3/6 Simone AMBG=65, PMBG=70

[Zipdrive]

So it's been 3 days now in the green without any injections.

Managed to find the PureBites LC treats at a local pet supply in town and while Simone doesn't much care for the chicken variety she does seem to like the beef liver. Guess the little strays outside get to have the chicken treats.

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Pretty exciting! I'm glad to see Simone doing so well.

I saw in your earlier threads that there was some conversation about treats. Just fyi, this study
Glycemic Status and Predictors of Relapse for Diabetic Cats in Remission
showed that most cats in remission still have an impaired response to glucose. In other words, once diabetic, always diabetic. A diabetic cat that is being diet-controlled will still need a low-carb diet for the rest of their life. We see kitties return here sometimes for as little as having a petsitter give some dry food.

That link is in the section about remission on both the Tight Regulation and SLGS stickies.
REMISSION:
From Tilly's Diabetes Homepage, Phase 5: Remission

14 days without insulin and normal blood glucose values. Most remission cats are able to stay in the normal range all of the time (50 to 80 mg/dl), although there are a few cases of sporadic higher and lower BGs. Don't stop feeding low-carb and try to avoid cortisone if possible.

Test the cat's BGs once per month.Approximately 25% cats that achieved remission using this protocol relapsed and required insulin again (frequent causes are hyperthyroidism or bouts of pancreatitis). Therefore, it is important to keep your diabetes kit up-to-date. Then you can react immediately by giving insulin and home testing. Importantly, the sooner you react to a relapse (i.e. preventing hyperglycemia and initiating other necessary veterinary treatment), the more likely a second remission will become.

The longer a cat has had diabetes, the less likely it will go into remission. Many long-term diabetics get stuck in Phase 3 or 4. Yet there is a benefit of using this method for such a cat as well: keeping the cat's BG levels as normal as possible is much healthier for it long term. Insulin requirements will often decrease to very low levels too."

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Here's your last post here, for continuity: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/3-4-simone-ambg-85-pmbg-68.174266/
Orijen also make a popular all meat treat. And they are made in Alberta, so practically local. For all those treats, it's more econonical to buy the version from the dog section and break them into smaller pieces.

Simone's looking really good. Since she's been so long without insulin, I think we should formally call it an OTJ trial. Here are the instructions:

Start the trial on the next green pre shot. (ignore that part, Simone's got this started).

If he/she is green at your normal test times, no need to test further until the next "PS" time; just feed small meals and go about your day. If he/she is blue at your normal "PS", feed a small meal and test again after about 3 or 4 hours. If his/her number is lower 3-4 hours after a meal, then the pancreas is working!

Post every day so we can monitor your progress and see if any tweaks are needed. He/she may have a sporadic blue number. Don't panic but post before you decide whether to shoot so we can have a discussion.

After 14 days of no insulin, we have a party!!

Sometimes the trial doesn't work the first time and we have to give a little more support in the form of resuming insulin. It's not the end of the world if that happens; we just give him/her the support needed. Our goal is a strong remission and it's better to take our time to get that than to rush into remission just to have it fail later on.

Good luck with the trial!!!

Once he/she is through the trial successfully, you enter a new phase. Your cat is still diabetic but has now become diet-controlled. Continue feeding low carb food in the manner successful for your kitty. If you decide to change his/her feeding schedule, let your meter be your guide to the best times to feed. Avoid medications with sugar in them and steroid medications unless they are medically essential. Continue testing blood glucose weekly for the first month and then monthly forever. It's a good idea to weigh him/her monthly. Weight should remain stable. If he/she seems "off" or sick, or is showing signs of diabetes (excessive drinking, eating, urinating, weight loss), test his/her blood glucose right away. Keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy; dental issues can bring a cat out of remission. If you see rising blood glucose numbers, it's time for a visit to the vet!

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

A diabetic cat that is being diet-controlled will still need a low-carb diet for the rest of their life. We see kitties return here sometimes for as little as having a petsitter give some dry food.

I can testify to that. Although we suspect Cinco had a virus that was a contributing factor, I was a very bad mamabean and let him eat dry sometimes after he went into remission, and sure enough, he relapsed.

 

[Zipdrive]

Many thanks for the info. I'm so happy for the little furball. Another green number this AM (67 /3.7). I'll be dropping Simone's weekly numbers off tomorrow to the clinic so hopefully the vet won't throw a wrench into the mix and have me do something that will mess up the trial.

I have been feeding her small meals throughout the day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. Plus if she is wanting a little bit in between I usually put a little wet in a dish just as a nibble. Since she likes the FF wet I have no need to give her kibble any more. At least not that HC stuff anyways.