Just wondering, how does having diabetes make a cat "feel"? I find that without verbal communication, I can't always tell what is an effect of diabetes, and what might be something else. Do all cats sit hunched after an insulin injection? Does this upset their stomach? Does my cat hurt? Why isn't my cat very affectionate anymore? Why doesn't he want to stretch out in the sun any longer? Does diabates affect his body temperature, or ability to regulate it? Why won't he sleep on the sofa any longer? I have a lot of questions like these. I am assuming that changes in his routines and affection are likely due to discomfort, but is that actually the case? How does the insulin make him feel? Since his seems to be insulin resistant (more tests to determine why this week), how should he be acting if the insulin was working properly? Like his old self? While there is a lot of great info on FD, I still have unanswered questions. Would love any feedback!
Effect of Diabetes on Cat's body
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tuckers mom
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Are you testing blood sugar? If your kitty is not well regulated then your kitty won't be feeling well. You said your kitty may be insulin resistant, why do you think that?
When a kitty starts insulin and is getting a good dose many people report that the kitty is back to doing many of the favorite things kitty did before the dx.
When a kitty starts insulin and is getting a good dose many people report that the kitty is back to doing many of the favorite things kitty did before the dx.
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
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How kitty feels would depend in large part to where his blood glucose is at. Last thread you posted, you were using Prozinc, but not shooting twice a day in equal amounts, if I remember right. And you were going to have the vet check for other conditions that might explain why the dose has been as high as 5u? Did you find out anything new?
Also, I think you said that pancreatitis had been a problem. Is that still a problem? That makes a cat feel really bad, and can cause a good deal of pain.
It's hard to answer some of your questions relating to how kitty "feels" on insulin. Normally, if the dose is right (not too high or too low) it should make him feel better. But if the dose isn't right, he could be suffering from BG that is too high which makes him feel bad, or too low, which would also make him feel bad. It's hard to tell just from looking, because feeling bad is feeling bad, period.
When Bob was first diagnosed, he felt like total crap. Cried a lot, didn't want to be around me or anyone else including our other cat. Didn't want to eat most of the time, while at other times he would eat anything he could get into because he was literally starving. Didn't want to be petted, cuddled, just wanted to be left alone. But it only took a few days on insulin before he started to improve. It was a couple weeks probably before he stopped drinking like a fish and peeing like a racehorse. His appetite improved once I started feeding him Fancy Feast, and then he stopped acting like he was starving. He got more social too, and started grooming himself again. He still didn't want to play much, and his legs were to weak to jump up on the sofa, but if I picked him up and put him in my lap, he'd stay there as long as I'd let him. It wasn't until weeks later, after he was "off the juice", that he regained the leg muscle needed to jump up on the sofa or bed, and really started to "play" again. His favorite game is "fetch", and he didn't do that for months. I let him decide when he was ready for that, and one day he rewarded me by bringing his "krammie" (that's his toy he fetches) to me and dropping it at my feet and crying for me to toss it. That's the day I really felt he was "better", even though he'd been in remission for months.
Specfically though, to your questions, all I can tell you is how Bob acted.
He didn't sit all hunched after a shot.
He never seemed to have an upset stomach, or at least he never barfed or looked like he wanted to.
He was "hurting" however, yes. That was mostly due to muscle weakness and dehydration. It hurt him to move at all at first.
He was "antisocial" and didn't want to be touched, petted or messed with. That only lasted a few days though.
He still enjoyed stretching out, but it was summer time, so not really in the sun. Mostly over the AC vents on the floor!
He didn't sleep on the sofa because he couldn't get up onto it. Mostly just on the floor or in his cat bed, or in his favorite thing in the world, a cardboard box (had to cut down the sides so he could get into the box).
If the insulin is working, more importantly, if the dose is "right", then yes, he should show improvement on all the things you asked about.
If you aren't home testing, please think really hard about doing so. If the problem is just that his numbers are too high or too low, that's easy to fix, but you need to know what his BG is all day long, not just when the vet checks it.
The supplies can be gotten to home-test for nothing, except the cost of shipping them to you. There's a "sticky" thread at the top of the index page that tells you how to go about getting a home-testing kit. Not only is the safest way to treat diabetes, but it will do so much to help you "know" how he's doing and maybe answer most of your questions.
Carl
Also, I think you said that pancreatitis had been a problem. Is that still a problem? That makes a cat feel really bad, and can cause a good deal of pain.
