10/8, Susie, 200 AMPS

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/10-7-susie-233-11.253942/#post-2862711

Susie was a little more normal this morning. I heard her in my bedroom right before my alarm. She has a little bell on her collar. She was looking for food but there wasn't any. I think she was drinking water and that is what I heard her little bell "clinking" on.

It was also good when she came into the kitchen this morning. I could tell she was hungry. She still has that "zombie" look but not as bad. I really think it is the Mirataz but at least she will eat with it - most of the time. She moves slowly and is obviously a sick cat. She only ate half her breakfast. Doesn't make sense to me that she acts hungry then eats very little. I've heard the pred will make her hungrier and I am praying that she will start eating better when she is on it.

I'm glad she was pretty high with the AMPS. I didn't want to worry about her too much when I go to my doctor appt. Still, I will be concerned with how little she ate.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

As others have said, Suzie is around 5 kg. PO means orally by mouth, q12h means every 12 hours or twice a day. So that's 5 mg twice a day by mouth. However, with prednisolone, you can just double the dose and give it once a day if you want, or split it to two doses a day. 10 mg a day is a very common starting dose for cats with GI issues of around Susie's size. I believe @PerfumedCatMom tried twice a day in order to try to even out pred's impacts on the blood sugar.

I get prednisolone compounded into a chicken flavour chew treat. It's extremely easy to give!

Glad to hear the vet is getting the pred for you to give and that she's finally eating today.

Thanks for the complete description of the dosage. I have no idea what I am going to get from the intern. I would rather give the dose in one shot but will follow what the vet says and it makes sense to do it in two doses to more evenly affect the cycles. When you mention giving the pred, and the correct dosage, is it for a diabetic cat or a non-diabetic cat?

I believe it will be chicken flavored. Wish I could do the pills. I would more certain that she was getting all of it. With the oral dose there always seems to be some flying out. She fights like the devil when it comes to oral medication.

I appreciate your support on this. I know giving pred to a diabetic cat is not ideal but I have run out of options to help her and the bupe and Mirataz just seem like bandages to me.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

I give Ruby 5mgs of pred daily, split into two doses of 2.5 each day. The pills are scored and easy to break in two by hand. We tried 5 mgs once a day at AMPS and she was going very high in the cycle it was given and then very low the next. Now that I have split the dose, her BGs are a bit more steady and even though still tending to go lower around PMPS, but it's not unmanageable. I increased her insulin dose from a drop to 2.5 and we've stayed at this dose for quite a while now because she hits the 50s and 60s at least once every three days, and green numbers every 2 days. Given how much I work and how much I need to sleep, this is the best I can hope for with Ruby. She still has her bouts of not eating, but we are light years better than she was without the steroid.

Good luck with the pred, Summer.

Thanks for the tip. It makes sense to break the dose into two daily doses. From what I have read, Ruby is doing well on the pred. I don't envy you that you have to work. Hard enough with just a diabetic cat with doubly so when there are other medical concerns and you are giving a steroid. May I ask what you do to get her to eat? You have probably mentioned it but I am lost in so much information that I don't remember who said what.

I appreciate your support. I hope I can come to you from time to time with questions about your experience with the pred and a diabetic cat.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

SO glad you are getting the pred! Is his main concern just the blood sugar? I don't see how that will get away from you with how often you test...plus you have Katherine!

Yes, both my vets have huge concerns with the pred being a steroid and Susie being diabetic. Yes, I am glad that Katherine is around to advise. I wonder if she is the only other member on this site that is using the prednisolone on her diabetic cat?

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

You've been through the wringer. I was just catching up. I am glad that you at least got the pred and the poop on your side now. I hope that you manage a good sleep and that you appointment goes well tomorrow.

Thank you for stopping by, Alisa. This has been a really hard time and I have felt physically stressed daily for a while now. I just pray this medicine helps me get my girl healthier and happier for many years. Fatso still looks good!

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

Wow. Susie and I just won a $150 prize pack from Ziwi Peak. I recently contacted them about a sample of their food to try with Susie. I saw the contest and entered. I am so happy to be getting this premium food and just pray that I can transition my girl to a better diet. I also just received some Nature's Variety Limited Instinct Original Rabbit food for Susie (poor rabbits). I kills me to feed the novel proteins (rabbit, venison, duck, lamb, etc) because I LOVE all these creatures but I must try everything to help my girl. Thanks to @Sienne and Gabby (GA) and @PerfumedCatMom for the advice about the novel protein foods.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Thanks for the tip. It makes sense to break the dose into two daily doses. From what I have read, Ruby is doing well on the pred. I don't envy you that you have to work. Hard enough with just a diabetic cat with doubly so when there are other medical concerns and you are giving a steroid. May I ask what you do to get her to eat? You have probably mentioned it but I am lost in so much information that I don't remember who said what.

