Questions with Buster's glucose curve -- ProZinc dosing

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Any ideas? I'm back up to 2.5 units, but he's a steady red/pink throughout the day and night, and has been for over a week now.

I'm strongly considering getting a new bottle of Prozinc on Monday. It's 2 months old. Last time I switched to a new bottle, his numbers improved significantly.
 
I think you should raise the dose to 2.75u and hold that for a period of 3 days (6 cycles) and then re-evaluate. Sometimes our kitties go up and down in dose and it appears Buster needs more insulin right now. How is Buster feeling? When is the last time you had the vet check his teeth? Tooth issues are notorious for causing higher BG.
 
Thanks @MrWorfMen's Mom ! I'm upping his dose right now.

I feel that he's been emotionally a bit depressed--probably following my lead as I deal with grief over my Dad. Also, we were a couple weeks being out of the house a lot--usually we're home.

The last two days I'm easing back into my routine, and spending lots of time with him, playing with his toys on the floor (he loves games that mimic hunting) and having him sit on my desk getting cuddles while I work at the computer. He seems happier. He "asked" my husband to walk him on the leash a bit outside this afternoon, which he hasn't done for weeks. I hope this helps his BG numbers!

Physically, he's eating well--cleaning his bowl as usual, using his litter box as usual, and doesn't seem in any pain. It's funny you ask about the dental issues though...I spent the afternoon internet-searching this. Buster's teeth look okay (I visually check him), but his breath isn't great. It's better than it was a few days ago, maybe because I was sort of "brushing" his teeth a bit with a makeshift toothbrush. It's a tiny bit "mucous-y" but after I "brushed" it was better.

When he was brought in for rescue, they checked his teeth and said they were fine. Until my research today, I'd never heard of a cat dental cleaning! Buster is due for his comprehensive vet appointment in two months (his yearly check-up)...I was thinking of waiting until then to ask the vet about this. But honestly, I'm really, really leery about the general anesthesia that's required (*I* don't due well under general anesthesia!)

Okay, I'm late...got to give him his insulin now! :-O
 
Our kitties do indeed pick up on our moods and with the usual routine disrupted, that may have been playing a role in the numbers. So sorry to hear about your Dad. Sounds like Buster might be feeling better if he is asking for attention With things starting to get back to normal, hopefully he'll continue to perk up and his numbers will improve.

Bad breath can be a sign of dental issues and some dental issues just don't show up on visual inspection...an xray is needed. Lots of kitties have dentals and with the drugs they use in vet medicine these days, it's pretty safe. Not that I don't understand the apprehension. We all go through that but as long as they are monitoring kitty during the procedure, there is little risk of a problem. Better to nip those dental issues early. He could just have gingivitis or he could have something more sinister brewing like an abscess so it would be worth getting him looked at.
 
Cat dental care is so important. You would be surprised how much dental issues can impact their overall health. I hate it every time I have to leave one of my girls for a dental procedure/anesthesia, but I do it because I know the value. Some cats are prone to tooth resorption which can cause a lot of pain (that they are so good at hiding) and can lead to infections, so x-rays are very important.
 
I'm really grateful for the help, @FurBabiesMama and @MrWorfMen's Mom ! I checked my vet's website...he does feline dental. Tomorrow morning I'm making an appointment to get X-rays for Buster.

"Some cats are prone to tooth resorption which can cause a lot of pain (that they are so good at hiding) and can lead to infections, so x-rays are very important."

Wow--I just looked up "tooth resorption." That is scary! I had no idea. :eek:
 
I suggest asking your vet about the dental cleaning. Hopefully, the vet will say that they always do bloodwork a few days in advance and that they do x-rays as part of the procedure. If they do not do those things, I would go elsewhere for the dental cleaning.

You said your cat is due for his annual exam in two months. It's a good idea to do that before the dental since that should include bloodwork as well as a full lookover. Just a thought... maybe consider/speak with your vet about bumping up the annual exam up, maybe schedule it in January, then you can schedule the dental shortly thereafter. (February is pet dental month and some vet's offer discounts on dental procedures that month. So, if that is something that would help you, maybe ask about that, and if your vet does this, schedule for very beginning of Feb.)
 
