Fed up and losing my mind..

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Candy&Company

Candy&Company

Member Since 2018
My name's Candy, and I have 2 cats - Fena who I always THOUGHT was a female, and Mao whose name used to be "Cartman" until I said hell no, listened to him, and actually realized that when he was meowing he wouldn't SOUND like it, he'd sound like "Mao" - thus his renaming.

Fena is my FD, who I THOUGHT was female - I got 3 cats back in November of 2009. Fena, a huge Abyssinian mix cat who was the most mothering, maternal thing I'd ever encountered in my entire life - plus her mammory glands hung down and were obvious so I thought at one point she must have had kittens. Yeah I was a moron apparently, despite all of my hands on/intheirface/lookingateverything mentality.

She was diagnosed with severe constipation on 8/25/2018, then 8/26 came the diabetes and pancreatitis diagnosis and my world just pretty much imploded, again. I took her home on 8/27 after a manual evac, enema, IV fluids, I/D Hills canned food, Covenia 2wk shot, 4 day RX of Cerenia 1x daily plus a big bottle of 2cc Lactulose daily - added to that 12 cans of I/D Hills wet food but a "warning" to "get her on under 10%!"

She was completely NOT herself, and on 8/31 I had to take her back because she still wasn't having an bowel movements - they did another manual evac, enema, IV fluids, and sent me home with an RX for 1/2 Cerenia a day for 8 days and 1/2 metoclopramide for 30 days plus an OK to finish out the rest of the bottle of Lactulose 2cc 2X daily - but slowly and surely she started to turn back into my Fena!

More energy, peeing, pooping, drinking water (which she was crazy about), going upstairs to sun herself or downstairs to explore (both of which she hadn't done in eons either from the constipation or neuropathy?) - getting on the back of the couches to nap, etc. so she was getting much MUCH better - along with other behaviours that I wasn't as familiar with - like bugging me ALOT in the middle of the night while I was sleeping on the couch in the living room. She used to sleep behind my legs/knees but NOW she presses into my chest/stomach where there's less room, "pets" my face/head with her front paws, licks on me, sniffs on me, she just wants to be glued to my side at least 60% of the day, something she never did before.

She was 11.5lbs. on August25th, and 11lbs on August 31st (second enema, etc. above) - I'm exhausted, incoherent, I have no idea WHAT to say... hell I'm probably missing a lot of info to tell. Um.

She's been on 1 unit ProZinc 2x since August 27th, 12 hours w/food - she's pooping again, all's good there, she seems to be eating better every day little by little. There's so much more I want to tell, need to tell, but I'm so tired.. *sigh* I need to buy the testing supplies, more food, etc... I'm just so damn tired.

I was sick as a dog when I noticed SHE was sick.. not good, plus I had a huge fruit fly infestation and I'm STILL dealing with the tiny tail end of it. Still mourning my Mom who died at the end of Feb, I have NOBODY.. I don't know how people do it. God bless them for their family - parents, siblings, spouses, kids, roommates, etc. It's currently 5:17am for me on a Wednesday morning, I know I have to work. I know I'll be suffering.. I don't even care anymore, I'm so used to it in just under 20 days since the diagnosis.

I have so much more info... I'll try to post it later, I'm just insanely thrilled that I was able to set up my new laptop and post here, since it was supposed to be my backup work comp, LOL. *sigh*

Fena is the one in my photo, laying beside my important paper board/box tonight as I was trying to clean - maybe about, ehh.. 10pmish? She's my baby, her and Mao, they're all I have, literally..

It was nice to "awkwardly on my part, haha" meet you all, I'll post more later!

Love,
Candy, Fena and Mao.
 
Hi Candy, Fena and Mao. Welcome to FDMB.:)
I am sorry you have had such a rough time of it. And so sorry about your Mom...that is very tough!
But you have come to the right place.....we will help and support you in any way we can.
Ask lots of questions and read as much as you can about FD . It is a steep learning curve in the beginning.
I'm very pleased to hear you are going to be testing the blood sugar levels...that is great.
What are you feeding Fena? Look for wet food 10% or less. If you haven't switched over yet, don't do it until you are testing the BSLs because giving low carb food will lower the blood sugars and that with the insulin can lower it too much. But if you are testing you can keep Fena safe.
Post your questions over on the main forum. Here is the link
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/
Bron
 
Hi Bron! I'm assuming you're Bron, god I hope I'm right, LOL. But yes, I WILL be testing Fena and her brother Mao actually - he's the one I'm worried about and he's not even the FD, mainly because he sees everything I do with/to him as a "game" so the "chase" or something similar will be ON - plus he's off his food a bit which is worrying... I don't know if he's depressed because Fena is getting the most of the attention or what but it's worrying to think about. After her curve on Monday, some errands and my car into the shop it'll be his turn unless something happens, fingers crossed.

