Advice needed

[Clare & Jerry]

?? Advice needed on which antibiotics/medicines to avoid ??

Hi there

Jerry (the B&W cat in the pic) was diagnosed just over a year ago - he's 19 years old but looks and acts more like a young teenager! Other than his diabetes he hasn't had any problems and is doing pretty well for an old man

He had been pretty stable (he's on caninsulin) and I was hoping he was heading into remission - and then his numbers started rising! I couldn't pin it to anything in particular until I got home last night and noticed that he has a swollen area on the left hand side of his face under his eye roughly at the height of his jawline - I'm guessing it's either an abscess or problems with his teeth.

I've had a great vet who has just gone on maternity leave but before that I've not had the best experiences with the other vets in the practice so whilst I'm seeing someone tomorrow I've not seen before I'm really worried about what they may prescribe for him - he's booked in tomorrow morning (UK) time.

Can anyone provide me with any guidance please, specifically if there are any medicines we need to avoid?

Many thanks in advance
Clare

Also posted on the Caninsulin/Vetsulin page

 

[Phoebes (GA)]

I'm new can't give advise. But just wanted to say what a beautiful furbaby. Love those eyes!! Hope it goes well, sending healthy vines and head bumps.

 

[FelineFriend]

I saw your post in other forum so have copied my reply here...You may want to change title to put a ? in the beginning and add the type of advice needed.

I spoke with my vet technician who is very experienced with diabetes in cats and humans and this is some excerpts from what she said. I was talking to her about teeth cleaning.
Hope this helps...
-Periodic testing of blood glucose levels to ensure that she is well controlled under anesthetic.
-sugar injection (dextrose) ready in case we need it
-normally fast our surgical patients for about 12 hours prior to the procedure, but we won't do that for Smokey as we need her to maintain her sugars. We would only fast her for 2 hours prior
-monitor her really closely for vomiting during the procedure (because not fasted)

Hope your kitty does well...

 

[Diana&Tom]

Hi Clare
If there is any kind of infection and/or pain going on anywhere in the body, this can certainly elevate numbers. Your vet will of course be the best person to advise on this, based on examination and history. I can't remember for sure, but some injectable antibiotics are best avoided, as are some pain relievers... I won't mention names in case my information is out of date, but hopefully other members with more recent experience can advise... @Elizabeth and Bertie ?

If it's a dental issue then usually the higher BGs would be resolved with appropriate treatment.

Hoping all goes well for Jerry - keep us posted!

Diana

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

A dental infection can certainly cause glucose levels to rise. Often if the infection is bad they will prescribe an antibiotic prior to the dental procedure. I don't know what is used in the UK, but for my two the AB that helped most was antirobe also called clindamycin . DO NOT let them give convenia whch is a shot given that lasts 2 weeks. If there is an adverse reaction to this AB there is no way to counter it.

Regular home testing is the safest way to make sure the glucose levels are safe to shoot and to see how your kitty is responding to the current dose. Periodic tests do not tell what is happening throughout the day each day. Testing before each shot and again at least once between shots is the safest and most telling way to see how the insulin is working. This link has information on how to do home testing:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

With home testing you will be able to tell if the glucose levels are dropping too low. This link has information on how to treat hypo numbers:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

And this link has information on what to keep on hand at all times:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/jojo-and-bunnys-hypo-tool-box.2354/


A good low carb wet food will also be important to help keep the glucose levels in check. If you are feeding a dry food, DO NOT change foods until you are home testing as some kitties can drop a lot just with a diet change to the proper foods. This link has information on low carb wet foods in the UK:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J5JpMe6TDXrHq_aTl9hUtHy6Gs9oRBqlz4nPGKxtySA/pubhtml

If you have ANY questions please post for more information. Welcome to the forum

 

[Clare & Jerry]

I'm new can't give advise. But just wanted to say what a beautiful furbaby. Love those eyes!! Hope it goes well, sending healthy vines and head bumps.

Thanks Angela - you're the first person (other than me!) that likes Jerry's eyes - everyone else has told me he looks evil - I just can't see it myself

 

[Phoebes (GA)]

aweeeee he's beautiful! to those peeps

 

[Clare & Jerry]

I saw your post in other forum so have copied my reply here...You may want to change title to put a ? in the beginning and add the type of advice needed.

