? 9/4 Copernicus AMPM=328 +6=228 (dose discussion)

[Krista & Copernicus]

There's a reason I kept him at this dose longer than 6 cycles. Once I went up to 20 units, he really didn't seem to be feeling well on that amount of insulin. And I don't mean from a BG standpoint. Since day 1 on 1 unit, he has always gotten sleepy after his injection. But now he isn't moving very much after shots. Just sleeping. He has brown discharge coming from his eyes after I inject him. I did a recheck of his kidney values and they have gotten worse because he's either too sleepy or too painful to drink? We are adding water to his food, but I am bummed because all his BUN, CREA, PHOS, and SDMA all got worse just in 2 weeks. I thought about could it be because the "Convenia" injection has been hard on his kidneys? That's one big change that happened. On another random note, I swear his paws are bigger tonight than they were in the a.m. I like some of his numbers right now. Despite what I write above, he always seems better overall when below 400. He really still is worse at that night PMPS. Oh also, he had a bunch of scabs on his chin all of a sudden with this dose. And no we don't use plastic and yes we clean his bowls all the time. Maybe lowered immune system.

 

[Mary & Jude]

Precious boy! I hate that he's remaining so high. You're doing everything you can, Krista.

 

[JL and Chip]

Are you able to get the full dose in at one time or is he still pulling away causing you to split the injections?

Tubby had kidney issues too. The theory was that he had a smoldering infection somewhere (perhaps the kidneys) and so he was on multiple rounds of broad-spectrum antibiotics and for longer periods than normal, given that kidney infections can require longer treatments. That did seem to help somewhat. In hindsight, he likely also had some type of bladder neuropathy and so wasn’t fully emptying his bladder, which also probably contributed to his kidney issues (never good to retain toxins). Anyway, I’m wondering if the Convenia is wearing off Copernicus now and whether that could possibly be why you’re seeing kidney values worsen. Just spitballing, of course. It could be so many things.

Glad you’re adding water to his food. I fed Tubby and my other kidney cats a slurry to try to increase fluid intake.

How is the constipation?

I swear his paws are bigger tonight than they were in the a.m

Have you been giving subQ fluids?

I’d check his resting respiration rate for good measure. Count the number of breaths in a minute (an in and out counts as one).

 

[Krista & Copernicus]

Are you able to get the full dose in at one time or is he still pulling away causing you to split the injections?

Tubby had kidney issues too. The theory was that he had a smoldering infection somewhere (perhaps the kidneys) and so he was on multiple rounds of broad-spectrum antibiotics and for longer periods than normal, given that kidney infections can require longer treatments. That did seem to help somewhat. In hindsight, he likely also had some type of bladder neuropathy and so wasn’t fully emptying his bladder, which also probably contributed to his kidney issues (never good to retain toxins). Anyway, I’m wondering if the Convenia is wearing off Copernicus now and whether that could possibly be why you’re seeing kidney values worsen. Just spitballing, of course. It could be so many things.

Glad you’re adding water to his food. I fed Tubby and my other kidney cats a slurry to try to increase fluid intake.

How is the constipation?


Have you been giving subQ fluids?

I’d check his resting respiration rate for good measure. Count the number of breaths in a minute (an in and out counts as one).

He's pooping. And his HR is fine. I'm not giving fluids regularly because he was ok 2 weeks ago and he has that murmur. I'm so annoyed because I took him to the vet and asked for a culture. Even the paperwork says culture. But they only did a urinalysis. And on top of that it says glucose negative. So there is no way that's his urine. Right? It sounds like a mix up at the lab if there it has no glucose in the urine. It's so much work to take this cat in stress wise and then mistakes always happen.

I can get a full dose in him. The last shot was bad, I felt like I hit fascia and it hurt him but most are ok. Sadly, my husband has to hold him down now.

Convenia is filtered through kidneys so it should be used with caution but I didn't know that when they gave it to him.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Oh sweet Copernicus, I’m sending many prayers and love to you both Krista.
You’re doing such an incredible job with his care

 

[Krista & Copernicus]

Oh sweet Copernicus, I’m sending many prayers and love to you both Krista.
You’re doing such an incredible job with his care

I'm really not but thank you for saying. I should have done the SRT back in June. I'm trying to get a video of his breathing but he's under the bed. It happens post injection but then goes back to normal I think.

 

[Dyana]

I'm not giving fluids regularly because he was ok 2 weeks ago and he has that murmur. I'm so annoyed because I took him to the vet and asked for a culture. Even the paperwork says culture.

Can you try giving him just a touch more water mixed in with his meals? I did that gradually. Their main meals aren't as soupy as they get more food then, but their snacks in between are almost like soup and they both love it now.
At my vet when they do a culture it has to be sent out and the results take about a week or so to come back. Maybe they sent his culture out?

 

[Krista & Copernicus]

Can you try giving him just a touch more water mixed in with his meals? I did that gradually. Their main meals aren't as soupy as they get more food then, but their snacks in between are almost like soup and they both love it now.
At my vet when they do a culture it has to be sent out and the results take about a week or so to come back. Maybe they sent his culture out?

I called. It only got sent out as urinalysis not culture. I would say his meals are pretty soupy and we made him boneless broth.

 

[Dyana]

I hope they didn't charge you for the culture then.

I wish you just had one GP vet that knew his history rather than a vet school.

I know vet schools are good in a lot of serious cases.
When J.D. was in critical condition from DKA I took him to a vet school, that healed him after 8 days there, and there were a LOT of vets milling around (or vet school hopefuls) attending and helping there throughout the day and the night and I appreciated that, but I feel like they are guessing from what they learned in school, where a vet that has more experience "behind his or her belt" and knows his history...and will listen to you and what you want... sorry, just giving my thoughts.

 

[Krista & Copernicus]

I took him to primary vet. They offered to redo it but that means another stressful catch and carry to the vet. It's a big practice also a rotating door. The vet had 5 years experience.