? 11/19 Ivana BG=121 :-( Can amplodipine raise BG?

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

Last post

Ok I am really not impressed with this week's BG Has anyone had any experience with Amplodipine (for high blood pressure) raising their kitty's BG? Ivana started on the Amplodipine on 6th November, and last week's test (after 1 week of meds) her BG was a bit higher than usual but still green. This week's BG is blue, and not even just blue, it's well and truly blue. I will be emailing Ivana's vet as well, but I'm not so sure this is just a coincidence. Will test again either tomorrow or Monday, maybe every few days and at different times, just to make sure.

Ugh

 

[Gussie's mom (GA)]

No words of wisdom or experience but sending support vines and a bump

 

[sarahtee]

that it could be the BP meds causing the increase. Hope you can work things out so she can stay OTJ, Tara.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Tara
The other name for amplodipine here in Aus is Norvasc and I can't see any talk about it raising the blood sugar in my Mims. I also gave Norvasc to another kitty of mine for several years for high BP and it had no effect on her blood sugar as far as I know.....she wasn't a diabetic and I didn't test her BSL but her blood tests at the vets were normal.
I think several people use it on the forum and I have not heard any mention of it raising the blood sugar........I could be quite wrong though.
I hope Ivana's sugars come down. Any signs of a UTI or anything else that may raise the BSLs?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Amlodipine never raised Max's BP, even when increased.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope you can figure out what is going on with her numbers. Sending prayers.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

Any signs of a UTI or anything else that may raise the BSLs?

Nothing else stands out, no. I really hope it's just a coincidence, as it does seem strange that something that's absorbed through the skin could raise her numbers, it's the timing of it that's making me suspect a connection. Nothing else has changed except the meds, and her numbers started to rise the very next test. Mind you it's only been two tests so far so I'll keep testing, but today's one is particularly concerning as it's so far above Ivana's usual low-flying level. I really hope it's not the meds because I know she still needs them, so I guess I'll just keep a very close eye on her and see if anything else comes to light.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

Oh forgot to add, I emailed her vet this afternoon to let her know I was concerned and could the meds be a possible cause. Hopefully it's just me being an over-protective bean...

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

Hopefully it's just a fluke. Trix has been on amlodipine (pills) for 2.5 years...it never affected her BGs, but ECID and you never know!

 

[Doodles & Karen]

You're on top of it Tara and hopefully she's just being a cat Miss Ivana, it's not nice to mess with the bean so back to the lagoon please sweet girl.

 

[Gill & George]

How's she pooping? I remember that causing probs with her BG when I she was on insulin.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

How's she pooping? I remember that causing probs with her BG when I she was on insulin.

Yes you're right, that did have an effect. I just had a look through her spreadsheet for her constipation episodes, and it actually seemed to lower her BG - probably because she wasn't eating then. Her pooping is fine at the moment, but good point to keep an eye on her tray.

You're on top of it Tara and hopefully she's just being a cat

I knew I was testing weekly forever for a reason! So glad to be able to see changes early so I can monitor her closely, and hopefully it's nothing

 

[Critter Mom]

How is Ivana responding to the amlodipine in general? It can cause GI problems in some cats (and sometimes pancreatitis). Amlodipine can also affect the gums. If there were an adverse reaction to the medication it might possibly affect BG levels. Might be a good idea to keep a close eye on general clinical signs and have regular chats with your vet.


Mogs
.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

How is Ivana responding to the amlodipine in general? It can cause GI problems in some cats (and sometimes pancreatitis). Amlodipine can also affect the gums. If there were an adverse reaction to the medication it might possibly affect BG levels. Might be a good idea to keep a close eye on general clinical signs and have regular chats with your vet.


Mogs
.

Her blood pressure has returned to normal, and no negative signs that we can see. Since this post, I've been testing almost every day at various times, and she's returned back to her normal (around the 80s). Still don't know what caused the rise in BG, but it looks like it was temporary and not likely to have been caused by the amlodipine so I think I can stop worrying about that now <wipes brow>. The amlodipine has also not affected her appetite, apparently that's a common thing but Ivana is fine so far. Vet did say that sometimes cats can get irritations inside their ear, so we switch ears every day. If that ends up happening then I guess we'll just work something out at the time.

It's all a fine balance, isn't it?!

 

[Critter Mom]

I'm really glad to hear that Ivana's BGs have improved and that she seems to be getting on well GI-wise with the amlodipine. Managing multiple conditions is a bit of a juggling act, alright.

Vet did say that sometimes cats can get irritations inside their ear, so we switch ears every day.

Are you giving amlodipine transdermally? If yes, if you wouldn't mind I'd very much appreciate hearing a little bit about this (type of med preparation, how it's applied, cat's weight, dosage).


Mogs
.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

Are you giving amlodipine transdermally?

You bet I am, I'm not silly enough to try to pill a cat every day if there's an alternative!

Here's what our vet had compounded especially for Ivana:

I have no idea if dosage is based on weight, but Ivana is approx. 4.5kg. This prescription was for three of these gel syringes, and each one will last one month so it's three months worth for about $160. She gets one unit (tiny weeny amount) applied to the inside of her ear where there is no hair. Now that I think about it, perhaps the fact that it's absorbed through the skin bypassing the GIT means that there is no chance of GIT issues as there may be with the tablets?? Don't know...

Ivana doesn't enjoy it, but she tolerates it. Our routine is that we dose her in the mornings before we get up, while she's on our bed (this was also when we did the AMPS test). She knows that she needs to have this before we'll get up to give her breakfast, so she lays down and hubby keeps her head still while I do the squirt. She does tend to flick her ears a bit (I don't blame her) hence why it's still a two-person job at the moment. Then she gets a treat and we get up and serve her breakfast. Much easier than trying to pill her IMO.