NEW TO LANTUS AND MUPRHY NEW TO DIABETES/PANCREATITIS

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msmurphy2010

msmurphy2010

Member Since 2010
Murphy, my kitty, is 11, and was recently Dx'd with feline diabetes and pancreatitis. A very serious, hopefully, acute attack of pancreatitis that put her in the hospital for over a week. So, so sick. So, we started off with 1 unit of Lantus twice per day, and she went back for a glucose curve just this last Friday and she is up to 2 units twice per day now because he numbers just would not come down. Saturday was good - she stayed in the 160s most of the day, then back to 300 the next day, all day, ravenous, etc. This morning, b/4 eating, she was in the 200s, and after eating, and her insulin, she was still in the 200s. I came home tonight and it's 309, and she eats in 45 minutes. I know this is going to take some time, but it sure is discouraging that the numbers keep fluctuating. How long until they get regulated, or somewhat regulated.

Lisa and Murphy
 
welcome, Lisa and Murphy. binks and i are fellow newbies...just want to let you know you've found the right place for help! the folks on the board here can give you guidance and reassurance on anything you're unsure of...so dont be shy...

others will be along to answer your questions...

celi & binks
 
This has been the most frustrating and scariest part of life dealing with Murphy's recent diagnoses. She was un-Dx'd by her previous vet and we believe she has been diabetic for at least 18 months, starting with neuropathy in her from paws, then on to hock in all fours. Actually, when I brought it to her vet's attention last April, he totally bypassed the entire discussion I was trying to have. All of her labs, amayase, lipase, etc., clearly showed a diabetic cat with overactive enzyme activity. Thus, we have a diabetic kitty now. She's been ill with some different serious infections, MRSA, MRSI, strep aureaus, e-coli, round and round and round we go, and all from what we recently found is the d. cati mite that comes from FIV, feline leukemia and guess what -- untreated diabetes. So, I've been a little emotional about the whole thing. But, she's got a terrific vet, and we both love her practice.

So, here we are, and they you have it. She's very compromised with feline asthma and now diabetes, but her asthma is so well controlled on inhaled meds, no events since 2.5 years ago.

Lisa and Murphy
 
Welcome Lisa and Murphy. my gosh you guys have been through alot. I am so sorry that you have had a bad experience with a prior vet. I am glad however that now you seem to have a good one.

Welcome aboard here - you've found a great place with alot of very knowledgeable and caring people. Those in the know will be along to answer your questions.

I understand all your frustrations - all of us here have been through what you are feeling now. It will get better, it just takes a little time, and some patience. Whatever your concerns, at any time, feel free to ask. There is always someone around that can help. Relax some, knowing you will get help here, lots of good advice. And Murphy will get better - you can trust what you hear here.

have a great night, and welcome aboard!
 
Also just stopping by to say welcome. I think you love your little Murphy quite a lot!

It takes time to get on the right path. Are you home testing? That's the first, essential step. If you haven't already read the stickies at the top of this forum, you can start there. Then set up a spreadsheet, and post Murphy's test scores here regularly.

Many of us didn't get the advice we needed at first, but your kitty can do very well anyway. You'll find all the support and help you need here, plus you have a great new vet. You're on the right road! Glad you're here.
 
Welcome to Lantus Land.

As Kathy noted, please take a look at the starred, sticky notes at the top of the Board. They will provide a ton of information about how to handle Lantus, why syringes you'll need, how to do a curve, how to become data ready, our slang, posting conventions, and most importantly, the dosing protocol that we use.

We are very numbers oriented in this forum. If you can set up a spreadsheet and attach it to your signature, it will help you to keep track of Murphy's numbers and it will allow all of us to follow his progress and make recommendations.

From what you are describing, it sounds like Murphy has some good numbers then bounces. Bouncing is not unexpected at this stage. It just takes some time and patience for the numbers to settle down and for Murphy's liver to adjust and not panic.
 
