Chloe2

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@srk3cats I hope you are still online and have read our suggestions. There is nothing more I can say to convince you that poor sweet Chloe needs veterinary intervention. I pray that you do the right thing by her.
 
Good morning. I didn't sleep well, but she had some dry food nearby (on the bed). She seems fine this morning- tested at 145. Chloe didn't want to go to the ER last night. What happens when a cat dies from hypo? Other than being lethargic, she didn't seem to be in pain. I knew she was okay when I pricked her ear this morning and she yelped. Last night, I pricked her so many times and she didn't react. She jumped off the bed this morning, yowling for some food. I don't know why this happened. I'm thinking maybe because I forgot to leave out dry food for her to snack on. No shots until she's over 200.
 
manxcat419 said:
It really is. Death from hypo is not a peaceful way to go. I know you're tired, but please do the right thing by Chloe, even if that does finish up being pts. Although there is honestly no reason why any cat should die from a hypo episode...not when you know the numbers and can have them brought back up at the ER if you can't get them back up on your own.
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I've been to just about every vet in town over the years and I don't trust any of them. I called the emergency ER, which is about 6 miles away, and told them I was coming, but Chloe saw the carrier and looked terrified. Chico ran in, thinking it was all a game. The ER was where Pogo was diagnosed with cancer and had to be put down the next day. I chose a home vet and I did not like the way he did it. If it's not painful, I would prefer my cats die at home naturally.
Maybe I'm a crazy old cat lady, but I believe my cats 'speak' to me.
 
Is there anything we can do to help you and Chloe going forward? You've been through a harrowing hypo episode and I'm sure you'd like to avoid a repeat of that ordeal.
 
srk3cats said:
What happens when a cat dies from hypo?
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Lethargy, weakness, staggering, loss of coordination, blindness, crying, shivering, twitching, seizures, coma, death. Hypoglycemia causes damage to the CNS and brain death. It is painful for the afflicted cat, and painful for the caregiver to have to watch.
 
I'm going to call in sick at least for the am. I'm going to test her every hour until I feel confident she can be left alone.
 
She should be seen by a vet to discover why she went so dangerously low without additional insulin, or the risk of this happening again is very great.
 
I found a clinic nearby that I've never used before and have an appointment for 3:30 today. It's a fairly new clinic with several doctors and has one specifically for pet diabetes. I won't be seeing him today, though. This clinic is open Saturdays and Sundays. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is like.
 
I'm happy Chloe made it through the night!
If and when she gets over 200 do not give her 1.25 units. I would start over with 0.8 or 1.
Without the dry food it's possible she doesn't need insulin.
 
srk3cats said:
I found a clinic nearby that I've never used before and have an appointment for 3:30 today. It's a fairly new clinic with several doctors and has one specifically for pet diabetes. I won't be seeing him today, though. This clinic is open Saturdays and Sundays. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is like.
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Good! In future, though, you really can't rely on your pet to "tell" you whether or not they want to see the vet in an emergency; that's kind of like asking an infant if they want to go see the doctor, they don't even understand the concept. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that medical intervention is obtained!
 
I'm glad to hear Chloe is still with us. However, I am going to stress that you dodged a bullet with her last night. Those kind of prolonged hypo numbers - even if a cat survives them - can cause brain damage, ongoing seizures or permanent blindness. When you think about that, the cat "not wanting" to go to the vet is pretty much irrelevant - we have to think about what they need, not what they (or we) want or don't want at that point.
 
Just a thought: do you gently roll the ProZinc vial a few times before using it? I started wondering if the drastic effects of yesterday's dose could have been caused by uneven distribution of insulin in the bottle when you drew up the AM dose. ProZinc is a suspension and the insulin will settle out if the vial isn't properly/gently mixed before using it.
 
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Kris & Teasel said:
Just a thought: do you gently roll the ProZinc vial a few times before using it? I started wondering i the drastic effects of yesterday's dose could have been caused by uneven distribution of insulin in the bottle when you drew up the AM dose. ProZinc is a suspension and the insulin will settle out if the vial isn't properly/gently mixed before using it.
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I usually do, but maybe not enough. I'm pretty stressed in the mornings because my principal is anal about my getting to work on time. Anyway, she's now at 359- quite a bounce. She's been eating a lot, including dry food.
 
srk3cats said:
I usually do, but maybe not enough. I'm pretty stressed in the mornings because my principal is anal about my getting to work on time. Anyway, she's now at 359- quite a bounce. She's been eating a lot, including dry food.
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Gentle rolling is all it needs. Shaking too vigorously can damage the insulin so it loses its effectiveness.

That pink bounce number is not surprising at all. Please let us know later how the vet visit at the new clinic goes. I hope you find a vet that can be more helpful to you in treating Chloe. We were all worried about her last night. All the kitties we meet here become like our own. :)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Gentle rolling is all it needs. Shaking too vigorously can damage the insulin so it loses its effectiveness.