I spoke with my vet technician who is very experienced with diabetes in cats and humans and this is some excerpts from what she said. I was talking to her about teeth cleaning.
Hope this helps...
-Periodic testing of blood glucose levels to ensure that she is well controlled under anesthetic.
-sugar injection (dextrose) ready in case we need it
-normally fast our surgical patients for about 12 hours prior to the procedure, but we won't do that for Smokey as we need her to maintain her sugars. We would only fast her for 2 hours prior
-monitor her really closely for vomiting during the procedure (because not fasted)

Hope your kitty does well...

Hi Smokey's mum

Thanks for the advice - this is the first vet visit that isn't diabetes related and I've no idea what to expect. I always make sure I have some honey in the house (thankfully, I've only needed it once) so will make sure it's close to hand!

I couldn't see how to change the heading - so I've updated the first line and am hoping people will spot the change when they hover over the title

 

[Clare & Jerry]

Hi Clare
If there is any kind of infection and/or pain going on anywhere in the body, this can certainly elevate numbers. Your vet will of course be the best person to advise on this, based on examination and history. I can't remember for sure, but some injectable antibiotics are best avoided, as are some pain relievers... I won't mention names in case my information is out of date, but hopefully other members with more recent experience can advise... @Elizabeth and Bertie ?

If it's a dental issue then usually the higher BGs would be resolved with appropriate treatment.

Hoping all goes well for Jerry - keep us posted!

Diana

Hi Diana

Jerry had some pain relief when the vet was first trying to work out what was wrong with him - it was awful - he looked and acted like a zombie and had absolutely no idea where he was and what to do with himself - I cut the dose in half as I was so scared what it might do to him - glad I did as he wasn't actually "in pain".

Clare

 

[srk4cats]

Thanks Angela - you're the first person (other than me!) that likes Jerry's eyes - everyone else has told me he looks evil - I just can't see it myself

That's because his pupils are small. That means he is very comfortable. Dilated pupils in good light signal fear.
Also, I just want to warn everybody that if their cat develops a lump near their mouth and gets it removed by a vet, ask for a biopsy. I didn't get one for Pogo and a year or so later, he had cancer and I had to euthanize him.

 

[Clare & Jerry]

A dental infection can certainly cause glucose levels to rise. Often if the infection is bad they will prescribe an antibiotic prior to the dental procedure. I don't know what is used in the UK, but for my two the AB that helped most was antirobe also called clindamycin . DO NOT let them give convenia whch is a shot given that lasts 2 weeks. If there is an adverse reaction to this AB there is no way to counter it.

Regular home testing is the safest way to make sure the glucose levels are safe to shoot and to see how your kitty is responding to the current dose. Periodic tests do not tell what is happening throughout the day each day. Testing before each shot and again at least once between shots is the safest and most telling way to see how the insulin is working. This link has information on how to do home testing:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

With home testing you will be able to tell if the glucose levels are dropping too low. This link has information on how to treat hypo numbers:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

And this link has information on what to keep on hand at all times:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/jojo-and-bunnys-hypo-tool-box.2354/


A good low carb wet food will also be important to help keep the glucose levels in check. If you are feeding a dry food, DO NOT change foods until you are home testing as some kitties can drop a lot just with a diet change to the proper foods. This link has information on low carb wet foods in the UK:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J5JpMe6TDXrHq_aTl9hUtHy6Gs9oRBqlz4nPGKxtySA/pubhtml

If you have ANY questions please post for more information. Welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the info - I've made a note and will keep it to hand at the vet appointment

We already do home testing AMPS and PMPS every day with a curve every now and again - usually when there's an unexpected blip in numbers so I've got a reasonable idea of how his numbers usually fall and rise. I work full time, so don't get the chance to do as many curves as I'd like (which Jerry is probably very grateful about!). He's usually in the blue with the occasional green (yea) and yellow (boo) numbers, but we have been creeping up into the mid teens (I test in mmol/L) and have had more yellow numbers and the occasional purple number recently so I knew something wasn't quite right.