Fena and Mao both, I'm transitioning them at the same time, are getting either Friskies Pate or Fancy Feast Pate 3-4 times a day in mini like meals - with added water, Halo crumbled treats, tuna water, 1-2 Temptations catnip treats, etc. as needed if they're not wanting to really eat (Fena mostly but NOW it's starting to be Mao which is unnerving).

I had a HUGE meltdown about 2 weeks ago or so, because I KNEW going low carb would change BG but I was SO sick.. I could either drive to Walmart or shop in it, not both which sucked so I took a HUGE risk - one I do NOT recommend - I gave a little of the Hills I/d food to Fena, a bit at a time. First 1/2 can as she had during her stay at the vet, then a few days later 1/4, then a few days after that 1/8, all the time watching her like a HAWK, even sleeping. Right now, she and Mao are ONLY on Friskies/FF low carb pate but I put out some Purina One dry food (their previous staple) each night along with their wet food leftovers to transition them better, it's working great.

Down to 1/4 cup at night dry for 2 cats and honestly they barely touch it - Fena has been improving SO much, I'm ready to get my supplies and get down to business for her BG and curves, etc. which I'll be starting before her vet curve on Monday the 17th. I'd like to have something I can post here, then post the vet results, and be able to have a discussion about if that's possible. :)

I just wish I could sleep more! Up at 6am, clean litter and do some more chore, start feeding at 7:20am to make sure Fena eats enough for her shot since she can be slooooow and picky - love on Moa ans pay attention to him, boot up my computer for work, my hands are ALWAYS in something - cat food, water, litter, bug bodies, etc. it's exhausting. LOL.

I have a question too, this might seem weird but.. do you guys know your cats? What I mean is, can you just kinda... tell if something is off, pretty quick? I ask this not because I'm not wanting to test Fena, etc. but because I've been stuck in this house with them since I got them so it's kinda like playing with my head in a way?

I can just TELL if something isn't right, or I'll watch her in her odd moments and I can kindasorta feel where it might go, bad or good (hypo or good, etc.) - or at least that's the really strange impression I've had since she was diagnosed I've been sick, I actually can't wait till the strips tell me something from science rather than my poor damn brain. :/

I'll definitely post in the main forum for health questions, just trying to get My brain straight today - good luck With that huh? Sorry on the delay, food, shot and med time plus some cleanup them logging into work and seeing what's on my calendar.
 
Yes I'm Bron.
Sounds like you have almost swapped over to the low carb food already. That's good. Also good you have both on low carb. Not only much better for both but much easier to manage an FD kitty when there is no high carb food around.

Yes I think I could say we all REALLY know our cats and their behaviours. We can usually pick up quickly when something is wrong..BUT that does not apply to the blood sugar levels. They may appear "off" if it is really high but usually the low blood sugar levels will not show any symptoms until it is dangerously low. Please do not rely on your observations to detect a low number. I am glad you are going to test.
See you over on the main forum.. post if you have problems with starting to test. Here is a link
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Bron
 
Welcome. You are overwhelmed. Understandable. It helps to have a routine you can stick to daily. Do you work from home? If so that is a big advantage. An automatic feeder can be a tremendous asset.

Once you get the testing down you will start to see patterns emerge. You will also find out when the insulin kicks in and how long it's lasting for your kitty.

My previous kitty use to come hit me if his sugar was getting to low. My current one just comes to me when she feels she needs to eat. I can tell by a look on any of my kitties faces it they are feeling off or if they are acting out of the norm for them. So you do need to take looks, behaviour as well as blood sugar into consideration.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Yes I'm Bron.
Sounds like you have almost swapped over to the low carb food already. That's good. Also good you have both on low carb. Not only much better for both but much easier to manage an FD kitty when there is no high carb food around.

Yes I think I could say we all REALLY know our cats and their behaviours. We can usually pick up quickly when something is wrong..BUT that does not apply to the blood sugar levels. They may appear "off" if it is really high but usually the low blood sugar levels will not show any symptoms until it is dangerously low. Please do not rely on your observations to detect a low number. I am glad you are going to test.
See you over on the main forum.. post if you have problems with starting to test. Here is a link
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Bron
Click to expand...

Yes the transition had some rough spots here and there but it seems to be smoothing out - but last night (13th) I didn't put out any kibble and just left out their leftovers, thinking maybe we've got this. Turns out they wanted MORE wet food over night, so I got pounced repeatedly until I could realize and then get up, etc.

I'm still not sure HOW much more to put out though - should I just try it hit and miss? Like an extra 1/2 can FF or Friskies and then see in the morning, etc?

