PLEASE LOOK AT RAYMOND SS

[Lee cuzz]

No rhyme or reason. High guy. No matter what I feed or what unit of insulin. On the third insulin. I'm sure he has acromegaly, insulin resistant. Unfortunately, don't have the money for tests. Did a mini curve, same high. On 8 units of basaglar. Constant diarrhea. Forti flora, no, pumpkin helps somewhat. W/D multi benefit can was great for fiber but too high in carbs? Due to high BG, what can I feed him that is low carb, high fiber. Last two vets, not too helpful, as you know. Been racking my brain for eight months. I know, some have a lot worse.. Thanks a million....

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Hi Lee,

Sorry Raymond isn't well and still hyperglycemic.

Regarding his diarrhea, there are inexpensive ways of managing it without resorting to high carb, high fiber food. It involves a single-strain probiotic called S. boulardii and a fiber/pre-biotic called slippery elm bark. Both can be found in health food stores. I have given this to my sugar kitty and it does not affect BG levels. Here is a good site to go to for resolving diarrhea with these tools:
https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/

Once the diarrhea is resolved, you might want to think about putting him on a multi-strain probiotic to help with digestive issues. Sadly I think the diarrhea could also be linked to his chronic hyperglycemia. Do you have Ketodiastix to test for ketones?

Secondly, there are lots of high dose kitties here, so perhaps some of the CGs who have experience with this can help you come up with a solution without resorting to the costly tests. Tagging a few off the top of my head: @Wendy&Neko @FrostD @Pamela & Amethyst @Olive & Paula.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Katherine provided great advice. The site she linked is also a great resource. I have a kitty with IBD and S. boulardii works well. The two brands that you can order on-line are either ReNew (Amazon carries this) or Jarrow's (S. boulardii + MOS). You want to start out with about 1/4 of a capsule and begin to increase as you need to. Also, FortiFlora is not a particularly good probiotic. It tends to do more to entice a cat to eat than it does help with GI issues.

W/D is high in carbs. You can always add fiber to Raymond's food. Pumpkin or baby food squash are options. Some people will use psyllium husk. I tend to think if the S. boulardii works, what you're doing will be fine.

If you decide to save up for the tests, that's fine. Knowing for sure what's going on is more reassuring to us that it will be to Raymond. He's going to be the same lovable kitty regardless. What many people do is follow TR so they can increase the dose more rapidly. If this is insulin resistance, it is a time limited condition. Once you break through the resistance, numbers get better. With acromegaly, the tumor pulses so there are times wen numbers are high and then they can drop. Treatment for acro is expensive. I'm sure Wendy can give you much more first hand experience. What I would urge you to keep in mind is that Raymond is much more than his numbers. As long has he's feeling good, that's what matters.

 

[Lee cuzz]

Hi Lee,

Sorry Raymond isn't well and still hyperglycemic.

Regarding his diarrhea, there are inexpensive ways of managing it without resorting to high carb, high fiber food. It involves a single-strain probiotic called S. boulardii and a fiber/pre-biotic called slippery elm bark. Both can be found in health food stores. I have given this to my sugar kitty and it does not affect BG levels. Here is a good site to go to for resolving diarrhea with these tools:
https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/

Once the diarrhea is resolved, you might want to think about putting him on a multi-strain probiotic to help with digestive issues. Sadly I think the diarrhea could also be linked to his chronic hyperglycemia. Do you have Ketodiastix to test for ketones?

Secondly, there are lots of high dose kitties here, so perhaps some of the CGs who have experience with this can help you come up with a solution without resorting to the costly tests. Tagging a few off the top of my head: @Wendy&Neko @FrostD @Pamela & Amethyst @Olive & Paula.

Gr

Katherine provided great advice. The site she linked is also a great resource. I have a kitty with IBD and S. boulardii works well. The two brands that you can order on-line are either ReNew (Amazon carries this) or Jarrow's (S. boulardii + MOS). You want to start out with about 1/4 of a capsule and begin to increase as you need to. Also, FortiFlora is not a particularly good probiotic. It tends to do more to entice a cat to eat than it does help with GI issues.

W/D is high in carbs. You can always add fiber to Raymond's food. Pumpkin or baby food squash are options. Some people will use psyllium husk. I tend to think if the S. boulardii works, what you're doing will be fine.

If you decide to save up for the tests, that's fine. Knowing for sure what's going on is more reassuring to us that it will be to Raymond. He's going to be the same lovable kitty regardless. What many people do is follow TR so they can increase the dose more rapidly. If this is insulin resistance, it is a time limited condition. Once you break through the resistance, numbers get better. With acromegaly, the tumor pulses so there are times wen numbers are high and then they can drop. Treatment for acro is expensive. I'm sure Wendy can give you much more first hand experience. What I would urge you to keep in mind is that Raymond is much more than his numbers. As long has he's feeling good, that's what matters.

Great read, thanks, Chris, admid. mentioned S. Boulardii. Slippery elm bark powder, will try both. Raymond James has soft stool. Always on his long haired butt. Thank you..

 

[Lee cuzz]

Hi Lee,

Sorry Raymond isn't well and still hyperglycemic.