It's hard to answer some of your questions relating to how kitty "feels" on insulin. Normally, if the dose is right (not too high or too low) it should make him feel better. But if the dose isn't right, he could be suffering from BG that is too high which makes him feel bad, or too low, which would also make him feel bad. It's hard to tell just from looking, because feeling bad is feeling bad, period.
When Bob was first diagnosed, he felt like total crap. Cried a lot, didn't want to be around me or anyone else including our other cat. Didn't want to eat most of the time, while at other times he would eat anything he could get into because he was literally starving. Didn't want to be petted, cuddled, just wanted to be left alone. But it only took a few days on insulin before he started to improve. It was a couple weeks probably before he stopped drinking like a fish and peeing like a racehorse. His appetite improved once I started feeding him Fancy Feast, and then he stopped acting like he was starving. He got more social too, and started grooming himself again. He still didn't want to play much, and his legs were to weak to jump up on the sofa, but if I picked him up and put him in my lap, he'd stay there as long as I'd let him. It wasn't until weeks later, after he was "off the juice", that he regained the leg muscle needed to jump up on the sofa or bed, and really started to "play" again. His favorite game is "fetch", and he didn't do that for months. I let him decide when he was ready for that, and one day he rewarded me by bringing his "krammie" (that's his toy he fetches) to me and dropping it at my feet and crying for me to toss it. That's the day I really felt he was "better", even though he'd been in remission for months.
Specfically though, to your questions, all I can tell you is how Bob acted.
He didn't sit all hunched after a shot.
He never seemed to have an upset stomach, or at least he never barfed or looked like he wanted to.
He was "hurting" however, yes. That was mostly due to muscle weakness and dehydration. It hurt him to move at all at first.
He was "antisocial" and didn't want to be touched, petted or messed with. That only lasted a few days though.
He still enjoyed stretching out, but it was summer time, so not really in the sun. Mostly over the AC vents on the floor!
He didn't sleep on the sofa because he couldn't get up onto it. Mostly just on the floor or in his cat bed, or in his favorite thing in the world, a cardboard box (had to cut down the sides so he could get into the box).
If the insulin is working, more importantly, if the dose is "right", then yes, he should show improvement on all the things you asked about.
If you aren't home testing, please think really hard about doing so. If the problem is just that his numbers are too high or too low, that's easy to fix, but you need to know what his BG is all day long, not just when the vet checks it.
The supplies can be gotten to home-test for nothing, except the cost of shipping them to you. There's a "sticky" thread at the top of the index page that tells you how to go about getting a home-testing kit. Not only is the safest way to treat diabetes, but it will do so much to help you "know" how he's doing and maybe answer most of your questions.
Carl
Carl, your post was extremely helpful and I truly appreciate your response. I am giving Pumpkin equal doses of Prozinc now - 3 am and 3 pm. At his BG test last Friday, the BG was higher than the week before by a little. It appears that my cat is insulin resistant after months on Lantus and now 6 weeks on ProZinc with no drop of BG on either product. I have an appt with my vet this Friday to figure out why my cat is not responding to insulin. I agree that we need to explore other conditions. My vet tells me that Pancreatitis is hard to control once developed. I may also tap into a regional veterinary school nearby for further assistance if possible. My cat has been a real trooper living with this for 7 months now without substantial progress toward improvement. I know my cat would feel better if his BG would drop and really hope to figure out how to get it down. Thanks again!
ohbell
Very Active Member
Is there any way to post Punkin's numbers for all of us to see? Either on the thread or set up a spread sheet?
What is Punkin's diet?
Does he take pain meds for the Pancreatitis? If not, do you think he might need some?
Have you been able to do a ketone test?
Sending big paw hugs your way
What is Punkin's diet?
Does he take pain meds for the Pancreatitis? If not, do you think he might need some?
Have you been able to do a ketone test?
Sending big paw hugs your way
Thanks everyone. Pumpkin has had BG numbers ranging from 325 - 380. Last Friday the number was 345, the week before, 335. The day I had the BG curve done, in early Dec., it started at 350 and stayed 325-250 most of the day, rising to low 400's in the afternoon (but they had to change to human strips then cause they ran out of the kind they used in the morning, so results were possibly skewed). When I go back this Friday, I will ask for dates and numbers to chart this! I am researching the at home testing. Having a hard time talking my self into this, but I agree with all of you that it must be a lot more accurate and less stressful for Pumpkin.
