Sharon14
Very Active Member
She's stubborn
You can use a non absorbent litter, like aquarium gravel or even dry beans in her litter box. Just rinse as needed between ketone tests and reuse for the next test.
She's stubborn
If Pepper were my cat:
- I'd get hold of the vet as soon as they're open and try to get an anti-nausea treatment that I could administer at home as needed, e.g. generic ondansetron (the branded Zofran version is hideously expensive but the generic is much more affordable - it's a human medication so if your vet doesn't carry the generic you could ask for a written Rx and get it filled at a regular pharmacy. Ondansetron's an anti-emetic so it could help with both vomiting and also reluctance to eat due to nausea. If you tackle the nausea the appy stimulant might not be needed, and Pepper might eat more steadily and predictably for you.
Please don't lose heart: the early days can be so tough but with a little time you'll hopefully get all your ducks in a row re cost of food/supplies, etc.I was just looking at being able to help Pepper on a budget and so far that doesn't seem possible.
I'm genuinely curious about this: did the vet give you any reason(s) why she won't prescribe anti-nausea meds?I've asked the vet at her last appointment and again on the phone right before Christmas, and she will not give me an anti nausea medication.
I called before Christmas and told her that she was throwing up and not eating and I asked again if I could get a prescription for anti nausea and she just ignored the question ...
Also are there any other vets at the practice? If yes, could you ask for a second opinion on treatment for the eating difficulties from one of them?
(Brainstorming here.)
Mogs
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Now with everything being said, should I still give her her shot early tonight and should I still give her the shot if she doesn't want to eat or throws up her food?
Regarding the ultrasound: when important/expensive tests or procedures are in the possible future, the question I always ask is "how will the outcome of this test change our course of action". What is she hoping to find (or not) with an ultrasound? (350 sounds expensive, it's about 100 here and Switzerland is supposed to be twice as expensive as everywhere else). What might happen without the ultrasound is that one has to guess certain things, and "treat and see", and possibly be treating "for nothing". So it depends what the treatment is, and how you feel about it. I'd say it would be an interesting discussion to have priori to the test. And also: you're having trouble getting the vet on the phone (which can be expected), but she seems caring, maybe it's worth paying for a consultation (maybe even without the cat) to talk through all these issues.
Am I right that there have not been any curves done recently? When was the last?
Ah yes, sorry! So seems the lowest he ever went (measured) was a dip of toes in the blue.I did a curve on 12/9/17 before the increase to 2.5
Just a heads-up that I'm signing off for the night. Hope all goes well with Pepper and you find a decision you're comfortable with. Look forward to catching up with what happened my tomorrow morning.
Well done, congrats!Thank you very much. I am giving her her shot now. Its an hour and a half early but she needs it.
Well done, congrats!
See now there's your reason to keep chugging along.Thank you. I said to Pepper "come on lets get your shot and feel better" and she immediately came in the kitchen and laid down for me to give her her shot. Then I got kisses on my hand after her shot was given, like she was saying "thanks mommy"
I'd really suggest a different insulin like Lantus.....If you buy it from Marks in Canada it can be quite affordable.
One pen ($49.99 + 20 shipping) at 3U twice a day (which is a pretty high dose) would last you 50 days, so about $1 per day, but if you could afford to buy a 5 pack, that's 1500 units for $165 + $25 shipping) ...that would be about .75 cents per day and last you about 250 days.
If you ended up on less than 3U, it would last even longer.
Also, if you could get a script from your vet, you could apply to DCIN and we could help you with the insulin.
See now there's your reason to keep chugging along.
When she throws up is it on an empty stomach... Like bile... Or is it food she's puking
PS: A thought about anti-nausea treatment. Perhaps try the 'scratched record' technique to get an Rx?
We might call it the "broken record" or "squeaky wheel".Whats the "scratch record" technique?
Thank you. I said to Pepper "come on lets get your shot and feel better" and she immediately came in the kitchen and laid down for me to give her her shot. Then I got kisses on my hand after her shot was given, like she was saying "thanks mommy"
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Just keep calling until he will do anything for some peace and quiet.We might call it the "broken record" or "squeaky wheel".![]()
Whats the "scratch record" technique?
that's good news!Pepper seems to be doing much better this morning. She's eating like a champ and was very happy to get her am shot. I'm back at work today, so hubby will have to test her mid cycle.
Excellent!Pepper seems to be doing much better this morning. She's eating like a champ and was very happy to get her am shot. I'm back at work today, so hubby will have to test her mid cycle.
Attagirl, Pepper! More of this please!! (Anti-jinx, anti-jinx!)Pepper seems to be doing much better this morning. She's eating like a champ
Welcome to Prozinc land.![]()
since novolin is out of the system after a cycle, yes you can start the prozinc right away. I'm surprised she's saying start at .5 and not 1 unit. If it were me I'd say start at 1 since Pepper's numbers are so high, but I'll defer to the expertise of ProZinc users.I am to pick up her prescription after work and order it from Allivet. I'm sure it won't be until next week before I get it, so I will use the Novulin until then.
The vet said I have to start over with Prozinc at .5u.
Can I go from one insulin to another that fast?
This is great news! If you look at the forum list there is one devoted to ProZinc with people there who are experienced with this insulin. I hope it will work better for Pepper!I just wanted to give everyone an update. Pepper's vet has agreed to change Pepper's insulin to Prozinc. She is going to write a prescription so I can order it online for $96, since the vet office charges $170 for a 10ml vial. I'm hoping this will give Pepper better ps numbers and better nadirs.
I would think so as well. 1u is the 'normal' starting dose. Of course, I would rather see someone start too low than too high.. at least the vet has enough sense not to say to start her at 2 or 2.5.I think that starting at 1 u is more than safe enough given Pepper's numbers.
Yay for this vet!at least the vet has enough sense not to say to start her at 2 or 2.5.![]()
I would think so as well. 1u is the 'normal' starting dose. Of course, I would rather see someone start too low than too high.. at least the vet has enough sense not to say to start her at 2 or 2.5.![]()