4/25/2017 Marvin PM+4 419 - Big Cat and dosage

[Marvin's Mom - Nat]

Hello All, I was wondering if anyone here had a really big cat and how it affected their dosage. Reason I am asking is the vet thinks we may need to go to 5 units soon, as we are not seeing any real progress. Due to his size the vet feels it is ok, as he is a big cat and body weight and size makes a difference (she was reassuring me as I mentioned that some sites don't recommend going over 3u). It makes sense to me but wanted to see someone experience. Please note Marvin's ideal weight would be approximately 17 pounds (very long cat, big build).

When Marvin was first diagnosed his BG was 540, it moved down to 378/414 when we went to 3U and has pretty much stayed in that range. Marvin also has had a UTI since he was diagnosed, that is what triggered me taking him to he vet as he was peeing outside the box. Now here is where I feel bad as Marvin is terrified of the car, he wets himself so years ago I stopped going to the vet. He was a healthy indoor cat a little fat (25 pounds at one time) now 18.5 pounds. So I missed the signs, he has really bad neuropathy which I mistook for arthritis. So I am guessing his diabetes was extremSely high for over a year. I heard that Lantus is really good and very stable and that the fluctuation of BG is minimal. However checking out some of the spreedsheets it seems it does fluctuate. Vet has indicated that it would be best at this time to only test BG +6 a few times a week and no need to check more. Concern was over testing could affect the vein in his ear making it harder to draw blood in the long run. So I am not sure what to do. Is test BG an ongoing thing even once you identify the correct dosage for your cat?

Also anyone here that sees this, have a cat with extremely bad neuropathy. Right now Marvin can't walk 90% of the time. He move 2 to 3 steps(crawls) at a time, then gives up. Yes that means he rarely makes it to the litter, a bit better last week. 2 weeks ago, he would just pee on himself where ever he was for a few days. That was the day I found this site. Yes I am giving him B12 supplements, trying to get a hold of the sublime one.

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

Vet has indicated that it would be best at this time to only test BG +6 a few times a week and no need to check more. Concern was over testing could affect the vein in his ear making it harder to draw blood in the long run. So I am not sure what to do. Is test BG an ongoing thing even once you identify the correct dosage for your cat?

Cats insulin needs can and do change.....and it can happen very quickly!! I totally disagree with your vet on several points. I've been testing China for almost 4 years and I would bet money you couldn't tell which ear I test on (her left ear is the only one that bleeds well....might as well try to get blood from a stone on the right). As long as you hold a little pressure after each poke and put a little Neosporin with pain relief ointment on now and then, you'll be able to test as frequently as need to without any problems with his ears. At first they may look a little shabby, but as you get better, it becomes easier and easier to get blood. The edges of the ear grow new capillaries the more they're poked which makes it easier as you go. We call it "Learning to bleed"

We've had cats that could go from 400 to 40 and back to 400 in one cycle....without testing every cycle, you might think the cat needed more insulin, when in fact, they needed less!!

You might try some Zobaline for Cats for the neuropathy....we've seen it work wonders in a lot of cats. It can take some time to work, but it's very safe and works wonders. You just crush it and add it to food....it's tasteless. I don't know what kind of B-12 you're using now but it should also work given time

Here's a video of how much they can recover!

 

[Marvin's Mom - Nat]

OMG Chris, My eyes are watering after watching the video. The cat looks almost exactly like mine, same physical shape and when Marvin was walking, walk just like he did. The difference is amazing. I hope Marvin gets similar results. The zobaline is the one I meant to put in my post that I am trying to get a hold of.

I am giving him one from the pharmacy that contains methylcobalamin as the key ingredient. I have been using Neosporin every once and a while when testing daily. I am getting a bit better at it too, which Marvin appreciates as it's over in a minute.

Thanks again Chris, I am glad to see you here too, as I appreciated your feedback from my first post on the site a couple weeks ago.

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

I am giving him one from the pharmacy that contains methylcobalamin as the key ingredient.

Make sure it doesn't contain any sugar or xylitol....some formulas do

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

Hi there

Vet has indicated that it would be best at this time to only test BG +6 a few times a week and no need to check more.

I strongly disagree. Giving insulin without first testing the BG ( what we refer to as "Shooting blind") is like playing Russian roulette. Testing only at +6 a few times a week will leave you in the dark in terms of knowing how Marvin is reacting to insulin and is also an unsafe practice.

Is test BG an ongoing thing even once you identify the correct dosage for your cat?

Testing BG is ongoing because what may appear as a "correct dose" can and will change over time. As an example, below is a graph representing my Black Kittys insulin needs over the entire 21 months he needed it. The corret dose was a moving target (until it got to zero)


(click to enlarge)

The foundation for safe and successful treatment of FD is to "know thy cat" and testing is how that knowledge is achieved.

 

[Marvin's Mom - Nat]

Thank you. There is so much information to take in. I have a good vet so wanted to check if anyone here had the same thoughts.