Rebuilding muscle in back legs?

[Katy and Charlie]

Hello friends!

I am wondering if there is anything else I can do to help Charlie recover the muscle he has lost in his bag legs due to neuropathy.

I am still working on getting him regulated. We are stuck in the cycle of dropping too low, lowering the dose, bouncing the next couple of days, and then repeating.

I am giving him 5000 mcg of Methylcobalamin a day and his mobility has improved quite a bit. But his back legs feel like sticks... he's lost most of the muscle back there. I can get him to play but when he does, he sits on his butt and just uses his front paw to go after the toy.

It may sound silly, but I wondered about holding him and making him stand on his hind legs and doing some sort of squat?? Will that even help?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Katy --
I'm removing the "GA" from your subject line. The abbreviation signifies that the kitty has "gone ahead" or is a "guardian angel." In other words, that the cat has died.

I would look into a different type of toy -- one he has to run after or the kind that's a feather on a stick that you can use to play with him. He can jump and chase after it. Likewise, throwing a treat that he has to go after may help.

Had you given any thought to using Tight Regulation (TR) rather than SLGS? You're testing enough. TR will allow you to increase the dose after fewer days and get rid of the higher numbers sooner.

 

[Katy and Charlie]

I'm removing the "GA" from your subject line. The abbreviation signifies that the kitty has "gone ahead" or is a "guardian angel." In other words, that the cat has died.

Oh my goodness! I didn't even realize I chose GA. Thanks for fixing that.

I've tried throwing toys but that hasn't worked very well. He gets lazy and doesn't go after the toy. But throwing treats is a good idea! He is definitely treat-motivated so we'll see how that works. I just want him to be able to move like he used to and worry that won't ever happen!

I haven't thought much about switching dosing methods. Honestly, that's something that has been confusing for me. I don't know if I am just dumb or not reading the right thing. I don't really understand what a nadir is. I start reading the page about the dosing methods and my brain just doesn't follow.
I do work a full-time job. I am able to test +1 or +2 before work, +5 or +6 at my lunch break, then a few tests after work after his PM shot. On the weekends I can stay up late and test more at night but during the week, I get pretty tired. Somedays when my husband doesn't work, we are able to test more.

I have been worried that getting him regulated is going to take a long time if I'm only adjusting the dose 0.25 units at a time and he has a bounce of three or more days after dropping super low.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Oh my goodness! I didn't even realize I chose GA. Thanks for fixing that.

I've tried throwing toys but that hasn't worked very well. He gets lazy and doesn't go after the toy. But throwing treats is a good idea! He is definitely treat-motivated so we'll see how that works. I just want him to be able to move like he used to and worry that won't ever happen!

I haven't thought much about switching dosing methods. Honestly, that's something that has been confusing for me. I don't know if I am just dumb or not reading the right thing. I don't really understand what a nadir is. I start reading the page about the dosing methods and my brain just doesn't follow.
I do work a full-time job. I am able to test +1 or +2 before work, +5 or +6 at my lunch break, then a few tests after work after his PM shot. On the weekends I can stay up late and test more at night but during the week, I get pretty tired. Somedays when my husband doesn't work, we are able to test more.

I have been worried that getting him regulated is going to take a long time if I'm only adjusting the dose 0.25 units at a time and he has a bounce of three or more days after dropping super low.

Let me tag Sienne for you to explain this, she can explain things better than I can since she already replied back to you here
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)

 

[Katy and Charlie]

@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
I am reading more and trying to wrap my brain around it. Sorry for not understanding. I need a dosing methods for dummies book

When changing dosing methods, do you start from scratch? Do I set the dose based on ideal weight or do I stick with the dose I have been giving him and adjust from there?

 

[squeem3]

Nadir is when the insulin peaks aka the lowest bg level of the cycle. It's generally around 6 hours post-insulin shot but it depends on the cat. You find what your cat's nadir is by doing a curve. Maybe an example will help?

AMPS 200
+2 190
+6 164
+8 193
+10 203
PMPS 214

In the example curve above, nadir is at +6 because that's when the bg is the lowest before it rises back up.

Most people who work full time outside the home do curves when they have a full day free i.e weekends and holidays or taking the day off for life reasons. I don't get any mid cycle tests in during the week unless I'm WFH for some reasons (rare) or took the day off for an appointment or the company is closed for a holiday. Most of my mid cycle tests are after PMPS and only up to +5 because I need sleep.

 

[Katy and Charlie]

Nadir is when the insulin peaks aka the lowest bg level of the cycle. It's generally around 6 hours post-insulin shot but it depends on the cat. You find what your cat's nadir is by doing a curve. Maybe an example will help?

AMPS 200
+2 190
+6 164
+8 193
+10 203
PMPS 214

In the example curve above, nadir is at +6 because that's when the bg is the lowest before it rises back up.

Most people who work full time outside the home do curves when they have a full day free i.e weekends and holidays or taking the day off for life reasons. I don't get any mid cycle tests in during the week unless I'm WFH for some reasons (rare) or took the day off for an appointment or the company is closed for a holiday. Most of my mid cycle tests are after PMPS and only up to +5 because I need sleep.

That totally makes sense! Thanks for explaining, I think I was just overthinking it. I love looking at your spreadsheet and seeing all the blue and yellow boxes. I hope to get there someday, my spreadsheet is so colorful.

 

[squeem3]

Aww thanks Leroy's numbers aren't bad even with the budesonide. The vet knows I have a handle on this since I'm an old pro at diabetes Squishy Merlin had a more colorful spreadsheet

 

[LionHeartTX]

Try getting your cat to jump. Start off with small jumps using a small bench or chair. You can custom build your own benches to your cat’s ability. The benches do not have to be fancy just functional. Make sure it is low to the ground, but high enough to cause your cat to jump on it. You can also make a series of progressively higher benches for even more exercise.