I appreciate your support. I hope I can come to you from time to time with questions about your experience with the pred and a diabetic cat.

Just look at Ruby’s spreadsheet since June and you will see what I did with her dosing and meds. Ondansetron, Cerenia, and cyproheptadine to help with eating. You should weigh Susie periodically as pred causes weight gain. Giving Ruby the pred split in two doses a day stopped bouncing. Let me know if you have more questions. I’m curious what dose the doctor is giving you. 5 mg per day should be where you start and then increase as needed.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Just look at Ruby’s spreadsheet since June and you will see what I did with her dosing and meds. Ondansetron, Cerenia, and cyproheptadine to help with eating. You should weigh Susie periodically as pred causes weight gain. Giving Ruby the pred split in two doses a day stopped bouncing. Let me know if you have more questions. I’m curious what dose the doctor is giving you. 5 mg per day should be where you start and then increase as needed.

I believe it is 5 mg Twice A day. It says q12.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/10-7-susie-233-11.253942/#post-2862711

Susie was a little more normal this morning. I heard her in my bedroom right before my alarm. She has a little bell on her collar. She was looking for food but there wasn't any. I think she was drinking water and that is what I heard her little bell "clinking" on.

It was also good when she came into the kitchen this morning. I could tell she was hungry. She still has that "zombie" look but not as bad. I really think it is the Mirataz but at least she will eat with it - most of the time. She moves slowly and is obviously a sick cat. She only ate half her breakfast. Doesn't make sense to me that she acts hungry then eats very little. I've heard the pred will make her hungrier and I am praying that she will start eating better when she is on it.

I'm glad she was pretty high with the AMPS. I didn't want to worry about her too much when I go to my doctor appt. Still, I will be concerned with how little she ate.

Looking for food and then not being able to eat much is considered a classic sign of nausea. I am glad Susie seems a little better. Oh, also that “moving slowly” is a sign of the internal pain from the inflammation. That’s classic. Julius had it badly, although his was a little lower down in the GI tract.
Hope your doctor appointment goes well.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I agree with Suzanne about nausea. Is it possible to add or switch to ondansetron? I’ve had two cats on long term prednisolone but they were not diabetic. One ate well until her last night and I credit prednisolone. I did not even know she had cancer. Missed by vets. My other cat didn’t get that side effect and got cerenia and ondansetron twice a day.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

Just look at Ruby’s spreadsheet since June and you will see what I did with her dosing and meds. Ondansetron, Cerenia, and cyproheptadine to help with eating. You should weigh Susie periodically as pred causes weight gain. Giving Ruby the pred split in two doses a day stopped bouncing. Let me know if you have more questions. I’m curious what dose the doctor is giving you. 5 mg per day should be where you start and then increase as needed.

Thanks. I'll let you know what dose he puts her on. I thought the Ondansetron and Cerenia were for nausea related problems. She doesn't seem nauseous but I don't know. I have Cerenia here if I can get her to take it in a pill pocket, I'll look up the Cyproheptadine to see what that does. I appreciate your help. I was looking at Ruby's spreadsheet the other day and will look again. It did not look bad for a cat on Prednisolone. Looks like the spikes have decreased quite a bit on the 2.5 dose of insulin.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Sending prayers. I hope your appointment goes well.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

Sending prayers. I hope your appointment goes well.

Thanks, Carla. I need cataract surgery. I'm so tired of not being able to see well. Hopefully, I will have the surgery in the next 4 to 6 weeks. Looks like Furball has been surprising you with some greens lately. I hope you and your family (furbabies included) have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

I agree with Suzanne about nausea. Is it possible to add or switch to ondansetron? I’ve had two cats on long term prednisolone but they were not diabetic. One ate well until her last night and I credit prednisolone. I did not even know she had cancer. Missed by vets. My other cat didn’t get that side effect and got cerenia and ondansetron twice a day.

