Ana & Frosty (GA)
Member Since 2018
Last post http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/9-11-frosty-restrictive-cardiomyopathy.202987/
Sorry for no posts over the last few days. I just didn't feel like typing all this up, but I do feel like I owe you guys an update. You all have been very supportive of this whole thing. Sometimes when I am upset I don't feel like talking (or doing anything). I've been sleeping a lot, although I did go to work and tried to be as productive as I could. Thankfully, my whole practice is great and supportive as well, so it actually felt nice to be at work at times.
We brought Frosty home on Tuesday, and he was really out of it still and not himself. I would say he slightly improved over the last 4 days, but he is still not back to his baseline. His appetite is slowly improving, but he is slowly grazing throughout the day. I've been giving him FF, tuna, some dry food, and even some of my own food - he usually takes a few mouth fulls and then refuses.
We went to see Dr. Pintar, the other IM doctor since dr. Demarco is away. He definitely wasn't thrilled to see him and kept saying we should follow up with Dr. Demarco who really knows him. He did check his K and Cr, and also used the ultrasound to check for fluid in his abdomen and chest. I told him I thought Frosty definitely still had fluid in the abdomen, and he brushed it off and said he doesn't feel any on exam. Then when he came back, he's like "oh yeah, you were right, he does have fluid in his belly." No ****, Sherlock. As if I don't know my cat.
His K was really low still, 2.2. I think it's because it was already low and then they added Lasix. He's getting his renal K, which I think gives 3 meq twice a day, but I was having difficulty giving it to him because it's a gel and he kept spitting it out. By the end of it, it would be all over his face and paws, floor, and my hands, so I don't know how much he was actually getting. I told the doctor about that and he said, "try diluting it with water and putting it in a syringe." I know someone on here mentioned feeding syringes - would those work for a gel? Where can I get them?
His Cr was 2 on the iSTAT (upped end of normal 2.2), which we both were RELIEVED about. He said he was worried it could be higher, as was I. So I think SO FAR this kidneys are tolerating this regimen of lasix. He said that ultimately, he may be able to come off Lasix, since before he got all this fluids he didn't need it, so he was compensating for his heart problems on his own (which is what I was asking our local vet about), but he felt that right now due to the fluid in the abdomen, he still needs it. He didn't have any fluid in his chest though, which is great, and explains the improved breathing.
He also said Frosty shouldn't be on Lasix without an ACE inhibitor long term. (I think there's studies on improved survival for CHF with lasix and ace inhibitor, and also it helps with kidney function, at least in people). He said that although the ACEI interacts with Vetoryl, they do have dogs on both. The concerning side effect is high potassium.... but Frosty's is like, dangerously low, so I told him I am comfortable trying it, especially since he still isn't getting his Vetoryl right now. So he prescribed benazepril once a day.
He told us to call our regular IM vet on Monday when she is back, and to see a cardiologist.I made the cardiology appt for next Saturday (22nd). I am not sure if that is too soon since we just started treatment on Monday, and benazepril was just added Thursday, but I will ask Dr. Demarco on Monday when I call her.
Insulin-wise, I increased his dose to 1.5u (he was on 2 before all this stuff happened) since he has been eating more, but still not back to his normal intake. I've been testing pretty much only pre shot sugars, and I am honestly not worried about it at all. As long as he's under 500 at pre shot, he's fine. Diabetes is like the least of his problems.
I also decided that since I am spending thousands of dollars on all of this, we need to save somewhere, so we will be switching to Relion Confirm meter when he's done with the AlphaTrack2 test strips. I really don't like that meter, but I can't be speeding $200/month on strips given that I currently have $4600 on my care credit card for Frosty, and he is gonna be seeing another doctor next week. I think at this point, his glucose control is not as important as his other issues, so the cheaper meter will do. I bought 100 strips at Walmart last week.
I really wish he would eat, because getting him to take the cardiac meds is painful. He looks so sad, and now that he is more alert he keeps spitting out the pills and it's really a struggle. He's not strong enough to run away or really hurt me at this point, but I just wish he would eat so I could put them in his food. That is the worst part of the day.
I didn't give him his cerenia yesterday because I usually give it before bed since he takes so many meds at night, but I fell asleep. I am not sure if he needs it, and I would really love to cut down on some of the medication because as I said it's a horrible process. Not sure whether or not to give it tonight. He hasn't thrown up and has been eating a little here and there. I guess I'll discuss this with Dr. Demarco.
The doctor told me theres a powder form of potassium too so maybe once he starts eating I could try sprinkling that on his food, since he probably developed an eversion to the gel taste/smell since it's being forced on him. It's also possible he may not need it once he starts eating better, or once we add the Vetoryl in. I wish there was a home potassium test! That would make our lives a lot easier.
