4/7 Fred PMPS 476, +3 321

[Purrberry]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...0-5-350-11-199-amps-186-advice-needed.245801/

Ah, I knew we'd pay for that lovely day in blues yesterday! Fred's numbers are always great when he vomits.

Fred was a good amount better today. He was actually all over me during the night, wanting food. So that was a good sign...except I also knew it would mean higher numbers. *sigh*

Mobile vet visit today. Fred received a Cerenia injection and some fluids. She did not perceive any pain on abdominal palpitation, which was good. She said he was very relaxed and not tensing up at all. Took some blood for labs, including fPLI, so we'll see what they say. I keep a hawk's eye on his kidneys as well. He has lost a bit more weight, which is due to unregulated diabetes, the new lower carb diet, or a combo of both. I'm thinking the latter.

She also discussed maybe switching him to Vetsulin, given his bouncing. I'm really not in favor of that at this time. I feel like we've worked so hard with Lantus, and I do think he needs the longer acting insulin. I want to do whatever's best for him, but right now, I'm not sure that's Vetsulin. She self admits to not having many diabetic patients, so I'm taking it with a grain of salt.

 

[JaxBenji]

Sorry about the higher numbers but glad the vet visit seemed to go okay Hope Fred is feeling a bit better today

For weight, have you thought about a baby scale? Perhaps you already have one, but I like keeping up with my kitty's weight at home for peace of mind. Salter baby scale is recommended a lot on here - I personally have the Beurer one since it had a flat base (and lower price point helps too).

And FWIW, I understand vetsulin to be very harsh, especially for kitties (drops them fast and hard). Perhaps others will comment on it but in my (short) time here, I've seen people mostly come from vetsulin to lantus (not the reverse).

Hope you have a good evening

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Break that bounce, Fred! You can do it. I hope poor Fred is feeling better today.

If the diabetes is causing the weight loss, keep in mind that unregulated diabetics need more calories as their body doesn't process food as efficiently. Somewhere as much as 1.5x-2x more is what I've heard people say on here. So if Fred will eat, maybe you want to give him a little extra, especially if he doesn't need to lose weight.

I agree with you. It's not Vetsulin. That seems like a step back to me. Butters was started on it, and sure, she went from like 450 down to 70 then back up to 400 all in a single 12-hour cycle, and this was happening all of the time. The quick drops like that are super scary and they aren't really getting her body used to being in lower numbers, which is one of the things that needs to happen in order for a kitty to flatten out and have lower numbers more often.

It took me four months of doing TR with Butters on Lantus before she stopped the bouncing. It probably would have taken her longer to get there if I had done SLGS. ECID, of course. Some kitties keep on bouncing but still have longer stretches of lower numbers in between.

Also, I'm in Canada, and the name for Vetsulin here is "Caninsulin"...as in, Canine (woof). Vetsulin/Caninsulin is a dog insulin. Great for dogs, not so much for cats.

Post the labs when you get them if you want, or let us know the results. There is even a tab in your spreadsheet where you can enter the values.

 

[Purrberry]

For weight, have you thought about a baby scale?

Good morning,

Yes, I've had one for years. They're great to have at home for reference.

So if Fred will eat, maybe you want to give him a little extra, especially if he doesn't need to lose weight.

I have indeed been giving him extra...and of course Miss Sadie wants in on the action! But as I'm trying to wean Fred off dry as much as possible, he then gets more of his raw. That would be good, but it's always made with raw chicken. He will not eat a single commercial cat food I've ever tried. (and I've tried!) So sometimes, I'm afraid I'm over-chickening him. @Butters & Lyla .... do I recall seeing somewhere that you use pork as a protein? I did try that out once, and they both liked it. But I have such a fear of pseudorabies. I know it's been eradicated in commercial herds, but I'm paranoid. ;-)

And as for Vetsulin, yes, I'm in total agreement. I even asked the mobile vet if Vetsulin was Cannisulin, and she said no. So I'm thinking....not as up to date on diabetes. That's OK. I have my vet and this board, and she's great for coming to the house, as Fred freaks at travel.

It took me four months of doing TR with Butters on Lantus before she stopped the bouncing. It probably would have taken her longer to get there if I had done SLGS. ECID, of course. Some kitties keep on bouncing but still have longer stretches of lower numbers in between.

Your spreadsheet is Fred's goal! But I really despair of getting there. We just went up to 6 u this morning. I keep hoping the new dose will be the magic dose.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I hope Fred feels all the way better soon! We used Vetsulin (same as Caninsulin ... re-branded) at first in my Darcy. It didn't last more than about 6 hours in him... very short acting.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

@Butters & Lyla .... do I recall seeing somewhere that you use pork as a protein? I did try that out once, and they both liked it. But I have such a fear of pseudorabies. I know it's been eradicated in commercial herds, but I'm paranoid. ;-)

You're right. I do feed raw pork and Butters loves it. To me, the benefits outweigh the risks. It's nice to have another option that isn't poultry....although the premix I add to the raw does contain chicken liver, sooooo....she is still getting a chicken product at every meal.
Pseudorabies has been eradicated in commercial herds here, too.

Some reading for anyone who is lurking and interested.
https://tcfeline.com/pork/
https://www.foodfurlife.com/can-our-pets-eat-raw-pork.html#/