Hi Elise. Do you think I will need the Ondansetron and Cerenia because of the Prednisolone or in spite of it? I hate to put her on more meds especially since it is impossible to pill her. I think if I can get her on the Pred, and her appetite improves, she may not need a lot of other meds. I just don't know. I'm sure it would not be hard to get the Ondansetron from my regular vet. I just want to get her going on the Pred right now and I am still waiting for the prescription. I hope I am not waiting until Monday. I'm sorry to hear your kitty had undiagnosed cancer. Susie may have the cancer too.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

Looking for food and then not being able to eat much is considered a classic sign of nausea. I am glad Susie seems a little better. Oh, also that “moving slowly” is a sign of the internal pain from the inflammation. That’s classic. Julius had it badly, although his was a little lower down in the GI tract.
Hope your doctor appointment goes well.

I guess nausea can manifest itself in different ways. You would think there would at least be vomiting. I can tell the Mirataz is wearing off. She is not hungry but is more active and alert. Was actually scratching my mom's living room chair with her "non" claws. Still has a distant look in her eyes though. If she doesn't eat tonight I will have to resort to the Miratz, again. Still waiting to hear from the pharmacist. I hope I am not waiting until Monday. I have a phone call in.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Hi Elise. Do you think I will need the Ondansetron and Cerenia because of the Prednisolone or in spite of it? I hate to put her on more meds especially since it is impossible to pill her. I think if I can get her on the Pred, and her appetite improves, she may not need a lot of other meds. I just don't know. I'm sure it would not be hard to get the Ondansetron from my regular vet. I just want to get her going on the Pred right now and I am still waiting for the prescription. I hope I am not waiting until Monday. I'm sorry to hear your kitty had undiagnosed cancer. Susie may have the cancer too.

If prednisolone increases her appetite you won’t need an appetite stimulant but you might need nausea medication medication as prednisolone doesn’t help with test. Stimulate an appetite on a nauseating and they develop food aversions.

 

[tiffmaxee]

I guess nausea can manifest itself in different ways. You would think there would at least be vomiting.

You wouldn’t you but you would be wrong. I had no idea Max was nauseous when he first developed pancreatitis because he never vomited and for awhile would eat dry boos but stopped eating canned. I think wet must have a stronger flavor.

 

[Pamela & Amethyst]

Wow. Susie and I just won a $150 prize pack from Ziwi Peak. I recently contacted them about a sample of their food to try with Susie. I saw the contest and entered. I am so happy to be getting this premium food and just pray that I can transition my girl to a better diet. I also just received some Nature's Variety Limited Instinct Original Rabbit food for Susie (poor rabbits). I kills me to feed the novel proteins (rabbit, venison, duck, lamb, etc) because I LOVE all these creatures but I must try everything to help my girl. Thanks to @Sienne and Gabby (GA) and @PerfumedCatMom for the advice about the novel protein foods.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $150!!!!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Hi Summer, I hope you get the pred soon so you can start Susie on it.
Congrats on winning the contest!. Always sending prayers

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

questions. I’m curious what dose the doctor is giving you. 5 mg per day should be where you start and then increase as needed.

I guess nausea can manifest itself in different ways. You would think there would at least be vomiting. I can tell the Mirataz is wearing off. She is not hungry but is more active and alert. Was actually scratching my mom's living room chair with her "non" claws. Still has a distant look in her eyes though. If she doesn't eat tonight I will have to resort to the Miratz, again. Still waiting to hear from the pharmacist. I hope I am not waiting until Monday. I have a phone call in.

Looking for food and walking away or only eating a little.
Just licking gravy then walking away.
Tooth Grinding
Licking of Lips
All classic nausea signs in a cat.

Don't feel badly. I once had a cat who kept making this weird tooth grinding noise when he ate (he still was trying to eat) and I had not clue at that time that he was nauseated! I mentioned it to the vet and the vet still didn't tell me that this was nausea! I had to find it out via reading.

Of course tooth grinding can be pain as well. I will say that I recently (this year) had a cat who was attacked and had a massive abscess on her back (rescue kitty) and she also was grinding her teeth -- she was in pain and as soon as we got the abscess drained and got her on antibiotics, the tooth grinding stopped. Of course, tooth grinding along with drooling can be tooth resorption... but I don't really want to get too far away from what's going on with Susie... I really only mention these things in case you see them at a future time -- not because that's what is going on with Susie now.

Hopefully, when she gets the pred and starts to feel better she will be able to take Cerenia in a pill pocket. You could do a 1/4 tablet in one pill pocket and another 1/4 tablet in another pill pocket when she's hungry.

You don't always have to vomit to be nauseated. I have definitely had incidences in my life where I felt like I was going to vomit but never did.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Also, if Susie's inflammation is in the gastric outflow tract she may not be emptying her stomach as efficiently as she normally would. If her pyloric canal (which connects to the first part of the small intestine) is inflamed, in particular. So I would definitely think this can make her feel just awful.