So that's where we are. Thanks again, everyone, for all your support.
Sorry for no posts over the last few days. I just didn't feel like typing all this up, but I do feel like I owe you guys an update. You all have been very supportive of this whole thing. Sometimes when I am upset I don't feel like talking (or doing anything). I've been sleeping a lot, although I did go to work and tried to be as productive as I could. Thankfully, my whole practice is great and supportive as well, so it actually felt nice to be at work at times.
We brought Frosty home on Tuesday, and he was really out of it still and not himself. I would say he slightly improved over the last 4 days, but he is still not back to his baseline. His appetite is slowly improving, but he is slowly grazing throughout the day. I've been giving him FF, tuna, some dry food, and even some of my own food - he usually takes a few mouth fulls and then refuses.
We went to see Dr. Pintar, the other IM doctor since dr. Demarco is away. He definitely wasn't thrilled to see him and kept saying we should follow up with Dr. Demarco who really knows him. He did check his K and Cr, and also used the ultrasound to check for fluid in his abdomen and chest. I told him I thought Frosty definitely still had fluid in the abdomen, and he brushed it off and said he doesn't feel any on exam. Then when he came back, he's like "oh yeah, you were right, he does have fluid in his belly." No ****, Sherlock. As if I don't know my cat.
His K was really low still, 2.2. I think it's because it was already low and then they added Lasix. He's getting his renal K, which I think gives 3 meq twice a day, but I was having difficulty giving it to him because it's a gel and he kept spitting it out. By the end of it, it would be all over his face and paws, floor, and my hands, so I don't know how much he was actually getting. I told the doctor about that and he said, "try diluting it with water and putting it in a syringe." I know someone on here mentioned feeding syringes - would those work for a gel? Where can I get them?
His Cr was 2 on the iSTAT (upped end of normal 2.2), which we both were RELIEVED about. He said he was worried it could be higher, as was I. So I think SO FAR this kidneys are tolerating this regimen of lasix. He said that ultimately, he may be able to come off Lasix, since before he got all this fluids he didn't need it, so he was compensating for his heart problems on his own (which is what I was asking our local vet about), but he felt that right now due to the fluid in the abdomen, he still needs it. He didn't have any fluid in his chest though, which is great, and explains the improved breathing.
He also said Frosty shouldn't be on Lasix without an ACE inhibitor long term. (I think there's studies on improved survival for CHF with lasix and ace inhibitor, and also it helps with kidney function, at least in people). He said that although the ACEI interacts with Vetoryl, they do have dogs on both. The concerning side effect is high potassium.... but Frosty's is like, dangerously low, so I told him I am comfortable trying it, especially since he still isn't getting his Vetoryl right now. So he prescribed benazepril once a day.
He told us to call our regular IM vet on Monday when she is back, and to see a cardiologist.I made the cardiology appt for next Saturday (22nd). I am not sure if that is too soon since we just started treatment on Monday, and benazepril was just added Thursday, but I will ask Dr. Demarco on Monday when I call her.
Insulin-wise, I increased his dose to 1.5u (he was on 2 before all this stuff happened) since he has been eating more, but still not back to his normal intake. I've been testing pretty much only pre shot sugars, and I am honestly not worried about it at all. As long as he's under 500 at pre shot, he's fine. Diabetes is like the least of his problems.
I also decided that since I am spending thousands of dollars on all of this, we need to save somewhere, so we will be switching to Relion Confirm meter when he's done with the AlphaTrack2 test strips. I really don't like that meter, but I can't be speeding $200/month on strips given that I currently have $4600 on my care credit card for Frosty, and he is gonna be seeing another doctor next week. I think at this point, his glucose control is not as important as his other issues, so the cheaper meter will do. I bought 100 strips at Walmart last week.
I really wish he would eat, because getting him to take the cardiac meds is painful. He looks so sad, and now that he is more alert he keeps spitting out the pills and it's really a struggle. He's not strong enough to run away or really hurt me at this point, but I just wish he would eat so I could put them in his food. That is the worst part of the day.
I didn't give him his cerenia yesterday because I usually give it before bed since he takes so many meds at night, but I fell asleep. I am not sure if he needs it, and I would really love to cut down on some of the medication because as I said it's a horrible process. Not sure whether or not to give it tonight. He hasn't thrown up and has been eating a little here and there. I guess I'll discuss this with Dr. Demarco.
The doctor told me theres a powder form of potassium too so maybe once he starts eating I could try sprinkling that on his food, since he probably developed an eversion to the gel taste/smell since it's being forced on him. It's also possible he may not need it once he starts eating better, or once we add the Vetoryl in. I wish there was a home potassium test! That would make our lives a lot easier.
So that's where we are. Thanks again, everyone, for all your support.
Attachments
Last edited:
poor guy
. Big hugs your way 
