6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590+3/500+4/488

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Barb & Checkers (GA)

Barb & Checkers (GA)

Member Since 2009
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=96780

Good Morning LL

So far, so good. Checkers ate FF breffis. Happily ate cheese ball with pill and 3 kibbles stuck in it.

I'm going to give bupe on a more regular basis, to see if pain is affecting his numbers.
I don't think it's pain causing the high pmps, but obviously, I want to keep the pain in his back at bay anyway.
Heaven knows, I don't want to chance that my baby is in pain, just because he doesn't complain about it.
I only know, when he walks differently.

I'm also not going to limit his food, at any time, except too close to pmps. Five years ago, he weighed 17lbs.....now he is 7.11 :cry:
This is why I am always desperate for him to eat. He will never regain lost muscle, but I'd still like to see flesh on his frame.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191

Nice blue Checkers, but turn it around.

Good idea on the bupe. Poor guy. They do hide their pain so well.

As far as the food goes, we don't limit. Tarragon was 7 pounds at diagnosis (down from 15 pounds pre-FD) and is now back up to about 12 pounds. They actually had "slightly overweight" on his chart. What the heck? Anyway, he seems to feel much better at a heavier weight and I know I feel much better with some meat on his bones.

Big huge hugs Barb. ((((Barb))))
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191

Hi Barb. Looks like Checkers likes the waters in the blue zone and has decided to surf there this morning. I hope the increase of the bupe does the job and the poor guy isn't in pain. You are so right how hard it is to tell if they are hurting.

Five years ago, he weighed 17lbs.....now he is 7.11​
Click to expand...
My goodness, that's a 58% drop. I hope he gains some back. Maybe if he starts to eat a bit more he'll be a bit more active and build a little bit of his muscle back.

It's amazing how much Checkers looks like PurrFace, right down to the white blaze on his nose and small white bit on the chin.

We have checkers and you in our Prayers Barb. Have a great day.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191

Morning Barb ~O) ~O) ~O)

WooHOO! A nice day for Checks in the making. I so love Blue surfs. Stay where you are Checkers. Looking good!

Good idea too on the bupe. I would think one could adjust dosing with that to ensure an even level maintenance program. I did that with Mannie when He went through his P'titis thing. Just enough to take the edge off, but not have him stoned at the same time. I know Checks situation is different though. Good luck with that. I know it's hard to know sometimes when they hurt.

Good deal with the food too. I think I too would just let him eat when he wants to eat. I ended up doing that with Mannie too. It did help. He still got his scheduled feeding, and then whenever we wanted after that. I'd think calories too. One can always adjust dosing to compensate for what one is feeding, should that affect numbers over all. Wish you much luck there too. I think Maybe that too will help him feel good, having a little more flesh on his bones.

Have a great day today! Good weather too I hope... :-D
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159

Checks is wandering around, looking for trouble to get into :-D
He feels good in blue, and the bupe has kicked in, it's been 2 hours. I love when he's 'normal' like this. Staying out of the cube, and being active.
Putting weight on him, would be easier, if he liked any of the lc foods. I envy people with little Hoovers :lol:

When the sun dries out the grass/ground, I'll take him out on harness. :smile:
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159

Great report...I love hearing that Checks is feeling good.

Your plan sounds perfect...I agree with all you said. FD is tricky, but it's trickier to juggle other issues at the same time. You have to do what is right for you and Checks, and if his numbers are affected, you can always adjust the juice accordingly.

Have a great day, Barb!
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

I don't get it!!!!!

Deliberately did not give snack at +6, even tho he had diarrhea again, and I wanted to give snack with Fortiflora.
He was resting, and I thought it best to let his tummy rest too.
Now, once again, he jumps at +7!
He ate nothing unusual to have given him diarrhea. Just Fancy Feast, bits of tuna, and little cheese, which he has eaten all his life, with no problem.
Now I have to go look, to see if Tapazole can be causing the diarrhea, before I go hauling him in to vet.


eta: remembered he was out today. I wonder if he ate something to give D. Unfortunately, I don't write in my journal or SS when I take him out.....to compare other diarrhea days. They are occuring on days when he hasn't been out, tho.
So far, diarrhea isn't listed as a side effect of tapazole.