 

[FrostD]

On our really bad days I crushed up the pills to syringe with water. There's always a little left in the syringe but I figure anything I can get in is better than nothing.

Current cocktail is a few different meds crushed up in the Gerber baby food. I've actually developed quite the aversion to the smell of the Gerber foods now, not that they smelled good to begin with...

Edit: My vet charges about $10 to compound anything I need. Maybe that's an option if it works for those meds?

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

I've actually developed quite the aversion to the smell of the Gerber foods now, not that they smelled good to begin with...

I guess you didn't feed Gerber baby food to your little ones, Melissa?

 

[FrostD]

I guess you didn't feed Gerber baby food to your little ones, Melissa?

Not the meats! I "lucked out", so far neither like purees, they just want what's on my plate!

But Rutin combined with pureed meat is a smell I could do without

 

[Our Dolly Girl (GA)]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $150!!!!

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/10-7-susie-233-11.253942/#post-2862711

Susie was a little more normal this morning. I heard her in my bedroom right before my alarm. She has a little bell on her collar. She was looking for food but there wasn't any. I think she was drinking water and that is what I heard her little bell "clinking" on.

It was also good when she came into the kitchen this morning. I could tell she was hungry. She still has that "zombie" look but not as bad. I really think it is the Mirataz but at least she will eat with it - most of the time. She moves slowly and is obviously a sick cat. She only ate half her breakfast. Doesn't make sense to me that she acts hungry then eats very little. I've heard the pred will make her hungrier and I am praying that she will start eating better when she is on it.

I'm glad she was pretty high with the AMPS. I didn't want to worry about her too much when I go to my doctor appt. Still, I will be concerned with how little she ate.

Hi Summer, reading through your many messages. I was so excited for you and your winning the $150 from ZiwiPeak. It’s expensive but I am so grateful that Dolly seems to really like the Air Dried Chicken. Perfect for us since she won’t eat out of her auto feeder. I tried four different ones. Kept the last one. It saves me from getting up at 3 am to give her fresh food. I had Cataract surgery 4 years ago. It was the best thing for brightness, no longer looking at a yellowish world. Unfortunately I have Macular Degeneration so the wonderful new vision only lasted months for me. I am slowly losing my vision especially in darker areas, I can’t see Dolly or Rob on the couch, they sort of blend together. Can no longer drive at night. Measuring her insulin, I use these thick magnifying glasses with the calipers. Things could be worse. I hope Susie’s eating improves, the nausea as well. It’s been so hard to watch Susie go from a happy, healthy kitty to one that is struggling with illness. You said it just a short time ago about being grateful for a healthy cat, it can change direction very quickly. I hope the prednisolone is a game changer to how she feels. I hope your mom is doing okay snd your doctors appt (for your cataracts??) went well. I hope you can get the surgery soon. For me it was like someone turned the lights on and the beautiful sunshine magically appeared. I wish that for you. Sending my prayers Summer for your Susie to become her happy, healthy self once again with whatever treatments, meds, needed to make that happen.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Ruby was vomiting a lot before her SCL diagnosis and losing weight. After pred, she no longer vomits regularly, only foamy clear liquid if she hasn't had anything to eat in a while. She still has nausea on occasion--she meatloafs licking her lips, sniffs at food and walks away. I add some low carb tuna based Weruva to stimulate her appetite because the smell is stronger than her usual raw food and that usually gets her to eat something. If that doesn't work, I give 4 mgs of ondansetron wrapped in a bit of a pill pocket and that usually gets her over it. I had a stomach bug a few weeks ago and took one of Ruby's ondansetron pills and it worked really well for me to get rid of my nausea. It's given to human cancer patients to get them over chemo-induced nausea. I also tried everything for her constipation--psyllium, pumpkin, slippery elm, Miralax--but the only thing that works for her is copious amounts of Lactulose prescribed by her vets mixed into her food mixed with lots of water and she doesn't mind eating it.

I appreciate your help. I was looking at Ruby's spreadsheet the other day and will look again. It did not look bad for a cat on Prednisolone.

Seeing Ruby's BGs go up was very painful for me. I really grieved never being able to get her to remission. I got over it though with all of the wonderful support here and now I celebrate blue numbers like others get excited about 7 days of green numbers. She has gained weight and seems to be very comfortable and sociable, running to greet me when I come home with her tail up and waving, jumping on and off of window sills and tables like a pro, coming to me for scritches, sleeping curled up next to me at night. I can't expect anything better than what we've got going right now.