Terri and Lucy
Active Member
Lori's Tom has been OTJ for 2 years and has thrown a couple of 200s over the past couple of days. She's been having trouble finding this forum, so I'm starting this thread to help her get here.
Lori and Tom
- Thread starter Terri and Lucy
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Anonymous
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wow, thank you terri! it has been so long and the posting is so different. here's our story in a nutshell. tom was 580 or so at dx some 2 and 1/2 years ago. he was a steroid shot kitty and with diet change and only 29 days of pzi we were otj.
his initial symptoms included loss of muscle mass/weight loss of fur and of course water gobbling. just last night i noticed his muscle mass seemed down (tom is a very muscular boy) and i realized altho not drinking spends much more time almost begging for food.
tested him.
+7 since last feeding 122-----ok not a catastrophy but usually 65-80
+3 after breakfast this morning 207-------yikes, now freaking out!
+5 after breakfast 148.
i have forgotten much of what i knew back when. we are living paycheck to paycheck and tom's dental has been put off. perhaps it's infection causing this. i just wish i had my vial of pzi and about 3 more vials of strips right now.
his initial symptoms included loss of muscle mass/weight loss of fur and of course water gobbling. just last night i noticed his muscle mass seemed down (tom is a very muscular boy) and i realized altho not drinking spends much more time almost begging for food.
tested him.
+7 since last feeding 122-----ok not a catastrophy but usually 65-80
+3 after breakfast this morning 207-------yikes, now freaking out!
+5 after breakfast 148.
i have forgotten much of what i knew back when. we are living paycheck to paycheck and tom's dental has been put off. perhaps it's infection causing this. i just wish i had my vial of pzi and about 3 more vials of strips right now.
Sarah and Buzz
Very Active Member
Hi Lori and Tom! I wasn't here back in the day when you were, and I am sorry you have to be back, but welcome! 
My Buzz was OTJ until recently as well (although not for NEARLY as long as Tom) so I know the frustration of numbers being wonky. I'm sorry they aren't making PZI anymore either. Do you think that maybe someone might have part of an unused bottle they could sell/send you? I'm not sure if many people are wanting to part with theirs now that it's not being made anymore, but it's worth a try. Are you planning to put Tom on ProZinc? Will you wait a few days and see if it's a fluke or do you want to begin insulin immediately?
PZI forum is a little slow but there are several active members who are on throughout the day, so more should be by to welcome you, maybe even more people you know.
My Buzz was OTJ until recently as well (although not for NEARLY as long as Tom) so I know the frustration of numbers being wonky. I'm sorry they aren't making PZI anymore either. Do you think that maybe someone might have part of an unused bottle they could sell/send you? I'm not sure if many people are wanting to part with theirs now that it's not being made anymore, but it's worth a try. Are you planning to put Tom on ProZinc? Will you wait a few days and see if it's a fluke or do you want to begin insulin immediately?
PZI forum is a little slow but there are several active members who are on throughout the day, so more should be by to welcome you, maybe even more people you know.
judy and squamee(GA)
Very Active Member
Welcome Lori and Tom! Sorry you have to be back. I am no expert, but have read innumerable times that dental problems result in elevated BG. I guess the question is just should you give insulin till you can get the dental work done.
pamela and tigger
Very Active Member
How bad are his teeth Lori? How long has he needed a dental?
Maybe your vet can offer a payment plan? I am just thinking that in the long run getting the dental done might be cheaper than having to pay for strips and insulin if he keeps becoming more and more diabetic. Not to mention his discomfort and other risks.
I am sorry, I wish there was an easier way out.
Maybe your vet can offer a payment plan? I am just thinking that in the long run getting the dental done might be cheaper than having to pay for strips and insulin if he keeps becoming more and more diabetic. Not to mention his discomfort and other risks.
I am sorry, I wish there was an easier way out.
A
Anonymous
Guest
just tested before his dinner which he's been begging for...163, damn.
so in 24 hours i have 122, 207, 148, 163
yes i need (like a junkie) to get some pzi asap.
he has needed a dental for awhile, extractions and anesthesia. he's pre-asthmatic according to the x-rays done on him this past summer. they wanted him to go to a specialist since putting asthma kitty under anesthesia poses another threat.
i have these other personal health issues at the moment too.
seriously, the timing just sucks so bad.
so in 24 hours i have 122, 207, 148, 163
yes i need (like a junkie) to get some pzi asap.
he has needed a dental for awhile, extractions and anesthesia. he's pre-asthmatic according to the x-rays done on him this past summer. they wanted him to go to a specialist since putting asthma kitty under anesthesia poses another threat.
i have these other personal health issues at the moment too.
seriously, the timing just sucks so bad.
Joanna & Bix (GA)
Very Active Member
Welcome Lori, though sorry for your reason for being here!