Regarding his diarrhea, there are inexpensive ways of managing it without resorting to high carb, high fiber food. It involves a single-strain probiotic called S. boulardii and a fiber/pre-biotic called slippery elm bark. Both can be found in health food stores. I have given this to my sugar kitty and it does not affect BG levels. Here is a good site to go to for resolving diarrhea with these tools:
https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/

Once the diarrhea is resolved, you might want to think about putting him on a multi-strain probiotic to help with digestive issues. Sadly I think the diarrhea could also be linked to his chronic hyperglycemia. Do you have Ketodiastix to test for ketones?

Secondly, there are lots of high dose kitties here, so perhaps some of the CGs who have experience with this can help you come up with a solution without resorting to the costly tests. Tagging a few off the top of my head: @Wendy&Neko @FrostD @Pamela & Amethyst @Olive & Paula.

Thank you. As you all know, we get so close to our sugar babies...

 

[Lee cuzz]

Katherine provided great advice. The site she linked is also a great resource. I have a kitty with IBD and S. boulardii works well. The two brands that you can order on-line are either ReNew (Amazon carries this) or Jarrow's (S. boulardii + MOS). You want to start out with about 1/4 of a capsule and begin to increase as you need to. Also, FortiFlora is not a particularly good probiotic. It tends to do more to entice a cat to eat than it does help with GI issues.

W/D is high in carbs. You can always add fiber to Raymond's food. Pumpkin or baby food squash are options. Some people will use psyllium husk. I tend to think if the S. boulardii works, what you're doing will be fine.

If you decide to save up for the tests, that's fine. Knowing for sure what's going on is more reassuring to us that it will be to Raymond. He's going to be the same lovable kitty regardless. What many people do is follow TR so they can increase the dose more rapidly. If this is insulin resistance, it is a time limited condition. Once you break through the resistance, numbers get better. With acromegaly, the tumor pulses so there are times wen numbers are high and then they can drop. Treatment for acro is expensive. I'm sure Wendy can give you much more first hand experience. What I would urge you to keep in mind is that Raymond is much more than his numbers. As long has he's feeling good, that's what matters.

Thank you. I'm fortunate he is still eating well....!!!

 

[Lee cuzz]

Hi Lee,

Sorry Raymond isn't well and still hyperglycemic.

Regarding his diarrhea, there are inexpensive ways of managing it without resorting to high carb, high fiber food. It involves a single-strain probiotic called S. boulardii and a fiber/pre-biotic called slippery elm bark. Both can be found in health food stores. I have given this to my sugar kitty and it does not affect BG levels. Here is a good site to go to for resolving diarrhea with these tools:
https://www.foodfurlife.com/my-cat-has-diarrhea---what-do-i-do.html#/

Once the diarrhea is resolved, you might want to think about putting him on a multi-strain probiotic to help with digestive issues. Sadly I think the diarrhea could also be linked to his chronic hyperglycemia. Do you have Ketodiastix to test for ketones?

Secondly, there are lots of high dose kitties here, so perhaps some of the CGs who have experience with this can help you come up with a solution without resorting to the costly tests. Tagging a few off the top of my head: @Wendy&Neko @FrostD @Pamela & Amethyst @Olive & Paula.

Keytone meter, 1.3, 6-23. Guess we're lucky on that aspect...

 

[Olive & Paula]

I really can't add anything more. I think you should check ketones more often. At least once a day until glucose starts coming down. It bears watching closely.

I used psyllium husk, though Ollie didn't have diarrhea, she needed fiber in order to poop. I used Metamucil, there are different varieties of it so read labels carefully. Psyllium husk should be only ingredient.

Also used Renew probiotic as she was on abs often at the end.

I did hygiene clips on her butt because of her long fur.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I'm sure he has acromegaly, insulin resistant.

What makes you say that? I have seen cat on high carb dry food go down to much smaller doses when switched to lower carb food. What is he eating now? Diarrhea can also be cause by food allergies, so it'd be good to know manufacturer and protein you are feeding if not just W/D. Any low carb wet food can be made higher fibre with the addition of fibre such as suggestions others have made.

You won't see much difference between Lantus and Basaglar, I wouldn't call them two different insulins. If he really does need higher doses, Levemir would be the insulin I'd suggest. Lantus (and it's biosimilars) have an acid base that can sting at higher doses. Levemir is a very similar action (later onset and nadir though) and seems to work well with higher dosed cats.

Not all treatments for acromegaly are expensive. There is one, called cabergoline that is a daily med, that seems to help symptoms. However, I wouldn't suggest or give it unless you had a solid diagnosis. The money you save by switching him to a commercial food instead of W/D will help pay for the tests.

 

[Lee cuzz]

What makes you say that? I have seen cat on high carb dry food go down to much smaller doses when switched to lower carb food. What is he eating now? Diarrhea can also be cause by food allergies, so it'd be good to know manufacturer and protein you are feeding if not just W/D. Any low carb wet food can be made higher fibre with the addition of fibre such as suggestions others have made.

You won't see much difference between Lantus and Basaglar, I wouldn't call them two different insulins. If he really does need higher doses, Levemir would be the insulin I'd suggest. Lantus (and it's biosimilars) have an acid base that can sting at higher doses. Levemir is a very similar action (later onset and nadir though) and seems to work well with higher dosed cats.

Not all treatments for acromegaly are expensive. There is one, called cabergoline that is a daily med, that seems to help symptoms. However, I wouldn't suggest or give it unless you had a solid diagnosis. The money you save by switching him to a commercial food instead of W/D will help pay for the tests.

Raymond James eats Fancy Feast and a little Dr. Easleys. Thanks for the information. I will get all the above.