He's currently eating all wet food : 1 pack of 3.3% carb meal for breakfast and dinner (Sheba chicken flakes) and one pack of a 0% carb meal for daytime and overnight snacks (Lily's kitchen) - and yes, he does eat a lot, but he's maintaining his weight and the split in feeding times has definitely helped to stabilise his BG levels.

 

[Clare & Jerry]

That's because his pupils are small. That means he is very comfortable. Dilated pupils in good light signal fear.
Also, I just want to warn everybody that if their cat develops a lump near their mouth and gets it removed by a vet, ask for a biopsy. I didn't get one for Pogo and a year or so later, he had cancer and I had to euthanize him.

I'm sorry to hear about Pogo - and will definitely make sure I ask for a biopsy if it's a lump that needs to be removed.

As for Jerry being comfortable - he's so comfortable and laid back that I'm surprised he even manages to keep his eyes open sometimes!

 

[Squalliesmom]

DO NOT let them give convenia whch is a shot given that lasts 2 weeks. If there is an adverse reaction to this AB there is no way to counter it.

You may need to expressly state to your vet that you do not want him given Convenia; my former vet gave it twice to my cat without telling me what it was. I am SO lucky he didn't have a bad reaction to it!

 

[Clare & Jerry]

You may need to expressly state to your vet that you do not want him given Convenia; my former vet gave it twice to my cat without telling me what it was. I am SO lucky he didn't have a bad reaction to it!

This is why I'm so worried - Jerry may be active but he is an old boy and if they get something wrong it's not so easy for him to bounce back

But when I got home this evening his face looked even more swollen - looks like he's been in a bar brawl - so I'm going to try and be positive that tomorrow's visit will be fine.

 

[FelineFriend]

Sorry you lost your Pogo

 

[Clare & Jerry]

ok - so we're back from the vet - definitely an abscess which the vet drained as best he could - I've been sent away with a weeks supply of antibiotics (Antirobe x1 75mg dose per day) and a daily dose of metacam (again for x7 days). Also with instructions to keep on squeezing the abscess every couple of hours for the next 24 hours to make sure I get as much gunk out as possible Hopefully it's just an abscess from a scratch and not something related to his teeth.

I've been told to expect to see an improvement by the end of the weekend.

I mentioned upfront that I didn't want an injectable antibiotic and the vet asked if I meant Convenia and he went on to say that whilst it was the easiest/most convenient way of giving an antibiotic, he certainly didn't think it was the best option in this case, then gave me a little smirk as he handed over the antibiotic capsules

Thanks to everyone for your advice and support hopefully we're on the right road to a quick recovery.

Clare

 

[Kris & Teasel]

ok - so we're back from the vet - definitely an abscess which the vet drained as best he could - I've been sent away with a weeks supply of antibiotics (Antirobe x1 75mg dose per day) and a daily dose of metacam (again for x7 days). Also with instructions to keep on squeezing the abscess every couple of hours for the next 24 hours to make sure I get as much gunk out as possible Hopefully it's just an abscess from a scratch and not something related to his teeth.

I've been told to expect to see an improvement by the end of the weekend.

I mentioned upfront that I didn't want an injectable antibiotic and the vet asked if I meant Convenia and he went on to say that whilst it was the easiest/most convenient way of giving an antibiotic, he certainly didn't think it was the best option in this case, then gave me a little smirk as he handed over the antibiotic capsules

Thanks to everyone for your advice and support hopefully we're on the right road to a quick recovery.

Clare

Good luck treating your boy!

 

[Diana&Tom]

That sounds reassuring, Clare. Glad the vet didn't force Convenia on you.

 

[Clare & Jerry]

I was very pleased (and pleasantly surprised), it really felt like he took an interest and wanted to make sure he was doing the best for Jerry rather than just ringing my money into his tills And he was upfront about it not being the easiest of rides if the abscess was caused by teeth problems - but that's something to worry about on another day if at all

 

[Squalliesmom]

Sounds like you have a good vet! Hang onto him, they are few and far between, when it comes to dealing with FD!

I have had my vet put a big, red "NO CONVENIA" notation on all my cats' files. I still remind him of it, as well, just in case!

Your Jerry has absolutely gorgeous eyes!