New to this thread/Advice?

[FatBoy's Mom]

Fat Boy was diagnosed about April. He was in the 500's, now when I have checked periodically he's been in the 250/300 range, sometimes less etc..as I know stress and other things can factor.
Tonight was a huge scare with a diabetic coma: He was just "out of it". Glassy eyes, unresponsive, purred, but wasn't there. Stiff, weak, just awful. Just terrifying.
I did everything I had read to do: Corn syrup/honey..took longer than I thought to get him to snap out of it. It took him a while: he ate, and is now on my bed, calmly sleeping, but exhausted.
I called my vet and he said to monitor him, and not to rush him anywhere because now that he's out of it, there's nothing to be done. And this type of behavior is normal.
I know i sound like a hack, because everyone on here is so organized about everything..I travel for work, have 13 other cats, and a dog..so I am just trying to get Fat Boy healthy and organized.
After a blood crash (assuming that is what it was based on the symptoms: too low of blood sugar), and after this type of thing..what can I expect behavior wise? He's passed out on the bed, is responsive when I pet him, but just acting tired..which he should right? After all his body just went through a train wreck.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I don't check his blood at home, but I am realizing I probably should.
He's on Lantus 2x a day, 5 units.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Hi, that is a huge dose! I would definitly start home testing. It is the only way to keep our kitty safe and know when things maybe going south and head them off.

Where are you located? We can give you a list of supplies to start home testing with. We also have a spreadsheet we use to gather data, which is what anyone here will look to in order to give dose advice. That is located here.

We do have a large Lantus forum, so please feel free to post into that group.

Since you can't test and syrup can where off quickly. I would keep seeing if he is willing to eat some food - not a lot - every now and again.

What are you feeding him usually? Do you have any with some gravy around?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Poor you! That's a scary episode!

And this type of behavior is normal.

Normal for an episode of symptomatic hypoglycemia? Normal for a diabetic cat?

am just trying to get Fat Boy healthy and organized.

We can help you with that.

what can I expect behavior wise? He's passed out on the bed, is responsive when I pet him, but just acting tired..which he should right? After all his body just went through a train wreck.

These episodes can be very hard on them. Monitor closely for the next few days.

I don't check his blood at home, but I am realizing I probably should.

Yes! Absolutely. It's the best way to avoid a situation like this. We can help and it's easier than you think.

He's on Lantus 2x a day, 5 units.

BIG dose!!! All the more reason to test BG at home. How was this dose arrived at?

 

[PussCatPrince - GA]

Hi there .
I'm not organised & not really sure what I'm doing but this lot always come to help me and my Tyler.

Best thing is to start home testing even if that does seem hectic. It just helps. Honestly.

 

[FatBoy's Mom]

Hi, that is a huge dose! I would definitly start home testing. It is the only way to keep our kitty safe and know when things maybe going south and head them off.

Where are you located? We can give you a list of supplies to start home testing with. We also have a spreadsheet we use to gather data, which is what anyone here will look to in order to give dose advice. That is located here.

We do have a large Lantus forum, so please feel free to post into that group.

Since you can't test and syrup can where off quickly. I would keep seeing if he is willing to eat some food - not a lot - every now and again.

What are you feeding him usually? Do you have any with some gravy around?

He's on the Purina Diabetic dry food as well as the canned food. Because I have others, I do actually have the free range food situation. This sounds bizarre..but we are cat people, so here's my trash:

I have ALL of the cats on the diabetic food. That DM stays out ALL DAY LONG. They get canned food 2x a day now (which is when I give Fat Boy his shots). Usually at about 9 am and then at 9pm. We have to do this to keep the peace..when all the food is picked up, they pee on EVERYTHING..they do anyway, but I just moved, and some of the behavioral stuff is just terrible. So I am trying to do the best I can.

So, Dm out all day long. 2x a day canned food (and yes, I let the others bing eat their trashy Purina naturals..I say this in jest..they just love purina naturals etc..I'm like the mom that takes the kids to the buffet and lets them go nuts on the gummy bears at the soft serve station). Also dry food out during those times as well.

He's sleeping right now, in the bathroom by the vent..its cold here in Michigan, about 9 degrees, and everyone has a chill. I keep the house at 64, but I think everyone is just cold!

He ate some canned food ..Friskies indoor whitefish and he ate a good amount of that. I have not given him another shot..my vet said to just "monitor"..so I am.

 

[FatBoy's Mom]

Hi there .
I'm not organised & not really sure what I'm doing but this lot always come to help me and my Tyler.

Best thing is to start home testing even if that does seem hectic. It just helps. Honestly.

