12/3 Asia +11 67 PMPS 92, +2 87, +4 63, +7 100

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Stacy & Asia

Stacy & Asia

Member Since 2017
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/12-2-asia-6-70-11-123-pmps-108-2-81-4-95-6-96.187471/

AMPS 188, possibly food influenced. I loaded her up with food last night so I could get a good stretch of sleep because she seemed to be surfing in the 90s. I ordered an automatic feeder and going to try that for the pm so I don't have to load her up on food. Not sure if I trust it will keep the food fresh, but 6 hours and some ice cubes is worth a shot so I don't have to pay for sleep with a high AMPS.

We have our fridge being replaced tomorrow morning. No idea how long that takes, but I'm freaking out a bit on what to do with the insulin during that time. :confused: I have a small cooler and ice packs, but I'm also worried about it freezing. Suggestions more than welcome. If worse comes to worst, I will be knocking on random apartment doors and begging them to store my insulin for a couple hours, but since tomorrow is a week day, I don't suspect many people will be home. :nailbiting:
 
Beautiful cycles yesterday Miss Asia! Good luck with the auto-feeder. A cooler is fine. I'd wrap it in paper towel and be sure it's not touching any of the ice...just keep it cool, not cold. Most of us have left the insulin out on the counter accidently overnight or something and the insulin was fine.
 
I hope the autofeeder works for Asia. Hopefully the fridge replacement goes quickly and smoothly. As Karen said, make sure the insulin doesn't touch the ice or freezer pack or it could freeze. If you have any bags of air they use for packaging or styrofoam, you could put it between the ice and the insulin.
 
Great cycle last night. I'm glad you were able to get some sleep. I'm curious about the auto feeder. Let us know how it works for Asia.

I hope the refrigerator replacement is fast and you can get Asia's insulin in there asap:bighug:
 
Oh I hope you love your auto feeder as much as I do! Its been a life saver. I freeze portions of wet food and always allow at least 2.5-3 hrs for it to defrost. It holds up for many hours after that. I feed 4 meals out of it and only 1 meal is served (dinner) out of a separate dish.

Fridge replacement will be relatively fast and it will come down in temp pretty quickly once plugged in.

Asia's SS is looking great :D
 
Thank you all. The little cooler I have holds the ice pack in a seperate insulated pouch at the top, so the insulin won't touch it, I just hope it will stay at a good temp and not get too cold. Paws crossed for that!

The auto feeder was $21 so I figured why not try it out, I assumed they were much more expensive than that. The first pet fountain I bought her which was well over a decade ago, was around $60 at the time and I see now they have come down a lot in price and many more varieties are offered. I use little glass custard dishes to feed her meals in, I fear they may be too tall to fit in this feeder, so I have to find some other dish that will fit in there as I don't want her to eat out of the plastic if I can help it. I will probably only use it at night, but we will see.

Asia had lost weight before diabetes and has plumped up now, which is nice to see, but I think it is harder on her joints for arthritis. She's not overweight, but it's still more weight she has to carry around than she did and I can tell it makes it difficult for her. The acupuncture has helped a good deal, but I no longer think it's adequate and I'm going to take her to the vet and see about a stronger intervention.
 
Stacy & Asia said:
I think it is harder on her joints for arthritis.
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Ask about Adequan injections. I believe it has helped Maggie. You can give the shots yourself. You start with frequent doses, then taper off to once or twice a month. It requires a larger syringe, and it was a little disconcerting in the beginning because you have to push harder to insert the needle.
 
Alicia & Maggie said:
Ask about Adequan injections. I believe it has helped Maggie. You can give the shots yourself. You start with frequent doses, then taper off to once or twice a month. It requires a larger syringe, and it was a little disconcerting in the beginning because you have to push harder to insert the needle.
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Thanks, Alicia!

I reasearched these things a bit ago, and decided on the acupuncture to start because it seemed the least invasive. I ruled out a few other things because I cannot pill her and she refuses food that has been "tampered" with. :rolleyes: I don't recall if it was adequan, but some injectable I thought was contradictory for CKD cats? I'm fine with the bigger needle. I've given her b12 shots before as well as sub-q fluids (and I'm sure the needle is nowhere near as big as that one, yikes)!

What has been your experience with Adequan? Like what improvements specifically have you seen, and what side effects has Maggie experienced, if any?
 
