Buddy us starting to spike off and on

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Mike&Buddy

Mike&Buddy

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Hi all,

I am not -new- to the FDB older board but I am to the new one. I was hear about a year ago.

I came here sometime back in regards to April, who so far for sometime is still in full remission. However I did a blood test on my old friend Buddy cat and it is in the low 300's.

I am going to have him checked in the morning. But I will be checking on him myself threw the night as I can. He showed "signs" of being DB over a year ago and no problems since as for about a few days later they went away and never came back.

Until about 30 minutes ago! O.o His last glucose check was six months ago, very normal. Am I dealing with a sugar spike anomaly?

He ate about 45 minutes ago, so maybe we are over reacting. But, I guess to be safe he should be checked out?

Present stats; He is 12 1/2, on Flovent for an asthmatic allegory and we are dealing with sores that come and go on him. His last reading was 333, but he is alert and seems to be very coherent.

Sorry I had to come back. But this is the best place to do so!

Mike
 
Re: Mike of the Homestead Gang is back - Buddy is now "possi

If you do test in 1-2 hours and it comes down, it may be a food spike.

You might just do a curve to see how he does across the day.
 
Re: Mike of the Homestead Gang is back - Buddy is now "possi

There are many other things that can raise BG temporarily including infections and treatment with steriods. Since you still have a BG meter you can test Buddy for a few days and see what happens. If you still get numbers in the 300s I would take your cat into the vet by the end of the week. Since you treated another cat for diabetes before you probably know about ketones. There is a test called fructosamine that would more defintively diagnosis if Buddy is diabetic.

You might want to change the title of your post to get more feedback. At first I thought you were just someone saying Hi and sice I didn't know you from the old board it was kind of confusing. Homestead gang sounds like something from a John Wayne movie! :-)
 
Buddy - starting to show spikes for the first time

HI,

Well it was late and I wok really stupid hours, sorry for the long title.

I am myself trying to cope with a mirgrane this morning to please bear with me.

Buddy is having sore issues that appear on his body which we believe to be an allergy issue, they get pretty bad sometimes.

His readings where 1/23- 9pm 315 (45 minutes after food), 9:24pmm 333, 11:09 pm 295, ( no food ---> 1/24 1:00am 313,1/24 5:30am 282, 11:42am 348 and the last was 334 at 12PM )

Should I test another few days? I have test strips for urine too.

Thank you!
 
Have you been to the vet about the sores? If not, you could combine that visit with a fructosamine test and find out about the diabetes at the same time.

Lots of kitties seem to have an allergy to gluten and beef in cat food. You might start by eliminating those two things and see if it helps. Any chance it could be fleas?
 
No fleas, house is good.

We called the vet who usually treats Buddy. He is going to call us back when he is free from surgery, but if he wants to see him its going to be a problem having that I work in the late afternoons.

He is allergic to poultry, so if beef food starts this what are narrowing his food stables a bit.

But at present I am far more concerned about the spikes in his blood sugar.


Thank you,

Mike
 
If you get another day of readings close to 300 I would definately bring him in. Even if he isn't diabetic something is going on to cause his BG to be so high. If you have the urine strips to test for ketones I would do that also. As you can see from my signature my cat has had DKA two times and I now advise everyone with BG in that range to test for ketones. Even if Buddy is diabetic you probably got it early and you have a good chance of remission.

When I first read your post on my cell phone, it had cut off even more of the title so it read "Mike from the Homestead gang is back and Buddy is now possi " If anything it got my attention! I had visions of kitty cowboys chasing down an outlaw cat! :-)
 
Well, the fructosamine will tell you if it is diabetes. The stress of having allergies and itching or an infection causing those things has also raise blood sugars. Looks like a vet visit. :razz:
 
Well, testing him will stop come 3pm, I leave for work and do not get back till 12:30 AM. So needless to say Dad will be concerned while away.

So far he seems alert and doing OK.

Mike
 
If this problem continues, could it be an UTI?

If not, could I go attain some insulin and give him a unit or less myself and by pass the vet altogether?

I know I want to be careful about how I treat him, but we have a critical budget problem and we are trying to see what is proper for him.

I do not want to cut corners being cheap exactly just trying to cut corners that my not be needed.

thank you,

Mike
 
Maybe if it turns out to be diabetes again and not an infection, your vet would have part of a vial around to let you use. I know I gave my unused insulin to my vet when Oliver went off the juice. have you checked our supply closet?
 