That pink bounce number is not surprising at all. Please let us know later how the vet visit at the new clinic goes. I hope you find a vet that can be more helpful to you in treating Chloe. We were all worried about her last night. All the kitties we meet here become like our own. :)
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Do you just roll it between your hands? My former vet said to swing it back and forth gently with one arm. Chloe and I appreciate all your concern and advice. I asked the receptionist if the doctors there accept home monitoring and she said she knows of several clients who are doing that. It would all be so much easier if I had a partner. Do all of you have someone at home to help? For example, one person could drive and the other could hold the cat without stressing them with a carrier.
 
srk3cats said:
Do you just roll it between your hands? My former vet said to swing it back and forth gently with one arm. Chloe and I appreciate all your concern and advice. I asked the receptionist if the doctors there accept home monitoring and she said she knows of several clients who are doing that. It would all be so much easier if I had a partner. Do all of you have someone at home to help? For example, one person could drive and the other could hold the cat without stressing them with a carrier.
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Making slow figure 8s in the air while holding the vial is another good way to mix ProZinc. I did a little of both - rolling and figure 8s - when Teasel was on ProZinc.

I'm really glad the new vet practice is open to home monitoring. Some vets get sticky about wanting pet meter numbers (AlphaTrak2) so there are people here who have a pet meter to do curves for the vet and they use a human meter day to day. The pet meter strips are extremely expensive. What meter are you using?

Yes, it can be a lot easier if you have someone at home to help. Many of us don't, though, and some have a "significant other" who'll have nothing to do with kitty care. I'm alone and have physical limitations (extremely weak hands, very poor balance, etc.) that are challenging so I understand the frustration of doing things alone. My kitties dislike the carrier too but if they need to go to the vet, I just put my mind on the "calm and business-like" setting and do what I have to do. Their welfare is very important to me so I steel myself to withstand the protests.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Making slow figure 8s in the air while holding the vial is another good way to mix ProZinc. I did a little of both - rolling and figure 8s - when Teasel was on ProZinc.

I'm really glad the new vet practice is open to home monitoring. Some vets get sticky about wanting pet meter numbers (AlphaTrak2) so there are people here who have a pet meter to do curves for the vet and they use a human meter day to day. The pet meter strips are extremely expensive. What meter are you using?

Yes, it can be a lot easier if you have someone at home to help. Many of us don't, though, and some have a "significant other" who'll have nothing to do with kitty care. I'm alone and have physical limitations (extremely weak hands, very poor balance, etc.) that are challenging so I understand the frustration of doing things alone. My kitties dislike the carrier too but if they need to go to the vet, I just put my mind on the "calm and business-like" setting and do what I have to do. Their welfare is very important to me so I steel myself to withstand the protests.
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You and me, too, Kris! I am alone and have disabilities that make it very difficult for me to get my kitties to the vet. Sometimes one of my sons will be able to come help, but other times I just have to steel my mind to it and go it alone.
 
Squalliesmom said:
You and me, too, Kris! I am alone and have disabilities that make it very difficult for me to get my kitties to the vet. Sometimes one of my sons will be able to come help, but other times I just have to steel my mind to it and go it alone.
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I go it alone much of the time too but if it's going to be particularly challenging I have good friends who will help. Good friends are worth their weight in gold! No - diamonds!! :)
 
Very true! I have a dear friend who is always willing to help me, too, but she lives about an hour and fifteen minutes away. I have another good friend nearby, but she's been in a wheelchair for the past 35 years so can't really help me with the physical stuff. I'm lucky that my sons can help sometimes, they are wonderful to me.
 
My other half would not do shots or testing...that was ALL on me. He will go with me to the vet (because I insist) but it's up to me to get them in the carrier...leaving them out of it would be so bad for us. They hate car rides.
 
The one and only time I took Chuck in the car without a carrier he was terrified and peed and pooped on my seat. It was awful. He sees his carrier as a safe spot when out of the house. Sometimes I will leave the carrier open on the floor so they can inspect it and get comfortable with it on their own time. Not just me shoving them in it. I actually have a really funny picture of my civvie Kitty just chilling in it.
 
StephG said:
The one and only time I took Chuck in the car without a carrier he was terrified and peed and pooped on my seat. It was awful. He sees his carrier as a safe spot when out of the house. Sometimes I will leave the carrier open on the floor so they can inspect it and get comfortable with it on their own time. Not just me shoving them in it. I actually have a really funny picture of my civvie Kitty just chilling in it.
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I leave one of my carriers out and open all the time too - desensitization exercise.
 
