Need advice

[maddyjoann]

I need some help... My mom helps me care for my sugar baby, and she's been just as involved as me in his entire diagnosis. He's 15, previously treated for hyperthyroidism last year but was always a healthy cat before that. Lately, we've been getting in disagreements about whether or not he's suffering too much and if it's time to make that choice... I don't think we're there yet and we still need to give him more of a chance, as it's only been 4 months. But mom thinks it may almost be time because we aren't seeing very good results and his day to day is just so hard to watch. I can see he's definitely not the cat he used to be and he is struggling. He drinks as much as a diabetic cat should, he usually eats okay but there are some days were we have to try to stimulate his appetite. He sleeps almost all day, never wants to play or do anything. Interacts with the family and our dog just as much as he used to, but you can tell he's grumpy and frustrated. He doesn't feel good and he HATES his Freestyle Libre sensor. His bathroom habits are starting to change. He doesn't cover his waste in the litter box anymore and earlier this week, he peed on the dog bed, and he hasn't done that in a long time (No he doesn't have a UTI, we immediately tested for it next day). He meows and gets mad/snippy for insulin time and definitely is resistant to home testing. His neuropathy is so bad that he thumps and slides around when he tries to walk, so we usually have to carry him from one place to another. I want to keep pushing for him because I know he could still have a chance to feel better, but when do we stop? When have we put him through enough? At what point is it more for my benefit than his own? I don't want him to go before it's truly time, but I'm also terrified of waiting too long and keeping him in pain, and the potential of other ailments that could come up. It's so hard to watch him suffer, but I don't want to keep him going just out of my own selfishness.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Maddy,
I’m sorry you and your mom are not seeing eye to eye about Coopers care.
It sounds as if Cooper has diabetic neuropathy which can happen to diabetic cats. My Sheba had it badly and used to slip and slide as she walked, had to stop every few steps and sit down, couldn’t jump on chairs any more or climb up the stairs.
I gave her Zobaline which you can buy from life link.com and you give it each day in the food. It is tasteless and after about 6 months, Sheba had returned to normal. But the other thing that is needed is for the BGs to get back down to more normal numbers. That is when the real healing starts. So just know that the neuropathy is treatable and reversible.
Can you tell me what type of food you are feeding him and how often?
I notice in the signature, you say you are looking for some safe dry kibble. Most kibble is high carb. Are you feeding any?
Are you giving a meal before the dose and then a couple of snacks during the cycle.
The reason he peed on the dogs bed is most likely to do with the neuropathy. Is he easily able to get into his little box?. It may pain him to do so, so make sure the side isn’t too high for him.

Are you using the libre Freestyle sensor for all his tests?

It sounds to me as if he has relatable conditions which are not under control at the moment. I personally would not consider it is time to think about pts.
What I would do is to start posting daily on the Lantus page for help and guidance. Over there we can help you find the right dose and suggest other things. But to do this successfully you would need to be posting daily so we can get to know Cooper and be able to help him.
Do you think you could do that?
Bron

 

[JanetNJ]

Did he have radioactive iodine treatment for the hyperthyroidism?

4 months isn't a long time. You finally saw a few lower numbers I see on your spreadsheet.

Do start the b12 methylcobalamin.