Fuzzy out of remission, need dosing help

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I just came back from my vacation to find out Fuzzy has once again come out of remission. :( I came home from the happiest place on Earth, (Disneyland), into a nightmare. He was so thin and could hardly walk. I only found out when I got home because my dad didn't want me to worry while we were traveling. But we had to go to the Emergency vet to pick up some Lantus this morning. My dad had taken Fuzzy to the vet on Friday, but they only have Caninsulin there which didn't help at all. He was at 453.6 this morning, the highest he's ever been as far as I know. I hope the Lantus will kick in soon and help. I have given him 1 unit which is his normal starting dose, and I will give him another needle in 12 hours. Should I stick with this dose or go a little higher?

He stayed overnight at the vet on Friday, and they gave him IV. He had not been eating which is strange since he tends to eat more when his BG is high. But now he's at least eating some. I need to get some sleep now while he's sleeping, otherwise I won't be able to take care of him properly.
 
Hi there


you're going to need a spreadsheet to track Fuzzy's BG numbers and for others to guide you along with the dose.
instructions are here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16

do u have any other data to share?
What was Fuzzy on before? Any health history? What is he eating?
Are u home testing regularly?


Lantus doesn't kick in instantly, but you will need to monitor with a few spotchecks when u can.

Please read the New to The Group stickie:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=157
 
Did the vet do any tests? Any chance that Fuzzy has an infection or his appetite is off due to something like pancreatitis?

Lantus' starting dose can be based on ideal weight (0.25u per kg of ideal weight). This usually works out somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.0u. It's just going to take a few days for Fuzzy to build a shed and the insulin to start working. Please remember to check for ketones if his appetite is off and numbers are high.

There are a number of announcments (items marked with a star at the top of the Board) that will help orient you to this Board. There is a link to the dosing protocol that we use. If you have a spreadsheet from any prior insulin/treatment experience, that would also be helpful. If not, please see the links in the Tech forum for setting up a spreadsheet and a profile.
 
Here is Fuzzy's old spreadsheet from last year: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... 3uKCre1kMA

You can just add on to this one, it will keep his history together.

1 unit sounds like a good place to start. Give it a few days to settle in before deciding to raise the dose (but keep testing in case it ends up being too much). Keep posting so we can help you stay on top of this, ok?

Have you been testing for ketones? If not, I recommend getting some Ketostix today and testing. Ketones are a big worry when he has been off insulin, has a poor appetite, and likely has something else going on. As Sienne asked, has the vet checked him over for other health issues that might have contributed to these rising numbers? A urinary infection would be a prime suspect, or a dental infection, or pancreatitis.
 
Thanks. I need to figure out how to use that spreadsheet thing again. It's been such a long time. I was hoping I would never have to do it again. :(

I don't have any of those ketones sticks at home, and there's no stores open here that sells them on Sunday. I'll have to get them tomorrow. But his appetite has significantly improved. He's interested in his food and eats well on his own now. I think if he had ketones, the vet treated it while he was there for the night.

All I know is that they did a blood panel and T4 on him, as well as gave him Caninsulin and IV. I think I will take him in to get a urinalysis and get his teeth checked out tomorrow. I need to call the vet as soon as it opens tomorrow to find out exactly what the results of his tests were.
 
Hi Katie-

I just wanted to chime in and send you a hug; I totally know how you feel about coming home from vacation to a very sick cat-this happened to me too. I had a WONDERFUl vacation, the best, came in the door of the house and saw my two cats and I knew instantly they were not good at all. And I was right. Turned out to be acute pancreatitis for Biscuit.

Hang in there!!! Fuzzy was OTJ - he can go back again! Lantus is the best. You're in great hands here!
 
I also wanted to drop in and send a hug. I know how you feel to come home to a sick cat - been there too. It sounds like things are improving this evening. Hope so.

Take care, you are with a great group of people here.
 
Thanks. I had a good vacation too and was looking forward to seeing Fuzzy and relaxing at home. But it was not to be. I called the vet today to find out the results for his tests and was relieved to learn his kidneys were still at normal levels. I was afraid he might go into renal failure because his BG had been so high. I tested him again this morning, and he was getting high again. I hope the insulin will kick in soon and work it's magic. If his BG continues being in higher levels, then I'll have to bring him in to get further tests done. He is looking way better than he did when I came home, that's for sure! And he's back on Lantus now which is the best insulin for him, so I hope he'll be OTJ again soon. :)
 
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