Vet called this morning. agrees that we should at least monitor for another day or two. He feels there is no infection involved but that of course is by a none clinic check just from what information I gave him. But no steroid based meds till we get this spike issue investigated.

His sores are so bad, poor boy itches bad. Using topicals for now to ease them.

But I can not feel is this an INFECTION or not? Can't know unless I get him tested... ugh!

I need to get more meter strips and keytones sticks. Everything went bad on me all at once I think. The meter strips expire next month and the urine sticks are giving me a color reading thats not on the key chart. :sad:

As for this supply closet; are we talking board or my vet. Sorry, we are a little dense this morning.

Thank you,

Mike
 
OK got home it was 323 (1/26) 12:23 AM

Food left out while gone but a little under half left. All three of them hate it when the tuna gets mixed with the beef.

320 PM Tues., 311 at 11:44 AM Tuesday middle night (1/25)- going backwards here.

Theory: Cats running around outside; causing Buddy to get the sores like we get hives? Can't use Atopica or Pred like I use to till we know whats going on. As for the blood sugar- test till what, Thursday and decide what to do?

Have Keytone sticks and ready to check, also may try to get as much of Buddy's urine I can and give it to the vet to have checked. That way no stress going to vet and having needle stuck in him.

But then, I guess if not break we go get ourselves some insulin? Will get a day off if I can before I give it to him to keep and eye one him all day.

Mike is babbling? Hey, its almost 1 am here...

Thank all,

Mike and Buddy
 
Home again, 12:33 - took reading, it is 315. I guess we will call Thursday and have a appointment made I suppose. It will be tough on the budget but he is worth every penny.

That or perhaps just get the unsulin myself and give him it at home? If thats what the vet feels is best, but if its something else.....?

The sore on his neck has to be bandaged its so bad now. Allergies, blood sugar issue related.. who knows. I hate stressing him out with a vet appointment but I guess we have no choice. I was hoping to get a urine sample myself and bring it in to the vet.

We is so frustrated- :-|

Thanks for the input and support so far!

Mike
 
Hi Mike :-). Since it is Thursday and your cat is still testing in the 300s it is time for a trip to the vet. Skin infections are more frequent in diabetic people and cats. My cat Nomad still has "hot spots" even though his BG is under control. Even a few fleas can cause some cats to literally scratch their skin raw. At this point I would be more concerned with the high BG level.

Since you already had a diabetic kitty you already some of the rountine. A low cost measure you can take now is to start feeding all of your kitties low carbohydrate wet food if you aren't already. You can also go to any pet store and buy a skin spray to use on the hot spots; just make sure it is labeled for use on cats. I am not sure where you live...if you are in a warm climate I would also treat all of your cats with a topical flea product.

Besides the vet's visit, your biggest expense will probably be insulin. Please don't be tempted to use Humilin or one of those insulins to save money. It As you probably already know, Lantus and Levemir are the best insulin for cats. Some people also have some success with prozinc which is less expensive.

If you have trouble affording the more expensive insulins, come back on the board and maybe someone can help you with the cost. Keep us posted!
 
I called them this morning; want the vet to call me before we go in.

I was wondering if I could give the shots myself at home rather than at the vet center?

Start a curve as it is called rather than "blast" him with a full unit at first.

Also, I assume it is wise to stay with him most of the day to make sure there are no problems during the injection curve period? And if so it might be a schedule problem for me. I work 6 days a week, I might be able to get Saturday off but is that TOO late to give him the shots. I would guess ASAP is required?

Anyway, he goes in the AM.

Mike
 
At least have the vet check the cat out to rule out other problems. Unless you are in Canada or some other country, you will need a prescription for the insulin anyways. Get back on line here and you can get plently of feedback on insulin doses and how to do a curve. There always seems to be someone online here no matter how late it is!
 
Got to check his urine, no Keytones! But saved a lot of it to take to the vet, I assume its good for about 24 hours?
 
Tests at the vet showed glucose in his urine. Test showed 420, given of course he was under stress.

They wanted to give him a full unit there, I said no. Vet gave me that look of "huh!?". I am taking Saturday off, so what should we do?

1/2 or full unit then monitor? OK people lest so this! :-D

I need to get some insulin now, I have a prescription for the syringes and 1 unit of Lantis. In Florida (USA) I do not believe I need a prescription for the insulin just the syringes.
 
