3/28 FRED - in Emergency Vet

[Kathleen and Fred]

The neurologist is supposed to see Fred around 9am (EDT) to determine the need for MRI. They just told me by phone that his BGs are still good, even though he's has had little to eat. (We've been working on weight and he's now down to 15.6lbs - which is good.)

I asked for no insulin to be given due to possible anesthesia later in AM for MRI. They say he's alert and not in obvious pain. I plan to go over early just to hold and visit with Fred before the neurological consultation.

This is all so sudden, unexpected and frightening!! nailbite_smile

 

[nckitties3]

Hang in there hon, we'll be thinking about you both. :YMHUG:

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

sending prayers...
jeanne

 

[Jen&Eddie]

Thinking about you two and sending lots of vines!

 

[Jen&Eddie]

I hope the consultation went OK Kathy, update us when you can! {{{{HUGS}}}}} for you and Fred!

 

[Kathleen and Fred]

It was a long day. I met the neurologist at 9:30am and he recommended a MRI, with the possibility of a spinal tap. Turns out we had to have both.....you can't imagine the cost!!

They showed me the scan and, sure enough, there is a little white ball on the cerebellum (I think) in the place where motor generation is housed in the brain. it is inoperable, because it's not sitting on the outside, but is down underneath and could cause more issues to remove.

Additional blood work is being sent to Univ. of Colorado for final analysis. All his other vital signs are good except, of course, his BGs which hit 403 before I took him home at 4pm today! I was sent home with clindamycin to be administered 2xday until used up. if his motor responses get better it may mean that he has a protozoan infection - possibly from eating chipmunks. If there is no improvement, they are looking at lymphoma or another cancer which would have to be treated with chemo, because steroids would be deadly to a diabetic, they say.

In his notes the doctor wrote that the most likelihood is that is it a "vascular process", whatever that means. Then he wrote: Diagnosis: intraparenchymal lesion at cervicomedullary junction - suspect neoplasia over infection. Prognosis: Open pending the results of infectious disease testing.

I think this is a death sentence. Poor little Fred struggles to get to his litter box, but still has a good appetite. I will have him back on his regular schedule of food and insulin this evening. Wish I had better news to report.

Thanks for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

K & F

 

[nckitties3]

Oh hon, stay strong and know there is a ton of love and prayers being sent to you and Fred. :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

 

[Jen&Eddie]

Kathy -

Hugs and purrs from me and Eddie - we're sending vines of hope and healing for you and Fred.

 

[BJM]

Our position on treating comorbid conditions is that you adjust the insulin around the effects of the other condition's treatment.
This means that if he needs prednisone, he should get it. You'd need to increase the insulin to compensate for the increased glucose. Also, having a stable daily dose of prednisone will work better than every other day.

You might find that Lantus or Levemir might last longer and give better control in that case, unless there were problems with appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea making the glucose levels erratic. With GI disturbances, being able to shoot what you see and adjust on the fly can be priceless.