neuropathy, how long did it take to improve?

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spike_kitty

spike_kitty

Member Since 2016
Hi all, I'm curious - if you have a cat that had neuropathy, how long did it take for your cat's neuropathy to improve?

my cat has been on insulin since March 15th and his walking and gait has gotten worse. he can hardly stand in the litter box (poor thing) and now he can hardly walk up the stairs. I'm worried, shouldn't the insulin have started to help by now? At first he just couldn't jump on the couch, but it's gotten worse since he started the insulin. Should I be concerned or is it just that his blood sugar is still too high and the insulin has not yet started to help?

btw, I am calling a new vet tomorrow and hoping she will be better than the vet that I have now. Thanks all for your answers to my previous posts.

Thank you all, Spike's mom
 
It can takes weeks, it depends upon the BG level.
You seem to be increasing does very fast. Yur SS oy shows only three BG reading and shows you increased dose from 1 unit, to 1 1/2 units and then to 2 units based on those three readings.
What insulin are you using? I would add to your signature
 
he started and has mostly been at 2 units and then I thought at night it was too much, so I went to 1.5. and I also give him 1 unit at one point too. he started on March 15th, but I didn't start putting it into the SS until yesterday.
yes, I've only taken 3 readings so far, I got the meter yesterday, I'm having a hard time getting the right way to poke his ear. I am new so didn't get to fill out my signature yet, but did add my spread sheet to the signature. I'm using lantus.
 
I just updated my spread sheet, so it's showing when he started on 2 units. he's a big cat, he's 26 lbs.
 
You can give B12 methylcobalamin to help with the neuropathy problems. Zobaline is a diabetic-friendly methyl B12 supplement (available online - doesn't contain sugars).

Here's a video showing a cat called Tootsie who was treated for neuropathy with methylcobalamin:




Mogs
.
 
spike_kitty said:
if you have a cat that had neuropathy, how long did it take for your cat's neuropathy to improve?
Click to expand...
Hi,
My Bertie had bad neuropathy, and we were lucky that he improved really quickly once we started him on methyl B12 (methylcobalamin). We used the cat-specific Zobaline that Mogs mentioned above, which contains methyl B12 and folic acid. (But if you can't get Zobaline then other B12 supplements are also available.) I bought 2 bottles of Zobaline and didn't finish the second bottle because we didn't need it...

Bertie's neuropathy improved quickly even though he remained in very high blood glucose numbers for quite a long time. But some cats need to come down into better blood glucose numbers before there is a significant improvement.

Eliz
 
spike_kitty said:
I've only taken 3 readings so far, I got the meter yesterday, I'm having a hard time getting the right way to poke his ear.
Click to expand...
Well, you're doing great given that you only just got your meter! :bighug:

Here are some things that helped me when I started testing:
1. Rewards. Always reward the kitty for any attempted test, whether successful or not. That 'positive reinforcement' really can endear them to the testing process. Some people reward after the test. I crumble a few treats and test my cat while he's eating those. You don't have to give a food treat. Some cats are happy with a cuddle.
2. Warm ears bleed infinitely more easily than cold ones. Massaging the ear briefly can help to improve the circulation to the ear prior to testing. Some people use a pill bottle filled with warm water or a 'rice sock' (sock/fabric filled with a little rice and warmed in the microwave) held against the inside of the ear to warm it.
3. A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the outer edge of the ear will help the blood to 'bead up' rather than disappear into the fur.
4. Sometimes two ear pricks close together will produce enough blood for a test where one ear prick might not.
5. Massaging immediately below the ear prick, with finger and thumb, will 'milk' more blood out. (I almost always do this.)
6. Location... I find it much easier to pop the kitty up onto my desk to test him, and the desk lamp helps me see what I'm doing. Some people put the kitty on their lap. You will find what works best for you and Spike.
7. The more relaxed you are about the process, the more relaxed Spike is likely to be. Cats really pick up on our moods. So, before testing, try a few deep, soothing breaths. And talk to your kitty in a soft, soothing voice....
8. There are a few folks here who find it easier to do tests on their cat's paws rather than the ears. If Spike turns out to be one of those I'm sure there are paw-testing folks here who can help you with that.

I'm sure testing will very soon become routine for you and Spike. Really! :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Eliz
 
Where d
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi,
My Bertie had bad neuropathy, and we were lucky that he improved really quickly once we started him on methyl B12 (methylcobalamin). We used the cat-specific Zobaline that Mogs mentioned above, which contains methyl B12 and folic acid. (But if you can't get Zobaline then other B12 supplements are also available.) I bought 2 bottles of Zobaline and didn't finish the second bottle because we didn't need it...

Bertie's neuropathy improved quickly even though he remained in very high blood glucose numbers for quite a long time. But some cats need to come down into better blood glucose numbers before there is a significant improvement.

