10/20 Max AMPS 364 +3 327 +6 203 PMPS 356

Max & Lori

Max & Lori

Member Since 2021
Yesterday https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/10-19-max-amps-425-pmps-137.269812/#post-3009590

@Wendy&Neko answering from yesterday’s post: We visit family periodically and it takes all day including the traveling by the time we get back. Most of the time they come to us. We will have to go back again on 11/6. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take Max because of their small children and also because they don’t have pets in the house. Max is afraid of the kids and he will bite and/or scratch. I have to put him upstairs when they visit us. None of my family other than my DH really understands the dedication I have to Max’s care, so there’s that too.
I didn’t really understand why his numbers had gotten so high and was getting really upset about how he was looking and acting. He gets so weak and sickly acting when his BG is up that high. He usually isn’t constipated until after he gets dehydrated and then his numbers get even worse. I have sub Q fluids but reluctant to give them because of his heart. I’d asked you about learning to use R and we decided that using R was not a good idea for him right now. So for Max, there’s nothing to do but wait out the bounce and take the good chance that he will get glucose toxicity as time goes on. I felt like I had to do something because he was getting worse.
You pointed out the high bounce was caused by the deep drop on 10/16. I was overwhelmed about how his BG was getting higher and hadn’t thought about that dive, but I do see it now. I was debating with myself about the increase because of that 42 before, but he also flip flops back and forth on doses so much because he doesn’t always hold them so that’s why I decided to increase. I will keep an eye on him and I will take him back down if he drops too low.
I always respect and appreciate any feedback I can get from you and I am listening and learning. It’s just hard when I see Max in front of me looking so bad. Maybe none of this would have happened if I hadn’t done the temporary decrease. It’s not easy for me to know what to do with him even after all of this time. Thank you for your concern and advice.
 
Max has a vet visit today for recheck of his blood pressure. I wish they’d just come out to the car and check it so he would stay calm. Construction still going on, dogs and noise make him so anxious. When I was working in healthcare, we went out to people’s cars for care when needed. I think I’m going to ask about that. Paws crossed for a good report.
 
Just back from the vet for Max’s BP check, so thought I’d update for anyone interested. His regular vet was on vacation so we saw another vet who was very knowledgeable about acromegaly. I was so impressed. Max’s BP was 170 today. The office was quieter than last time. He’s currently taking Amlodipine 1/2 of a 2.5 mg tab daily. She also added Enalapril 2.5 mg, one tab daily. That seems like a whole lot of BP medicine for a cat, but I have no idea about treatment of feline HTN. He goes back in 10 days for BP recheck and also gets his lab work next month.
I am not checking his BP at home because the cuff I had from Amazon was not accurate so I returned it. If anyone has any feedback on his BP meds or treatment, that would be great. @tiffmaxee @Suzanne & Darcy
 
Also, the vet we saw today does acupuncture and said that the acupuncture would really benefit Max. She says it helps with arthritis, inflammatory bowel, asthma, etc.
 
That was not a bad bp for a cat when taken with stress from the vet. I dint know if it’s a good idea to add enalapril but it seems like it might be too much. Does he have a cardiologist?
 
tiffmaxee said:
That was not a bad bp for a cat when taken with stress from the vet. I dint know if it’s a good idea to add enalapril but it seems like it might be too much. Does he have a cardiologist?
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He does have a cardiologist at the specialty vet he went to for his SRT .
 
Neko had acupuncture (from a vet who was also a regular vet). It was really helpful for her arthritic pain. The first couple times she wasn't so sure, but after that she looked forward to it. When Dr. Sue and I got chatting at the beginning of a visit, she'd come over to us with a "get on with it!". She'd lean into the vet during the treatment. And do much better jumping and stair climbing once she got home.

As for family visits, that's too bad. I remember the odd person with a camper or larger vehicle they'd leave the cat in, but that only works in warmer weather.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Neko had acupuncture (from a vet who was also a regular vet). It was really helpful for her arthritic pain. The first couple times she wasn't so sure, but after that she looked forward to it. When Dr. Sue and I got chatting at the beginning of a visit, she'd come over to us with a "get on with it!". She'd lean into the vet during the treatment. And do much better jumping and stair climbing once she got home.

As for family visits, that's too bad. I remember the odd person with a camper or larger vehicle they'd leave the cat in, but that only works in warmer weather.
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That’s so cute about Neko. Sounds like she really liked acupuncture. I’m really thinking about letting Max start those sessions. The vet sounded like she thought he’d really like it. I really liked this vet today. She knew a lot about acromegaly. The only thing I’m kind of concerned about is the Enalapril she wants to add in addition to Amlodipine for his BP. I thought she’d be pleased with the 170 considering him being at the vet, but she said she’d like to see him at 120. I can’t see that happening at the vets office. He would hypotensive at home I would think. I can’t find any literature on taking the both of them. The cardiologist at NC state said to follow up with internal medicine but he hasn’t been there since his SRT except for the repeat echo back in May of this year. I think you told me before that Neko didn’t have hypertension, but what would you do about the Enalapril? I questioned the vet about it and she says she’s giving him a very small dose. (2.5 mg daily) He’s already taking 1.25 mg of Amlodipine.

If we would ever have to stay overnight, we could take our RV and stay at a campground because we’d have to have electricity. Our is the kind you pull with a truck not the kind you drive so I wouldn’t want to leave him without heat or air. That’s why we don’t use the RV for a day trip. I will just have to figure out something else to keep him safe while we are gone because I don’t want to give another temporary decrease. He’s so sensitive to that. Thanks Wendy.
 
Neko was on benazapril for her proteinuria. Once she got out of a stressed vet office visit (over 220 once, then 180) and into a relaxed environment (dental office with no other cats in the room, Feliways going, darkened and time to relax), she got to 140. Vet was happy with that. And Neko was usually around that range when going to the IM vet office too, in spite of waiting area being noisy. They always gave me time with her in a room to calm down first. Before COVID of course.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions (or experience) on high BP. Did you check Tanya's site?
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Neko was on benazapril for her proteinuria. Once she got out of a stressed vet office visit (over 220 once, then 180) and into a relaxed environment (dental office with no other cats in the room, Feliways going, darkened and time to relax), she got to 140. Vet was happy with that. And Neko was usually around that range when going to the IM vet office too, in spite of waiting area being noisy. They always gave me time with her in a room to calm down first. Before COVID of course.

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions (or experience) on high BP. Did you check Tanya's site?
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Max has proteinuria too. I just called the vet back and asked again and voiced my concern. She reassured me that it’s a very low dose for a cat his size. No I didn’t think about Tanya’s site, that’s excellent. Thanks!
 
Wendy&Neko said:
I've seen cats here on both, just have no clue about dosing. Glad the vet answered the question.
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I found the info I needed on Tanya’s site. Apparently it is a common thing to do when the cat’s BP is still not satisfactory after you go up to 1.25 mg of Amlodipine. Thanks for reminding me of Tanya’s site.
 
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