1/18 Rhubarb BG=41, 1/19 BG=45 seems off

majandra

majandra

Member Since 2018
Hello everyone, LTNS!

I just wanted to pop by to say hi, and give a quick update. I'm still visiting the forums, but am finding that I have been busy enough with work that I haven't been keeping up with everyone like I was.

Rhubarb is still doing great. She had two separate periods where a pet sitter came in while we were away for work. She had testing with the first sitter, and all was well, so I didn't have her tested the next time we left. It's nice to see she doesn't get elevated when we are away, but thankfully we are rarely away for work like that.

The only possible concern I have with Rhubarb is she is meowing after using the litter box. I have no idea why. She had started with a couple quiet meows around when I was ketone testing, and then she did it frequently while we were away with her. She doesn't seem to be in pain or have troubles emptying bladder or bowels. It's been so long since I tested her urine that I don't need a reminder meow that I can now go check the litter box. Anyone have any ideas?

I hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to be around a little more now.
 
Glad you are home safe and sound. Love that BG!

I take it Rhubarb never did this before the diabetes. Are you sure she isn't just in the habit of telling you she's doing/done her business? Menace likes clean boxes so she howls every time she makes a poopie deposit so Mom will clean it up quickly before she has to do her version of cleaning which includes digging to China and shooting any tubular material out of the box which does not impress Mom one little bit. :rolleyes:
 
I'm hoping she is meowing exactly for that reason, since I'd got into the habit of running down to check the box as soon as I heard her scratching. That really is what makes the most sense.
 
Something is off with Rhubarb. I can't shake the feeling, and DH is feeling it too.
DH asked how Rhubarb's sugars have been (just to confirm I hadn't noticed changes), and asked me to check Rhubarb's sugar this morning, cause he noticed she is weak in her hind end again and she is shedding lots. Sugars are just as good as always lately, and that was 2 hr post meal.
She had a poop today with a score of about 1.5, more amount than typical, but a bit narrower than typical (I would have thought it was a civvie poop if I hadn't seen her in the box).
We were away a lot recently for work, and she could be frazzled from that, but our civvies who are normally the affected ones are back to normal already.
On the last 2 days of pet sitter, she noticed that Rhubarb was disinterested in her food, but had eaten it all. I chocked it up to just her not liking the PC food as much as the super tasty Boreal. I *think* Rhubarb is eating fine. I'm wondering if maybe I'm not giving enough. I've been giving 5oz a day, and she usually steals what the civvies don't eat of their wet. I know that the cans say 5.5oz/ 8lb weight, but she is a senior who is not very active. She's 9.4 lbs on my scale (difference in our weights).
She seems to be grooming the one thigh more than other places.

Am I worried too much? I usually am the one to worry, but when DH notices things off, it's usually not my imagination.
On her previous labs, her potassium was barely low, but that was also prior to insulin. I don't have a copy of her urinalysis.
Would it be a waste of stress, time, and money to bring her in for a follow up? Her dental/last bloodwork was Oct 30.
 
I agree with Wendy. Better to get her checked and catch it early if anything is brewing.

As for feeding her enough food, I wouldn't rely on the manufacturer to recommend amounts. They want to make money and fat cats eat more! Take Rhubarb's ideal weight in lbs. X 13.6 + 70 to determine the number of calories she needs per day. Then check the websites, food charts or cans for the food calorie information and feed according to whether she needs to shed a bit of weight, maintain, or gain.
 
Best to have her checked. It'll drive you crazy and induce mega-guilt if you don't. Better to be safe than wish you did otherwise. Hope she's back to her beautiful self soon.
 
Thanks guys,
One thing to ask the vet would be what her ideal weight would be. When we were feeding the hills weight/glucose management, he had me feeding her the amount for 8 lbs ideal weight IIRC, which made only a little difference (partly because she'd steal the civvies kibble). I think she was 13 lbs at her heaviest, but I will ask when I'm there.

ETA- I may not be feeding her enough, if her current weight is ideal rather than 8 lbs.
 
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Sugars are still great - 2.2 mmol this morning. She ate very well.
She meowed after using the box again, and pried open the door to a tiny room that only holds plumbing. She did that while we were away too. Thinking back, she had broke into the cold storage at our family's house at Christmas too. Hiding?
We work today so only had a couple hours with her this morning. She seems ok though
 
Vines for Rhubarb. I am it is nothing serious. A check-up when things are off are never a bad idea. You never know what you could find out and head off at the pass.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Glad you are home safe and sound. Love that BG!

I take it Rhubarb never did this before the diabetes. Are you sure she isn't just in the habit of telling you she's doing/done her business? Menace likes clean boxes so she howls every time she makes a poopie deposit so Mom will clean it up quickly before she has to do her version of cleaning which includes digging to China and shooting any tubular material out of the box which does not impress Mom one little bit. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
UGH. Gio likes to dig to China as well.

Sometimes Max starts to walk around and yowl after he uses the box, but don't think anything is wrong with him. Tests have said hes ok so far. He's just talking about his experience I guess.
 
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