I was reading the IAA/Acro forum and having lots of thoughts I know before Ming came home, everyone was telling me to push for a test because he was getting as much as 10 units. When he came home and we realized he didn't need 10 units, it was suggested to keep the thoughts of IAA/acro in the back of my mind.
We're now at 6.5 units and it's been 3-ish weeks. I'm not in a particular hurry to know but I'm just wondering if anyone thinks I should do the test soon or at all? Both the IM specialist and vet don't think he has it but they all admit he's not an easy cat to understand!
But I can definitely come up with answers as to why his numbers are high: bouncing, not used to "lows", possible IBD issues it seems, some type of infection still going in, etc.
These are just my thoughts. I would definitely think more seriously about the test after a month or two of trying to find some resemblance of normalcy for Ming and not getting it.
I posted on the Acro/IAA forum about when to test HERE and I got some really good advice. At that time my vet suggested he be tested for Acro, which thankfully he didn't have (although he did test positive for IAA, which I requested). There were some good points made and I know Ming has some other issues, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to know, if it's something you want to just add to the next blood draw As someone said, knowledge is power, and if there is an underlying high-dose condition, you can treat accordingly. Read through that post and see how you feel. I went ahead and tested sooner rather than later, and although my buddy Lou's dose never got above 4.0, I am thankful for the information. It's helped us going forward.
I hope Ming continues to come down for you and you have a wonderful day!
I tested Olive because any dose she was getting just wasn't moving her down at all. She also had physical symptoms of it. She had only been on insulin 4 months total. She was on lantus first for about 6 weeks which did nothing for her.
If you think its possible Ming might have it, knowing for sure can only help you decide if or how to treat it.
As that post that Amanda linked to said, there isn't really anything magical about 6 units as we've had "high dose" condition cats on less insulin. But over six units, the odds are high one or the other will be positive. Only 1/3 of acrocats have clinical symptoms on diagnosis. Don't know why the IM specialist and vet think they can rule it out without testing. One in four diabetic cats has acromegaly. When my cat didn't seem to respond to insulin, I really wanted to know why. In case a diagnosis meant there was something I could do to help.
In addition, the knowledge that my cat had acromegaly made me aware to look for secondary conditions caused by excess growth hormone. The acro diagnosis saved a canine when the regular vet thought infection but the dental specialist thought "soft tissue growth" in her mouth. Later she had a walnut sized growth on her jaw that the dental vet thought was cancerous, he prepared me for the worst, but it was just a bony growth and she had another couple years after that. A heart murmur got me to get an echocardiogram. At that time luckily it was nothing, but it gave a baseline for later. Heart conditions can be managed if discovered soon enough. I discovered that the hard way with a civvie Maine Coon.
The knowledge also helped me with day to day dosing decisions. I wasn't healing beta cells, but combating excess growth hormone production. Changes in antibody action or tumour growth meant bending the TR guidelines for safety at particular times.
So yes, I am a big fan of testing. It is costly from the west coast though, mainly due to shipping costs to MSU.
Thanks everyone. I definitely want to pursue testing then. Probably not until I come back from my trip in the new year. I've really only got 3 weeks left at home and then I'm gone for another 3 and half weeks.
Do you think it would be urgent to know now or waiting 2 months-ish is okay? A part of me just doesn't want to open the can of worms that comes with asking to be tested. I'll really have to stand my ground and say "I want him to be tested. I don't care about your opinion."
Or I can always just send an email while I'm overseas and get my mom or sister to bring Ming in for the test. Many options, I guess. I'm just not ready right now at this moment to know as selfish as that sounds.
Oh yea! I also got the SEB. I'm going to give it to Ming today. I know everyone said to give it at least 2 hours before any medication. Is there a specific time for after medication?
I practically had to arm wrestle my vet to get the tests done. Her consult with the IM vet said you needed to be at 10 units before testing. We never got there. I had to ask her to humour me. There is no rush on tests as you wouldn’t want to treat in the next short while. Treatment can cause quick changes in dose requirements.
I practically had to arm wrestle my vet to get the tests done. Her consult with the IM vet said you needed to be at 10 units before testing. We never got there. I had to ask her to humour me. There is no rush on tests as you wouldn’t want to treat in the next short while. Treatment can cause quick changes in dose requirements.
As for the SEB, the serving suggested 1/4 tsp for 10 lbs or 1/2 tsp for 20 lbs. Ming is 16 lbs. I did a little less than a 1/2 tsp and mixed it with probably too much water. I wasn't sure if Ming would eat it if I doused his whole snack (1/2 can of FF) with it so I just put a few scoops. The rest I stored away and will feed to him later in the night. He ate his whole snack though!
I know before Ming came home, everyone was telling me to push for a test because he was getting as much as 10 units. When he came home and we realized he didn't need 10 units, it was suggested to keep the thoughts of IAA/acro in the back of my mind.
