LuvinThisPig
Member Since 2017
Hello all,
My name is Sarah. I have been very blessed to be a part of this guy's, Pig's, life. He is my very best of friends and absolutely the love of my life. We met almost 11 years ago and Pig dedicated his life to mine as my certified ESA. I promised to do all that I could to take care of and love him with all my heart. Well, now more than ever I am fighting to keep that promise!
I am not entirely new to the forums, but new to posting. Pig received his diagnosis at the end of August this year. I was overwhelmed, but we did our best to handle the diabetes monster. Pig was started on a regimen of low carb, wet food initially and a round of antibiotics to clear a bladder infection. It was my hope that diet and treatment would regulate his numbers alone. I was wrong, so we started on 1u of Lantus 2x a day. I bought a home testing kit (Relion Micro), switched to a lower carb less phosphorus option of food (Sheba Pate & Tiki Cat), fed as needed, and tested, tested, tested. He did good the first week, or so I thought. His numbers were creeping down. However, towards the end of the week they began to cycle back up. We moved to 2u. It was exactly the same thing. Good numbers at first (never <200) and then he went back up (>300). We moved to 3u. Same thing. We have moved up and up and up. At this moment, he will soon be receiving dose #3 of 12u. Additionally, he receives 25u of methylcobalamin and 30u Adequan once a week along with .5tbs of Mira Lax to aid with megacolonic symptoms.
We recently went in for a full diagnostic visit. A complete body function panel was ran on his blood, which showed most everything to be perfectly in order with the exception of glucose levels (of course), slightly elevated kidney levels (but well within range, just higher than what they were), and an electrolyte imbalance. All of which are being attributed to the unregulated diabetes. We ran typical urinalysis and a culture specific analysis, both of which were perfectly clear. However, I also insisted that we send off for an Acromegaly / IAA panel at MSU. I did not receive the results that I had hoped for. Pig's IGF-1 was at >500! My vet will be consulting an endocrinologist and formulating a treatment plan. However, as it is out of her expertise (my vet is wonderful and entirely versed on feline matters), she is seeking help. I hope to do my own research and find options as well so that we can choose the very best one. The cost of treatment scares me. I will drive myself into bankruptcy to treat him and, indeed, I have been working more hours and eating almost nothing to get him thus far. I have taken out loans as well, but funds run very tight. Insulin is getting expensive, even with ordering from Canada. I am at a loss at what do to and seek any help or advice I can get.
I thank everyone in advance as this is not only saving Pig, it is saving me as well. That cannot be more blunt and honest.
-Sarah
My name is Sarah. I have been very blessed to be a part of this guy's, Pig's, life. He is my very best of friends and absolutely the love of my life. We met almost 11 years ago and Pig dedicated his life to mine as my certified ESA. I promised to do all that I could to take care of and love him with all my heart. Well, now more than ever I am fighting to keep that promise!
I am not entirely new to the forums, but new to posting. Pig received his diagnosis at the end of August this year. I was overwhelmed, but we did our best to handle the diabetes monster. Pig was started on a regimen of low carb, wet food initially and a round of antibiotics to clear a bladder infection. It was my hope that diet and treatment would regulate his numbers alone. I was wrong, so we started on 1u of Lantus 2x a day. I bought a home testing kit (Relion Micro), switched to a lower carb less phosphorus option of food (Sheba Pate & Tiki Cat), fed as needed, and tested, tested, tested. He did good the first week, or so I thought. His numbers were creeping down. However, towards the end of the week they began to cycle back up. We moved to 2u. It was exactly the same thing. Good numbers at first (never <200) and then he went back up (>300). We moved to 3u. Same thing. We have moved up and up and up. At this moment, he will soon be receiving dose #3 of 12u. Additionally, he receives 25u of methylcobalamin and 30u Adequan once a week along with .5tbs of Mira Lax to aid with megacolonic symptoms.
We recently went in for a full diagnostic visit. A complete body function panel was ran on his blood, which showed most everything to be perfectly in order with the exception of glucose levels (of course), slightly elevated kidney levels (but well within range, just higher than what they were), and an electrolyte imbalance. All of which are being attributed to the unregulated diabetes. We ran typical urinalysis and a culture specific analysis, both of which were perfectly clear. However, I also insisted that we send off for an Acromegaly / IAA panel at MSU. I did not receive the results that I had hoped for. Pig's IGF-1 was at >500! My vet will be consulting an endocrinologist and formulating a treatment plan. However, as it is out of her expertise (my vet is wonderful and entirely versed on feline matters), she is seeking help. I hope to do my own research and find options as well so that we can choose the very best one. The cost of treatment scares me. I will drive myself into bankruptcy to treat him and, indeed, I have been working more hours and eating almost nothing to get him thus far. I have taken out loans as well, but funds run very tight. Insulin is getting expensive, even with ordering from Canada. I am at a loss at what do to and seek any help or advice I can get.
I thank everyone in advance as this is not only saving Pig, it is saving me as well. That cannot be more blunt and honest.
-Sarah
