New member - The Life of Hobbes

[TheEngin3rd]

Hello, I'm Brian and I wanted to introduce myself and my little buddy Hobbes who is roughly 12 years old now that I adopted over 11.5 years ago. Hobbes has a backstory so bare with me.

Hobbes is a special guy in that he is deaf. Last year he was diagnosed with bilateral vestibular disease. For about a year and a half he had episodes every 6-8 weeks and after his MRI he started a prescription for prednisolone while helped take the edge off his episodes. Just over a year ago he had nearly a total shutdown to eat (while on pred). After many tests I was told he went prediabetic and was dehydrated(if I remember right) and eventually bounced back to normal. A fructosamine test later showed he wasn't diabetic but did have some elevated numbers (can't remember what they were immediately). I know there's a lot I might be forgetting from that time in what was involved but it was a scary time for me.

2 weeks ago Hobbes was diagnosed with diabetes after the fructosamine test showed him at a fasting number of 525. I opted to try the Senvelgo as I heard I can try that first before insulin and non the other way around (I can do needles but liquid meds are easier). I gave Hobbes two doses before I had to stop it. I watched Hobbes on the video cameras at home while I was at work and his movements concerned me after the second dose. Took him to the vet after I got home because something really felt off and I didn't know how to explain it because I didn't know what his new normal should be. His glucose number was 177, while elevated it wasn't bad. The vet was closing 15 min later and said if I needed more assistance to go to the pet ER (they squeezed me in last minute even). The doctor at the pet ER I showed the videos of Hobbes to and he agreed with me. He believed the the Senvelgo dropped his numbers too much and too fast, the med was also new to him so he didn't want to give me the wrong advice. Knowing I had another appointment in a few days with my regular vet, he recommended stopping and switching to insulin. At the coming appointment, I got a Freestyle Libre and an insulin prescription.

Right now Hobbes has been on one unit twice daily and been doing better. Next week the doctor says that we'll work up to two units given his numbers. After his 14 days ends on the first Libre, I plan to get another to monitor with the dose change. I have an alpha trak 3 for a backup but the Libre gives me something to a piece of mind overall while the doses change. Hobbes is back to primarily eating Ziwi Peak air dried chicken again and his numbers have improved. If that's what he wants to eat, so be it. I am happy to report that his weight has gone up in the past week nearly a half a pound to 13.56lbs.

Hope I haven't worn out a welcome or anything but Hobbes is my special little boy that I love to talk about. He's been through a lot and this is merely another chapter that I adapt my life to for him. This is all new so I'm diving all in to see what I can understand and do what's best for him. That also goes along for the other 8 cats here at my house.

 

[CORKY]

Welcome to FDMB, Amazing life you have spent with Hobbes, he is beautiful. I wish I could have as many cats as you That's awesome! It's sad that because your vet was closing shop, did not stay a little longer, vet visits stresses cats, especially a diabetic cat. it was great you had a camera to see his development after you shot the Senvelgo, it's amazing how connected we are to our fur babies, we know them best. It's good you are able to see his BG during the day with the Libre, I see that you have a tube sweater to keep Hobbes from touching the sensor, that's good, and you also have the Alpha Trak as well for back up , the sensors tend to sometimes fall off or stop working before the 14 days, the sensors are guaranteed, so always keep the box of the placed sensor in case you need replacement because the serial number is on the box, you can replace them yourself, when you call customer service for replacement, the customer service number is the box, do not tell them is for your cat or it will not be replaced , is always good to have an extra sensor at home, you have an alternative testing tool its great because with the Libre, you will find that in the low BGs (2 digits) the Libre reads lower than with the Alpha, the best insulins for cats are ProZinc and Lantus it is a 12 hour insulin and easy on the cats system, you did not mentioned what insulin you are using or the dose, and most member use the ReliOn human monitor and strips, very inexpensive (Walmart) and accurate, since the Alpha Trak strips are expensive, referring diet a diabetic a diabetic should have a diet between 0-10% carbs, most members feed up to 5%. You might want to consider to slowly switching all your cats to the same diet and same schedule to avoid other diabetic cat. We are here to help you on any concern or questions you may have, let us know the insulin you are using so we can guide you to the right members that can help you with dosing, We would to know much more about Hobbes by creating your signature and spreadsheet, below are the links, You are doing a great job with Hobbes

Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

 

[Lauren & Esse]

Hobbes is so precious! (Is his shirt/Libre cover a cut-up sock?) It seems like you're doing an EXCELLENT job so far. It sounds like you're really doing your research! He's very lucky to have you.

A couple things--if you plan to post regularly, you may want to set up your signature. Instructions on the format are on this page at the end: New? How You Can Help Us Help You! That will just give folks easy reference to some "FAQ" for your cat and expedite any answers you may need. It looks like you already have your spreadsheet all set up, which is the other big thing when getting started. So nice work there!

It looks like the Libre is working great for you so far. We also have a page with instructions for applying them at home: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats You might prefer this option vs. having the vet apply them as it will be cheaper and (presumably) lower stress for Hobbes.

Again, great work on everything you're doing so far. And welcome!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!

Both Maria and Lauren have linked you to our post on getting your signature and spreadsheet set up. The signature provides basic information so we don't keep asking you the same questions repeatedly. The spreadsheet is a place for you to log Hobbes' blood glucose test data so you can gauge his progress and so we can follow along. We are very numbers driven and dedicated to keeping your cat safe.

One quick question: What insulin are you using? Prozinc and Lantus (glargine) are the two insulins recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn for the treatment of feline diabetes. I'd also note that we do not recommend a 1.0u increase in dose. We suggest adjusting doses up or down in 0.25u increments. If you increase by too much, you can go flying past what would be an effective dose for your cat. It also increases the risk of overdosing your cat.