FurBabiesMama said:
I suggest asking your vet about the dental cleaning. Hopefully, the vet will say that they always do bloodwork a few days in advance and that they do x-rays as part of the procedure. If they do not do those things, I would go elsewhere for the dental cleaning.

You said your cat is due for his annual exam in two months. It's a good idea to do that before the dental since that should include bloodwork as well as a full lookover. Just a thought... maybe consider/speak with your vet about bumping up the annual exam up, maybe schedule it in January, then you can schedule the dental shortly thereafter. (February is pet dental month and some vet's offer discounts on dental procedures that month. So, if that is something that would help you, maybe ask about that, and if your vet does this, schedule for very beginning of Feb.)
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Thank you so much for the advice!!

I called the vet's office this morning and got an appointment for the first day Buster's vet is in next--Tuesday the 17th. I told her Buster's symptoms and that I was concerned about a dental issue. I asked about dental X-rays as part of the appointment.

The receptionist told me that while they do "dental work," they "don't do dental X-rays." This exam on Tuesday "will be visual." [Note: I know they have an X-ray machine there--they did a stomach X-ray on him once. Maybe a dental X-ray machine is different?]

I'm bringing my BG spreadsheet with me on Tuesday, and I'll use the opportunity to get a fresh vial of ProZinc. I'll also make sure we get his annual exam and bloodwork moved up and scheduled for January. If my vet really doesn't do dental X-rays as part of their dental services, then I'll see if I can get a referral to a dental specialist.

Question: When you say "schedule the dental," does that specifically mean just an oral exam and X-rays under anesthesia? And then, depending upon what shows up on the X-rays, a further treatment plan for a later date would be made from there? Or does "schedule the dental" mean scheduling an oral exam, X-rays under anesthesia, AND cleaning under anesthesia, all in one appointment?

I'm trying to figure out exactly what I need to ask for on Tuesday. :-) I find that the more prepared I am, the better for Buster!
 
Generally, the vet will do a visual to determine if a cleaning is needed, if there is any gingivitis or any other visually apparent issues that need treatment. Bloodwork is usually done with a week or 2 of a scheduled dental procedure (annual exam bloodwork would cover it all). At the time of the dental procedure, xrays are taken under anaesthetic to determine if there is anything else going on that wasn't noted on the visual exam. When you get a visual exam, they will give you an idea of what needs to be done along with an estimate of cost with the caveat that costs could change if other issues are found. Xrays are done under anaesthesia so they won't be done at the time of your appt. on the 17th. You just need to know if they do xrays as part of the dental procedure.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Generally, the vet will do a visual to determine if a cleaning is needed, if there is any gingivitis or any other visually apparent issues that need treatment. Bloodwork is usually done with a week or 2 of a scheduled dental procedure (annual exam bloodwork would cover it all). At the time of the dental procedure, xrays are taken under anaesthetic to determine if there is anything else going on that wasn't noted on the visual exam. When you get a visual exam, they will give you an idea of what needs to be done along with an estimate of cost with the caveat that costs could change if other issues are found. Xrays are done under anaesthesia so they won't be done at the time of your appt. on the 17th. You just need to know if they do xrays as part of the dental procedure.
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Okay, thank you, that answers my question. I think I understand the process now.

In the meantime, I have Buster 3 cycles in at his new, increased insulin dose. This last PMPS was 346...not great, but the lowest pre-shot test in 8 days...
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I think you should raise the dose to 2.75u and hold that for a period of 3 days (6 cycles) and then re-evaluate. Sometimes our kitties go up and down in dose and it appears Buster needs more insulin right now. How is Buster feeling? When is the last time you had the vet check his teeth? Tooth issues are notorious for causing higher BG.
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It's been 6 cycles now. He's still high. :-( Should I raise him to 3 units tonight or wait until after his dental evaluation visit tomorrow afternoon?
 
Yes I'd increase the dose to 3u tonight and hold again for 6 cycles. No need to wait for the dental evaluation. BG needs to come down no matter what and I doubt the dental procedure if deemed necessary, will be booked immediately. :)
 
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