Let's wait to see what number you get that morning, Mike. .5 to 1 unit is usually the suggested beginning dose, but you do have other things going on.

Did your vet have any ideas about the skin problem?
 
We believe it to be allergy related; I tend to agree, the Vet felt that his best bet would be Atopica for the sores. However it was stated in a study when it first came out that it should not be given to dogs with DB.

So I am still wondering if I should wait on my regular vet to contact me and she if its OK for Buddy, this vet was a "Fit in" since he was out sick. And she was not really our (Buddy's) vet.

The blood work and urine looked good, except for the sections that are related to FDB, glucose, etc. There was no mention of anything else they felt was going on other then FDB.

Also I have some syringes that are about a year old still sealed in the blister packs. Not sure if they are any good.

But yikes! How can you see the unit lines! Ack, especially if it becomes less than 1 unit!?

But like you said; wait and see in the AM.

And believe me once I get a reading from him I will post here ASAP!

Thanks
 
Mike,

You might want to start a new thread and ask for allergy problem information/ideas. We have a lot of members who deal with this issue who may not have seen this post.
 
Yes you need a prescription for Lantus in Florida. You are smart to wait until your day off to start him. Are you in homestead Florida? I am only about an hour north of you if you need any inperson help. I will let the other members in the lantus group give you advise on the dosage and TR model .
 
Hi,

Thanks for your offer but I have given injections before, thanks! But I still don't mind what ever inspiration you can offer close or far. ;-)

However I like Lakeland, in Polk Conunty.

I sure pray this is the right thing to do. My best friend and others say trust this board more so than most vets with clinic syndrome.

OK, we have to head off to work tonight. Buddy seems OK and back to himself more or less. I just can't help looking at him hoping he will be OK and we are not to late.

Again, thank you all. I appreciate all of you very much!

Mike and The Homestead Gang (Homestead came up when I was looking over my property taxes one day)
 
When you first mentioned Homestead and then you said you are in Florida, I thought maybe you were in the city of Homestead. But that is homestead as in homestead exemption. Since you are in Florida you might also want to treat all of your cats for fleas also. For some reason, I have the biggest flea problem this year that I have ever had in twenty years. I think the fleas at least in my area are becomming immune to certain pesticides.

Well tomorrow is day one for you. Keep us posted.
 
Well, its after midnight.

Day One?

Got home, was worried sick about him all day/evening while at work. If you could make $$$$ off worry I would be a millionaire.

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Anyway, we tested him at 12:30 AM (EST), reading was 308.

Update: It is Saturday morning - 9:26 AM (EST), reading is 275.

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BTW: I was going to get my Lantus insulin from Walgreens, holly cow! :shock:
They wanted a 10m vile for $232.00! I called Walmart and they advised !124.00.
I had it transferred to them, I hope it will be ready in the AM Saturday!
I will call them to verify when I get up.

What a pain it was to make all these phone calls. I hope its ready tomorrow, I hate to have to call the vet clinic and ask for a couple of syringes of 1 unit each to get by.

I pray to God that he blesses my boy Buddy.

And all of you for your help.

Mike
 
Hi,

I appreciate that, will look into it. :smile:

However I need to know if I need to do anything? Pretty much have my whole day on stand by till then. :?:

Mike
 
I don't use your insulin, Mike, so can't advise on dose. But everyone on that support forum does. So if you post a new thread there, and say you are new to Lantus and looking for a starting dose, you should get lots of help.
 
Good. Ask them about the vials vs pens. And do take the candle off your post over there - we use it to indicate that a kitty has died. And your Buddy is doing well! :razz:
 
you can usually call a hospital pharmacy and get one lantus cartridge or one solostar pen rather than the 3 or 5 pack...
hospitals will often sell a single one rather than the full package, pharmacies won't.

cuts the cost by about 1/3 or 1/5...which helps!

and if you're not familiar with lantus or levemir, be sure to read the sticky on it's care...it's very different than the other insulins...most importantly you don't want to shake or roll it to mix the suspension...

celi & binks
 
Good to see you are getting advice on starting dose on the Lantus forum. They will want a spreadsheet as they base future doses on history of dose/numbers. We have a great one on this site that is color coded and easy for people to access. Here are the directions: Setting up a spreadsheet If you need help, just ask.
 
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