Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insulin???

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mislissa777

Member Since 2010
Hi,
I was wondering if this is very unusual or if it's common for a kitty (my precious Trina) that has been diabetic for 8 years to suddenly not need insulin anymore. A few years ago she got hyperthyroidism & after taking meds for awhile she ended up getting radio-iodine I-131 treatment. She then became hypothyroid & takes a supplement for that. About a year & a half ago I switched her diet to all canned food after we saw a dermatologist because of her itching. (most of her life she ate Purina DM dry & wet) The derm. suggested hypoallergenic Royal Canin food in rabbit & pea. I decided to try Natures Variety Instinct rabbit but she still itched & it seemed to cause her gastro. issues. I then switched to Royal Canin rabbit & pea for awhile. She still itched. Then about 8 months ago I switched to Natural Balance duck & pea which she has been on since then. She has not itched. She still takes antihistamine daily. She has also lost a few pounds during the transition to all wet food so maybe the antihistamine is now stronger & controlling her itching better. We have no idea if she has a food allergy or environmental allergy. I'm contemplating changing her food to a lower carb but am hesitant in fear of her starting to itch again. But food may have nothing to do with her itching. Who knows! Anyway, back to my original question - could the change to all wet food such a long time ago be the reason why she now does not need insulin or could it be that her body decided to change & make her pancreas start working properly again. I'm sure this could change again & she could become diabetic again but I hope not. It has been almost a month that she has not needed insulin.
Thank you!
Missy & Trina
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

I happens but very very infrequently. Be grateful but watch for the symptoms of diabetes since it may return.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Thank you Larry! I am keeping a very close eye on her!
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

One of the sad realities is that cancer eats sugar. We can see long-term diabetics no longer needing insulin when they develop cancer.

My Ennis was insulin-dependent for 4.5 years and then gradually needed less and less insulin...like a shot every 5 to 6 days and eventually no need for insulin. I took him for XRays every 4 months looking for the cancer. After about a year we finally found cancer in/on four abdominal organs.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

OMG Venita! I had no idea! I'm shocked. That may explain the cause of this. Now I'm sick to my stomach. I will have to make an appt. for x-rays. What type of x-rays did you ask your vet to take? Whole body films? Thank you
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Do a kitty massage and rub over the entire body. Press gently into the abdomen area (some lumps are stool, full bladder, etc).

Something hard as a rock, that is immobile is very suspicious.

Some types of cancer are detectable in the blood; blood work would show unusual cells and either decreased or increased counts of 1 or more types of cells.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Thank you. I will do a massage rub. We already have an appt. set up for next Mon. Feb. 3 for blood work so I will make sure a full panel is done to check for everything possible.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

What kind of numbers are you getting that you think she doesn't need insulin any more? I would be interested to see what that looks like

Wendy
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Just ask for thoracic and abdominal films. You are trying to get images of the internal organs.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Thank you Venita. I have a bad feeling about this. There has to be a reason that this happened & cancer would be the answer. It only makes sense that it's eating the sugar. We go back to the vet on Monday & I will have full panel bloodwork done. And talk to the doc about xrays.
Wendy, her last number was 3 weeks ago & it was 103which was after being off insulin for 1 week. Before that she was on 1 unit of insulin one time a day & the # was 60. We were slowing decreasing the insulin until the vet said to stop it. I have not been able to bring myself to home test. I'm always running to the vet for glucose checks. My vets office is our 2nd home. I watch videos & read about home testing & always chicken out. The furthest I've gotten is to start rubbing her ears just to see if she would get used to that to even let me attempt to home test. I don't know why I panic at the thought of it. When she was first diagnosed it took me quite some time along with a few extra training sessions at my vets office. I eventually was able to do the insulin injections but when I think of home testing I get needle phobia & panic! Uuugh!
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Of course she could have gone into remission. Many cats do. Don't assume the worst until you have results that prove that.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

First, learn a good relaxation technique.

Relaxation Breathing​
- based on the information in "The Relaxation Response" by Herbert Benson, MD.

Begin by sitting in a comfortable chair with good back support, or lying down. The key thing is to have your body pretty much straight between hips and shoulders so your lungs have room.

Now, breathe out completely. That way there will be room for a full breath in. If you start with half filled lungs, taking a deep breath in won't feel very large.

Pause.

Slowly, take a deep breath.

Pause.

Slowly, exhale.

Repeat, and establish a pattern of slow, deep breathing. Give yourself a good 20 minutes (turn off the phone, close the door) to get into this process. If done at bedtime, you may drift into sleep.

By slowing and deepening your breathing, you often cause the heart rate to slow and relax, muscle tightness to ease away, and blood pressure to decrease.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Second, use covert rehearsal to mentally imagine yourself going through the steps for home testing, while doing the relaxation breathing.

Third, practice pricking on an apple. It won't care and you'll get a literal feel for it. It will work on desensitizing you to using a lancet, too.
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

That would be a miracle & dream come true if she went into remission! I don't know why I always assume the worst & make myself worry. I love the relaxation technique! And I love the idea of practicing on an apple. I remember practicing on a stuffed animal when I was learning how to give her insulin injection in the beginning. Thank you all so much for being so caring, helpful & thoughtful!
 
Re: Baffled....8 year diabetic suddenly does not need insuli

Misslissa, although of course it's good to check, that's just one explanation, don't assume the worst! Maybe you have controlled your cats diabetes better with diet, or her condition is on "vacation" which I've heard will happen. Good luck!
 
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