Crying Uncle!

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allie and newkitty

allie and newkitty

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In the last 9 months we have had 2 cats diagnosed with hyperthyroid.

1 cat diagnosed with CRF (the one who already has diabetes (temporarily at the falls), pancreatitis, and IBD.

Now, the most recently diagnosed hyper-t cat appears to have developed diabetes. He was diagnosed with asthma in May and given a few days of Temaril-P. That did not help at all so he got one shot of dex and 2 weeks of 5 mg pred, then tapered down for like 3 weeks more. He has been off it for over 3 weeks now, completely. He has been drinking a lot (he eats only canned) though previously had never been interested in water at all and peeing big clumps. Also not gaining weight (8 lbs) despite his hyper-t being controlled...but he has always been a lean, mean kitty machine.

Anyway, I am out of meter strips but checked his urine and it gave me the second darkest reading. I am going to call to get him an appt. for Saturday if I can but it seems pretty obvious to me. :( It's esp. shocking because this vet hateshateshates steroids and I was surprised she even dx'ed them. I guess his xrays looked pretty bad.

Despite the fact that Newkitty is steroid-induced, this will be my first experience with a diabetic cat who eats exclusively canned food and is meal fed so that will be interesting...learning how to do everything the 'right' way. We've always had to bend & break the 'rules' for Newkitty. Even though we've been diabetic-ing for 6.5 years now, this will be all new in a way!

It just sucks! I know it could be worse, but man, it could be better too!! A lot of bad news this year...could use some good.
 
awwwww, Allie, it does suck.
I'm so sorry you have to go thru yet one more dx to deal with.
And I don't think you announced the name of the next potentially extra sweet kitty...
Remember, it sucks now. But the treatment and possible remission are even more possible for you with all the experience you already have.
And all of us in your corner.
Do you still have a meter and rice sock and such?
Lori
and tomtom
 
Hey Lori!!! Thank you for responding. His name is KittyBuddy and he is an orange tabby. He came to us about 8 years ago as a stray with a set of huge spongey tomcat cheeks (the vet techs still call him SweetCheeks), un-neutered, with a big abscess on his face. We got him all fixed up and he's been in great health until this year. They think he is probably in his teens, 14 maybe? 15? They don't know. He had a much-needed dental in January with toothpaste commercial sparkly teeth after but by March his teeth were bad again, not sure if that means anything. Bloodwork was pristine just a month ago (glucose elevated they thought due to vet stress, below 200).

We still have a meter (battery JUST died) and a rice sock at the ready. I need to reorder my test strips but will get an interim bottle tomorrow. We also have an unused bottle of Lantus I just got last month (I like to keep a bottle waiting in case Newkitty's remission disappears one day). Plus a bunch of needles. So if he is diabetic we are prepared in every way but psychologically, ha.

That would be great if he went into remission too.
 
Kittybuddy!!! and Newkitty???? where do you come up with these adorable names?
And don't you just love a tom with the big cheeks? Check out tom's cheeks...the are real squeezers.

You know Allie, you are more psychologically prepared than any newbie walkin in of the street.
I'm surprised your going to the vet to find out if Kittybuddy is even diabetic....you know when you test right?

Which meter are you on? I feel like you are a newbie again in a way. Maybe I can help you out.
Lori
 
LOL, just really like the word Kitty in names, I guess. Newkitty was because we were arguing about her name and that is what her chart said. It stuck. The other cat is Sabrina, so she is the odd cat out!

Tom's cheeks are kissers as well as squeezers.

I use an Accu-Check Advantage. It's not ideal as it is old school and requires a big drop but I started with it and Newkitty's blood can be lipemic so once I felt comfortable with it (no hypos in 6.5 years, knock wood!!!!) I did not dare change.

I will know when I test, I guess I am just being overly cautious. I know they would not like it if I just started treating him. Which sucks, because after 2 ultrasounds, about 12 vet visits since January (maybe more?), multiple xrays, fluids, needles, vitamins, exotic nausea meds, bupe, etc, it is broketown around here. Ah, but this is what jobs and credit cards were made for! ;)

I guess I will need to fire up a spreadsheet and head over to the Lantus ISG? It's been 2 years since I spreadsheeted. I DO feel like a newbie.
 
Allie my dear, I think you are in luck. I happen to have a 50 count vial of accu-check comfort curve that says it can be used with accu-check advantage. I will send them to you. they expire 10/31/11
Just send me your address ok.
Welcome Baaaaaccckkkkk!
 
Hi Allie-

My cat Merlin was dx'd with asthma last year and we never had any steriod pills or shots, just the inhaler - which is a steroid but different because it's localized (I think that's the term)
Are you using an inhaler now? We use the aerokat and I get my flovent from an online pharm at MUCH cheaper prices.
There are a few people on this board who have asthmatic cats.
 
Hey Traci. No inhaler yet. She said that was the next step. I really, REALLY wish she had done that first. I had a false sense of security because it took so long for Newkitty to develop diabetes on the pred. I knew some cats develop it from one shot but too late now! Thank you for the info.
He is not really showing any symptoms right now. He always seems to be stuffy/allergic in his head but that is it right now.
 
Okay. When it's time for you to buy the inhalers you can get them from 4 Corners (flovent is called flixotide-it's the same thing) the price is MUCH lower. You'll also need to get the aerocat which is the device you administer the puff with. I can't remember where I got that but they're easy to find online. The other two peeps here that also have asthma cats are Kellie and Oscar and Tena and Curry. There are probably others I just can't remember. There's also a Yahoo Feline Asthma group which is very good.
 
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