ZiwiPeak is a great option for food. You might want to see if Hobbes is a fan of low carb canned food (ZiwiPeak or any other brand). We tend to promote a canned food diet since the moisture content is considerably greater than in dry food. Cats do not have a huge thirst drive. Keeping your cat well hydrated is good for their kidneys and kidney disease is a common problem as cats age. In addition, diabetes is hard on the kidneys. A canned food diet can help to prevent premature kidney issues. In fact, it's not a bad idea to add water to anything you're feeding your cat.

Please let us know if you have questions.

 

[TheEngin3rd]

Hello and thanks for the welcoming. Hobbes is one of my babies as he and I are so bonded. Having him since he was a kitten and being deaf has really posed it's challenge but we've found ways to communicate for play time through facial expressions. Raising him has been an adventure and I wouldn't trade it for anything. When he was younger, he was up 18+hrs a day and he can TALK but never seems to listen, haha. I've even been able to emulate his LOUD meows such that I've gotten very inquizical looks from him, like he asked me what I just called him. Holding Hobbes as a kitten was a challenge. There was an 8 second rule with Hobbes, like riding a bull; be lucking if you can hold onto(in this case carry) him for that long.

I do have the spreadsheet for Hobbes' BG in my signature, I just didn't tack on the word spreadsheet in the link title. I've been completing it since just after I gave him his first dose. The insulin Hobbes is getting is Lantus and using a donated pack of ReliOn needles but I'll be switching over to the UltiCare VetRx needles next. I saw the calipers method for verifying the dose in the needle as well as difference that each brand of needles use for volume marks. I'm a machinist by trade so I already have a set of digital calipers here at home, calibrated for use.

The wrap that's around Hobbes is just a tube(round) gauze material the vet quickly made up just in case he felt like scratching at the unit. I'm very happy to report that he hasn't even tried; he just lowers the front to groom his chest. I'm actually thinking about taking it off him a day or two before the sensor stops working to see how he tolerates it and if he might try scratching it off. If he does, worst case is that I lose a day or two of it's use. Rather that than try a new one and he kick it off the following day.

Yesterday I had an appointment with his very and she was very happy to hear my update on his eating habits and mental state. Before I started all this, he was feisty, aggressive to me for once and super talkative along with always thirsty. He's slowly moving back to the playful Hobbes I knew a year ago. The vet did see his high numbers a few days ago from her viewing and I told her that I brought out the Alpha Trak to get a real time number as I was getting unsure what to do but got a number that was ok (307). The vet said that in the extremes, highs and lows the sensor tends to vary a little. Yesterdays appointment I'm happy to say was uneventful. She was just delighted to know how was he's doing and how we'll move forward with the meds. I was told that I didn't need another FL3 but I do want another for my own knowledge as I increase his doses. Expensive, yes but my piece of mind is worth it when it comes to my cats. As soon as I feel/ see things are stabilized, I'll switch to the alpha trak for routine spot checks during the day. Hobbes has a very caring team at the local vet and he was very much loved on by his neurologist and her team.

As for food... that's always been a big topic with him. When he was a kitten, he REFUSED wet food. In the first 4 years or so that I had him, he ate 4 different types of dry food, that's all. It wasn't until I brought 2 two year old female sisters that loved wet food that he considered it. He ate Ziwi peak for many years even. after about 7-8 years he decided to switch on me. Of course that was right after I bought nine 2.2lb bags of the stuff. Kept it around past the expiration just in case he might try it but nope, now he loves the stuff again. Figures. Hobbes will eat canned food but is also picky. We've got about 40+ flavors here that I'm trying with him. My partner works for an all natural pet store so she's a big help in identifying different foods he may like.

When I say we have a lot of food choices here, the pictures below explain it (taken April '24). The cute guy is my cat Wally. I lost him over the summer at nearly 18yrs old. He was diagnosed with IBD 4 years ago so no chicken for him. The food you see in the picture is all that I sampled with him and he chose TWO kibbles out of that pile, TWO! Went from loving canned food one week to the next he wouldn't even go near it.

I do know that Hobbes does like the Wellness Skipjack Tuna and Salmon but it's a bit higher on the carbs somehow. I don't have a lot of pate's here as everyone seems to like chicken or tuna/ salmon with shreds. I've even got some frozen raw that the kittens (three 5 month old) like that he will sniff but that's it. I still plan on sampling new foods for him and whatever it takes. He also keeps to himself at one end of the house or follows me around, not a crazy food eater but snacks here and there.

 

[Lauren & Esse]

I'm actually thinking about taking it off him a day or two before the sensor stops working to see how he tolerates it and if he might try scratching it off. If he does, worst case is that I lose a day or two of it's use. Rather that than try a new one and he kick it off the following day.

We've done this exact thing so I totally know what you mean! Fingers crossed he ignores it. Esse did not, haha.

Your vet sounds wonderful, btw, it's awesome that they're so involved but willing to work with you on Hobbes's course of care.

I agree having the Libre is nice to get a sense of his dose trends. If you're in the US there are some things you can do to get them for a little cheaper -- see here. Even just shopping around a bit between pharmacies can be helpful, we get ours for $35 each from Costco. But being able to manually test (to verify low numbers) is very helpful. You don't necessarily have to use the Alpha Track, a human glucometer like the ReliOn (Walmart ) or Contour (any drugstore) will have cheaper/more readily available test strips. Of course, if you already have the AT, I understand wanting to use what you have.

That picture of Wally with all his various foods is so cute!! I have a friend who had an IBD cat--also gray and white like your Wally was--so I have seen how tricky it can be to get them to agree to one that tastes good and doesn't upset their tummies. I can imagine your partner's pet store connection comes in very handy.