I think he's passing....advice and support

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Holly4Richard

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My Richard was 8 when diagnosed with Diabetes. We started low and slow with pzi and then to lantus. Richard had Diabetic ketoacidosis in the fall of 2008.
We gave his alot of insulin and he became a diabetic cat who took a lot of insulin.. For three years I gave him 12,15,and finaly 20 units every 12 hours. He was always polyphagic and polyuric. In march of this year he had a hypoglycemic incident, even after 12 hours after his dose. I laid back on the dose and since then it seems he has slowly been losing weight. The last month he had darker looking eyes, his yellow orange eyes, looked darker orange, not at 11 units a day and blood sugar checks he seemed fine,losing weight, but now blind from what the UofMn docs say is a herpes viral infection, i've got compounded oral medicine in the mail. I have antibacterial salve for his eyes as well. The doc sent me home with sub Q fluid to hydrate him. NOW RICHARD IS NOT EATING I then called the U back and they said, BRing him in. I can't afford it and They already did all his blood work last friday. His thyroid is normal. I called my original vet and he said to check his blood sugar, it was 491, after his 1 unit (since I was attempting to undo the symogi effect by reducing to one unit, but Richard slowly declined since then.) Then the vet advised me to give 8 units. Richard is not eating and now he is at 319 at +4 hours from insulin. I have been with this kitty for eleven years and now I need to make sure he is comfortable. I've been offering fresh drink and food, comfortable bedding,(although he prefers the cold tile), I've been keeping the other cats away and leaving him be in quiet peace. I think he might be passing. He is flipping his tail to my voice, but when I lay him somewhere he just gets laid there without attempts to catch himself or reposition. he is now weak(because he isn't getting his insulin?) He cannot see. I really don't want to bring him into the vet so that he can die there. You members of the feline message board have been awesome in the past and I'd like to thank you. They tell me to bring him to the emergency vet. But they will just take him from me. I brought him to the University doc on friday, if they were going to find something to fix they would have. I can't see bringing him in to the vet again, I am thinking about a house call for euthanasia. I'm in the NW suburbs of Minneapolis Minnesota.
 
did you check for ketones?? if present this is an emergency and needs to get fluids and fast acting insulin to bring down BG and flush out the ketones.
that is really all I can suggest unless your insulin is old or he is acromegaly or insulin resistant which there are tests for.
that is all I know. hope someone else comes by to help
 
No brilliant advice here; I know nothing about herpes. If it was just insulin, there would be some things we could suggest but the problem seems much more complicated. You are the best one to judge whether he is ready to go or whether there is something else to try. If you think eating would help, you can always try feeding him by hand - a little bit of his favorite food on your finger.

I am so sorry you and Richard are going through this. It is hard to know what to do and whether there is hope or not. You love him and whatever decision you make will be the right one. If you decide not to take him in, I would suggest making him comfortable on a blanket or shirt that smells like you and have a heart to heart. Tell him you love him and why. Explain how much he means to you and what a good kitty he has been. As long as he is not suffering, passing at home might be easiest on him.
 
Holly,
This is so hard. Sue said it well. Whatever course you chose will be where your love leads you. He's trusted your love all these years and he trusts you now to be there for him. I'm sending my love your way.
 
I can't offer any medical advice on Richard (adorable name for a cat by the way). However, if he's not eating that's not a good sign. Did he get a sonogram to check for cancer? My cat had a seemingly fast decline in the matter of a month and the day before I put him to sleep I found out via sonogram that what he had was most likely lymphoma and it was best to let him go. I knew that he was suffering and treatment wasn't an option because of his health so I confidently made the decision to let him go. However, if I hadn't gotten that final answer on what was wrong with him I don't know what I would have done. I was convinced it was just a bump in the road for him. If you think his time here is up, and only you will know, it is best to let him go. Understandably, money plays a big role in what we can do for our pets, and if the funds are exhausted, or you think more tests will still leave you without an answer, maybe it's best to set him free. Best of luck to you and Richard
 
If you decide to let him go, please don't feel bad or guilty about the decision. Rather look upon it as the final act of love you can bestow to Richard.
 
i'm unclear why exactly you reduced his dose - a lot of us using lantus think there is no such thing as somogyi rebound - that idea came from a study done in the 1920's, i believe, and no one has replicated it since. here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_Somogyi_rebound

if he was on a large dose - 20 units, he needed that much insulin. i don't see a spreadsheet, but it sounds like you were hometesting him - is that right?

i don't know if you're looking for ideas to try to help him recover or just help letting him go. either way i do understand that you love richard & are in need of hugs. :YMHUG:
 
Dearest Holly, and, of course, you too, precious Richard,

I sadly understand.

I knew Giz was making her own decision. And, she knew I always respected whatever decision she decided to make, as I had always respected her. I knew she wanted to be at home rather than the ER. I just asked her to wait for me. And, she did.

She greeted me at the bedroom door... I remember dropping to my knees and hugging her much like the moment she first greeted me at the door after being diagnosed...






It's strange what you remember just before... I remember my sister calling me at the wrong moment to do a conference call with our mom since it was just before Mom's Day. I remember saying, Donna, I can't do this right now. Giz is really sick. I remember her saying I'm so sorry and hanging up really fast.

I remember flying back upstairs to Gizzie. I remember her last final moments involved the last part she was willing to give up -- her heart. I remember calling Karen, Rambo, and Conan, in tears. I remember her being honored I was sharing Gizzie's passing in tears... She told me how to close those sea green eyes I'd loved for 18 years...

I remember Anne and French Fry calling me next to be sure I was okay... I remember the day Anne met Giz and fearlessly walked up to her laying on the bed and kissed her nose and wasn't scarred as a result...

I remember how much Giz was loved... I remember how much we both were loved...






In tears, dearest Holly, I am with both you and Richard... I know...

Much love and countless brave and gentle hugs for you both,
Deb and Nikki, sent by Giz -- and, Giz, who taught me everything about unconditional love...
 
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