I definitely understand and agree about the observations, I just mentioned it since until I can get to the store to get the meter, etc. it's about the only "tool" I've had to go by and wanted to get some thoughts/opinions on it so thanks for that and the link too!

I've been lurking all over this site since about the night of the 26th, after she was diagnosed but it was on my cell phone so all I could do really was read a ton, watch the videos, etc. but now on my other new computer (one I'll be using for personal/here/etc). I think I'll be able to absorb a lot more info and find it easier. Fingers crossed!
 
Olive & Paula said:
Welcome. You are overwhelmed. Understandable. It helps to have a routine you can stick to daily. Do you work from home? If so that is a big advantage. An automatic feeder can be a tremendous asset.

Once you get the testing down you will start to see patterns emerge. You will also find out when the insulin kicks in and how long it's lasting for your kitty.

My previous kitty use to come hit me if his sugar was getting to low. My current one just comes to me when she feels she needs to eat. I can tell by a look on any of my kitties faces it they are feeling off or if they are acting out of the norm for them. So you do need to take looks, behaviour as well as blood sugar into consideration.
Click to expand...

Hi Paula, and yes amen about the routine - I'm still trying to fine tune it which has been playing havoc with my sleep/energy level but I'm hopeful. I do work from home, and have for about 15 years now and the jobs vary depending on need/clients/seasons/etc. but I'm always working at something.

For example I used to start my work day at 8am EST and be done/ahead enough by maybe 4-5pm but that's what's gotten the shake up from Fena. Since it takes her awhile to get enough food in her, I wake up these days at 6am (which I read will be good for her preshot testing?) and by the time chores, food, meds, cleanup is done it's usually about 8am on the dot.

But then comes the mini meals once they finish breakfast left overs like "lunches" etc. so that's pushed my work day back until 6-7pm and then it's a race all over again just like in the morning with food, shot, meds, clean up, etc. By a few minutes after 8pm I just want to fall over and sleep for a week, LOL. Then if I add in the PM preshot test at 6pm it might push me back even more so that instead of having 8pm+ to myself I might have to work a bit more before bed to make up the time, etc.

So it's a juggling act that I keep having to adjust/refine but we're getting there... I think. I've been trying to work extra this week so have a bit more "wiggle room" in next weeks schedule due to her vet curve this Monday (17th) so I don't maybe have to stress as much about fitting in the preshot tests, the + tests, running errands, etc. I'm gonna try it and see.

I've read about the autofeeders, I think the recommended one is the... PetSmart 5? Trying to use my memory rather than the internet so I can be sure I get more info to "stick". After this though I'll do a search for the post/s I read about it in. :)
 
Awesome, thank you so much! :)

Also, do you use an auto feeder and if so how many of the "compartments" at night..? The PetSmart 5 has 5 I believe.
 
An autofeeder is great for feeding overnight. Cats often drop lower at night so putting out some food that they can eat at about +5 or 6 is a good move. You could set it to feed at about +4 and +6. Will Fena get the food or do you think Mao will get it first?
Once you start testing you will be able to see how the insulin affects Fena.
I would start posting over on the Main forum where there are many more people to help you. Here is the link
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/
 
Bron and Sheba said:
An autofeeder is great for feeding overnight. Cats often drop lower at night so putting out some food that they can eat at about +5 or 6 is a good move. You could set it to feed at about +4 and +6. Will Fena get the food or do you think Mao will get it first?
Once you start testing you will be able to see how the insulin affects Fena.
I would start posting over on the Main forum where there are many more people to help you. Here is the link
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/
Click to expand...

Yeah I remember reading that about the over night lows and it had me worried so at first I'd just leave wet food leftovers from dinner and kibble but THANKFULLY as of Thursday night they're both OFF kibble totally! So I stuck with leftovers but would get pounced - and wouldn't you know it, around 1-3am, which is +5-7 after shot? Ugh took me a bit to realize but I've been doing left overs now plus 1 FF can and keep getting pounced (by Fena) so tonight I think I'll do 1 Friskies, just to see. I split it between their 2 bowls.

As for who gets it, I'm not too sure - they can be pretty active at night but Fena, when she's not sleeping with me or in the same room usually sleeps by the water bowl (4 feet from kitchen with direct sight to the wet bowls) or in the kitchen itself which is where the wet food is left out. Mao typically sleeps in the same room as me, upstairs, or in the bathroom - he only passes the wet bowls on the way to the bathroom (his box, and the actual room) so I THINK... Fena is maybe getting more than I'm guessing.

Makes me wish I could set up hidden cameras, LOL. Heading to main forum now, thanks so much! Also, have the autofeeder bookmarked for future purchase!
 
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