Thanks for your responses. Murphy, unfortunately, it very compromised with her feline asthma, although she has been event free for now over 2.5 years. We are giving her Panazyme to give her little pancreas a rest, which seems to take the pain away, inflammation and lets in the insulin take over for now. I talked to her Vet last night, and we are looking at about 14 diets right now, a very slow change will then be taking place. She has suffered so much, her un-D'd diabetes led to neuropathy in her paws, hock in front in back, although not as serious as some I have seen, and she has had at least 3-4 MRSA, strep aureaus and e-coli infections, all due to this little booger mite, d. cati, which stems from diseases like FIV, feline leukemia and diabetes. I am home testing, but it's too new for her, and she has been traumatized by the hospital stay, poking, prodding, etc. This a.m., she was 309 prior to meal. Will test before I leave for work to see where she's at.
 
I'm not sure what resources you have on feline pancreatitis. Many kitties here have been though an acute bout or have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis.

This is a link to a post that Jojo, a vet tech who was very active in LL put together. She's not around much these days due to some health issues but this is very useful. Jojo's pancreatitis post

This is a roundtable discussion from several vets on the diagnosis and management of p'tits: Idexx pancreatitis roundtable

I'd also urge you to look at the info that's around on diet. One of the other members here was told to put her cat on a low residue diet which was high in carbs. The research really doesn't provide much support for the low residue diets, especially if they are high in carbs when you also have a cat with FD.

Does your vet suggest that an immune system booster may help at all? I know I posted in your thread on Health about the sulfur dip. How are you treating the d. cati?
 
Currently, we are looking at a diet with less than 7% carbs, and high protein, mid-level fiber. I'm wondering who told this person about a high carb diet, because that is the worse thing (at least I know this part) for a feline diabetic. But, I also have to consider the diet for the purpose of treating my siamese, Oscie, for his struvite problem. If I can get away from prescription diet, the better. Cranberry powder also helps with struvite issues and keeps urine acidity around 6.1-6.4 Ph level. So, I've got a combination of issues on hand right now. I like the idea of freezing the wet cat food in the cupcake pan and leaving one out for her during the day as it thaws out.

Glucose this morning, prior to eating is 309.
 
Welcome to LL

You are in the best place for support and help. So many people here that have dealt with such as array of problems.

Pancreatitis can be tough to deal with and every cat responds differently to the protein/fat diet issue. It's really about finding what diet your cat can tolerate. My guy has pancreatitis and is probably the kitty on the low residue diet Sienne is referring to. He is also a Cushing's kitty and on meds for that. He has had fPL results >50 since June( i.e. Off the charts.) and in the teens and 20's since first diagnosed in March. He started on the LR prescription diet only after the specialist said the pancreatitis was going to do him in not the carbs... and, you bet, I was in tears in that vet's office as we discussed the carb issue.

Any way, I suspect that my guy can't tolerate the protein and for him it's not as much the fat but have to watch that too. The protein just kicks him right in the pancreas. I can't do much experimenting right now with different diets cause any change just sends him back to the vet's. The problem is that when you cut fat and protein you need to get the calories from somewhere else, guess where...carbs - doesn't that just stink?

You've been through a lot with Murphy and you now have an wonderful group here to help you as you deal with diabetes.
 
Good news, Murphys glucose is down to 289 tonight b/4 eating. She's been stuck in the high 300s, then low 300s, when she was Dx'd, and we're working still to get her down. But, this is progress!!
 
Hi Lisa and Murphy

Just wanted to welcome you to Lantus Land!

Glad to hear the update.
Please stick around and keep us posted.
 
Hi Lisa! Welcome to you and Murphy :mrgreen:
I hope you will be able to get your SS set up and attached to your signature as Sienne mentioned...and gave you the links for help with that too!
I hope you will post daily so we can watch Murphy's progress...there are many kitties here, but we all are like a big family. Please feel free to post any questions you may have after reading the stickies at the top of the page.
We post our daily condo (thread) each morning with the Date, Kitty's name and AMPS. Once you have your SS attached, we will be able to help you....hope to see you again soon! :razz:
 
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