3/17 FRED

[Kathleen and Fred]

My Fred is a big (15 lbs) Sugarcat who has been doing very well recently. I usually post on the PZI board because my questions/ concerns are mostly insulin related.

However, I think something else is going on today. For the second time in 2 days, Fred has cried out - almost like he is in pain. He had a vet visit & blood work last week and the Vet was impressed with his (controlled) weight loss, his BG #s, kidney numbers, etc. If you look at his SS, you'll see progress.

But crying out is not what Fred does! He has a tiny voice that's almost never heard - even when he's up close and wants your attention. He was tested, ate and shot this morning, but he seems to be "slow", almost weak in his legs....and he's a muscular cat! They don't give out, he's just very careful about movement.

There isn't much evidence of stools, so I was wondering if he might be cosnstipated. His stomach feels tight. I have some of that " cat lax" that could help, but I don't want to interfere with insulin dosing. I'll be testing throughout the day, because I'm stuck at with icy road conditions. The vet probably won't be opened until late, either.

Stumped. Thanks for yourself. @-)

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Could be constipation. How do the stools look?
How was the T4 (total T4 thyroid) value?
Ho was the potassium blood value?
The BG look good and should not be causing neuropathy.

 

[Kathleen and Fred]

The vet just called me after our last visit and said all his numbers from blood work were good. Since I know nothing about good or bad thyroid numbers, I never asked. BUT I have no problem going back for them and sharing here...although the vet will find that strange!

As I mentioned, I don't think he's has a good bowel movement recently. This is a 2-cat household, so I can't be sure. But he mostly uses the downstairs box, and there was only evidence of urine (not lots) this morning. Don't think he was outside yesterday -too cold. In all other respects he's OK...but that crying out bothers me.

Should I be looking for other symptoms to help with diagnosis?

Thanks

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Since you aren't sure he is constipated, maybe start with the least drastic solution. Any chance you have some plain pumpkin in the house (not pumpkin pie filling which is full of sugar). You can add a little of that to his food.

Other people like Mirolax which is considered safe in cats.

Any chance he has a hairball? Do you have anything for hairballs?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

And here's a site people recommend:

http://www.felineconstipation.org/

 

[Kathleen and Fred]

Sue....what a great site!! Want to get back to it when I can do all the lessons. Yes, could be a hair all, but so far no more crying out.

BTW, would you take a look at Fred's re cent SS. I haven't posted much lately because I've gone back to read all the newbie stuff I missed years ago when I was panicked. Anyway, one of the suggestions is that you pick a no-shoot number. I really don't know what that should be for Fred, but it concerns me when he gets into low 200's. And, rather than a no-shoot would it be better to just cuts his current dose (PZI) in half and monitor?

Having a snow day, so, after taxes will try to read some more.

Thanks!

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

I think either way will work, Kathleeen. We tell new diabetics that their no shoot number should be 200, until they have data. You have data and have shot at some lower numbers - like the .6 on 3/14 for a 168. He didn't seem to go too low ( although we don't have midcycle numbers ) but he didn't seem to bounce for the next preshot. So we can't be sure if the dose on 168 was a little too much or not. But he may have bounced for the next pink amps, so it could have been a little too much.

The only way to be sure is to shoot at a lower number and be sure you will be around to monitor. That should give you some information on what to shoot for the next low number.

What we are seeing with ProZinc is that there seem to be different bouncing patterns depending on the cat - some bounce immediately in 2 hours or so, some bounce at the next preshot, some have a low flat cycle following a low number. Lucian yesterday had two flats cycles after a low of 59 and is today back on track. So you need to see if you can figure out Fred's pattern ( or if he has one :mrgreen: )

My preference is to shoot what is a safe dose on a low pre shot, based on your previous data. Having said that, there are some numbers I personally wouldn't shoot with ProZinc. I wouldn't shoot under 150, but some people do. They have lots of data and really have an idea what their cat will probably do AND they plan to be around to monitor. And they are likely shooting a mini dose - in the .2 range or so.

 

[Kathleen and Fred]

Thanks.....guess I need to get in more mid-cycle data and study his charts more closely. Need to go back and read the stff on "regulation".......ahhhh.....so many sites, so little time!!

confused_cat Thanks.