It seemed like my vet was against it for some reason..but I think I am mamma..and sometimes mamma knows best. Thanks for the advice..truly!

 

[FatBoy's Mom]

Poor you! That's a scary episode!


Normal for an episode of symptomatic hypoglycemia? Normal for a diabetic cat?


We can help you with that.


These episodes can be very hard on them. Monitor closely for the next few days.


Yes! Absolutely. It's the best way to avoid a situation like this. We can help and it's easier than you think.


BIG dose!!! All the more reason to test BG at home. How was this dose arrived at?

I took him to the vet and it was a 4 month process! Ugh. I may be back to the drawing board. :/

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I’m pretty sure we can help you set up a workable plan if you’re willing to learn a few new tricks. And it won’t take 4 months to make some significant progress.

 

[FatBoy's Mom]

I’m pretty sure we can help you set up a workable plan if you’re willing to learn a few new tricks. And it won’t take 4 months to make some significant progress.

Is there a way do you think to also get him down to once a day? My vet said yes originally..then said no. ? And yes, all ears. My biggest problem is that with the travel, its up to my mom...so anything very different will probably kill her. I mean that with the utmost love!
I'm new here..so feel sort of idiotic nosing around and not really knowing what Im doing.. So yes, I am all ears. And Fat Boy is a champ with his shots too

 

[Vader723]

I’m not sure why so many vets are against home monitoring, but that seems to be a common theme here! It’s like they all attended the pet owners can’t be trusted seminar. But the people here have been dealing with this disease at a much more personal level than most vets, and that experience provides a vast amount of knowledge for you to tap into! Welcome!

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

o feel sort of idiotic nosing

Nosing around and reading threads is highly recommended! The more read the more you learn you are not alone and at least 1 more person has been in the same boat as you!

Feel free - go explore.

 

[Critter Mom]

I’m not sure why so many vets are against home monitoring

Based on my experience (and reports from other FDMB members) many vets claim that regular BG testing is very stressful for the cat and that it can be harmful to the bond between cat and caregiver. From what I've observed, cats may indeed get highly stressed out when BG is tested in the clinic but I think that most of the problem is due to the really atrocious testing techniques used by some vets/vet techs. My pet hypothesis is that the veterinary professionals in question automatically assume that anyone who tests a cat's BG at home will be equally cack-handed and therefore leave the cat equally traumatised. Not so, O doubting vetty beans! Not so at all.

the pet owners can’t be trusted seminar.

LOL!

I think some vets continue to advanced degree level in that subject.


Mogs
.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Purina Diabetic dry food as well as the canned food

Ok, even though DM it is considered a high carb food, that said I understand what situation you are in. If you ever feel you would like to change the food there is Young Again dry that is zero carb that can be bought in the US (can be expensive but they tend to eat less) or there may be other options in the wet like Fancy Feast Classics. If you want help in that regard, if a shout out.

And given the high carb food, I am thinking that dose is too high. We will see once you start testing.

in the bathroom by the vent

Jones' only sign of going low is being cold to the touch. Keep an eye on Fat Boy.

 

[Critter Mom]

Greetings, Fatboy, from the mama of your near namesake (Psycho Fatboy the Third, to give his unabridged moniker in all its glory! )


Mogs
.

 

[JeffJ]

Home testing is critical to success, and adjustment of dosages over time. Leo is testament to this, as his dosages have varied from
1.0 unit (2.5 years ago)
18 units at max during Acromegaly peak
4.5 units now, with daily variations

Leo is also testament to "tolerating testing". He now goes to the "special" test blanket in the kitchen and waits. I test him, then he gets a treat (and so do I). Yum.

He has come to associate BG testing with treats. It makes the whole process less traumatic, and I get leg lovin' right before the testing. It doesn't get better than that!
.

 

[Critter Mom]

@JeffJ - Good photo, and nice job on the kitteh speech bubbles.

 

[PussCatPrince - GA]

It seemed like my vet was against it for some reason..but I think I am mamma..and sometimes mamma knows best. Thanks for the advice..truly!

I have one of those. I finally got hold of the notes and right at diagnosis he wrote "Tyler too stressy for BG curve"

Actually no Mr VET. Tyler does just fine and we are getting to grips with this.

It is not up to the vet ...innit ( I am British - lol) It is up to you. I have not yet told my vet but having started the home testing I now have urine tests which are clear and I have a livelier cat and reduced insulin doses.

You go girl with this and when both our vets grizzle at us , we can both come in here and grizzle right back.

Seriously. Everyone here will help you work out a plan.

I have a similar time thing to you which is not the best is it. Quite late morning and quite late evening.

So go and buy the meter and the strips and the prick things and give it a start. G'won.