Help - my cat keeps convulsing - is he getting too much insulin or is there something else going on?

[Stephanie Rozin]

Hi friends, My cat Walter was diagnosed in September and ever since then he has had some bad episode. He has been convulsing, twitching seeming in pain. I haven't had him regulated and I've changed a lot and I'm afraid its my poor management. (Im even too embarrased to post on Facebooks because i feel like its all my fault and it very well could be)

We saw a neurologist today and they saw nothing wrong with him. He said he was just doing this in his sleep eventhough i insisted he has never done this before. I even sent them videos that were alarming to me but not them. Included here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ItJfuaUcu73PL2agyGLGSoyXuFcaEyO1?usp=sharing

Were going for blood work tomorrow to see if we can see anything more. I took his blood in early October but since then he has been very much unregulated.

Some of his numbers are in the high 20s mmols. Could this mean that he is producing too much insulin?

Here is my spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zDn9NAUd-vZUPo1M9ewqZcZn25I-BwMCx8MUTMOjzWU/edit?usp=sharing We are currently on 3/4 purina and .5ui lantus am/pm. He has been eating more fancy feast salmon lately because he is turned off by purina. I was trying to move him to lower carbs against my doctors orders but it felt as if its creating worse situations.

Sometimes I hear his stomach make noises. Hell go into an episode of curling up, seeming in pain and then 5 minutes later he is fine. Then his stomach makes a noise. Sometimes his ears twitch. I wonder if his numbers could be bouncing.

Some episodes above he has his third eyelid completely over his eye and he is out of it for 4 minutes Its really hard to watch and honestly at this point im considering stoping lantus

Please let me know if you need me to clarify anything and sorry if this is scattered its been a long few months. I just want Walter to feel better

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

He said he was just doing this in his sleep eventhough i insisted he has never done this before.

Looks like he's just dreaming to me. Cat's do dream and sometimes their ears will twitch, their nose will wrinkle...I've even had one chirp in his sleep.

I'm sorry but your spreadsheet is almost un-readable with all the notes you've tried to put into the cells. The only thing that should go in the + cells is the number. Anything else you want to add can be over in the "remarks"....like if at +4, his blood glucose was 23, the only thing that should go in the +4 cell is 23....if you also noticed him doing something unusual, then in the remarks put "at +4 he was acting......" or if you fed him at +4 you could just put "fed 1/2 teaspoon of Fancy Feast at +4"

 

[Stephanie Rozin]

Looks like he's just dreaming to me. Cat's do dream and sometimes their ears will twitch, their nose will wrinkle...I've even had one chirp in his sleep.

I'm sorry but your spreadsheet is almost un-readable with all the notes you've tried to put into the cells. The only thing that should go in the + cells is the number. Anything else you want to add can be over in the "remarks"....like if at +4, his blood glucose was 23, the only thing that should go in the +4 cell is 23....if you also noticed him doing something unusual, then in the remarks put "at +4 he was acting......" or if you fed him at +4 you could just put "fed 1/2 teaspoon of Fancy Feast at +4"

Hey thanks for replying. I put the shot time in some of the cells the numbers are all the ones coloured. Im definetely not suring the speadsheet correctly by rules on here but previous to this I was only using for tracking for myself

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Praying for your sweet Walter
I have nothing to offer but some prayers

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

There are cats who get either Petite Mal or Grave Mal epilepsy.
As well with humans. Grave Mal are the more serious ones. They can come either both during day or night, or simply at night when sleeping, and are often also stress induced.
Hopefully Walter just dreams of The Magic of running after and dancing and playing with The Happy Butterflies.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Stephanie,

Were going for blood work tomorrow to see if we can see anything more. I took his blood in early October but since then he has been very much unregulated.

Hell go into an episode of curling up, seeming in pain and then 5 minutes later he is fine.

When you're at the vets tomorrow for the blood draw, I suggest asking them to test for pancreatitis - if only to rule it out - and also check him for ketones (and pick up some urine ketone test strips for home use if you haven't already got some - standard safety precaution for kitties spending a lot of time in high numbers). Also have a look at the following link and see if you recognise any of the symptoms listed and let your vet know if you do:

Nausea symptom checklist

Given you suspect some digestive system issues I suggest asking the vet about checking Walter's B12 and folate levels (tests usually need to be ordered in addition to other blood tests).

Some episodes above he has his third eyelid completely over his eye and he is out of it for 4 minutes

I watched several of your videos and in some of them when you try to rouse Walter he seems quite lethargic and 'out of it', as you say. Were I in your shoes, that would worry me too.

With the current range of Walter's numbers I expect he's peeing a lot. If you're not already doing so, I suggest checking regularly to make sure he's properly hydrated (pull up skin round scruff/shoulder area then release it to see whether it 'snaps back' or stays any way tented; check gums - smooth=OK, sticky=dehydrated). 'Sunken' eyes can also be a sign of dehydration.

I hope the vets will be helpful tomorrow. Sorry this reply's a bit disjointed: I'm in the UK and it's quite late over here.


Mogs
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[Stephanie Rozin]

Hi Stephanie,



When you're at the vets tomorrow for the blood draw, I suggest asking them to test for pancreatitis - if only to rule it out - and also check him for ketones (and pick up some urine ketone test strips for home use if you haven't already got some - standard safety precaution for kitties spending a lot of time in high numbers). Also have a look at the following link and see if you recognise any of the symptoms listed and let your vet know if you do:

Nausea symptom checklist

Given you suspect some digestive system issues I suggest asking the vet about checking Walter's B12 and folate levels (tests usually need to be ordered in addition to other blood tests).


I watched several of your videos and in some of them when you try to rouse Walter he seems quite lethargic and 'out of it', as you say. Were I in your shoes, that would worry me too.

With the current range of Walter's numbers I expect he's peeing a lot. If you're not already doing so, I suggest checking regularly to make sure he's properly hydrated (pull up skin round scruff/shoulder area then release it to see whether it 'snaps back' or stays any way tented; check gums - smooth=OK, sticky=dehydrated). 'Sunken' eyes can also be a sign of dehydration.

I hope the vets will be helpful tomorrow. Sorry this reply's a bit disjointed: I'm in the UK and it's quite late over here.


Mogs
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Thank you for all this info Mogs!! I have to say im pretty nervous about him having CKD. I've visited that site numerous times but I ignored it. When this all started (walter had his diabetes) i spent all my money on vet visits. I regret not being more practival as well as putting this off. I hope that he is not far along.

Im also nervous that the insulin did this. Im going to be asking for levemir insulin tomorrow as well.

I test his ketons with a Pet Checkup test I havent checked in a week or so. Its been stressful dealing with this and I was afraid.

Thank you for all this info. I screenshoted your answer so Ill be sure to touch on all these points tomorrow. I am really feeling terrible that I let this go on for so long and let the vets tell me it was nothing when I thought it could be something. I became basically girl who cried wolf - my vet actually said this to me -by saying that I was seeing all these problems but they werent. I should have stuck to my gut. I will regret this forever but hopefully he can be helped

 

[Stephanie Rozin]

Huge thing I forgot to mention. A few days ago Walters paws have started to turn red. Im really concerned about this. what could this mean? I read serious illnesses but my family and bf said they say it can be with age only. Thank you

 

[Critter Mom]

I have to say im pretty nervous about him having CKD.

By way of reassurance, I pointed you at the list on Tanya's Site solely because it's a very good aid to identifying cat nausea symptoms regardless of the root cause, not for any other reason.


Mogs
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