I really like my new vet clinic. They spent 2 hours with me! and they use Feliway in their exam room for cats. The only thing I didn't like was that she said I should feed only the Royal Canin Hypoglycemic wet food, but Chloe won't eat it. She'll eat their dry food, though. Chloe has NO ketones, but tested at 400. The vet said I should start her back tonight on 1 unit. They even gave me a sample syringe with the dose marked with a red circle sticker. This clinic is even closer than the last one I used, just in the opposite direction. They said to call them for directions for when I do my next glucose curve.
 
srk3cats said:
I really like my new vet clinic. They spent 2 hours with me! and they use Feliway in their exam room for cats. The only thing I didn't like was that she said I should feed only the Royal Canin Hypoglycemic wet food, but Chloe won't eat it. She'll eat their dry food, though. Chloe has NO ketones, but tested at 400. The vet said I should start her back tonight on 1 unit. They even gave me a sample syringe with the dose marked with a red circle sticker. This clinic is even closer than the last one I used, just in the opposite direction. They said to call them for directions for when I do my next glucose curve.
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This sounds very promising! :)
 
srk3cats said:
I really like my new vet clinic. They spent 2 hours with me! and they use Feliway in their exam room for cats. The only thing I didn't like was that she said I should feed only the Royal Canin Hypoglycemic wet food, but Chloe won't eat it. She'll eat their dry food, though. Chloe has NO ketones, but tested at 400. The vet said I should start her back tonight on 1 unit. They even gave me a sample syringe with the dose marked with a red circle sticker. This clinic is even closer than the last one I used, just in the opposite direction. They said to call them for directions for when I do my next glucose curve.
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The dry food only comes in a 4.4 lb bag. It's what my vet recommended also, but I told her I'm feeding Frisked pate and switching to YA zero carb. They can't MAKE you use the prescription food, and the YA is better than the Royal Canin.
 
Frank's Mom said:
The dry food only comes in a 4.4 lb bag. It's what my vet recommended also, but I told her I'm feeding Frisked pate and switching to YA zero carb. They can't MAKE you use the prescription food, and the YA is better than the Royal Canin.
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What is YA?
 
Frank's Mom said:
The dry food only comes in a 4.4 lb bag. It's what my vet recommended also, but I told her I'm feeding Frisked pate and switching to YA zero carb. They can't MAKE you use the prescription food, and the YA is better than the Royal Canin.
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Kris & Teasel said:
This sounds very promising! :)
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The Feliway was brilliant! Chloe walked into her carrier and said not a peep all the way home. She's usually mellow, but resisted getting into her carrier when we were leaving the house. She also cried in the car. She was so laid back when they brought her back from the lab that I asked what kind of tranquilizer they gave her.
 
srk3cats said:
What is YA?
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YA stands for "Young Again Mature Zero", a very low carb dry food available online only. The company will send a free sample if you request one. You could Google Young Again pet food to get the URL. Quite a few people here give their kibble addicts some of this along with low carb wet food.
 
www.youngagainpetfood.com is their website. Don't let the price scare you. They only need about 1/4 cup a day.
I think 1 unit is a good start but do be careful if she gets close to 200 like the night before.
If she's eating the "prescription" dry food that's higher in carbs. If you switch to Young again zero mature you have to be very careful with her dose. She can drop fast without the carbs.
By the way: in California (if I remember right) has a law suit against the "prescription" pet foods. There is nothing in the food that qualifies it as a prescription.
In my opinion it's a money making scheme. Talk you into the expensive "prescription" food that has to many carbs which then increases BG levels and requires more insulin. You spend more on food and insulin and they profit wildy.
I actually heard a sales rep promising my vet $10 lunch credit for each bag of science diet they sell to a client. At the end of each month they cater a lunch for them for the amount they earned through sales! I told the vet it was very inappropriate and even more so for them to discuss in front of clients. I worked at a human doctor's office before and know how their sales rep luncheons work. They were never discussed in front of patients.
 
I think there are more than just the one lawsuit against the "prescription" food companies. It is a total scam, there is nothing at all prescription about them, and most of them are very unhealthy for your cats! Especially the dry ones!
 
My vet always has feliway in the exam rooms too... I use them at home as well. YA food is great and I credit it with helping my cat into remission. They will send you a free sample if you ask.
 
What a great idea to have Feliway in the room! Sure wish my vet did that...I do have some spray and wipes I use in their carriers though when I take them anywhere. Something to try.

So glad the new vet seems great so far! I love that they are all for you testing at home.
 
srk3cats said:
I really like my new vet clinic. They spent 2 hours with me! and they use Feliway in their exam room for cats. The only thing I didn't like was that she said I should feed only the Royal Canin Hypoglycemic wet food, but Chloe won't eat it. She'll eat their dry food, though. Chloe has NO ketones, but tested at 400. The vet said I should start her back tonight on 1 unit. They even gave me a sample syringe with the dose marked with a red circle sticker. This clinic is even closer than the last one I used, just in the opposite direction. They said to call them for directions for when I do my next glucose curve.
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Some good news :). Keep in mind that 400 reading at the vet is stress influenced; car rides, vet clinic, other pet smells, etc. Just keep monitoring her :cat:
 
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