Stacy & Asia said:
contradictory for CKD cats?
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I hadn't heard that, but my vet was aware of her CKD when I requested Adequan. Guess I'll look into that, and let me know if you do further research and find something.
Stacy & Asia said:
What has been your experience with Adequan?
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Maggie moves easier and walks faster. There was some apparent weakness before, as if her legs wouldn't hold her weight, that I haven't seen recently. Because of her loss of vision Maggie doesn't jump anymore, so I can't speak to improvements there. We started Adequan on 9/5, and I've noticed no side effects.
 
Alicia & Maggie said:
I hadn't heard that, but my vet was aware of her CKD when I requested Adequan. Guess I'll look into that, and let me know if you do further research and find something.

Maggie moves easier and walks faster. There was some apparent weakness before, as if her legs wouldn't hold her weight, that I haven't seen recently. Because of her loss of vision Maggie doesn't jump anymore, so I can't speak to improvements there. We started Adequan on 9/5, and I've noticed no side effects.
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They don't say why but I found this: "Use with caution in animals with kidney or liver disease." I sure would like to know why. It's a quality of life issue, perhaps the benefits outweigh the risks, afterall, what good are pristine kidneys if it hurts to get around every day?

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/11...rsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_psgag.pdf

I'm also considering low dose buprenorphine, mainly because I know it's okay on the kidneys and Asia has had it before for a bad UTI and tolerates it well. I heard it doesn't make them loopy at a low dose but helps a lot? Does it actually do anything for the arthritis inflammation wise? Or do they just not feel the pain and move around more thus keeping everything from getting stiff?
 
Thanks for the link! I've got some buprenorphine, but I have trouble administering it because Maggie doesn't like someone messing with her mouth.
 
Alicia & Maggie said:
Thanks for the link! I've got some buprenorphine, but I have trouble administering it because Maggie doesn't like someone messing with her mouth.
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Same here! Asia's mouth is a no go zone. But the vet told me they don't have to swallow the bupe, it absorbs into their cheek, so as long as it touches around there, it's good, so the torture is quick and minimal.

Asia is hovering around 70 and it's 1 hour until shot time. If it stays in this zone, this will be my lowest preshot number ever. So that's scary. :nailbiting:
 
Neko did both bupe (which just helps pain, but was a game changer) and Cartrophen for her arthritis, as well as acupuncture. Cartrophen is like Adequan, but what is available in Canada. Neko had CKD too. Another thing that helped her was Duralactin - discuss with vet before using. I also tried hyaluronic acid for a while (Hyaflex brand), st her acupuncture vetty's suggestion.

I got bupe compounded chicken flavour, yumm! And much cheaper. Neko liked the chicken soup flavour much better than the roast chicken flavour. :rolleyes:

Nice cycle. :D
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Neko did both bupe (which just helps pain, but was a game changer) and Cartrophen for her arthritis, as well as acupuncture. Cartrophen is like Adequan, but what is available in Canada. Neko had CKD too. Another thing that helped her was Duralactin - discuss with vet before using. I also tried hyaluronic acid for a while (Hyaflex brand), st her acupuncture vetty's suggestion.

I got bupe compounded chicken flavour, yumm! And much cheaper. Neko liked the chicken soup flavour much better than the roast chicken flavour. :rolleyes:

Nice cycle. :D
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Thanks, Wendy!

Did you do the bupe and the Cartrophen at the same time? Or you tried one and then the other? I can see it being a game changer if they aren't feeling the pain as much, they are less apt to rust! I just didn't know if it was enough on its own if it doesn't address the inflammation. The acupuncture is breaking the bank for us, and I'd figure out a way to keep paying for it if the results were mind blowing, they are good, but just not good enough anymore. She gets it weekly right now. I might find another option and try to do acupuncture monthly and see if that works.
 
After trying adequan, acupuncture, cosequin, and things I no longer remember for our old guy, Gus, we finally gave him a low maintenance dose of bupe twice a day. He also had CKD but his kidneys stayed really stable for over four years and he crossed from an unrelated issue. The bupe really kept him comfortable but not knocked out. I also got the bupe compounded and flavored but if you go that route, be sure they don’t add any sweeteners....even artificial ones like maltodextrin...to the medication as it can cause her BG to go up. Alot of compounding pharmacies add it and don’t tell you.

