@Wendy&Neko -
@Vyktors Mum @Bandit's Mom This is what I sent to the vet today.
Summary: He has mostly been eating only baby food for the last 3 to 4 days, not his usual raw pork which he loves.
Last night his blood glucose went down to 78. This morning, over 600. This morning he had 4 vomits. I gave him 4 mgs of cerenia this morning after vomits.
Okay in general, something seems to be going amiss with Squeaky. This morning I've figured out that when his numbers go over 600, it seems to be causing vomiting. This has happened three times already, over 500 and vomiting.
His curves were flatter 2-1/2 months ago when we started giving insulin. Now they are way extreme. Yes the bounces are shorter in duration, which is said to be an improvement, but they are more extreme, mostly on the higher end. So why does some part of this seem to be getting worse instead of better?
No history of ketones. Last test was Friday, normal.
Squeaky has vomited two small hairballs in the last two vomiting episodes. He NEVER used to shed before. 12 years I wondered why this cat never shed. I wonder if he would be vomiting if he was not shedding as usual.
He is on 3 units now of lantus insulin.
I am still waiting to hear what some other experienced people have to say. I know you are doubtful about their methods, but they have had 452 diabetic cats go into remission since 2008. Plus as you said, they are there at 2 am for me. And 9 am. And 3 pm. And 9 pm.
So as I see it the issues are: 1) bounces are more extreme 2) high numbers seem to be causing vomiting. 3) has mostly been eating only baby food for the last several days instead of the raw pork he loves so something is off there. 4) back legs are still weak.
About the back legs, board suggested Vitacost Vitamin B12 methylcobalamin, but it seemed to upset his stomach he had diarrhea after that. I have ordered another one to try, specific for cats: zobaline.
Other than that, he is mostly doing okay. Poop is good. Eating enough. Hates pilling, ear pricks and shots of course. Loves cuddles, fires in the wood stove, going outside.
Thanks, let me know if you have any questions. Looking forward to your assessment. I have put some comments from board members below and am waiting for some other experienced people to comment.
Best,
Jan and Squeaky
People on the board say:
THH advised continuing cerenia until eating normally. 4 mgs /day
THH says: "If he's vomiting due to pancreatitis, pancreatitis is very painful. Pain will increase bg. If the cerenia doesn't help enough, he may need pain medication like buprenorphine or gabapentin."
Olive says: "Domino effect. Pain will increase glucoses, high glucoses make them feel yucky, which can cause vomiting, nausea. Could be having a flare. Could give pain med for awhile and see if glucose comes down and vomiting stops. Do you have cerenia? It also helps with inflammation."
Critter Mom says: "It is
possible that the shedding may be due to Squeaky benefitting from the insulin treatment. As you know, when a kitty becomes diabetic it can't use the nutrients it eats effectively. In order to protect itself, the body tends to focus the energy available on life-sustaining functions to the detriment of processes like regrowth of the hair coat. With insulin treatment the body becomes better able to use ingested nutrients so it is then able to steer resources to additional bodily functions. Sometimes kitties then start to replace the hair coat and this can cause marked shedding."
Wendy says: "Yes, shorter bounces is good. It's a sign he's getting more used to normal BG numbers. Only once he is comfy in those numbers with the amount of bouncing go down."
