New Member - need help! :(

Hi all,
I have been trying to manage my fur babies diabetes for a couple of months since diagnosis. Seen multiple vets and specialist.

on Lantus

His BG I can not get under control. Wether it’s to low dose (gone hypo multiple times) or too high. I try and keep at same dose for atleast 10 days.

He is now on an aggressive plan to get his BG down as he has really severe neuropathy now. Sadly i was advised to keep him higher and now this is the result. If only i knew

Currently he is on 4/3.
He swings from “high” down to 6-7 from one shot.
His currently had 4 units (8:30 am today) and now sitting at 6.9.

Do I dose? How much do i dose?
Yesterday was similar. I gave him 3 and he ended up going “high” 12 hours later for AM dose.

He was on 3.5/3.5 for quite some time and that didn’t seem to pull him down enough. Lowest i got him at was 17.

He does eat some dry food (glucose hills and royal canin) It’s about 16-18% carb which i know is not ideal. He is on low carb wet also eats that twice a day. I can’t get him off the dry as he won’t eat much and then result in hypo

He has other complications with enlarged heart, fluid on lungs, and now high white cells and liver infection. On antibiotics.
Ongoing meds benezapril & flusapex.
Plus now Methyl b12 shots, tablets & folic.
Oh and temvet for pain relief. This has some sugar in it too
The poor man!!

I think his meds have messed with his BG and did find some research that benezapril affects it.
Vets have found him a complicated case and thinks part insulin resistant.

Sorry for very long mail.
I’m nearly at point to put him down if he can’t walk. It’s just devastating and doesn’t seem much of quality of life. But am taking a fair shot at this BG & b12

How quickly does lantus take effect. So if BG at 6 give shot, how long will it take to kick in? So worried i will put him in hypo.

Thanks for any advice.

Rachael

 

Hi, I responded in your thread you started in the LB&L forum: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/desperate-for-help.234658/
Just wanna note there are two threads going so people can see, and I'm not sure if a moderator will want to combine them or not.
Hang in there, Rachael, you will get help here for your fur baby.
I believe @Aleluia Grugru & Minnie has a kitty who had serious neuropathy. Her kitty improved! If she is around, she may be able to tell you about it.

 

I'm afraid I wont be much help either but may I ask how is his appetite? Is he eating? If not and hes running high numbers he could develop Keytones. Please read about this here:
Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters

Neuropathy can be reversed but not until his bg numbers come down. Once they do THEN the Methyl B12 will work its magic.

Hold on for more experienced replies
Forgive me if I missed this but what insulin is he on?

You HAVE landed in a safe place. We strive to help everyone that finds us.
WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY

 

I responded to your post on the Lantus board.

 

B12 methyl is not a shot. Shots are regular b12. The b23 methyl comes in pull or capsule format. Do you know which one you’re using as in the brand? Minnie did have severe neuropathy Lyla is right. Once her diabetes was regulated, it did take over 6 months , her neuropathy started to improve. She was 90% better in 3 months and now she’s almost as good as new, I’d say 99%. Be patient as it will get better. It sounds like he’s got a few other things going that can be making it harder to regulate the diabetes

 

Thanks for the hope here! and so pleased your cat has been turned around.
He is on Methyl B12 injection from vet ( i administer it) Once per week
Daily. Tablets - Natures Own Methyl 1000 (increased to 5 tablets per day). If you have a better chemist brand? This one does have a tiny amount of sugar in it.
1 tablet of folic acid.
Not sure what b23 is?

His walking it just getting worse. I’m now seriously contemplating putting him down. It just doesn’t seem like a happy way to live. the Opiod pain meds isnt sustainable for 6 months either as it impacts liver.

Did you give pain meds?

His BG i just can’t get regulated. Lantus insulin
If it’s insulin 4 / 3 it’s too high. Gives good numbers but then drops too far down or below 3

insulin 3.5 / 3.5 doesn’t drop them past 17.

He is on a bit of dry. He’s been on it his whole life. He is on glucose ones now. Hills and Royal Canin but the carb is about 15%.
I’m really trying to cut most of it out.

I’m so sad for him and have tried so hard to get him better.

He sleeps on the couch, and been trying to stop any jumping. I’m with him 24/7.

TIPS for people following;
- Bought a ramp from Kmart (animal car one) and he took to it straight away. Great for their sore legs. Win!!
- Flat litter tray has really helped.
- Hot water bottle on his back where it’s sore + gentle massage
- Mats are all around the house where tiles/floor boards are, as he slides on them and can’t grip.

 

T

Thank you so much He’s on lantus.

 

I just want to give you some big hugs. My girl started out really rocky, lead to DKA and she was down to 4lbs before I got her sorted out. It’s been nearly two years since she was diagnosed. She has a few other health issues that complicate her case but she is not unhappy. We just keep pushing on and taking care of issues as they come. There is a steep learning curve to FD at first but then it gets easier. It becomes the new daily normal. There are some really knowledgeable people here who will be great help to you and your boy.

 

Neuropathy hurts us more then it hurts our kitties. Its hard to watch but it CAN be righted. It just takes time.

Sending prayers and good thoughts for success.
jeanne

 

thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️

 

T

thanks so much for all the positive hopeful comments. I haven’t given up and will keep fighting for him but am very tired... live on the couch 24/7 with him and now he can walk well i can’t leave him unless he’s sleeping.

i am really not sure how to get his. BG controlled. I have tried so many variants...

 

My fave saying " KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT"

Try to be patient (insert kitties name here) didnt develop neuropathy over night and he wont shed it quickly. But honestly it doesnt hurt them near as much as it hurts US.. Hes uncomfortable, we see pain. I will keep him in my daily novena. ( heck it couldnt hurt )
jeanne

 

Hang in there. This sounds very difficult but you have found great support here. Best of luck

 

Thanks guys. Really appreciating the emotional support here

 

Ugh Milo... sometimes it get so hot in here I think my mind has melted. My apologies.