I finally got ahold of the vet and he gave me prozinc finally. Also I got a script for some more Albuterol. He still wants to see him on Monday at which point we will discuss alternative medication in addition to Albuterol for his asthma. He did respond to the inhaler and seems better for now. I had started a BG curve but before I could complete it the vet finally called me (a week later) and didn't even remember why he gave me vetsulin first. I was annoyed but got my way and he is now on Prozinc. So far a 6 hour BG test revealed that he was down to 360, which is much much better than any vetsulin reading, so I am hoping for continued improvement. He's been started on 2 units, although I suspects he will need at least 3. However, will go to the vet's office first to clear up my residual questions. I'll have the vet trapped in the room with me so I have them all written down! hahaha
Oh hey that's the inhaler I'm on for my human asthma! It's not a steroid, it's a beta-2 agonist/bronchodilator. Basically that means it helps open up the airways to breathe. I don't think it would affect blood sugar, but I can always read my patient information guide on my script to make sure?
I'm a newbie with feline diabetes, and cannot comment on feline asthma at all, so I am NOT giving you cat advice here. However, in case it gives you any ideas for what to ask the vet, I can comment a bit on human asthma plus diabetes (type 1 for me, so completely dependent on insulin). Albuterol has had no noticeable effects on my blood sugar, and neither have either of my maintenance medications. My inhaled maintenance med contains fluticasone propionate (a steroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting bronchodilator), while my maintenance pill contains montelukast sodium, which is a leukotriene receptor antagonist (non-steroidal). All of these have potential side effects, but the one I have had the most issue with is a muscle tremor, mainly only noticeable during fine motor tasks, and minimized at my current dosages.
I totally understand the value and need for corticosteroids. In my case my cat, who's over 10, has been on them for years. I mean, YEARS. I knew it was probably shortening his life, but, was working through the vet over the years, and knew his quality of life was paramount. Now that he has additional health problems, we are back to safer, nonsteroidal meds. Not my preference, but his health between his surgeries and diabetic management, takes precedent. Such is life with a cat. My humble opinion anyway.
Thank you SO much for your help! Yes I am about to start a whole new spreadsheet now that I believe I have it downloaded, and am technically "beginning again". Just an aside, I did mention that I am using the Alpha Trak 2 meter with the appropriate strips. I had it from my previous sugar baby, and did a parallel testing while at my vet with their meter, also an Alpha Trak. So I know it's doing it's job. Now, to get cracking with our first prozinc spreadsheet!!!! He is getting 3 units. So far so good, but I am monitoring his food intake and attempting to do the BG levels before he gets his (often) supplemental low carb snacks. I need his weight to continue building as he lost so very much after his surgery and pancreatitis. He is back up to 12 plus lbs but he's a big boy! Thank you again for your advice and assistance! You all do so much for my stress these days!
You asked whether albuterol affected blood sugar. I was just giving you my personal experience with that, plus some other asthma meds.
If you could set up your signature that would be helpful. You can find directions in the help us help you link. We always read the signature and SS when helping CGs.
He is on extremely low carb wet food only. He has had a long history of depo medrol injections after years of asthma treatment. This has stopped. I did a BG curve and the 2 4 and 6 hours were all high - not a single low number. The alphaTrak is what I'm using. It measured similarly to when we did a BG test at the vet using their meter. I am making sure he has access to food. I'm just not seeing a lowering unless the 3 units drops him within an hour.
Yes thank you so much! I will definitely discuss Flovent with the vet. He was of course totally against the steroids at this point in Sam's life but the inhaled steroid might be much kinder to him than the injectible past depo use.Hello, my cat has had asthma most of his life and also diabetic as well as some other chronic illnesses. He is on the Flovent inhaler daily and uses the Albuterol only when he needs it. In my experience with Max, the steroid inhaler (Flovent) does not seem to affect his BG. From what I know, the steroid stays in the lungs and very little may get into the bloodstream. It seems as though whenever I have to give Max a puff of Albuterol, his BG is increased some but I believe it’s coming more from the asthma attack itself instead of the albuterol. Elevated BG is not a side effect of the Albuterol in general. What’s more important is if your cat needs the Albuterol, you should give it. Breathing is way more important than the BG. If it’s needed on a daily basis, you can always ask for help on increasing the insulin dose if your cat’s BG indicates that. Hope this helps.
I am working on the entire curve and hope to have it soon. I realize the importance of a pre insulin BG just need to get that one and go from there! Thank you!