6/10 Snuggie: PMPS 336; +3.5 422 ((AMPS 397; +6 349 (vet appt update)

Hi all! Thanks for the good vet vibes! They worked :cat:

Kidneys: BUN 81.9 (down from low 100s); CREA 3.0 (down from 3.2). Potassium is 4.1 which is the best we've seen since his crash in Feb.
Calcium: 10.4 so within normal range of the vet's machine, but not sure good enough for Duralactin. HCT is low end of normal - so we are going to keep an eye on that. I'll fill out his lab tab on his SS later - gotta get to work :nailbiting:

Acro/IAA blood drawn and will be sent to the UMich lab. We should have results in 10 days since i heard they only run these tests on Wednesdays.

Antibiotic: He is waiting to hear back if Orbax can be compunded (or anything else that effectively treats E. coli in UTIs - Baytril and something else. He said if we need to stay on Orbax and his BGs are higher temporarily, he's not too concerned as long as it's temporary. He said the fact that Snuggie is gaining and maintaining weight is a good sign. I'm just not sure when we would be able to get the new AB, so am not quite sure what to do with Insulin dose considering that, and the timing of my trip...

Pain: Snuggie did great after 3 days on metacam but a week later is again taking his time when when he sits/lays, and is groan-purring - so i am thinking he's a little stiff. Vet said he understands my concern over metacam but he may be lethargic on bupe, and of course we can't do steroids. We got VetriScience GlycoFlex treats and he suggested an every-3-day routine with the lowest effective dose of metacam - he suggested give full dose (0.3 mL of the 1.5 mg/mL strength) on Day 1, then 3 days later 3/4 dose, then 3 days later half dose, then reduce to 1/3 dose or maybe 1/4 dose if it's still effective.

So - we will go back for another culture/sensitivity a week or so after he finishes his antibiotic, and i'll get bloodwork done then again too to check on his HCT levels. Overall i'm happy - Snuggie seems happy, alert, and interactive at home, even if he's not as snuggly as he used to be, so i feel all of this is worth it :)

Thanks all for the support here! :bighug:
 
Oh Jill this is a good report, It just breaks my heart when I hear a kitty is in pain.
I hope you can get a different antibiotic soon.
Give Snuggie a big kiss for me ♥:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Sounds like a mostly good vet report. In better numbers he will be less dehydrated so better kidney numbers. They aren’t necessarily lethargic on bupe. Neko was actually more active with her pain controlled. There is a range of bupe dosing, based on weight of cat. Another one of the things that needs some trial and error.
 
Glad you're feeling good about the results and that Snuggie seems well! We'll be waiting for the report back on acro/IAA and crossing paws. All info is good info, right? Because then you can act on it.

I'm curious about the Orbax - is Snuggie on the pills or liquid? Minnie is back on the liquid (she loves that stuff, thank goodness) but I didn't know it caused increased BG so I'm interested in hearing more. I was thinking her higher numbers likely due to the UTI.
 
Sounds like a very encouraging lab report, Jill. I am happy for both of you and I admire your tenacity in making sure Snuggie is on the right meds for his diabetes.
 
aww thanks so much, everyone! :bighug::bighug::bighug: I appreciate all the kind words. It sure has been - and continues to be - a rollercoaster!

The pharmacy can compound enrofloxacin (Baytril) into a beef, chicken, or tuna flavored, non-sweetened liquid. Vet said he's aware of standard dosing for cats and the rare side effect of blindness. He knew I'd research it and I have and I feel good about it - any other thoughts?

If we go this route, it would be early next week before we could get it in-hand so would stay on Orbax until then. So, for insulin dosing, we are going to 7u tonight. With how high his numbers are, I'm not too concerned about hypo and I can modify plans for the weekend if needed.

Once we get the new meds, we will keep him at 7u to see what happens... It'll be next week so i'll be around to monitor him. Vet is also curious if the Orbax is what is driving up BG numbers (and complimented my home testing, yay)- so @Liz & Minnie stay tuned to my posts and SS! Yes it is liquid and i tasted it and it IS sweet... (I'm sorry to hear Minnie is back on it, but at least she likes it! I too was thinking the infection was driving up BG but he's been in almost all pink/red since we started this round.)

So, looks like i'm in "scientific experiment" mode :joyful: It will certainly be interesting esp. once we get the acro/IAA tests back!
 
Jill - I may be reaching here, but just wanted to tell you canine Adequan is wonderful for kitty arthritis and spinal problems. We were able to get off Metacam and half Tina's gabapentin dose after a couple months of Adequan treatment (subQ /no need for intramuscular in cats) It's for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease). It's been used with success in cats for over 10 years, although still just FDA approved for dogs and horses. Thankfully the third vet I asked, encouraged it's use, and I'm so grateful.
Snuggie is such a beautiful red kitty!!!
 
science-cat.jpg

Let the testing begin!
 
Tina Marie and Jan said:
Jill - I may be reaching here, but just wanted to tell you canine Adequan is wonderful for kitty arthritis and spinal problems. We were able to get off Metacam and half Tina's gabapentin dose after a couple months of Adequan treatment (subQ /no need for intramuscular in cats) It's for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease). It's been used with success in cats for over 10 years, although still just FDA approved for dogs and horses. Thankfully the third vet I asked, encouraged it's use, and I'm so grateful.
Snuggie is such a beautiful red kitty!!!
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Oh thank you! I can always use more ideas and I know my vet works WITH us and is willing to try new things. I’m going to se how he does on the glycoflex chews before even considering more pain meds - but glad to know this is a potential option! Thanks!
 
Jay Dee said:
Stayed at 6.5 last night and this am; going to ask about a different antibiotic

acro and IAA bloodwork being drawn & sent today

kidney values being checked

asking about arthritis and pain meds suitable for CKD altho he seems to not be in as much pain now.

I’ll report back!

Yesterday: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/6-9-snuggie-pmps-399-amps-434-4-378.248409/#post-2801991
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Jill, why are you going to ask for a different antibiotic. I thought the orbax was working well for Snuggie? What's up. I hope he's doing okay.
 
Hi Jill! I'm very encouraged by Snuggie's better kidney values. Congratulations. I wish Darcy's would improve as well. Seems like I can't get them to stay down. Hugs to Snuggie!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Jill, why are you going to ask for a different antibiotic. I thought the orbax was working well for Snuggie? What's up. I hope he's doing okay.
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Suzanne - his BGs went way up once we started it. It works great but if there’s something that works just as well but doesn’t spike his BG that would be ideal. Paws crossed!

and thanks for the yay for Kidney values... maybe we can compare what we are doing and what might be working for whom? His phos went up so I’m frustrated by that ... sigh.
 
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