Just your thoughts/help if possible

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littleone

littleone

Member Since 2017
Hey all! I seriously love this board and I just want to give you all such praise for all of the kitties you have helped. God bless all of you. If you don't mind - I just want to share my specific situation and get some feedback. I've looked through tons of threads but can't find anything specific.

- Overview: Our 14 year old cat, Little One, is obviously diabetic and gets 2 shots per day. We've been dealing with it for years and I've tried many times to home test, but failed. He moves around too much and it is very difficult. As of late some new symptoms are popping up on a more regular basis.

- Symptoms: He wants cold places to lay down and wants running water all the time. Really whines for it when it's bad. He looks uncomfortable as he tries to find cooler spots to lay down. He still can run and jump, and even plays with his milk ring from time to time, but as of late he's doing that thing with his back legs similar to diabetic neuropathy. It's not often, but it's occasional. His muscle mass has really decreased recently and even if you pick him up he just feels so light. The muscle mass loss as of late seems to be pretty big. He just looks so tiny now. He's eating regularly and no urination/bathroom issues. In fact, sometimes he even craves treats and what not. But I feel it's happening more regularly as opposed to just 1-2 days a week.

- Testing: I'm going to give it another shot Sunday to do a full day of testing . I'm going to try and be strong and do everything I can for him. He just really squirms around and is not an easy cat to get a test strip completed for.

Any thoughts on what I can do? I honestly just want to pay a vet tech to come over no matter what it costs but I just cannot google or find information. I feel like if I take him tot he vet to do a full day of testing, it's worthless because he will be stressed. I really want to make life as good for him as I can as long as I can. I think we all go through these panic/worry stages and I'm really focusing on being strong.

Any and all advice is welcomed. I'm an extreme n00b who tries to read as much as I can. I read possible B12 but i'm afraid to just randomly start without any assistance from someone who would know. Any other medicine or anything I can buy to help this out?
 
For the neuropathy many of us use Zobaline
https://www.amazon.com/ZobalineTM-Diabetic-Cats-60-tabs/dp/B008G3LI2M/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

For testing, I’m glad you’re going to give it another go. Try to desensitize him to the testing. Take him to the spot where you’ll test and just pet him and rub his ears, give him a treat and let him go. Be sure you are relaxed before you start, take a deep breath and try singing Softly. Also if you plan to use a rice sock to warm his ear, be sure to incorporate that into the desensitization. It’s very important that his ear is warm before you test so that you’ll be more likely to get blood with a single poke. If you’re using a lancing device and it clicks, make sure that sound isn’t upsetting him. Lastly make sure your lancets are 26-28 gauge and not the smaller ones that often come with the meter. Give it a try and keep asking questions.
 
littleone said:
I'm going to give it another shot Sunday to do a full day of testing . I'm going to try and be strong and do everything I can for him. He just really squirms around and is not an easy cat to get a test strip completed for.
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Sharon gave you great advice for testing. If it's a bit daunting for you and him, maybe starting with a whole day is not a great idea? Why not plan to get a few tests in and see how it goes. As you get more comfortable, you can do more.

littleone said:
Any thoughts on what I can do?
Click to expand...

Based on what you describe and his age I would wonder if he has recently been tested for hyperthyroidism (T4) and how his kidneys are doing (urea/creat). When was his last blood panel? If it was some time back it might be worth doing to see if something pops up.
 
Thank you both! I was using 30 gauge and ended up buying the 26 now. So tomorrow morning i'll try. Thank you, Sharon. It's very much appreciated.

And Stephanie & Quintus - last time we did the blood work was definitely back in August 2017 and the blood work all throughout the summer was normal. We are going to call the vet to get a new blood panel/urine test. I appreciate the kind help. Being a n00b at this really is difficult and this board has kept my kitty alive and kicking. I cannot thank you all enough.

