11/20, Binie, AMPS 438, +3 285, +6 321 - talking to the internal medicine vet

Last post: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/11-19-binie-amps-421-3-338-6-338-increase.295838/

Good evening,

day one of the increase. No blue numbers but at least some yellow. We'll see how far this is going to take us.

Binie is doing quite well. Last night I couldn't go to bed because Binie was going in and out like crazy. It was heavy rain and storm and she loves the action. She wanted to stay outside at night in her wooden house on the terrace but I didn't allowed it because it is freezing here and we even had the first snow last night. So I bribed her with a snack and the prison doors closed. She showed me her dislike by scratching the wallpaper. That's almost her old spicy self, I love it!

I spoke to the internal medicine vet today for 45 minutes but almost nothing new came out of it. She doesn't think the issue on Binies breast is a dermal disease because the skin looks clear. Also no wound healing issue becaue the wound itself doesn't look infected. She thinks Binie opens up her skin because there is some pain or discomfort she wants to ease. She saw two possibilities: The first one was, that there is still some foreign object inside like a foxtail (@SmallestSparrow: like you said too!). But as the surgery was quite aggressive and they took out a lot she thinks it is not likely there is still something inside. One could find out by CT but that would mean anaesthesia. She sees a big problem in her multi-resistant germ in the bladder and the stress of a CT or a further surgery could destabilize that.

Second option she mentioned was, that it is something neuropathic. She liked the idea we treated with procaine but as it didn't work at all the second time, that might not be a solution. She also mentioned gabapentin, one of two new ideas I took out of it.

She was also very sceptical about steroids because of the diabetes and the situation in the bladder. She sees a big risk in it. But she said one could try applying steroids externally. But that would mean a cone, as Binie shouldn't lick it.

We also talked about cyrtec but she said she doesn't think it is an allergy because it is only in one specific place. But it wouldn't harm to try.

She had no new recommandations regarding the germ in her bladder. She seemed a little shocked we used Chloramphenicol and said she can see we already tried drastic measures. She told me about this bladder irrigation with antibiotics but she sees it as a quite desperate measure without a guarantee of success.

So here we are without groundbreaking new insights. I expected that somehow but it was a chance and it gives me a bit peace of mind I know we don't miss something obvious.

My strategy is clear now: I keep on trying to regulate her diabetes and try to make her life enjoyable and avoid stress. Every day we get is a bonus and who knows, how far that will bring us. There have been times this year I felt she lost her love for life and also my vet thought she has a depression. That is different now. She has her obvious limitations and is an old lady but she enjoys her life and I can see parts of her old personality. I am quite grateful for that.

Hope everone has a relaxed day!

 

@cecile & bella

Thank you so much Cecile! It was a good conversation, even though it didn't bring much news. I hope you and Bella are fine!

 

@Deb and Tiger

Thank you so much Deb! So great to read from you! I will check on you later! Hope you and Tiger are fine!

 

@Christie & Maverick

Thank you so much Christie! We'll see what this dose can do for Binie. There is room for improvement! Hope you have a nice day!

 

Binie is too funny scratching on the wall paper.
She's spunky
Good luck with the increase

 

As long as she enjoys her life that's great news .
Give Binie lots of kisses for me .

 

Hhhhh.....the wall paper is already damaged so I could laugh too. Either you live in a nice appartement or you have cats. Thank you so much for wishing us well! I hope we see some good numbers soon.

 

Thank you so much! I will Diane! And yes, it is all about quality of life! Hope you enjoy your day and your shoulder is well!

 

Sounds like a good chat with the IM visit with one new idea (gabapentin) but overall confirmation that you are doing all that you can. That should give peace of mind. I do like the idea of trying to get her better regulated, so that the urine doesn't have as much sugar in it for any germ to thrive on. Cats live in the moment, day by day, if only we could do the same.

 

Thank you for checking on us Wendy! I have to admit I neglected her regulation a bit the last weeks because I was so stressed out about all the different issues. But I understood that this is the most powerful tool I have. To get her under the renal threshold for longer times to help her bladder. I hope the increase brings us in the right direction. And yes, cats are powerful teachers in life!

 

That was a good chat, maybe the Gabapentin will help. Good luck with the increase!
Her going back and forth outside in the storm made me laugh, she is funny!

 

Hi Heike,
I’m glad you had a good meeting with the IM vet. And glad you didn’t have to take Binie anywhere. I’m glad to read your update

I’m sorry she didn’t have any groundbreaking ideas. But she did seem to agree that you are doing pretty much everything possible for Binie, as we knew.
You’re such an incredible cat mom with so much energy and intelligent ideas.

I guess it’s worth it to give the gabapentin a try as maybe that will make her in less pain.
As you know, it is also a sedative and can make her sleepy, so my guess would be to start with a very small dose.

Great to be able to shift some focus to diabetic regulation which may help with the bladder situation.

I love that Binie is showing her true personality and her spicy wall paper scratching
And it’s good that you have the right perspective on it that it doesn’t bother you that she does it.
I can totally relate. I live with sofas with the arms scratched up. My dining room chairs are also scratched à la Ivy. Apparently she thinks she’s an interior decorator and has a lot to say about our choices.
I guess she was never a fan because she redecorated many years ago, and we just live with it

And perhaps the Zyrtec may help, too. It seems she thought it couldn’t hurt to try.

I’m glad to read you sound like you feel better after the discussion with her. And gained some peace of mind.

I hope Binie will let you relax tonight instead of wanting to go in and out in the cold weather where that can’t be good for her.

Try to relax, Heike. And I hope the increase will bring good bg with ease.
Sleep well, we are sending hugs for you and Binie

 

It is nice to hear that Binie is up and enjoying herself. You've got a lot of different factors going on with her, that is super tough. I think you're approach to take every day as it comes and enjoy the time with her is a smart one. She is one lucky cat.

 

Hi Heike. I love that Binie took it out on the wallpaper. She's too cute!
Good luck with the increase. Let's go Binie!
Wishing you both a nice, relaxed evening and safe surfing, Binie!
Sending you and Binie hugs

 

I’m so glad Binie is her old self…you are really helping her so much and taking such good care of her. She’s a lucky lady for sure. I laughed at her and the wallpaper…woke up my cats

fingers and paws all crossed here for her better control!

 

Thank you Cecile! Thank god I feel we don't need the gabapentine at the moment but it feels good to have one more thing in the toolbox. Yes, Binies crazy love for bad weather is somehow funny.

 

Thank you so much for your support Staci! I know you are very experienced with gabapentin, so I might ask you before we use it. I think she had it years ago before going to the vet and I found it quite drastic. I think for any neuropathys one would rather try a smaller dose.

At the moment she does not seem to be so bothered as she stopped licking so I think I don't have to do anything now.

So funny Ivy is the chief decorator in your house! I saw that the other day on facebook and had to laugh:



Hope you have a nice event with your company tonight!

 

Thank you so much Seth! Yes, the last month have been quite a lot for us. Until 2023 she was overall healthy and suddenly one thing added to the other. So here we are and take one day at a time... Hope you have a good day with sweet Bell and Blair!

 

Thank you so much Madeline! I hope you and Butch have a relaxed day too! Safe surf!

 

Thank you so much Colleen! I am also lucky to have Binie. The eleven years with her have been always an adventure. And better control sounds heavenly. Or any control at all.... Hope you have a relaxed day with the boys and Methos breaks his bounce very gently!