3u too high or too low?

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C & Winnie & Lily

C & Winnie & Lily

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Hi all. We recently switched from Vetsulin to Prozinc. The vet wanted to start her on 3u, but based on the numbers I think our control is worse than when Winnie was on 4u of Vetsulin. I'd really appreciate if the pros here would look at the spreadsheet and let me know what you think.

We have to board her at the vet from this evening through Saturday (I'm off to graduate!), so I would love advice ASAP. Leaving to drop her off in about an hour and a half.

Caveats: at the vet appt last friday she was guarding her belly. Vet suspected pancreatitis or occult infection and gave Covenia and a 7 day course of metronidazole bid (and fortiflora once daily). I don't know if that would raise or lower BG, and whether we should just hold the dose for now as a result. But I'm super worried about how extended hyperglycemia will affect her. It's awful timing, and I hate leaving her, but I think dragging her on long car rides and flights would just make it worse :(
 
Her numbers aren't awful. I would leave the dose until you return (congrats graduate). It is better for her to run a little high than a little lower.

When you return, we can try to help you get her dosages figured out.
 
The meds may make her numbers a little higher. If she does have pancreatitis, the pain from that can elevate the levels a little too. Once she feels better, she may drop.
 
Thank y'all so much for the help (and congratulations!). It's a huge relief to hear she's not too high to hold steady for a few days.

Are there supplements that can help with/prevent pancreatitis, for future use? I did some frantic googling after the vet suggested it and read something about taurine but now can't find that resource.
 
I don't know about supplements, but there are a number of medications that may be beneficial (or be needed for her to feel good). Check out A Primer on Pancreatitis for a starting point. My girl Rain was just diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis a few weeks ago, and my other cat Jason was diagnosed with the same back in December. Jason seems to do fine with an adjustment to his feeding schedule (he was getting fed twice a day, he now gets fed every 6 hours so he pretty much always has something in his stomach - if I'm late he throws up) without maintenance medication (obviously I do treat his flares). Rain, however, seems to have chronic nausea/pain from the pancreatitis and does require maintenance medication (as well as the feeding schedule change that Jason's on) - I'm still trying to find the right regimen of maintenance medication for her. If your vet does suspect pancreatitis, there is a blood test that can be run to check her pancreatic enzyme level (a Spec fPL). Also, pancreatitis is very painful so I would suggest asking your vet about pain medication for Winnie.
 
Sorry i wasn't around earlier. But congrats on graduation! Yes, when you come back, please do let us know. We'll be happy to work with you and help you figure out a good dose. Until then, just breathe and relax and enjoy yourself. Easier said than done, I know, but she'll be fine and when you get home, we'll be happy to help.
 
Thank you so much everyone! We just got back last night. Knock on wood, but after a few more days on ProZinc and finishing her antibiotics course, her numbers seem much better!

Wulfwin said:
I don't know about supplements, but there are a number of medications that may be beneficial (or be needed for her to feel good). Check out A Primer on Pancreatitis for a starting point. My girl Rain was just diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis a few weeks ago, and my other cat Jason was diagnosed with the same back in December. Jason seems to do fine with an adjustment to his feeding schedule (he was getting fed twice a day, he now gets fed every 6 hours so he pretty much always has something in his stomach - if I'm late he throws up) without maintenance medication (obviously I do treat his flares). Rain, however, seems to have chronic nausea/pain from the pancreatitis and does require maintenance medication (as well as the feeding schedule change that Jason's on) - I'm still trying to find the right regimen of maintenance medication for her. If your vet does suspect pancreatitis, there is a blood test that can be run to check her pancreatic enzyme level (a Spec fPL). Also, pancreatitis is very painful so I would suggest asking your vet about pain medication for Winnie.
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Thanks for this information! I'm implementing a similar change to her feeding schedule to see how that works.
She's acting like her usual self, batting at the window at the wasps outside and running around. She was much more lethargic before we left. Would you still recommend getting her tested or getting pain meds? Money's a little tight for now, so I don't want to do anything unnecessary, but her comfort is most important.
 
So glad she's feeling better! She's such a cutie!!! As far as running any more tests, if she were mine, I'd just keep a close eye out and consult with my vet if any symptoms reappear.
 
Hi Charlotte - my Murphy has chronic pancreatitis and staring cerenia (4 mg once a day for 5 days, then skip a day, then another 5 days, etc) has been like a miracle drug for him. cerenia is both an anti-emetic drug and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. This seems to be quite standard therapy now. I frequently have to give him anti-nausea drugs and appetite stimulants. When they have flares, pain meds and SQ fluids. It sounds like a lot, but so far has been manageable. Please check out the pancreatitis info on www.ibdkitties.net as well
 
C&J said:
Thanks for this information! I'm implementing a similar change to her feeding schedule to see how that works.
She's acting like her usual self, batting at the window at the wasps outside and running around. She was much more lethargic before we left. Would you still recommend getting her tested or getting pain meds? Money's a little tight for now, so I don't want to do anything unnecessary, but her comfort is most important.
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If she's acting like herself, the test may not tell you anything right now - I just ran the test on both of mine (Jason because he was due for his routine bloodwork and hadn't had the test, and Rain since it was recommended to recheck the test 2-3 weeks after her elevated one). Both of them came back in the normal range. Like Sharon said, if she were mine, I would watch for reappearance of symptoms and check with your vet at that point.
 
The Secondary Monitoring Tools in my signature link may help you spot changes that indicate something is different. Most are pretty simple to check.
 
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