elleinmelb
Member Since 2021
Hello everyone, my name is Elle and my newly diagnosed buddy is Rascal. We live in Melbourne, Australia.
At this time, I don't have any major questions but wanted to take the time to fill out my profile and introduce myself before I do.
Can I extend a big thank you to everyone behind this forum for helping me get through the first week of Rascal's diagnosis. I have been lurking, but the positivity and sense of community and shared knowledge has helped me become very optimistic that he and I will do the best we can with this diagnosis. I was devastated and scared at first, mainly because I was told "50% of owners euthanase on diagnosis". I soon began researching to empower myself with knowledge to confront that fear, and found you all!
My vet didn't take long to diagnose Rascal. He was underweight despite high hunger/urinating excessively/drinking excessively/dandruff/stopped grooming himself and just wasn't himself for the last few months. I have not confirmed this but the vet suspected ketoacidosis was in progress, he was hospitalised overnight and began insulin immediately. We got him back the next day and I began injections that night, so far only two misses but I am gaining confidence.
He immediately began on 2IU of lantus/glargine am/pm and has done two glucose curves, the most recent being yesterday. The first curve was done 3 days after diagnosis and he remained in his 20s all day, but yesterday he went from 29 down to a nadir of 9. I'm now giving just a fraction over 2IU on recommendation by the vet, to see whether he gets closer to 7 on his next glucose curve.
I will begin home testing soon, I just haven't had the time to do research on Australian brands and methods - but the weekend is here! I have downloaded the spreasheet and will get going on the data to share.
I must say, Rascal has done really, really well so far. He's gaining weight, his thirst is back to normal, same with urination, his fur is already beginning to shine and thicken. His personality is so much better too! He's more social, chases bugs again, reacts to noises and new things happening outside... I am so relieved to see him back to his old self.
His hunger is the main behaviour issue we have to manage here, a very headstrong and food-oriented boy. He's always loved his "cans" (of Fancy Feast) and I'm currently getting my head around how his perception of hunger vs. the real need for more nutrition may not actually match up while he's stabilising. He's very vocal and will try every trick in the book to make us believe he's never eaten before in his life! He'll hold a 'conversation' and talk back when I tell him no... For now we stick to classic pate FF cans and the Royal Canin diabetic wet food pouches.
Thank you for reading if you got this far, I am so happy to be here with you all.
At this time, I don't have any major questions but wanted to take the time to fill out my profile and introduce myself before I do.
Can I extend a big thank you to everyone behind this forum for helping me get through the first week of Rascal's diagnosis. I have been lurking, but the positivity and sense of community and shared knowledge has helped me become very optimistic that he and I will do the best we can with this diagnosis. I was devastated and scared at first, mainly because I was told "50% of owners euthanase on diagnosis". I soon began researching to empower myself with knowledge to confront that fear, and found you all!
My vet didn't take long to diagnose Rascal. He was underweight despite high hunger/urinating excessively/drinking excessively/dandruff/stopped grooming himself and just wasn't himself for the last few months. I have not confirmed this but the vet suspected ketoacidosis was in progress, he was hospitalised overnight and began insulin immediately. We got him back the next day and I began injections that night, so far only two misses but I am gaining confidence.
He immediately began on 2IU of lantus/glargine am/pm and has done two glucose curves, the most recent being yesterday. The first curve was done 3 days after diagnosis and he remained in his 20s all day, but yesterday he went from 29 down to a nadir of 9. I'm now giving just a fraction over 2IU on recommendation by the vet, to see whether he gets closer to 7 on his next glucose curve.
I will begin home testing soon, I just haven't had the time to do research on Australian brands and methods - but the weekend is here! I have downloaded the spreasheet and will get going on the data to share.
I must say, Rascal has done really, really well so far. He's gaining weight, his thirst is back to normal, same with urination, his fur is already beginning to shine and thicken. His personality is so much better too! He's more social, chases bugs again, reacts to noises and new things happening outside... I am so relieved to see him back to his old self.
His hunger is the main behaviour issue we have to manage here, a very headstrong and food-oriented boy. He's always loved his "cans" (of Fancy Feast) and I'm currently getting my head around how his perception of hunger vs. the real need for more nutrition may not actually match up while he's stabilising. He's very vocal and will try every trick in the book to make us believe he's never eaten before in his life! He'll hold a 'conversation' and talk back when I tell him no... For now we stick to classic pate FF cans and the Royal Canin diabetic wet food pouches.
Thank you for reading if you got this far, I am so happy to be here with you all.
