02/08/14 Jerry AMPS 133 +6 96 PMPS 104 (+great weight loss!)

[HappyCat]

AMPS was definitely a damn it Jerry moment. We're currently less than an hour away our time to Jerry having 6 months of treatment. Could've gone without the 133 that's for sure. I am okay with it if he can turn his NADIRs around but with a PMPS of 104 I'm wondering if he's going to spike again. No real guessing or predicting with him. Trying to stay positive for him as I've read 2-6 months is key remission time and well we've arrived. He's SO close though it's torture!
Hopefully he'll come through cuz his mommy has worked SO hard for him and brought him incredibly far. While we may not consider it a party without them Jerry still deserves a party just no cakes or cookies or goodies! True to my word, slowly but surely, I did finally get Jerry a scale and his weight loss is astounding. I'm still no good at this site to post photos of his progress but at his largest I think he was easily 18 pounds if not 20-21. When he went to his vet visit he weighed in at 15.3 pounds. He had a really weird structure at that time to where he was fat yet bony in his spine and hips. He is now at a healthy even 12 pounds, a 3.3 pound loss in 6 months!!! :thumbup He's isn't bony or fat I'm so proud of him! That's a large percentage for him and probably really did help his trip to remission. Just a little bit more to go come onnnn buddy!

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Re: 02/08/14 Jerry AMPS 133 +6 96 PMPS 104 (+great weight lo

Hi Sarah!

I'm wondering about his weight loss. You're describing at least a 6lb loss and as much as a 9lb loss in the past 6 months - that's a loss of 30%-43% body weight. cats are at risk for Fatty Liver (Feline Hepatic Lipidosis) if they lose weight too quickly. If you are describing him as being bony now, it's probably time to call the weight loss enough and feed him enough to stabilize his weight. even if that affects his insulin needs. Here is a link that explains it: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_hepatic_lipidosis.html i understand that he's happily eating now - i just want you to be aware of the risk of cats losing weight too quickly before it happens to Jerry.

his bg's are looking good. there's nothing magical about a 6 month anniversary, though. cats have gone off even after 2 years on insulin. so don't feel like you've got a deadline looming and have to get him off of insulin before then. we know that the best chance of having the OTJ trial succeed is to give the pancreas support with insulin as long as possible. I'd keep him on this dose as long as possible, ie, until he tells you he's done with it, either by dipping below 50 or by developing that inverted curve that he was doing a few weeks ago.

a little bit more time invested now might make the difference in having him stay OTJ when you do start the trial.

 

[HappyCat]

Re: 02/08/14 Jerry AMPS 133 +6 96 PMPS 104 (+great weight lo

I may not have worded that right I'm sorry.
His vet weigh in 6 months ago was 15.3 pounds. At that point he had a really weird structure - he overall looked and was fat yet he had been way bony in his hips and back. Crazy the effects of illness.
It didn't take long for his bones to cushion up and not be a concern.
At his current 12 pounds he looks great. He's a little wide since he's not a very long cat but compared to prior days he's very trim and good looking. He isn't bony anywhere now got a nice fullness to him without all the previous fat.
I understand the concern of the weight and I didn't describe it right. He's lost 3.3 pounds in 6 months. The downfall from an 18-21 to 15 pounds happened I'd say from around October to December 2012 to diagnosis in August. He really overdid himself on kitten food so he ballooned I went out of my way to hide the kitten chow but he'd seek it out. Once he ballooned he started to lose the weight, I remember cuz my husband and I moved to our current place in July 2012 and it was a few months after that. I knew nothing about feline diabetes but did successfully diagnose him myself and the vet confirmed. Weight loss and loss of stripes were kind of an alert but I just thought it could be cuz he's a senior, urgency of water and box gave him away. His box started molding in June and July 1 (the day after my birthday, within an hour actually) I made the connection and scrambled to save his furry little butt.
Is the weight loss still a concern? Not trying to information overload just thought I'd clarify and follow up. That's just over half a pound a month so I can see a potential for concern but I wasn't sure if I should be alarmed or if that's clear results. To be honest I was skeptical about the whole pate thing, nothing against anyone or anything but it's all about kibble and I had never heard otherwise till his diabetes. Can't argue with results like that but I hope he's okay. He shouldn't be underfed he ends up with leftovers and when he complained of being bored with his flavors I've gotten him different varieties. I appreciate any input we sure do need the help.
I agree that the extra time now is worth it - keeping him safe and sound is what I'm all about.

Update: We finished out the day strong with a +6 of 92. First full day of numbers in the right order since I think the first and before that I think was 1/15. That's good news at least.

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

Re: 02/08/14 Jerry AMPS 133 +6 96 PMPS 104 (+great weight lo

Please keep on top of the weight loss like you have been doing. It's not healthy for them to lose so much weight in such a short time as Julie described above.

Jerry's showing beautiful #s. You're both doing a wonderful job. Keep up the excellent work!

 

[HappyCat]

Re: 02/08/14 Jerry AMPS 133 +6 96 PMPS 104 (+great weight lo

I'm very fortunate to have gotten the scale when I did. I thought it was a bit much but wasn't sure if it was truly alarming or if the pate diet is that amazing - possibly a little of both. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on him. Thank you very much for your support. :mrgreen: