Need Advice

[Tanya Joy]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but I'm hoping some of you folks can help me with my cat, Pooh. She was diagnosed in November 2015 with diabetes and also starting to shows of kidney issues. The vet did all the necessary blood work at the time and put her on Caninsulin (2 shots per day for one unit each). We also put her on kidney medicine, Semintra 4kg per day as well as Royal Canin Renal Support A. She loves the food that she is on and she doesn't mind the medicine either as I mix it with some wet food. Her insulin injections were going good and she got used to them. I have done the glucose curve testing as well with her in February. Her sugar level had gone down at this time and the vet said we could go to one unit per day for the insulin. Since February everything has been good. About two weeks ago almost, Pooh had some sort of spell. It sort of looked like it could have been a seizure. I talked to her and petted her and she came out of it. She was back to normal the next day. We went to the vet last Friday as I was planning on doing her annual vaccines but the vet said that we probably don't need to do her vaccines anymore due to her age (17) and the fact that she is also an indoor cat. So we ended up doing her blood work again and I also told the vet about this spell that she had about a week ago. The vet said it could have been a seizure and to let her know if it happens again. She sent the blood work away and we were to get the results this week. We also talked about me doing the home monitoring with Pooh for her sugar.

Pooh had another spell this past Saturday. It was basically the same thing again. She came out of it and was fine. I decided to stop giving her insulin shot though until I heard back from the vet as I wanted to see what her sugar level was at. The vet called me on Monday and had mentioned that she got back some blood work. She confirmed that her sugar level was a little low. The vet said that I could stop giving her the insulin for now. So I didn't give her any insulin on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. Last night Pooh started to act not like herself. She seemed to be not eating as much as she usually does and she was sick after I gave her some wet food with her kidney medicine. This morning and tonight she still isn't herself. She always comes to the bathroom when I get up in the mornings but she was laying downstairs on a mat. I had to go down and get her. She hardly ever lays downstairs. So I thought maybe I would try giving a 3/4 of 1 unit for her insulin this morning just to see if anything would change. She did eat some wet food this morning. Got home from work tonight and she is about the same. She hasn't had any of her kidney food tonight but I did giver some wet food in which she did eat. She also had a few temptations. The vet called today and I told her about Pooh and the way she was acting. The vet can't explain it as should be a happy kitty as all of her blood work came back great. Her kidney numbers are a lot better and her sugar was right on. She says that there could be something else that the blood work is not showing, maybe something to do with her heart or intestines.

So I'm at a loss. I don't know what to do. I gave her we t food twice tonight and I will probably give her some again in about another hour. Does anyone know what I can do to make my sweet Pooh happy again???? I'm willing to try anything right now.

Thanks,
Tanya Joy and Pooh

 

[Olive & Paula]

Her spells could have been low glucose episodes. Since you didn't give insulin, her acting different now could be because the glucose is now to high. Seizure could be sign of hypoglycemic and can be very dangerous and needs intervention.

Home testing will help you figure out what is happening. The dose you were giving could now be to much. Her glucose should be tested BEFORE you give every insulin shot. Most vets don't advocate home testing, but it is a necessity for a diabetic human or pet.

Everyone here does it to keep our babies safe. Please consider, we can help you.

 

[DebG]

Welcome! Sorry to hear Pooh isnt doing ok.
This forum has excellent help and caring people.
Please consider home testing it is the only way to keep your kitty safe.
If you start testing you can set up a Spread Sheet so others can help you with dosing and guidance.
I have heard that the insulin you are usingusing isis a bit harsh. Please look in Caninsulin forum they can help.
I have my kitty on Prozinc insulin.
Keep posting and you will get help!
Good luck with Pooh. She is so cute, and when all the sugar kitties hurt so do we!

 

[Sharon14]

So sorry Pooh isn't feeling well. Is she peeing and pooping normally? I would not give insulin unless you test her first and she is over 200.

 

[scoobydoox]

Here is the info for home testing. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

 

[Critter Mom]

The best I can suggest is home BG testing to find out where Pooh's BGs are at so you can determine whether or not she may still need some insulin. If yes then talk with your vet about gentler insulins like Lantus which don't drop the BG as harshly as Caninsulin.

Also, some cats experience gastrointestinal problems when insulin treatment is stopped. Ask your vet to run a pancreatitis test as a precaution (In-house SNAP fPL, if available at your vets, will give a yes/no result. If not they can take a blood sample and send it off for a Spec fPL test.)

Another thing we have observed here is that tapering the dose of insulin gradually can reduce the risk of GI problems and also makes for a more solid remission BUT you must determine Pooh's blood glucose levels properly and thoroughly before giving any insulin.

Discuss all of the above with your vet.


Mogs
.

 

[Capoo]

Also, some cats experience gastrointestinal problems when insulin treatment is stopped.
Mogs
.

Hi Mogs,

Could you please tell us more about this?
Are these gastrointestinal problems due to a "hidden" pancreatitis or to the cutting of Lantus?

Capoo hasn't received any insulin since last Friday, and I have noticed some small gastrointestinal troubles.
I hope that Miss Pancreatitis isn't on her way back, but at least, he doesn't have any problem of appetite.... The glutton....

 

[Tanya Joy]

Hi All. I had Pooh at the vet again today. They tested her gluclose level and had high blood sugar. Not sure what the number was but the vet wants to her back on insulin for 1/2 unit per day. She also gave her sub q fluids in order to hydrate her. I will be getting a machine next week in order to start home testing her as well. She is eating some wet foods but mostly licking the gravy up. I hope she turns around. If not then I may have to let her go.

 

[scoobydoox]

Hi All. I had Pooh at the vet again today. They tested her gluclose level and had high blood sugar. Not sure what the number was but the vet wants to her back on insulin for 1/2 unit per day. She also gave her sub q fluids in order to hydrate her. I will be getting a machine next week in order to start home testing her as well. She is eating some wet foods but mostly licking the gravy up. I hope she turns around. If not then I may have to let her go.

hi. are there any other issues because the diabetes? diabetes is very treatable. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
are you worried you may have to let her go because of costs?

 

[Tanya Joy]

Hi. Yes we are also treating her for her kidneys as well. They were showing signs that they were deteriorating. But the blood work from last week has shown quite an improvement by being on the kidney medicine and her kidney food. I have spent close to $2,000.00 in Pooh since last summer. We would do anything to help her but if she is not getting any better, ie. only eating a little wet food and not drinking then what else can we do? I just want her to the cat that she was just a few days ago. She had an awesome appetite. Loved her kidney food and was always interactive. This is her first day back on insulin in a few days so hopefully she will turn around. I'm not sure how long it will take for her to come around and if she will.