He is eating Friskies canned food- pates, typically Turkey and giblets, mixed grill, and oceanwhitefish with tuna. All pates. While on Lantus, he had some spells of non eating and I could entice him to eat with Fancy Feast food with gravy in it. Yes, I know that is full of carbs and not good so it was only offered on rare occasions and with my vet's blessing - better to eat something than nothing philosophy. However, with the ProZinc he has been on since the first of Dec, he is constantly ravenous. I am feeding him 3/4 can (5.5 oz can) for breakfast, with his insulin, 1/2 can for lunch, 3/4 can for dinner and another 1/4 to 1/2 can around 8 pm with his insulin. Sometimes a bit more food if he is particularly starving that day. He is not gaining weight. Since June he has dropped from almost 18 pounds to 12.5 pounds - his current weight. His body fat is all gone.
He is not taking meds for pancreatitis now. No meds besides insulin. Pumpkin was checked for kidney function and ketosis - negative on the ketosis. His kidneys were ok, this was two weeks ago.
So - what should I explore next? I have an appt with the vet on Fri when he has his next BG check.
He is eating Friskies canned food- pates, typically Turkey and giblets, mixed grill, and oceanwhitefish with tuna. All pates. While on Lantus, he had some spells of non eating and I could entice him to eat with Fancy Feast food with gravy in it. Yes, I know that is full of carbs and not good so it was only offered on rare occasions and with my vet's blessing - better to eat something than nothing philosophy. However, with the ProZinc he has been on since the first of Dec, he is constantly ravenous. I am feeding him 3/4 can (5.5 oz can) for breakfast, with his insulin, 1/2 can for lunch, 3/4 can for dinner and another 1/4 to 1/2 can around 8 pm with his insulin. Sometimes a bit more food if he is particularly starving that day. He is not gaining weight. Since June he has dropped from almost 18 pounds to 12.5 pounds - his current weight. His body fat is all gone.
He is not taking meds for pancreatitis now. No meds besides insulin. Pumpkin was checked for kidney function and ketosis - negative on the ketosis. His kidneys were ok, this was two weeks ago.
So - what should I explore next? I have an appt with the vet on Fri when he has his next BG check.
ohbell
Very Active Member
I would still suggest home testing so that you know what his # are when he is at home. Vet stress can raise the numbers ~ some kitties alot.
Please glance at my spreadsheet. As Bean's first test was only 27 and that was 2 hours after the test...eeeks.
WE (folks here) worked on her numbers for 4+ hours.... I am sooo glad I found "my big girl panties" and started testing... the sound of a needle would make me want to faint, much less have to test.... The gentle encouragement from here made me 'try it'. That was the first test we got. I did make a promise to my wonderful Bean girl, to never ever shoot w/out a test first.... She is still with me today! yeeeepeeeee!
Bean did not start gaining her weight back until I did start testing as then I knew what I was getting with what I was doing ~ regulating ~ after that, she became alive again. I remember when she played with a toy again! I cried and took pix. ~ just not believing that this could be possible. Then she finally started eating normally, got away from that sink with trickle of water, and her pee was decreasing....wow! She now weighs 10.10 last time I took her weight (have a baby scale via craigslist), she was 11.4 or so to 8! She looks sooo great!
Not try to harp, just 'gently encourage'! YOU CAN DO THIS! Really, once you get the routine down, it will not be a problem for you or your Pumpkin.
Please glance at my spreadsheet. As Bean's first test was only 27 and that was 2 hours after the test...eeeks.
WE (folks here) worked on her numbers for 4+ hours.... I am sooo glad I found "my big girl panties" and started testing... the sound of a needle would make me want to faint, much less have to test.... The gentle encouragement from here made me 'try it'. That was the first test we got. I did make a promise to my wonderful Bean girl, to never ever shoot w/out a test first.... She is still with me today! yeeeepeeeee!
Bean did not start gaining her weight back until I did start testing as then I knew what I was getting with what I was doing ~ regulating ~ after that, she became alive again. I remember when she played with a toy again! I cried and took pix. ~ just not believing that this could be possible. Then she finally started eating normally, got away from that sink with trickle of water, and her pee was decreasing....wow! She now weighs 10.10 last time I took her weight (have a baby scale via craigslist), she was 11.4 or so to 8! She looks sooo great!
Not try to harp, just 'gently encourage'! YOU CAN DO THIS! Really, once you get the routine down, it will not be a problem for you or your Pumpkin.
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