New Diagnosis

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buttonsandlollie

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Good Evening,
I am new to your Board due to a diagnosis of my handsome boy Buttons. He is a 14 year old tuxedo gent who has been treated for asthma for a decade. Steroids have been in the mix almost daily. We tried less invasive meds but they never worked and he suffered greatly when we "played" with dosages and alternatives.
During the past several weeks we have noticed that he has been drinking and urinating more. We have also been trying to figure out which of our 5 lovies was peeing on the dining room table! We now have our answer! He has not lost his appetite, has a shiny coat, and still preens, purrs, and sleeps in the sun. Our vet will meet with me tomorrow to discuss a course of action.
I am here because I have questions. I have read your board through a weekend of tears and have learned so very much!!!! I am hoping I will learn more.
Is diabetes caused by steroid use reversible? If a diet of low carbs is used (I have bought EVO with a carb % of 8) along with a wet diet ( carb % of 4 or 5) in conjunction with a change in steroid use, should I give the change a week or two to take effect? I will surely make the insulin leap if need be, but I am conflicted about NOT addressing the steroids and diet issues. Also....has anyone had positive results with the oral medication glipizide?
I thank you in advance for your help! Your Board has opened my eyes to many issues I've not thought about as a kitty mom.
Sweet dreams,
Mary-Anne
 
Glipizide can hurt the chances for remission because it works by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas. Stimulating cells which may already be damaged is not a good course of action. http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Glipizide

Yes diet can positively affect the extent of diabetes in cats, but insulin is usually still needed for a period of time to give the pancreas a rest before remission can be achieved.

It is hard to say if a steroid induced diabetic will go in to remission. I am sure that we have had such cats come through the board with success. We have had quite a few cats, no matter how they became diabetic, go in to remission even after 2 years on insulin. So there is always that possibility.

There are also cats on the board who continue to need steroids for their other condition(s). Hopefully some of those owners will reply. What steroid have you been using and what kind of steroid change would you make?

I would not give a timetable - cats do things to their own beat! The most important things are changing the diet to low carb and learning to home test his blood glucose so you know at home how he's responding to whatever changes you make, even if those do not include insulin at this time.

Keep asking questions. There are members here with a variety of experiences and you will find them very helpful.
 
Vicky and Gandalf,
Thank you for your reply! You have made up my mind concerning glipizide. Not a right choice for us. Buttons takes prednisone (1/8 of a 5mg pill) 2x daily along with Brethine (1/4 10mg pill) 2x daily. We tried prednisonal (sp?) but he had poor results with that. During severe asthmatic activity he can go as high as 5mg 3X daily, but that is weaned as quickly as we can. I am planning to discuss an inhaler rather than oral meds. Just not sure if that is the course of action that would be best for this lovie.
Your support is so appreciated! It is comforting to have the support of those who have traveled the path Buttons and I are gearing up to journey upon.
Buttons & Mary-Anne
 
Dear Mary-Anne, and, of course, you too, sweet Buttons,

Vicky answered your questions brilliantly! Hers was truly a perfect response. It helps being guided by a furry sweet wizard...



buttonsandlollie said:
I have read your board through a weekend of tears and have learned so very much!!!! I am hoping I will learn more.
Click to expand...
I'm your tear girl...

It's okay to cry, Mary-Anne. No one plans on their beloved cat becoming extra-sweet... So, just breathe, Mary-Anne, breathe. And, remember to take care of you so you can take care of Buttons.

You will learn more. Volumes! Breathe!

Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found.

Love and encouraging hugs for you both,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...
 
Good Morning Deb and Nikki (who has the most brilliant eyes!)
Thank you for giving me a place to share my tears. This morning I am empowered and ready to face the sugarcats world! I am armed with information, ideas, and questions for my vet. The blessing is that Buttons loves his vet and our family of furry wonders trusts him to guide us through this adventure! Your site has made this so much easier because knowledge is power. I am sure you have been told so many times that having a place you trust to turn to is invaluable when one of your lovies is facing difficult times. As a newbie here, know my heart isn't as heavy. My fears aren't so great (BUT THERE ARE MANY!) I can do this.....I can do this.....I can do this! Expect far more questions!!!!!
May your day be filled with many nuzzles and headbutts,
Mary-Anne
 
Hi Mary anne


Welcome. To the group.

Maui was steroid and dry food diabetic and with the diet change to low carb wet 0-4 carbs and a little insulin. Her need for occasional steroid shots stopped. So yes it is possible to go into remission if not on steroids.

however if the need for steroids is such then you work the diabetes around that.

I also have an asthma kitty on an inhaler only and its my understanding that the inhaler doesn't cause diabetes.

Is there any possibility of Butons coming off the pred? If not then low carb wet and insulin are the way to go.

Please read about the insulin options so you can decide which one is best for you

Lantus and levemir work in a similar fashion and prozinc is the newest insulin with many kitties having good results.

Whichever you decide to use, we will be here to help.
 
Good Morning Hillary and Maui (Buttons just loves the name!)
Thank you for your response. I am relieved to read there are other kitties out there like Buttons. Of all my cats (5) he is truly the most medically challenged. I just know the kitty angels sent him to us because they knew we would take very good care of him. I am having a conversation with my vet this morning and have added your thoughts to my list of topics I want to discuss. I have learned a great deal this weekend after spending hours and hours reading on the site. The most important thing I have taken away is that Buttons and I are not alone. There are kind souls, such as yourself, who are willing to take the time to comment and lend an ear!
Happy Monday!
Mary-Anne
 
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