? 6/5 Jessi, sensor stopped, skin ulcer bleeding

[Stefania S]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...-5-266-4-25-166-4-75-184.278188/#post-3077369

I've been avoiding this topic, and I should probably post it on the general forum and maybe I will, but Jessi has had a skin tumor on her skin for almost 2 years although it has not been officially diagnosed, I knew what it was as soon as it appeared, but I hoped I was wrong. No doctor who looked at it would give a diagnosis without invasive exams so I put it off.

Until a few weeks ago it had been gradually increasing in size, but recently it seemed to double in a short time. It was hidden under the bandage around her neck that covered the sensor. Maybe this aggravated it, gave it a great hideaway to grow, maybe the insulin, maybe the sensor too, and the microchip all in that same area, maybe the free-floating glucose in the blood and the acidity are all perfect combinations for it to grow. I don't know for sure, and Vets rarely if ever want to acknowledge these aggravating factors or underlying causes.

Last night she scratched it after I took off the bandage, I'm regretting that now, and it started bleeding a lot. I took her to the 24 hour clinic and they cleaned and re bandaged but it is bleeding again now.

My attention is split in two because both are urgent.

I am giving her insulin blind until we get a new sensor, which means another trip to the endocrinologist or find someone fast closer by which isn't easy.

Her appetite is on and off, sometimes ravenous sometimes not hungry at all like right now at almost +3. She just ate the rest of her second can and treats so we're doing ok so far. I'm concerned that because I can't see the BGs and she is bleeding and I have no idea how this thing on her skin interacts with all of this, could this change the effects of the insulin?

The dose is pretty low, but it's an ever changing thing. What do I do? Ear pricking is out of the question. I can't have a terrified cat right now. I need to be able to move her at a moment's notice. She is already shying away from me because of our 3am visit to the clinic last night.

I got a half hour of sleep. Dropping from accumulated sleep deprivation, don't have the doctors I need for this in place. There isn't time to do research. This is Bologna, choices are VERY limited.

Do I take her to an oncologist? Do I consider surgery?

What do I do about the insulin, keep giving it to her? I can't just stop, she needs it.

 

[Deb and Sylvester]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...-5-266-4-25-166-4-75-184.278188/#post-3077369

I've been avoiding this topic, and I should probably post it on the general forum and maybe I will, but Jessi has had a skin tumor on her skin for almost 2 years although it has not been officially diagnosed, I knew what it was as soon as it appeared, but I hoped I was wrong. No doctor who looked at it would give a diagnosis without invasive exams so I put it off.

Until a few weeks ago it had been gradually increasing in size, but recently it seemed to double in a short time. It was hidden under the bandage around her neck that covered the sensor. Maybe this aggravated it, gave it a great hideaway to grow, maybe the insulin, maybe the sensor too, and the microchip all in that same area, maybe the free-floating glucose in the blood and the acidity are all perfect combinations for it to grow. I don't know for sure, and Vets rarely if ever want to acknowledge these aggravating factors or underlying causes.

Last night she scratched it after I took off the bandage, I'm regretting that now, and it started bleeding a lot. I took her to the 24 hour clinic and they cleaned and re bandaged but it is bleeding again now.

My attention is split in two because both are urgent.

I am giving her insulin blind until we get a new sensor, which means another trip to the endocrinologist or find someone fast closer by which isn't easy.

Her appetite is on and off, sometimes ravenous sometimes not hungry at all like right now at almost +3. She just ate the rest of her second can and treats so we're doing ok so far. I'm concerned that because I can't see the BGs and she is bleeding and I have no idea how this thing on her skin interacts with all of this, could this change the effects of the insulin?

The dose is pretty low, but it's an ever changing thing. What do I do? Ear pricking is out of the question. I can't have a terrified cat right now. I need to be able to move her at a moment's notice. She is already shying away from me because of our 3am visit to the clinic last night.

I got a half hour of sleep. Dropping from accumulated sleep deprivation, don't have the doctors I need for this in place. There isn't time to do research. This is Bologna, choices are VERY limited.

Do I take her to an oncologist? Do I consider surgery?

What do I do about the insulin, keep giving it to her? I can't just stop, she needs it.

I would definitely have the ulcer biopsied.

If it is cancerous, yes it can have an effect on BG.

In the meantime, I would strongly consider manual testing on Jessi for BG checks.

 

[Nimi S]

I’m sorry you’re having a bad day so soon on the tails of a good one.

Last night she scratched it after I took off the bandage, I'm regretting that now, and it started bleeding a lot. I took her to the 24 hour clinic and they cleaned and re bandaged but it is bleeding again now.

How’s Jessi doing now? Still scratching at the bandage?

I am giving her insulin blind until we get a new sensor, which means another trip to the endocrinologist or find someone fast closer by which isn't easy.

I don’t know what you should do. But since the diabetes is at least diagnosed, I would guess that you would continue to treat it.
Since you’re shooting blind as of now, your first priority might be to get the new sensor affixed again.
Since it is a time critical need, even if it means having to go through an unpleasant encounter with the endocrinologist, I think you should get it over with, for your own mental well being too.
I remember that you mentioned that the folks at the endocrinologist’s office have access to Jessi’s libre numbers but depend on you to remind them to check the numbers.
I’m not an expert on reading SSs but if the vet does get upset at you for changing doses, you could ask them if Jessi’s BGs on a 0.5U dose are similar (if not better) to those on a 2U dose, then what is the benefit of giving more insulin? Or if you don’t want to appear doubting of their advice, agree with them to get what you need.

Once you’re back to being able to view her BG on the new sensor, you’ve at least got one thing out of the way and can focus on finding a vet to get an opinion on the ulcer.

I'm concerned that because I can't see the BGs and she is bleeding and I have no idea how this thing on her skin interacts with all of this, could this change the effects of the insulin?

I think most members here would advise you to get the skin ulcer checked to figure out what it is, before making any changes to your diabetes routine. Our kitties have such tiny bodies, I imagine everything affects everything else.

Do you think the vets at the endocrinologist’s clinic are worth consulting regarding the skin ulcer too? Might save Jessi the discomfort of having to visit another vet clinic?

I’m sorry I don’t have too many inputs or experience on this :’(

Hope you and Jessi feel better soon