Eizenson said:
Carl - Thank you for the cross post!
I am aware of the Lantus board and appreciate the help from anyone willing to look at my spreadsheet. I posted numbers there once but, while everyone was really nice and helpful, I felt a little intimidated by the testing regimen everyone seems to be able to do. I was not testing very often for the first months as I was following my vet's instructions to only spot test. For the past month however, I have been testing pre-shots regularly and I do at least 1 mid cycle test too. While I did miss a series of days/tests due to two trips and a personal health issue this month, I am doing the best I can. Even with my past month's increased efforts, several posters have told me I need to test more often. What is the ideal - pre shot, +3, +6, & +9? I am just not going to be able to do that every day, so I now feel like I'm wasting people's time or am not worthy of helping if I can't get 30 straight days of perfect tests.
Health Issues - Redd has/takes: high blood pressure/amlodopine, cardiomyopathy/atenolol (complicates regulation), IBD/ metronizadole or cerenia if needed, pancreatitis/denosyl daily & buprenex during flare ups, Spondylosis (arthritic spine)/cold laser as needed & glucosamine chondrotin supplement. It's a lot and complicates regulation when you aren't sure what is causing what. Is it neuropathy or arthritis when he walks funny? Is it the pancreatitis or high BG that makes him cranky or lethargic? When he is hungry all the time is it the diabetes or an IBD flare up? Basically, he's old and falling apart little by little but has not yet crossed the quality of life line. To clarify, when I said my vet would be testing for acro, IAA, etc. in the "coming weeks", I meant I have an appointment next week and should have results the following week.
Food - It was pointed out to me on a past post that his food is 8% carbs and should be under 5%. I thought under 10% was the target. Has that changed? Here I was all proud that I did a ton of calculations and research to find a wet, grain free low carb food that didn't trigger his ibd, but I guess I need to keep looking. I'll have to think about whether the 3% is worth risking a possible IBD flare up if I switch foods.
I don't mean to sound so defeated or negative but it is a lot to handle and I haven't seen too many other cats here with such a high dose and such bad numbers, especially on the Lantus board. It seems like even the cats there that are having problems have better numbers than my guy. Maybe I should only read the high dose board.
Sad & frustrating. Thanks for "listening". - Ellen
Hi Ellen,
Please know that your frustrations sound so familiar to me and to others.
I have two acro cats and know that it's rough, but I don't have all the health issues to balance.
First, as for the food, I think you are doing perfectly fine by going with 8%, and balancing with IBD needs to be considered by those who are saying you need to change the diet. I would say to listen to those who are dealing with IBD over others.
I am glad to hear you are having the acro/IAA tests done because it will give you more info. If the tests are positive, then you know you are dealing with a functional pancreas and that you will be better able to handle Redd's numbers.
When it comes to testing, I think that there are at least 3 tests most important: before each shot and before you go to sleep.
Now, testing before a shot is pretty important because what if Redd's to low to get a shot? You could have a serious hypo on your hands if Redd's already low, and you give more insulin. If Redd does test positive, you will see some fluctuation where you may need to skip some shots. If you test before the shot and Redd's at a safe number, you can give the shot.
The 3rd test, before bed, is a good one because some cats drop lower at nite, so it's a good idea to see how low Redd is before you go to sleep and so you don't wake to a sick kitty.
I know that many people press for lots and lots of testing but I think if you get those 3 tests in each day and then maybe do a curve on a weekend day or one day you are around to test every 2 or 3 hours on a cycle, that should be plenty.
Sure there are lots of people who test much more but lots have the time and can afford the expense of many strips, but once you know how Redd reacts to insulin and know Redd's nadir, there are plenty of times that you don't need to bother testing.
Expecting people to test frequently every day is completely unrealistic... when people work Mon to Fri and 9-5 or something, there are not around to test, and they do what they can. Don't worry about being told to test often; do what you can by testing before each shot, before bed for sure and then aim for maybe an extra test in the evenings and a curve on a weekend cycle.
I have one acro with nadir around mid-cycle, so if she is low at ps, I will delay her shot or maybe even skip it.
Her curve is like a valley.
I have another acro with nadir almost at the end of the cycle, so if he is low at ps, I will test again in 15min and if he is rising, I am OK to give his shot because he will rise higher for at least 4 or 5 hours.
His curve is like a mountain.
I know the above because I did a fair amount of testing long ago - now I know when I don't need to bother testing.
Man, you sure have a truckload of health issues, so do what you can for them and get the tests done when able.
I can't say much about any as mine are young and have pancreatitis issues with Shadoe. I just make sure I have fluids at home and lots of pepcid. I give both weekly B12 injections and our daily pain med of choice is gabapentin orally.
I have seen an amazing improvement in both my acros after starting gabapentin - both walk better and seem much more alert.
It might be an idea if you can talk to your vet about trying a maintenance pain med, and you may have a less grouchy Redd!
I had been giving Shadoe bupe for her pancreatitis issues and even tried giving small doses BID, but she is better on the gabapentin.
Now cheer up; I know that you are doing a great job caring for Redd, and I am sure Redd knows too.
Best of luck on the tests and the results. In the meantime, keep doing what you are doing, and know you have support whenever you need it.
