conversion rate for what a pet meter will read compared to a human meter. They both allow for a 20% variation. Just for an example, when Maury is higher my two meter's can vary 80-110 (points?) and when he is in a better range they can vary about 40-60 points. That's why we say at higher numbers the variation is greater and the variation is usually a smaller gap at lower numbers :)
 
I would like to give everyone on update on Princeton and apologize for the delay. With MAJOR thanks to Jenna @DCIN for her advice, support and help I took Princeton yesterday to a vet I used to be able to afford and I & Princeton do trust. He looked in his mouth, saw that he has 2 teeth that are bad but it was one that was the immediate offender and it was wiggly. With very little touch and no bother to Princeton the tooth came out. He stopped drooling and Dr offered him soft food he was immediately able (and VERY willing) to eat. We discussed this forum and how I've been doing treatments at home (feeding, testing, etc) and all of us involved & committed to our babies. He was so impressed by the knowledge and commitment. This Dr truly ❤️s his patients and my 20+ year history with him, seeing my babies interact with him... it shows that they know.
Princeton had a full can of dinner last night and this morning too. His blood is testing in high 200/low 300 range between last night and thus far today. I'm still keeping him at 2u Vetsulin for right now ...don't want to increase to 3u as other vet wanted post 6 hr "injuring" curve.
I hope all your babies are well today. Thank you to everyone for helping us through this crisis. ❤️❤️
 
geenaroses said:
I would like to give everyone on update on Princeton and apologize for the delay. With MAJOR thanks to Jenna @DCIN for her advice, support and help I took Princeton yesterday to a vet I used to be able to afford and I & Princeton do trust. He looked in his mouth, saw that he has 2 teeth that are bad but it was one that was the immediate offender and it was wiggly. With very little touch and no bother to Princeton the tooth came out. He stopped drooling and Dr offered him soft food he was immediately able (and VERY willing) to eat. We discussed this forum and how I've been doing treatments at home (feeding, testing, etc) and all of us involved & committed to our babies. He was so impressed by the knowledge and commitment. This Dr truly ❤️s his patients and my 20+ year history with him, seeing my babies interact with him... it shows that they know.
Princeton had a full can of dinner last night and this morning too. His blood is testing in high 200/low 300 range between last night and thus far today. I'm still keeping him at 2u Vetsulin for right now ...don't want to increase to 3u as other vet wanted post 6 hr "injuring" curve.
I hope all your babies are well today. Thank you to everyone for helping us through this crisis. ❤️❤️
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omg that is awesome! So the tooth is out all on it's own, basically.... so glad he's eating and feeling better! My cat was on vetsulin, too. I think 2 U is a good idea. 200-300 isn't bad, and may come down now that he's not in pain anymore.
 
geenaroses said:
I would like to give everyone on update on Princeton and apologize for the delay. With MAJOR thanks to Jenna @DCIN for her advice, support and help I took Princeton yesterday to a vet I used to be able to afford and I & Princeton do trust. He looked in his mouth, saw that he has 2 teeth that are bad but it was one that was the immediate offender and it was wiggly. With very little touch and no bother to Princeton the tooth came out. He stopped drooling and Dr offered him soft food he was immediately able (and VERY willing) to eat. We discussed this forum and how I've been doing treatments at home (feeding, testing, etc) and all of us involved & committed to our babies. He was so impressed by the knowledge and commitment. This Dr truly ❤️s his patients and my 20+ year history with him, seeing my babies interact with him... it shows that they know.
Princeton had a full can of dinner last night and this morning too. His blood is testing in high 200/low 300 range between last night and thus far today. I'm still keeping him at 2u Vetsulin for right now ...don't want to increase to 3u as other vet wanted post 6 hr "injuring" curve.
I hope all your babies are well today. Thank you to everyone for helping us through this crisis. ❤️❤️
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Really good news!:)
 
That is more than just good news. I could not think of anyone that needed to catch a break this weekend than the two of you. Now you can get some sleep and won't be spending Sunday in some hideous emergency clinic. I'm not religious but I believe in Faith and Karma. Have a beautiful weekend and rub Princeton's fuzzy little head for me.
 
Just had to post this. Going to get on my spreadsheet...BUT my 3rd blood reading today and 6 hrs post insulin of 2u Vetsulin and the lowest reading at an 86 guys! :):) I had to do a double take at the meter and slide my glasses closer to my eyes to be sure, lol! I know we still have steps to go. He still has another really bad tooth and has to gain some weight...one step at a time. Just so grateful to have had the reassurance to trust my gut and keep my promise to my angel furbaby, Sunshine, to fight for her siblings and do everything I possibly can for them, yet be realistic and make the right decions in their best interests. So again, I thank you all for helping me to do that for Princeton.:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Glad to hear the news! All the best with the weight gain. I am sure many on here can give advice. I mainly have problems with my cats being overweight....I am working on that and saw this interesting article on making a diet change https://www.vetary.com/cat/condition/diet-change I guess the main thing is to take it slow and introduce the new food bit by bit. I hope Princeton is having a good day!
 
That's such a good number :D
You have been Blessed, and I am so happy to hear the good news. Keep up the good work.
By the way, I love your cat's name :bighug:
 
DeeDee63 said:
Glad to hear the news! All the best with the weight gain. I am sure many on here can give advice. I mainly have problems with my cats being overweight....I am working on that and saw this interesting article on making a diet change https://www.vetary.com/cat/condition/diet-change I guess the main thing is to take it slow and introduce the new food bit by bit. I hope Princeton is having a good day!
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Thank you so much for the advice! :bighug: I hope you and your kitties are having a good day as well. :)
 
Help! :nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting: I have downloaded the spreadsheet. Can someone tell me if there is a link to explain how to fill it in? I'm sorry for being so plain Jane, lol...I have a notebook with the dates, times, readings and I am proficient in most of Microsoft Products EXCEPT excel or any spreadsheet programs. Feeling very disadvantaged and old school, lol. :confused:
 
geenaroses said:
Help! :nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting: I have downloaded the spreadsheet. Can someone tell me if there is a link to explain how to fill it in? I'm sorry for being so plain Jane, lol...I have a notebook with the dates, times, readings and I am proficient in most of Microsoft Products EXCEPT excel or any spreadsheet programs. Feeling very disadvantaged and old school, lol. :confused:
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This might help:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/
It's one of the info sheets in the same place where you found the spreadsheet instructions.
 
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