04/04 Baby G AMPS 235 PMPS 282 +3 190 +5 210
- Thread starter babyg
- Start date
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
Good luck RJ!
babyg
Very Active Member
The primary vet called this morning with partial results from yesterday's urinalysis. She said it didn't show any bacteria and that things looked better, but the culture still needs time to grow. She asked why I was taking her to the teaching hospital (they had called the primary this morning for records) and I said that she's still not acting herself so I want her double-checked.
Baby G didn't eat much at all last night, and is back under the couch again.
Last night I was doing some reading about UTIs and they sound like something you really don't want to play around with because they can spread to the kidneys, etc. It's her kidneys I'm really most concerned about. I want to make sure they stay healthy since I'm aware kidney issues are a big and common problem with cats and I'm trying to prevent that. I think that's my biggest fear, especially since a few kidney values were a smidge off in her bloodwork. Hoping I'm not putting her through all this stress unnecessarily but I think it's the only way I'll have peace of mind. At least her BGs are looking much better. I'll do a check before we leave. Road trip!
Baby G didn't eat much at all last night, and is back under the couch again.
Last night I was doing some reading about UTIs and they sound like something you really don't want to play around with because they can spread to the kidneys, etc. It's her kidneys I'm really most concerned about. I want to make sure they stay healthy since I'm aware kidney issues are a big and common problem with cats and I'm trying to prevent that. I think that's my biggest fear, especially since a few kidney values were a smidge off in her bloodwork. Hoping I'm not putting her through all this stress unnecessarily but I think it's the only way I'll have peace of mind. At least her BGs are looking much better. I'll do a check before we leave. Road trip!
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
The primary vet called this morning with partial results from yesterday's urinalysis. She said it didn't show any bacteria and that things looked better, but the culture still needs time to grow. She asked why I was taking her to the teaching hospital (they had called the primary this morning for records) and I said that she's still not acting herself so I want her double-checked.
Baby G didn't eat much at all last night, and is back under the couch again.
Last night I was doing some reading about UTIs and they sound like something you really don't want to play around with because they can spread to the kidneys, etc. It's her kidneys I'm really most concerned about. I want to make sure they stay healthy since I'm aware kidney issues are a big and common problem with cats and I'm trying to prevent that. I think that's my biggest fear, especially since a few kidney values were a smidge off in her bloodwork. Hoping I'm not putting her through all this stress unnecessarily but I think it's the only way I'll have peace of mind. At least her BGs are looking much better. I'll do a check before we leave. Road trip!
I still think you're doing the right thing Rebecca. Don't let your regular Vet get into your head. When we sense something, we're usually correct about it.
I would always rather be safe than sorry, even if I'm wrong.
babyg
Very Active Member
We are still at the hospital. They are going to do their own urinalysis, culture, and an abdominal ultrasound since the one she had last year showed thickened intestinal walls. They also may be able to get an ophthalmologist to check her eyes while we're here, instead of waiting for her appointment in July. We're going to be here at least a couple more hours. Hoping and praying test results come out good.
They actually said they think her diabetes may be over-controlled.
I think vets in general like to keep them higher, though.
They actually said they think her diabetes may be over-controlled.
I think vets in general like to keep them higher, though.
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
I'm kind of concerned if they'll find thickened walls again. They said that could indicate IBD or small cell lymphoma, which are supposedly treated very similarly.
They also said she should lose weight.
Wait for the results, don't panic before you know what's going on. Yes SCL and IBD have a similar therapy regimen. Luigi had thickened walls from his first ultrasound, he was 5, and lived until 13. Be calm RJ.
babyg
Very Active Member
Did you do a biopsy to confirm? Or just try a treatment first to see the response?
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
No biopsy, Luigi was on a low pulse dose of prednisilone for most of his life, sans 2 years that we used Atopica. Even when he developed a colon mass, we still didn't know if he had SCL or IBD, it was a differential diagnosis.
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
No, I mean, sometimes I worried that I should have, but Luigi had so many things going on with him, that I just couldn't fathom putting him through any extra procedures. He was "special" , and a medical anamoly. He taught me about all kinds of things that I never wanted to know about..
babyg
Very Active Member
From what I'm reading and understanding so far, seems like the general idea if one opts to skip a biopsy, is to start treating symptoms with diet and some kind of steroid, and if that works, great. If it doesn't, then likely scl and can then throw in some kind of chemo pill.