The auto feeder was one of the smartest things I ever did. Like many others, I bought the PetSafe 5 and these bowls fit perfectly in the compartment so it could still turn.

You could buy a little refrigerator thermometer and put it in with the insulin in the ice chest to see what temp it keeps it at.

She’s looking really great today!!
 
Alicia & Maggie said:
Ask about Adequan injections. I believe it has helped Maggie. You can give the shots yourself. You start with frequent doses, then taper off to once or twice a month. It requires a larger syringe, and it was a little disconcerting in the beginning because you have to push harder to insert the needle.
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Yum has CKD and the vet said it was okay to use adequan. However, the warning label does say ask your vet before using on a dog with renal disease.
I buy the canine adequan. I don't know if it is as thick as the substitute the vet was selling to me, prefilled in huge syringes with huge needles. I use Yum's diabetes syringes for the canine adequan with no problems. Maybe I use her old 8mm needle ones instead of the 6mm ones.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
After trying adequan, acupuncture, cosequin, and things I no longer remember for our old guy, Gus, we finally gave him a low maintenance dose of bupe twice a day. He also had CKD but his kidneys stayed really stable for over four years and he crossed from an unrelated issue. The bupe really kept him comfortable but not knocked out. I also got the bupe compounded and flavored but if you go that route, be sure they don’t add any sweeteners....even artificial ones like maltodextrin...to the medication as it can cause her BG to go up. Alot of compounding pharmacies add it and don’t tell you.

The auto feeder was one of the smartest things I ever did. Like many others, I bought the PetSafe 5 and these bowls fit perfectly in the compartment so it could still turn.

You could buy a little refrigerator thermometer and put it in with the insulin in the ice chest to see what temp it keeps it at.

She’s looking really great today!!
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So at the end of the day, the other stuff wasn't very effective for him and the bupe was what he liked best? I will keep the info handy on compounding with flavors.

That's the feeder I got and you just saved me a bunch of trouble with dishes that fit! Thank you!

They are coming in the morning, and I don't have a fridge thermometer so I'm just going to have to hope it keeps and they don't takes hours to get the new one in and working. It's funny, I have no amazing plan (cardboard box and ice) for all the other food in the freezer and fridge, just worried about that dang insulin! :rolleyes:

Asia came up to 92 for her preshot, so as not to give me heart palpitations. Good girl, Asia!
 
MJW said:
Yum has CKD and the vet said it was okay to use adequan. However, the warning label does say ask your vet before using on a dog with renal disease.
I buy the canine adequan. I don't know if it is as thick as the substitute the vet was selling to me, prefilled in huge syringes with huge needles. I use Yum's diabetes syringes for the canine adequan with no problems. Maybe I use her old 8mm needle ones instead of the 6mm ones.
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Do you inject it in the muscle? :blackeye: That's what freaks me out, I know that will hurt (probably a lot less with an insulin syringe, but still painful).
 
Stacy & Asia said:
So at the end of the day, the other stuff wasn't very effective for him and the bupe was what he liked best? I will keep the info handy on compounding with flavors.

That's the feeder I got and you just saved me a bunch of trouble with dishes that fit! Thank you!

They are coming in the morning, and I don't have a fridge thermometer so I'm just going to have to hope it keeps and they don't takes hours to get the new one in and working. It's funny, I have no amazing plan (cardboard box and ice) for all the other food in the freezer and fridge, just worried about that dang insulin! :rolleyes:

Asia came up to 92 for her preshot, so as not to give me heart palpitations. Good girl, Asia!
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Yes...at the end of the day, the other stuff didn’t work for Gussie. And, no you don’t inject adequan into the muscle. It’s a subq shot.....at least it was for Gus.

Oh great! I’m glad that is the same feeder. Wow---$21!!! I paid $35 for mine and thought it was a good deal. I don’t know if Asia will eat the food really cold but a lot of people make foodsicles.....put a little bit of food in an ice cube tray and freeze. Then when you need to leave it for a long time in the feeder, it melts gradually but stays cold.

Our kitchen frig went out a couple years ago....shortly before Gracie crossed. Luckily, we had a frig in the garage but it seems to me the new frig got cold fairly quickly....and it’s a behemoth. I think it was at 40 degrees within 8 hours.
 