I'm sorry I haven't gotten to condos yet today. Things keep popping up, to do.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

Actually, now that you mention it, I remember hearing that tapazole can cause digestive distress. With my Mario, we used transdermal tapazole - a gel that we rubbed inside his ear, therefore bypassing the digestive system. He never had digestive issues with it, and it regulated his thyroid just fine. Maybe that's something to look into. And, if you do go that route, I found that Drs Foster and Smith had the best pricing for the transdermal Tap.

And, maybe the upset tummy is causing the numbers to rise....

Turn back around, Checks!
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

Ohhhhhh Amy. Now I remember Dr Dave talking to me about digestive issues. I was concentrating on the possible itchy face, and ignored the tummy stuff.
He didn't like the transdermal gel, because the dose wouldn't be accurate. My DD and sis, both used the ear gel. I don't know how well it regulated the cat tho. Both cats have since gone to the Bridge. Not thyroid related reasons.

I wonder if anyone here, has had tummy problems with the pill? I'd have to make a post to ask. Maybe on Health.
Thanks for the heads-up, Amy. I'll look into that.

I just searched my SS and I've noted Diarrhea 3 times, just in May. I thought it was gravy, or Sheba (new food)

eta: just called the clinic. Dave is busy,and will call back. Another doc said that it probably is not caused by the tap, because of the length of time he's been on it.
According to my SS, I've recorded it 5 times since March. This week twice now.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

I can say that Mario's thyroid was well-regulated on the gel. I took him in every 3 months for a re-check, for almost 2 years. His dosage needs did go up over time, due to the natural progression of the thyroid disease, but the gel definitely worked just fine - it wasn't like he needed adjustments every time we checked his thyroid levels, but he did need a few increases as time went on. It's more expensive than the pill, that's for sure, but if it solves the issues, then it's worth it.

One other thing...I followed a 12/12 dosing schedule with Mario, too. I know lots of vets go the "once a day route", but my vet felt that twice a day kept things more stable. Is Checks getting his once or twice a day? That may be something else to consider.

I vaguely remember someone here having trouble with the pill, but off the top of my head, I can't remember who it was.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

He gets it once a day...I am not positive of the dose, so don't want to put it out here.
He is regulated well as of March. His number dropped from 6.1 to 2.8. That was last test.in March. Normal is 0.8--4.7
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

Oh yeah....and one other thing I forgot...my vet also liked to test Mario at his "+6"...mid cycle.

Maybe splitting his dose between the day would go easier on his belly - same dose, split in two, with half given in the morning, half 12 hours later. I followed Trix's shot schedule when I dosed Mario. Just another thing to talk to your vetty about...
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

I keep forgetting to ask if he should not be getting it right on top of breffis.
My Synthroid, for LOW thyroid level needs to be taken on empty stomach.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+1/160 +2/191+3/159+6/207 +7/291

I always did Mario's right after he ate, but it's an apples and oranges comparison, since he was on the gel.

And helping you is more than my pleasure. I like knowing that Mario's experience could help another kitty...his legacy.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+3/159+6/207+7/291+10/527 OMG!

I don't know what's happening.....how can this be bounces evry night?

He had a teas of no carb FF fish, at +9......one hour ago. He was begging for food. Nothing can account for this!

He will be in the stratosphere by PMPS!!!!! :cry:

I'm so scared!
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+3/159+6/207+7/291+10/527 OMG!

OK, deep breath.....

Take a look at Check's SS from the last 24 hours. He was in the reds last night and in the blues this morning. He dropped 347 points in 12 hours. To my eyes, a bounce due to that large of a drop makes sense! It's annoying but it's what Checkers does. So, you've done everything right.

I'm glad you're going to try using the bupe on a regular basis. I've always wondered whether Checkers is good at hiding pain and it's the pain that may be driving his numbers at times.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers amps 133+3/159+6/207+7/291+10/527 OMG!

Thank you Sienne. I just got off the phone with Dr Dave and he told me the same thing about the bupe and pain and higher bgs.
He wants me to give Checks his shot now, and make up the time in increments, the way I did last week.

Sienne, thank you so much. You see things that I don't. I just can't see things objectively, where Checkers is concerned.

I am going to give shot now, and make up the time over a couple of days.
He is at 558 now at +11.

Dave had returned my call about the diarrhea. He thinks it's not the Tap, because it's episodic, among other reasons.
Also it's not one of the normal side effects. 'Normal' is my word.
He talked a lot about finding the cause of diarrhea. Not easy.

In all of my very long life, nothing has ever scared me, the way Checkers does.