I also read too that sometimes biopsies come back inconclusive, so that's nice.
I also read too that sometimes biopsies come back inconclusive, so that's nice.
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
From what I'm reading and understanding so far, seems like the general idea if one opts to skip a biopsy, is to start treating symptoms with diet and some kind of steroid, and if that works, great. If it doesn't, then likely scl and can then throw in some kind of chemo pill.
I also read too that sometimes biopsies come back inconclusive, so that's nice.
Yes, the therapies are similar.
Prednisilone will affect BG levels so keep that in mind. If it's the case that either disease is suspected, you can try diet and pre/probiotics first if they recommend that option.
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
They want me to reduce her dose to 3 units because shes gaining weight
That makes no sense.. Lol
Befuddling.
First you need to get her onto a diet regimen!
babyg
Very Active Member
Okay, we're finally back home. What a long day and an emotional roller coaster!
Abdominal ultrasound came back normal! They said culture will take a couple days to come back. They also said her eyes looks normal for her age and any haziness is just normal age-related stuff.
They said she is overweight and to cut out all wet food unless DM and to keep her on DM food only. They also said to decrease her dose to 3 units. When I asked why? They said because she's gaining weight. And then I was like, well then what is her nadir supposed to be? And then they admitted her numbers now are technically where they should be, but because she's gaining weight, to decrease her dose and also start decreasing how much I feed her.
It really does make no sense to me other than I feel like they're basically wanting me to "unregulate" my cat because an unregulated cat loses weight. To me, that's not a healthy way to lose weight! To lose weight because we allow the diabetes to run rampant?! So I think I'll be disregarding that advice, lol. I always feel weird doing my own thing, but I really feel that advice is senseless.
Abdominal ultrasound came back normal! They said culture will take a couple days to come back. They also said her eyes looks normal for her age and any haziness is just normal age-related stuff.
They said she is overweight and to cut out all wet food unless DM and to keep her on DM food only. They also said to decrease her dose to 3 units. When I asked why? They said because she's gaining weight. And then I was like, well then what is her nadir supposed to be? And then they admitted her numbers now are technically where they should be, but because she's gaining weight, to decrease her dose and also start decreasing how much I feed her.
It really does make no sense to me other than I feel like they're basically wanting me to "unregulate" my cat because an unregulated cat loses weight. To me, that's not a healthy way to lose weight! To lose weight because we allow the diabetes to run rampant?! So I think I'll be disregarding that advice, lol. I always feel weird doing my own thing, but I really feel that advice is senseless.
babyg
Very Active Member
Overall though, I'm very glad I took her because even if I don't 100% agree with all the vets there all the time, I do believe they are very thorough with testing and checking stuff and to me, if they say she's okay, I feel like I can believe it. So I have much more peace of mind now. 
They'll call me once the culture results are in.
They'll call me once the culture results are in.
babyg
Very Active Member
I mean, if anyone here thinks the same as the vets that I should decrease, feel free to let me know, if there's just something I'm missing here? But I don't really think so... Otherwise I'm just going to continue with the 3.5 tonight. We're finally getting some decent numbers and I'd hate to go back to the 300s range again. 
Deb and Sylvester
Very Active Member
Great news about the ultrasound and her eyes!
They love to push that DM!
Why don't you just configure her calories for the weight you want her to be? Do it 1 lb at a time. You can calculate the calories and make it work.
Don't cut the wet food, diabetic cats require good fluid intake.
I have Sly's food calculated and he's had to go down as far as insulin requirements, so you can definitely do it RJ.
babyg
Very Active Member
Yes, I'm sure if she loses weight I'll need to reduce her insulin, and that makes perfect sense. It's just crazy to me to reduce insulin to make the cat lose weight! Lol
it's like they had it backwards.Thanks for the idea. It seems more achievable if we start with a smaller goal and work our way to that first.
Also thanks so much for "keeping me company" while I was in the hospital waiting room
and sharing info regarding IBD and SCL. Thankfully she ended up coming back clear, but it helped me mentally better prepare for what I would do if faced with one of those scenarios.