Fat Louie - Where to go next?

[SierraNevadan]

She has made outstanding progress the last few weeks, she's like a different cat, frisky and full of energy. Her dandruff is almost gone and her coat is shiny again. Her urination and drinking frequency is now like my two other cats' habits.

She is completely on low carb now - pates and some raw meat - and I think that's made a huge difference for her.

She is on Novolin N. I haven't given her any shots in the last 7 days and only 3 in the last 14. I don't feel comfortable dosing with this insulin at the preshot numbers she's been giving me lately. I've put her spreadsheet up.

Do you think she might benefit from a better insulin on a tight regulation schedule? I'd like to see more green than blue but don't know if I can get there staying with what I'm doing now. The only way I'd stay with Novolin N is if I could get it recompounded in a dilution where I could dose in .1 increments with some accuracy.

I have an appointment for her with a new vet next week, I'm going to print out her spreadsheet to take with me.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether PZI or Lantus would be better for her?

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Honestly I don't know if she needs insulin at all, these numbers aren't bad given she isn't getting insulin. Remember a normal cat is 50-130. We want to see 14 days in that range before we consider OTJ. To help her you might want to feed more frequently smaller meals for now. And keep to the low carb foods only so you don't get any of those yellows.

I would keep testing daily and see where she goes...

Edited to add.. No high carb treats either..
Wendy

 

[Deb & Wink]

I agree with Wendy & Tiggy. Those numbers are pretty good for no insulin.

I'd like to see you still testing AMBG and PMBG. You'll notice the abbreviations have changed slightly. Since you are not giving a shot, no pre-shot number, simply a blood glucose number (BG).

We like to see 2 weeks with numbers mostly below the 130 threshold and preferably in the under 100 range.

You could consider yourself on day 8 of a OTJ trial. A few of those numbers on the ss have been higher than we like to see so you may want to keep on the trial longer than the standard 14 days.

 

[BJM]

Monitor for infection potential and health on a weekly basis or so
- check mouth for tartar and gingivitis
- check eyes and nose for mucus build up
- check litterbox for frequent, small urine deposits (bladder infection or stones)
- check for dehydration - gently pull up scruff and release. If skin stays tented, the cat is moderately to severely dehydrated
- observe gait - Limping? Down on hocks? Balanced or leaning/circular?
- food & water consumption changes
- behavior changes
Etc

All ways to look for things going awry and questions a vet might ask or things a vet might look for.

 

[SierraNevadan]

Louie had an all green day yesterday, but some of her numbers the last 2 weeks were on the high side to be considered "normal" but too low for me to safely give the insulin I have. I like the idea of Prozinc and the U100 syringe conversions -- seems you can admin low doses accurately with that method.

I'll watch her for a couple more weeks and hope she stays lower on her own. She's becoming more active and we're doing more playtime and that activity might help her too.

She's had tooth problems before - an abscess and plaque and had a cleaning last summer. She fights the toothbrush, but will sometimes let me massage her gums with the chicken flavor toothpaste. I have some of the plaque removers I try to remember to use on her...she doesn't like the taste of those much either.

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Maybe its time for another teeth cleaning at the vet. That could bring her down a bit more. Meanwhile though I would feed her more frequently small meals and keep watch and see. Maybe you could even go for a slightly lower carb food or flavour.. might be the tipping point.

Wendy

 

[BJM]

Raw gizzards, if she'll eat them, may help reduce some of the plaque that is still soft.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

regarding which insulin to use (if you need to use) - well it really depends on you.

both are good choices -

lantus requires a more strict dosing schedule whereas prozinc is a little more forgiving regarding timing and even dosing amount. both require basic understanding and it comes down to what is better for your schedule and which do you think you can keep up with more.

I suggest taking the time now, to visit both groups and read the stickies (starred) info and some of the daily posts and decide that way.

and remember, you can always change if you find one just isn't working best for Louie.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether PZI or Lantus would be better for her?

Sometimes, it's a matter of finding an insulin that will work well for both the owner and the cat.

Lantus is a depot type insulin that needs to be managed differently than what you are using now. Read the stickies as Wendy & Tiggy suggested.

Prozinc is an in and out type insulin, like the Humulin/Novolin N but has a longer duration. Again read the stickies in the PZI forum.

Then come back and ask questions when you have them.