Stephanie & Quintus said:
Sharon gave you great advice for testing. If it's a bit daunting for you and him, maybe starting with a whole day is not a great idea? Why not plan to get a few tests in and see how it goes. As you get more comfortable, you can do more.

Based on what you describe and his age I would wonder if he has recently been tested for hyperthyroidism (T4) and how his kidneys are doing (urea/creat). When was his last blood panel? If it was some time back it might be worth doing to see if something pops up.
Click to expand...
 
littleone said:
- Symptoms: He wants cold places to lay down and wants running water all the time. Really whines for it when it's bad. He looks uncomfortable as he tries to find cooler spots to lay down.
Click to expand...

Another thing this might suggest is pancreatitis. If you're planning on having them run tests, ask them to test for that as well (the Spec test, which takes longer, is better because it gives you a sense of the severity, not just a yes/no).
 
littleone said:
back in August 2017 and the blood work all throughout the summer was normal. We are going to call the vet to get a new blood panel/urine test
Click to expand...

You'll want to ask specifically for the T4 and Spec fPL tests as they're usually (?) not included in the standard "blood panel". [ETA: at least not here where I am in Switzerland]
 
If he's due for a senior blood panel that should tell you what's going on. Additionally you could see if he had high blood pressure.

Testing daily is really your best bet. As said above, the larger gauge will help, then get the drop onto your nail and let him go... And give allow carb treat.

B12 methylcobalamin (such as Zobaline) will help his legs. They don't overdose on b12, as they urinate the extra.

Try a pet fountain of your cat likes running water.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
 
Stephanie & Quintus said:
I'd like to second that. If we had looked at Quintus's BP earlier on, we might have saved him from becoming as blind as he is.
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My cat had extreme high blood pressure. It's amazing he didn't go blind. 230 was his bp. Even after amlodipine it only lowered to 180... They had to double his dose to get it to 130.
 
With the testing, I found the key is to have everything ready. I use a head lamp so my hands are free and I have plenty of light. I always test in the same place (on the counter, its a good height and where I feed him) This is what I do and my cat is not the type you see on the videos that sit for the test.
1,. Arrange meter, have strip in (not all the way so the timer starts)
2. Have lancet next to meter, I use a 28 gauge, I poke with just the lancet, I feel it gives me more control
3. Have small serving of food in bowl ready to go (don't put down yet)
4. Warm rice sock in micro (I do 20 seconds) warm, not hot, test first
5. Call kitty and let him see the food, but don't give.
6. place rice sock on ear and cuddle, talk to him whatever works
7. push strip into meter
8. put down food
9. point headlamp right on ear
10. poke with lancet
11. "milk ear" if needed
12. get sample
13. apply light pressure to both sides of ear with tissue to stop bleeding
14. apply a dab of Neosporin

Just be consistent and don't give up. Make a decision internally, that this is going to get done. Link testing with reward
 
When I test Mookie I sit on floor and slide him between my knees then pet him kiss him while I am leaning over him my knees hold him in place as he is laying belly down. I rub his ear he purrs I poke and get that drop of blood meter is beside me get the test, stop the blood on ear,kiss him and tell him how good he is and let him go. Takes me less than a minute.
 
Nan & Amber said:
Another thing this might suggest is pancreatitis. If you're planning on having them run tests, ask them to test for that as well (the Spec test, which takes longer, is better because it gives you a sense of the severity, not just a yes/no).
Click to expand...

Having just gone and am going through this, I would echo Nan & Amber with this.
Get that test for pancreatitis.

With the ear test thing, it does take time. Took me a good few weeks for my Tyler to accept the ear tests quietly. In the beginning he turned into Tyler Scissorhands. It really is more the person rather than the cat as for my husband he is still at the stage of missing tests or not getting it quite right and Ty saying nopes.
You will get there but it will feel hopeless and frustrating to start with.

For any developing neuropathy give the B12 methylcobalin . It does seem to help.
 
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