Intro + Needing Advice

[Gethsemane]

Hello all; I've been lurking this forum off and on for the past year or so, ever since my 10 year old kitty-boy was diagnosed with diabetes. I love him so much and have done the best I could to manage it properly, but I'm sorry to say that it's been a huge struggle. My cat is big (17lbs), stubborn, and very picky, and none of the vets I've taken him to have given me the level of guidance that I was hoping for.

To make a long story short, the first vet I took him to gave me a prescription for diabetic (dry) food with no real instructions other than to switch to it. Ignorantly, I had been allowing both of my cats to graze (because that's how my parents always did things with our cats growing up) and the vet didn't correct this. She did not schedule a follow up or anything, so again, ignorantly, I followed her instructions and thought that was it. But after doing some independent research when his symptoms weren't improving, I got the impression that I wasn't given nearly as much information as I should've been, so I took him to another vet for a second opinion.

The second vet was more informative by far, and after a challenging four months on insulin and a strict feeding schedule (wet food only, which he hates), he managed to regulate. He was dipping below 100 at one point in his curve, so the vet recommended to take him off the insulin. This was at the beginning of this year, pre-COVID.

Well, I started noticing that he was urinating a lot again about a month and a half ago, and I took his fasting glucose only to find that it was in the 500s! I panicked and called the vet, who put him back on insulin - 1.5 units twice a day for one week, then down to 1 unit twice a day. He's been on this dose since then, but when I took his fasting glucose the week before last, it was still in the 500s. I panicked (again) and called my vet, but I don't know if COVID is screwing things up with them or what, because he hasn't gotten back to me. I keep calling and (politely!) asking the receptionist about it, but... nothing.

I'm trying not to be frustrated, but I really love my cat, and I'm feeling pretty let down by the various vets I've taken him to. It's been such a terrible year - full of illness and loss - and I'm quite honestly terrified of losing him. He's my best buddy. Here's my current dilemma (and if you've made it this far into my story, bless you, cause I'm at my wit's end): his last fasting glucose was in the 500s, which I know is too high, and I can't seem to get my vet to respond to me. Should I be patient? Should I take him to an emergency vet in the meantime and get their advice? What would you do in this situation? I welcome all advice you can possibly give me.

 

[SashaV]

Where are you from?
Do you have a meter so you can check his blood glucose?
What insulin is he on?

 

[Gethsemane]

I'm from Texas!
I have the same model of meter that they use at his vet (AlphaTRAK 2), and I'm comfortable operating it (checking glucose is not a new thing for me; I have to check my own sometimes).
And both times he has been on insulin, it was ProZinc.

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

Hello.

1. If he isn't happy with the wet food you have, this is the Wet Food chart you should find new ones on, look for Under 5 % carbs. There is plenty to chose from https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

2. What is his current Insulin dose?


3. Here is the Spreadsheets we use for all bg numbers to be entered in. If you can set one up pretty fast and in your Signature, we can see much quicker and faster. https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to you and your kitty! Can we get your names? (I'm presuming that one of you is Gethsemane but one never knows!!)

There are some basics that would help us to help you. The information in the link will provide instructions for getting your spreadsheet set up and for putting some additional information in your signature along with a host of other information. The spreadsheet allows you to monitor your cat's progress and will allow us to follow along and provide informed help. Having information will allow up to not keep asking you the same questions, like what meter and insulin you're using.

There is information on Prozinc and it's use in the Prozinc forum. I'd encourage you to look over the sticky note on the basics as well as on dosing methods. Since it sounds like you're comfortable with home testing, there's no reason you need to rely solely on your vet for dosing decisions -- especially if your vet isn't returning your calls.

Given that your kitty has been sitting in high numbers, one suggestion is to pick up some Ketostix at a pharmacy and test your cat for ketones. I'm not overly worried about ketones since it sounds like your cat's eating and his behavior is normal but, ketones are dangerous and catching them early if numbers are sitting in a high range can be crucial.

If you like the AT meter, that's fine. Many people here use human meters given the cost of strips for a pet specific meter. I used a Bayer Contour but many people here use Walmart's Relion brand meter.

Depending on where you are in Texas, we may have members who have a vet who is a bit more knowledgeable about feline diabetes and more communicative.

 

[Hercule's mum]

I am no expert, but you asked for advice.... so here are my thoughts: Most people here have a less than excellent experience with vets. From what I gather, feline diabetes is a very small part of the vet curriculum, so is probably not their fault, or a unique charactheristic of the vets you saw. So, I think the best option is to take the problem in your hands if you can. What I mean is, read all the stickies in this site, arm yourself with information and ask the vet for what you want. I'll say most decent vets listen once clear evidence is presented. Folks here can point you to scientific literature if you need it. But I'm guessing with his BG, you would get any vet to give you an insulin prescription. If you still have some insulin in the fridge that is not too old, I would restart ASAP if you have a blood glucometer at home and is confortable monitoring the response. In terms of dosing, advice here has been fabulous for me, and if I only had listend to the vet my cat would probably be dead from a hypo by now.

Hang in there, it will get better