I truly don't know what I'd do without the loving support I get here. :smile:
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558

I'm sorry about the bounce today. I hope the bupe helps Checkers' numbers and helps him eat more.

I give my cat Callie the tapazole pill twice a day (every 12 hours) and she has not had any tummy problems. I have never worried about when she eats in relation to what time I give her the pill, but I give it to her before she eats. She has been on the tapazole for over a year now.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558

Well this is not a boring condo...you certainly have a lot of things on your mind Barb!
Mr. Checkers.....why are you give your Mama all these challenges??? So many questions....
Well, I hope you two have a peaceful evening....sending hugs...
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558

(((Barb)))

We all understand. I know I've had that knot in my stomach when I'm worried about my kitties and I need other people's objectivity where my guys are concerned, too. You're not alone in that.

I don't recall if Checks has kidney issues. If he doesn't and Dr. Dave wants to try Checks on an NSAID, there is a consensus paper regarding their use. The paper is in a sticky on the Health board or I can e-mail it to you. Apparently, it's too big to upload(?). Frankly, the bupe should be fine! Cats are just so good at compartmentalizing pain that I wouldn't be surprised if Checks feels better with the bupe.

One other thing I'd suggest is that whenever you're worrying about Check's numbers, the first thing to think about is a bounce. He's truly a bouncy kitty -- not unlike Dyana's J.D. I know it's hard on you emotionally. The better you can figure out if it's a bounce the easier (sort of) it will be. You can always ask us to take a look if you can't figure out what's going on, as well.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558

I know how you feel about trying to put weight on Checkers. I am constantly trying to get J.D. to eat more, whether he's high or low in BGs, I just want him to eat. He was 17lbs pre-FD too.
I hope the BID dosing of those thyroid meds and the bupe helps Checkers to feel much better and get a better appetite.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

I'm not freaking about this +2, because I know it takes about four hours for onset. By 10pm Eastern time, he should be dropping.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

Awww....Checkers baby, sending eating and slide down vines. Barb, I've been following your condo, but didn;t want to get in the way of your getting advice. Hope you are hanging in okay and not getting too stressed.
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

Also...there really isn't any difference in number between his PMPS and +2 if you look at 20% meter variance.

I also think its good to split the thyroid dose...I did it with Gus and Teddi and I also agree the pill or a compounded, flavored, non sweetener (including maltodextrin) liquid are better choices than the gel. Teddi had user tummy issues with it.

I was hoping he wouldn't fly up at +7 but Barb, consider that , for whatever reason, this might be his pattern. He just might not get good duration out of the lev due to other issues.

Gus functions very well on his .1ml bupe bid. I hope it helps Checks!
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

Checks, dude, you do love your trampoline! I am coming over with the ropes right now! ~Z
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

Marje, I've been wondering if Lev isn't the right choice for Checkers any more. I changed because he bounced too much on Lantus, but this raising around +6 to +7 is the norm for him.
I don't understand why he doesn't just raise slowly as the juice wears off. Can I prevent the jump? I was hoping a light snack would cause the pancreas to react and give out a bit of insulin, but it doesn't work that way.

Now that I'm aware of the bounce, better, I won't panic tomorrow. No doubt it will happen again. :roll:
I will definately give the bupe twice a day now. I've been doing it, but not every day. I'll put a reminder on the fridge.

Thank you Everybody for comfort and support. He's here next to me, purring away, like he hasn't given me a few more grey hairs to cover. :-D
 
Re: 6/4 Checkers pmps 558+2/590

Rather than make too many changes, let's see how Checkers does with bupe on a regular basis. If you're then going to give his thyroid meds on a BID basis, that would be fine.

I don't think feeding late in the cycle makes sense at this point. Usually, that's a strategy for kitties that are very close to OTJ. It may be that feeding late is only serving to raise Checkers' numbers.

Once you see what the bupe and hyper-T meds are doing, then let's evaluate what the Lev is looking like. If you try to do everything at the same time, you won't know what is or isn't working.
 
Hi Barb,
Wow, you have lots of grist for your mill now. i can't add anything useful, so I'll just send some vines. Thinking of you.

Checks, Rusty will help with the ropes.

Hugs, scritches,

Ella & Rusty
 
Hi Barb - just popped in to say HI (!), and hand out some support. Hugs to you. I wish I could add something useful that hasn't already been said. Take care. You've done well with Checks.
 
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