Eliz
Click to expand...
where did you purchase the Zoboline?
Thanks
 
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Well, you're doing great given that you only just got your meter! :bighug:

Here are some things that helped me when I started testing:
1. Rewards. Always reward the kitty for any attempted test, whether successful or not. That 'positive reinforcement' really can endear them to the testing process. Some people reward after the test. I crumble a few treats and test my cat while he's eating those. You don't have to give a food treat. Some cats are happy with a cuddle.
2. Warm ears bleed infinitely more easily than cold ones. Massaging the ear briefly can help to improve the circulation to the ear prior to testing. Some people use a pill bottle filled with warm water or a 'rice sock' (sock/fabric filled with a little rice and warmed in the microwave) held against the inside of the ear to warm it.
3. A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the outer edge of the ear will help the blood to 'bead up' rather than disappear into the fur.
4. Sometimes two ear pricks close together will produce enough blood for a test where one ear prick might not.
5. Massaging immediately below the ear prick, with finger and thumb, will 'milk' more blood out. (I almost always do this.)
6. Location... I find it much easier to pop the kitty up onto my desk to test him, and the desk lamp helps me see what I'm doing. Some people put the kitty on their lap. You will find what works best for you and Spike.
7. The more relaxed you are about the process, the more relaxed Spike is likely to be. Cats really pick up on our moods. So, before testing, try a few deep, soothing breaths. And talk to your kitty in a soft, soothing voice....
8. There are a few folks here who find it easier to do tests on their cat's paws rather than the ears. If Spike turns out to be one of those I'm sure there are paw-testing folks here who can help you with that.

I'm sure testing will very soon become routine for you and Spike. Really! :bighug::bighug::bighug:

Eliz
Click to expand...
Thank you, very helpful!
 
...Oh, I forgot to say...
You can just crush the Zobaline pills into the food and the cats rarely seem to notice it (I've eaten the pills and they don't seem to taste of anything). But they do turn the food a bit pink (it's a B12 thing.....). Fortunately, the cats don't mind about that either....
.
 
I wonder if I can order it from my vet? are vets open to this supplement/ do they recommend it? are there any health issues that I should consider before I start my cat on it? Thanks, Mary
 
spike_kitty said:
I wonder if I can order it from my vet? are vets open to this supplement/ do they recommend it? are there any health issues that I should consider before I start my cat on it? Thanks, Mary
Click to expand...
Hi Mary,
Your vet may order it for you, but I expect they will charge you for the privilege! ;)

You don't have to use the Zobaline brand. Some folks here use methyl B12 supplements bought from a health store (you just need to make sure there aren't any additives that are not good for cats). The advantage of the Zobaline is that it has a wee bit of folic acid added to it; but you can supplement that also if you wish.
Vit B supplements are among the safest as they are water soluble and any excess is excreted in the urine.

The only possible contraindication I know of relates to the use of B12 in cats (and humans!) with cancer. But DO discuss the matter with your vet to see if there are any other issues you may want to be aware of. :)
.
 
When we started Zobaline, Jenks' neuropathy was bad. He was walking on his hocks. He couldn't take more than a few steps at a time without having to lie down and rest. He couldn't hold himself up in the litterbox, so he would always mess his backside. Going to the bathroom was so exhausting that he'd have to lie down in the litterbox before he could muster the energy to just get out. And he basically lived on the floor because he couldn't jump anywhere.

Looking back at my spreadsheet, it took 6-7 months before we started to see a difference (many others report results much sooner). From there it just accelerated. Fast forward to today and Jenks is an entirely different cat. Walks on his tiptoes. Traverses the entire house. Runs, jumps, and goes wherever he pleases. Holds himself up in the litterbox. Even goes up and down stairs with ease. It has completely eliminated his neuropathy and restored his mobility.

Get it. You won't regret it.
 
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You should notice an improvement within a month. When I adopted Spot she had severe neuropathy. Within a month I noticed some improvement. By 3 months she was starting to run and jump. By 6 months you would never had known that she had neuropathy so bad that she barely could walk. Every cat responds differently, but you should start to see some improvement within a few weeks.
 
Shaak started Zobaline on Feb. 23rd, at that time she would meow for me to get her up on the bed as she could not do it on her own, she walked on her hocks, and litter was glued to her hocks where she had to lie in the litter to go to pee or poop. Now about 5 weeks later she is jumping on and off the bed several times a day, no longer walking on her hocks, and no more litter stuck to her hocks. She is not running yet, but I think that is just a short while away.
 
Cathie and Shaak Ti said:
Shaak started Zobaline on Feb. 23rd, at that time she would meow for me to get her up on the bed as she could not do it on her own, she walked on her hocks, and litter was glued to her hocks where she had to lie in the litter to go to pee or poop. Now about 5 weeks later she is jumping on and off the bed several times a day, no longer walking on her hocks, and no more litter stuck to her hocks. She is not running yet, but I think that is just a short while away.
Click to expand...
what dosage do you use for the zobaline? 2 tablets a day? 1 tablet a day?
 
AZJenks said:
When we started Zobaline, Jenks' neuropathy was bad. He was walking on his hocks. He couldn't take more than a few steps at a time without having to lie down and rest. He couldn't hold himself up in the litterbox, so he would always mess his backside. Going to the bathroom was so exhausting that he'd have to lie down in the litterbox before he could muster the energy to just get out. And he basically lived on the floor because he couldn't jump anywhere.

Looking back at my spreadsheet, it took 6-7 months before we started to see a difference (many others report results much sooner). From there it just accelerated. Fast forward to today and Jenks is an entirely different cat. Walks on his tiptoes. Traverses the entire house. Runs, jumps, and goes wherever he pleases. Holds himself up in the litterbox. Even goes up and down stairs with ease. It has completely eliminated his neuropathy and restored his mobility.

Get it. You won't regret it.
Click to expand...
hi, what dosage do you use of the zobaline? 1 tablet a day? 2 tablets a day? more? less? Thanks in advance.
 
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