Christie & Maverick said:
You do not want to know what I paid in Canada (from Amazon)...highway robbery, and if that wasn't enough, then I went and bought a second one :woot:
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I probably don’t want to know haha. I did see one on Amazon in the States and it was over $60. I can see why you might buy two....they are really great. I tell you, Gracie had that thing figured out in four practice runs and by the fourth run, she had just about figured out how to open it on her own. Smart girl.
 
Stacy & Asia said:
It's okay! You've saved enough money buying insulin in Canada to buy 2 more feeders, at least! :joyful:
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Lol, yes indeed, but then we take it on the chin for the AT2 test strips! I went the cheap route (I thought), by getting a Petsafe 2, since I figured I get home for lunch and only needed 2 spaces, then could refill, but that one wasn't so good...timing it was impossible, still more expensive than what you paid for the Petsafe 5. So I had to dish out the cash for a second one for my civvie.

I expected my civvie, Jester would be able to open it on his own at some point, he's quite clever, if I don't close the pantry door completely, with the latch clicking, he can open the door :rolleyes:. He flushes toilets too lol.
 
Stacy & Asia said:
absorbs into their cheek
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I give to Phoebe and it's compounded to rub in her ear, even just trying to get it in her mouth was an issue. We used adequan and did not have a noticeable improvement for the amount of money it costs. She is also on gabapentin that helps with pain.
 
Phoebes said:
I give to Phoebe and it's compounded to rub in her ear, even just trying to get it in her mouth was an issue. We used adequan and did not have a noticeable improvement for the amount of money it costs. She is also on gabapentin that helps with pain.
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No way!!! You can rub it in her ear? That would be amazing. Do you wear gloves or something? A q tip? I have never heard of that, but I'm definitely going to ask about it!
 
Christie & Maverick said:
Lol, yes indeed, but then we take it on the chin for the AT2 test strips! I went the cheap route (I thought), by getting a Petsafe 2, since I figured I get home for lunch and only needed 2 spaces, then could refill, but that one wasn't so good...timing it was impossible, still more expensive than what you paid for the Petsafe 5. So I had to dish out the cash for a second one for my civvie.

I expected my civvie, Jester would be able to open it on his own at some point, he's quite clever, if I don't close the pantry door completely, with the latch clicking, he can open the door :rolleyes:. He flushes toilets too lol.
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True, I heard about the test strip cost in Canada, we really need to have a diabetic exchange thing going on.

He flushes the toilet? :joyful: My civvie Toki would be thick as thieves with Jester! We had the lever type door handles and had to swap them out for round ones because she can open doors that aren't locked and would get in the pantry and our closets. She can open kitchen cabinets even with the baby proof locks on them. She's trouble. This is the best true story though, our last apartment had a lever handle on the front door and we locked ourselves out one day after hours. I called a locksmith and while I was waiting for them in the lobby, my daughter went up to our apartment and talked to Toki through the door to get her to open it. SHE DID! The door was too heavy that Toki could open it and get out on her own, but with daughter on the other side, she pushed it open before it closed again. Saved us $150!
 
Stacy & Asia said:
No way!!! You can rub it in her ear? That would be amazing. Do you wear gloves or something? A q tip? I have never heard of that, but I'm definitely going to ask about it!
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Yes you must have glove, or you'll be sharing in on the exsperience:cool: just ask my DH lol
 
Noah should have had all his teeth pulled years ago but wouldn't survive the surgery. He is a strange, leave me alone, older cat. Giving him BUPE orally was so emotionally painful my vet had a compounding pharmacy make a paste for him. It's in a syringe and you squirt a blob (consistency of toothpaste) on the backside of the supplied spoons. Then you just tickle the inside of his ears! Keep his ears clean. His pal Andy likes to lick Noah's ears (free drugs?) so that's something I have to watch for. I don't wear the gloves as often as I should. Just like a dog Noah is fascinated by the toilet but he doesn't flush it. Having cats sure is fun isn't it? I'm going to the vet today to spend another mortgage payment on BUPE and Caninsulin.
 
Oh, just joined eh? Check my DOB on my profile. "What seems to the officer problem?" My education? Maybe someone else knows what this is. It's nickname is a common breakfast cereal. :coffee: :rolleyes: o_O
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