Dusty's lacking a couple of P's. Could it be neuropathy?

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Michelle & Dusty

Michelle & Dusty

Member Since 2012
Hi all,

I'm a bit abashed to be posting on the forum, since I'm really, really terrible about actually posting condos as I probably ought to do. But I posted this on health and it was recommended I post here, too, to get some eyes on the questions. Any thoughts or insights you might have would be greatly appreciated!

Here's the body of the thread from health:

My cat Dusty has been on the juice for about four months. I'm still struggling to get her regulated. We're up to three units of Lantus and we still need another increase. (Though before increasing the dose, I'll be getting a new vial of Lantus, to make sure that the bad numbers aren't the result of some ineffective insulin. FWIW, this insulin is only 2 months old and still clear, has been refrigerated and treated well, etc. My guess is that it isn't the insulin, but I am going to check, regardless.)

For the last several days, Dusty has been quite off. She's sleeping on the bed basically all day and much more resistant to purring...basically wanting to be left alone. She IS eating well and is peeing. I'm pretty sure she's pooping, though I've got two other cats so it's a bit of guesswork. I checked for ketones today and it was negative.

She's also showing some signs of neuropathy. She's been walking a bit strange lately, sitting frequently, and having a hard time getting up on the bed. She's also had some pretty clear muscle wasting in her back hips. I ordered some Zobaline and will start administering it to her when I get it. I'm kicking myself about this one, as many of the signs have been there for a while and I haven't really put two and two together before now.

I took her to the vet yesterday to have her looked at because her high numbers aren't really budging, despite the fact that I've increased the dose three times in the last couple of weeks. The vet didn't seem terribly concerned about things, just suggesting I get a different vial of Lantus and to keep increasing the dose (following the tight regulation protocol) until her numbers get under control. She said I should bring Dusty in in about a month or so to get a full panel of bloodwork done (her creatinine levels were on the outside edge of normal when they were checked in February).


My questions:

Will cats with neuropathy also feel a bit down from it? Could it explain her lethargy and lack of purrs? Or are cats with neuropathy typically in an otherwise fine mood? (I know, I know...ECID!)

Reading on the internets, I see that a potassium deficiency could explain the walking and the the feeling down. (Dusty has also been twitching quite a bit. She's always been a bit twitchy, but not any time she's relaxing she'll have facial twitches or the odd paw spasm.) Should this be something I get checked pretty immediately? She had a complete panel taken at the time of her diagnosis (at the beginning of December) and things were normal then. But could these numbers drop pretty quickly?

Finally, I'm leaving in just a few hours for a conference. I'll only be gone for a few days, but I'm worried about going because of how Dusty is acting. (Unfortunately, I *have* to go. Definitely a mandatory thing.) I'll have a housesitter watching the cats and she's done this before and has tested and dosed Dusty without any problems. Is there anything in particular I should tell her to keep an eye out for? Is there anything I should check before I leave?

Thanks for the help, the insight, the sheer wonderfulness of everyone on here. I really do appreciate it. :)
 
Re: Dusty's lacking a couple of P's. Could it be neuropathy

At least in humans, neuropathy can be painful. There's numbness and tingling or pain. Cats are so stoic that it's next to impossible to know if that's what they experience, as well.

As for the potassium, you'll have to get labs done to check. I would not give any kind of potassium supplement without your vet's approval. Too much potassium is as problematic as too little.

I would just have her keep an eye on Dusty's number and appetite. If any thing changes, she should call you or get Dusty to the vet.
 
Re: Dusty's lacking a couple of P's. Could it be neuropathy

Thanks, Sienne! I'll definitely not be giving her any potassium prior to bloodwork and consultation with my vet. The vet suggested bringing her in in May for a full panel. If these symptoms continue, do you think it would be wise to get her in earlier, at least for a check of her electrolytes? She's usually such a cheerful cat, and so this bout of lethargy and depression, coupled with these persistently high numbers, worries me. (It doesn't help that it's a stressful time of the semester! I'm sure some of my work stress is carrying over into kitty stress. ohmygod_smile ) )

I'm about to send a last email to the cat sitter, so I'll make sure to ask her to keep an eye on Dusty's appetite.

Thanks again. And I hope you're doing well and that Chicago is starting to feel a bit more springlike!
 
Re: Dusty's lacking a couple of P's. Could it be neuropathy

If you can actually see Dusty's poo, it may provide some clues. If it is 'pudding poo' and reeks, it may indicate some sort of malabsorption issue. The pancreas produces other hormones, plus some enzymes. If that isn't happening, malnutrition occurs.

Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can occur and also cause maldigestion/malabsorption issues. Again, the feces may reek and the cat could be gassy.

If the liver is still handling more fat because its being broken down for calories due to an insulin lack, that can stress the liver. Be alert for any signs of yellowing in the skin or whites of the eyes.

It is possible for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to occur and result in a less vigorous cat. The vet might have seen some bowel thickening on X-ray. Palpation of the abdomen may demonstrate some tenderness. It is a quite variable disease with symptoms appearing and disappearing erratically.
 
Re: Dusty's lacking a couple of P's. Could it be neuropathy

Thanks, BJM! Dusty tends to the other end of the spectrum with regard to poo consistency. Early on in her time as a diabetic, she had to have her bowels manually evacuated. Since then, she's been on a daily dose of Miralax. When I see her poo, it's pretty normal though very dark. While the poo doesn't smell like roses, it's a pretty normal sort of disgusting. (It has nothing on the sorts of things that my civvie Gus is able to give us!)

Thanks for the suggestions of things to look out for! I'll continue to check and make sure things are as they should be. I hope your evening is going well!
 
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