I believe BCP has a program where you can get a small vial of BCP PZI for free as a sample? Also, have you already checked in Supply Closet for test strips? If you still have your meter, there might be someone with some leftovers at no or low cost.
The good news (I think) is that there is evidence in the #s that his pancreas is still working, just not doing the job entirely. Hopefully that means either you will be able to ID a resolvable cause (infection, dental needed, some other stressor, etc.), or perhaps he just needs a little brief insulin refresher to get back on track.
Any chance he's been sneaking some dry food or other higher carbs from somewhere?
I believe BCP has a program where you can get a small vial of BCP PZI for free as a sample? Also, have you already checked in Supply Closet for test strips? If you still have your meter, there might be someone with some leftovers at no or low cost.
The good news (I think) is that there is evidence in the #s that his pancreas is still working, just not doing the job entirely. Hopefully that means either you will be able to ID a resolvable cause (infection, dental needed, some other stressor, etc.), or perhaps he just needs a little brief insulin refresher to get back on track.
Any chance he's been sneaking some dry food or other higher carbs from somewhere?
A
Anonymous
Guest
yeah joanna, he snuck it from me! i started feeling so confident with him that i would give him a treat, very small amount (about 10 small kibble) couple of times a week. hating myself now. i'm gonna go see the supply closet as i am compulsivly testing now. need another 'dear mom letter" remember those.
i was using idexx pzi, but i suppose they are very similiar. do you remember where you saw the sample issue?
i was using idexx pzi, but i suppose they are very similiar. do you remember where you saw the sample issue?
Sarah and Buzz
Very Active Member
lori and tom said:
http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm
Click on the link at the bottom that says, "Free sample BCP PZI Bovine Insulin for licensed veterinarians"
Joanna & Bix (GA)
Very Active Member
I've heard that from others - gave just a few bites as a treat a few times and then ended up back on insulin. Don't beat yourself up - I know sometimes I've wanted to give Bix a treat, the higher carb food just LOOKS so harmless, doesn't it. With him still on insulin though I don't dare, but I would imagine if he were OTJ and doing well for months, I would think "ah, what does a little bit matter?". Guess it does after all. :sad:
I never actually saw the free offer myself, but I have seen others mention it. Found it here on their website: http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm, scroll down and at the bottom there's a link you can click for the form to fill out & fax. It has to come from your vet though, I guess it's more a sample for the vet, so you'd have to get them on board with it. Worth a try at least.
I never actually saw the free offer myself, but I have seen others mention it. Found it here on their website: http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm, scroll down and at the bottom there's a link you can click for the form to fill out & fax. It has to come from your vet though, I guess it's more a sample for the vet, so you'd have to get them on board with it. Worth a try at least.
A
Anonymous
Guest
thanks for the link, could'nt get into the free sample section, looks like that part may be closed down.
i'll be back soon as i have some more info, some insulin, and yet more #'s.
thank you for your support,
lori and tomtom
i'll be back soon as i have some more info, some insulin, and yet more #'s.
thank you for your support,
lori and tomtom
LynnLee + Mousie
Very Active Member
lori,
i've got some pzi i can share with you. i just got back from picking up one of mine from the vet and got your pm so will call you shortly, gotta get rid of one more customer. i couldn't bring it your way until perhaps saturday though but if you wanted to come up this way to xxxx before then and get it? we're here in xxxx from 8 every morning until about 6:30 every night at least, sometimes a bit later depending on work. weekends i'm completely free
and not sure if it would work for you but i noticed today while there that my vet now has the CareCredit applications in her lobby so I assume she takes it now. maybe something to look into? she's right at the 91/241 interchange so i think it would be a straight shot up the toll road for you if you were interested.
i'll call you in a bit
i've got some pzi i can share with you. i just got back from picking up one of mine from the vet and got your pm so will call you shortly, gotta get rid of one more customer. i couldn't bring it your way until perhaps saturday though but if you wanted to come up this way to xxxx before then and get it? we're here in xxxx from 8 every morning until about 6:30 every night at least, sometimes a bit later depending on work. weekends i'm completely free
and not sure if it would work for you but i noticed today while there that my vet now has the CareCredit applications in her lobby so I assume she takes it now. maybe something to look into? she's right at the 91/241 interchange so i think it would be a straight shot up the toll road for you if you were interested.
i'll call you in a bit
Terri and Lucy
Active Member
Here's the application for CareCredit:
http://www.imom.org/fa/carecredit.htm
Do you have a cancer resource center in your community? I've been amazed at some of the support services offered by the center I go to. Tom's health and well being are vital to your own health care. It can't hurt to ask at your resource center or oncologists office if they know of any financial aid sources to help you take care of him.
http://www.imom.org/fa/carecredit.htm
Do you have a cancer resource center in your community? I've been amazed at some of the support services offered by the center I go to. Tom's health and well being are vital to your own health care. It can't hurt to ask at your resource center or oncologists office if they know of any financial aid sources to help you take care of him.
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