4/17 - Pagan - PMPS 280, +2 221

[Liadh & Pagan]

Hi everyone,

We're back, after a brief interlude with only a small stash of test strips. ohmygod_smile

PMPS and +2 were nice and yellow, I'll try and get some nadir-ish readings. I have to go into work tomorrow, so I won't be able to do a full curve as I'd been hoping, but I'll test as often as I can to try and get more data.

WCR - A bottle of Methyl B-12 is on the way (should arrive Tues?) as well as a package of pet diapers, since he can't make it to the litter box anymore. He seems to be urinating a normal amount, though, which is a good sign. He weighs nearly 10 pounds, up from his visit to the vet where he was about 9.5 I think. I'm going to start weighing him weekly to make sure he's gaining. I'd like to feed him mini-meals, but I work 1.5 jobs and can't be home enough. I'm afraid if I get an automatic feeder, my civie will eat all the food before my diabetic can get to it.

Overall, continuing to try not to panic, especially as we're doing our budget and trying to figure out how we're going to continue to pay for strips, wet food, etc.

 

[Libby and Lucy]

welcome back!

are the urination problems related to the neuropathy, do you think? Or because of the unregulated diabetes? What does the vet think about that? When did that start?

Yes, get some mid-cycle tests, please. It looks like Pagan needs a dose increase, but we need to see mid-cycle numbers to be sure.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Where are you buying strips? The Relion meter (from Walmart) is inexpensive as are the strips. Many people here use that meter. I use a Bayer Contour and buy my strips from Amazon or Ebay. The cost by mail order vs. buying them at a brick and morter pharmacy is at least half the price. I'd also call around to price Lantus in your area. Some people have found Sam's or Costco to have very competitive prices and you don't need to be a member to use the pharmacy. I'd also suggest calling a university medical center. Often their prices are very competitive as well and they may sell single pens/cartridges vs. a box of 5. Keep an eye on the Supply Closet forum here. If people have extra strips, see coupons, etc., they will often post the information there.

If you're concerned about whether Pagan will eat from a feeder, can you try it out when you're at home and see whether Pagan or your civie gets to the food? Alternatively, while this may not be an ideal situation, can you separate the cats during the day so you know that Pagan will get to her food if she needs to?

 

[Liadh & Pagan]

Hi Libby and Sienne,

The vet thinks the urination problems are due to the diabetes. Whether the neuropathy or the diabetes in general, we're not sure. He's been known to pee outside the box when he's healthy, but the Feliway plug-in things helped that. He's never pooped outside the box though, and when that started a few weeks ago, we realized he probably couldn't physically get into his litterbox anymore. When he does pee or poo, he doesn't even move from the spot, and will lie there in his own mess. :sad: We're hoping the diapers will just be a temporary measure until he's "back on his feet" as they say.

I have an AccuChek Aviva, and I get the strips from Hocks. They're about $25 for a box of 50, comparable to what I've found on eBay & Amazon. We don't have a WalMart in the city (I live in Boston) so that's why I went with the Aviva. When I was running low, I checked in CVS to see if I could just grab a bottle, and they were $60+! Now I understand why I see all those "need help paying for your diabetes supplies?" commercials! It's just that we're pretty broke, and all of a sudden we're spending a lot more money on the cats (I switched by civie to wet food too) than we ever have previously. We're getting rid of our cable, though, since we never watch TV anyway, so that will help offset the cost.

As for the food, we live in a tiny apartment, so I'd hate to separate them overnight, because that would probably mean barricading Pagan in either the kitchen or the bathroom. Do you know of anyone who feeds 2+ cats out of one feeder successfully? I suppose I could save money and just get the 2 meal one instead of the 5 meal one, and time it so that it feeds them during the day while I'm at work and then at night when I'm asleep. While I can't be there to monitor them eating, at least I can weigh them.

Thanks for all the support and suggestions! I was pretty upset last night, it's always great to read everyone's helpful responses. I'm leaving for work late today, so I'll get a +6 or so today.