Advice needed from experienced members - Rocky

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Marlena

Marlena

Member Since 2015
previhttp://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/i-think-rocky-is-out-of-remission.163982/ous
Rocky's numbers are in 8-th (144) today.
On Sunday his AM BG was 10.7 (193) and dropped to 4.9 (88) at +4 and PM BG was 5.8 (104).
I thought it was fine as he was uncomfortable with his FIC (feline idiopathic cystitis) and he was given medication so the number went down because he was feeling better. Since then his numbers are a bit high. Somebody suggested to me that after that drop Rocky's numbers are climbing up because he might be bouncing from that low number. Giving it 3 days the bounce should clear. Now, the question is: can a cat bounce from a lower number when not on insulin?!
Another thing I found out today is that Rocky very rapidly lost weight: 750 gr (26.5 oz = 1.66 pounds) within a week. I have to double check that with proper scales at the vet's as I use a luggage scales at home but on previous occasions weighing Rocky at home and at the vet's gave us the same result.
I really don't know if what I'm seeing on Rocky's SS is remission. I have doubts as I don't think the numbers are low enough specially that I know when he is not diabetic his BG were around 4 (72) on human meter.
We can argue that AlphaTrak reads higher and my own comparison showed a difference of at least 2 (36) points on numbers above 7 (126) so we can speculate that his numbers today are around 6 (108) if they were tested on human meter.
For those of you who did not see my previous posts I would like to inform you that Rocky has been to the vet's a week ago for urine testing which showed nothing abnormal, no infection or inflammation so diagnosis is FIC as he displays typical symptoms.
The treatment is Metacam (for 3 days only - now completed), antispasmodic and supplements to soothe his bladder. He started this treatment on Saturday.
I would be so grateful for your thoughts as I really don't know what to do or not to do.
 
Hi Marlena, that is a big weight loss to happen in one week. (Is there any chance that what you wrote is a typo, and that you meant 75g and not 750g...?)
Has Rocky had a full blood panel done recently? Has his thyroid function been tested recently?

Regarding his diabetes: Is it possible that, rather than seeing him as a cat who is 'in remission', or a cat who is 'not in remission', that you could simply see him as 'a cat who needs insulin whenever he needs insulin'...? ...That would mean setting a number at which you think it's OK to give him a tiny amount of insulin. Is that a possibility...?

This must be extremely unsettling for you, Marlena.
Huge hugs to you!

Eliz x
 
Marlena

Rocky may just need to be on a low maintenance dose indefinitely. That is not an OTJ failure, it is just what Rocky needs.

What really concerns me is the amount of weight loss 1.66 lbs in a week. That is far too much weight loss even for a hugely overweight kitty, Has Rocky been eating normally? Has he been vomiting at all?
 
(((Marlena))) I was trying to phrase what I wanted to say but Eliz has said it much better than I could, ie you might perhaps have to see Rocky as needing insulin at some times... and not others... just whenever he needs it.... Or, as Mary Ann says, a small maintenance dose. I know it may not be ideal but remember, every cat is different and if your lovely Rocky is made that way then so be it!

As the others have also said, the weight loss is perhaps more of a concern. Have you noticed him eating less? Have you asked the vet to give him a thorough check-up lately?

Hoping you will get some answers very soon, Marlena...

Hugs
Diana
 
Thank you so much! @Elizabeth and Bertie, @Tuxedo Mom
I've just weighed Rocky again and this time the scales gave me 6.5 kg which is more like Rocky so I think the way I check his weight is not good at all. Sorry about the confusion.
So I think from tomorrow, if his numbers are still in 8-th I should start him on a very low dose of insulin.
He is eating very well and seems fine if rather sleepy during the day as it is extremely hot.
Thanks again, your opinion is so important and I feel settled now.
God bless you girls.:)
 
Marlena said:
Thank you so much! @Elizabeth and Bertie, @Tuxedo Mom
I've just weighed Rocky again and this time the scales gave me 6.5 kg which is more like Rocky so I think the way I check his weight is not good at all. Sorry about the confusion.
So I think from tomorrow, if his numbers are still in 8-th I should start him on a very low dose of insulin.
He is eating very well and seems fine if rather sleepy during the day as it is extremely hot.
Thanks again, your opinion is so important and I feel settled now.
God bless you girls.:)
Click to expand...
Phew. That's more like it! Yes, start a low dose and see how that goes. And please don't be disappointed if that's what you have to do, Marlena. I know what a wonderful cat mum you are but in the scheme of things, a drop of insulin now and then is no big deal
Diana x
 
Marlena, About the bouncing: No, in the time i've been having to deal with Baco's diagnose i've also asked the same question in her OTJ trial and I got the answer that they can't do that, and also can't hypo without insulin. If anyone thinks differently, please tag me because I would like to know if bouncing would occure without insulin (still don't think it can)

Also, I don't think Rocky needs insulin (right now), this is my personal opinion and I will tell you why I think that.
You use a pet meter for 1, that number is higher than a human meter so that means the numbers are lower in 'real life' than they are now on your SS.
Also, I don't think he needs it because some kitties do have a higher BG then others. I've talked to my vet about it a couple of months ago because Baco was flirting with NS numbers and I was like, what am I supposed to do here now? She told me that some kitties are low in BG range and some are higher but still under the NS numbers and under the kidney levels (I don't know how it's called in English? but it means that if a kitty is above 11 than it can damage there body, if they are below it they are safe and the BG is normal for there body)
I get that you want to see nice greens but maybe Rocky isn't that 'normal green guy' ? Have you ever thought about that?
I can definetely find myself in the comment about maybe giving him insulin once in a while just as a maintenance shot, but I (in my personal opinion) wouldn't do that.
 
Ruby&Baco said:
Marlena, About the bouncing: No, in the time i've been having to deal with Baco's diagnose i've also asked the same question in her OTJ trial and I got the answer that they can't do that, and also can't hypo without insulin. If anyone thinks differently, please tag me because I would like to know if bouncing would occure without insulin (still don't think it can)

Also, I don't think Rocky needs insulin (right now), this is my personal opinion and I will tell you why I think that.
You use a pet meter for 1, that number is higher than a human meter so that means the numbers are lower in 'real life' than they are now on your SS.
Also, I don't think he needs it because some kitties do have a higher BG then others. I've talked to my vet about it a couple of months ago because Baco was flirting with NS numbers and I was like, what am I supposed to do here now? She told me that some kitties are low in BG range and some are higher but still under the NS numbers and under the kidney levels (I don't know how it's called in English? but it means that if a kitty is above 11 than it can damage there body, if they are below it they are safe and the BG is normal for there body)
I get that you want to see nice greens but maybe Rocky isn't that 'normal green guy' ? Have you ever thought about that?
I can definetely find myself in the comment about maybe giving him insulin once in a while just as a maintenance shot, but I (in my personal opinion) wouldn't do that.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ruby.:kiss:
 
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