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Fanny's Mom

Fanny's Mom

Member Since 2013
Hi
I'm Fanny Mae's Mom. She's been diabetic for over a year. We're doing okay with the insulin levels. The only major problem I'm finding is her anus area gets very sore. I've also noticed when this is bothering her, her blood glucose is high (over 250). It went to 401 yesterday. It did come down yesterday afternoon and was okay today. Does anyone have any remedies? Seems her anal sac gets a small tear in it. No infection that I can tell but the area does get puffy. The vet shaves her because she can't clean herself and she just loves :0) when I clean her, right. Is anyone using anything other than water to clean?

Thank You
 
Does Fanny Mae have diarrhea? Constipation? Have you changed her diet recently?
Did the vet say anything about anal-gland problems?
Did the vet suggest any meds? It is hard to select a good med since cats will typically lik it off unless you use an E-collar
 
Hi
She usually is okay but does go from soft stool to hard stools on occasion. I've been using a little Metamucil Clear in her food.
I slowly changed her diet over the last month to Wilderness Blue Buffalo from their other non grain wet food. That went well - learned the hard way the last time I changed her when she became diabetic.
No gland problems the last time she was at the vet's. She does not like going so we are limiting it to very few during the year because she has to be sedated.
We're trying a opthalmic ointment right now. She can't get to her anus so no licking it off.
I talked to the vet last night. He thinks she's a bit incontinent so the area stays moist. So I am going to try and keep it as dry as I can. Any suggestions?
 
Fanny's Mom said:
Hi
She usually is okay but does go from soft stool to hard stools on occasion. I've been using a little Metamucil Clear in her food.
I slowly changed her diet over the last month to Wilderness Blue Buffalo from their other non grain wet food. That went well - learned the hard way the last time I changed her when she became diabetic.
No gland problems the last time she was at the vet's. She does not like going so we are limiting it to very few during the year because she has to be sedated.
We're trying a opthalmic ointment right now. She can't get to her anus so no licking it off.
I talked to the vet last night. He thinks she's a bit incontinent so the area stays moist. So I am going to try and keep it as dry as I can. Any suggestions?
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When Nikki's gastro issues were at their worst late last year she'd often have watery fecal matter that would come out when she had a BM. It made her skin super irritated and she couldn't reach it to clean. Although she hated it, I started putting her in a lukewarm bath (just an inch deep) and using a washcloth to gently clean her. She seemed much more comfortable after doing that. The vet also had a powder that he used once when I took her in, unfortunately I'm not sure what it was called, but maybe you can ask about that?
 
Hi and welcome! :YMHUG:

Diabetic cats often experience neuropathy and she might be having some problems due to mild neuropathy. I would recommend some methyl-b12 (zobaline is the cat version) to help if it's neuropathy causing some of the problems. It's beneficial for many things aside from neuropathy and the cat pees out the excess so it's safe to give even if she doesn't need it.
 
Hi
Thank you for your responses. I've been very busy at work so I don't get much down time.
I was wondering if she may have neuropathy. She some times limps and I have her on Glucosamine. I'll look into the zobaline.
Has anyone noticed that the blood glucose is higher when their cat experiences soft stools?

Also - where are some good places to inject? I've tried below the scruff and in the hind leg. She doesn't really have that much loose skin. I'm using Lantus.
 
You can shoot insulin anywhere along the sides, in the belly area, back by the flanks. Wherever you can find some skin to pull up to tent and stick the needle in.

Some people have reported uneven absorption of the insulin when injected into the scruff area due to the lack of blood vessels in the scruff.
 
Do I need to worry about any side effects of the Zobaline? I started it today but I'll be gone all next week and want to make sure her blood glucose won't be affected.
 
The Zobaline is a cat safe version, pill form of the methylcobalamin to help with the neuropathy. Excess methyl B-12 is excreted in the urine. You can't overdose with it.

No sugars of any kind in it to raise the BG numbers.
 
HI
I am back from a week plus meeting and I think I noticed a difference in her back legs - it looks like she may be walking on her toes again! One problem when I arrived home was her levels were low (51) so I gave her a little Karo and made her eat and she recovered quite well. I may have to hire someone who can do Blood Glucose readings on her or try and see if her sitter would learn since she too has a diabetic cat.

Any good probiotics out there? Right now I have her taking a half a treat of GNC probiotics for cats. Going slow because of her sensitivities.

Thanks
 
I wonder how many times her numbers have been low. How often do you home test?

I don't think we ever asked if you would be willing to set up a spreadsheet to track the numbers and shots.

For those people home testing, we have a wonderful way to keep track of the test data and shots. There is a google spreadsheet template you can use so you don’t have to start from scratch and figure out what you want it to look like. We have instructions on how to set one up. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207The color coding is helpful to see trends over time in how the insulin is working. We even help set them up for people that may be technology challenged. Please ask if you need help.

Having a SS set up and linked to your signature is a great way to get some suggestions from the experienced people on FDMB. You can even share the spreadsheet with your vet, by email.

It's totally optional but it can get you some great advice on how to manage your cat with his BG numbers.

If you are not able to do a spreadsheet set up right now, providing your data in this format would be helpful.

Date, pre-shot test, Units of insulin given, + hour since pre-shot given, BG number.
e.g. 6/1 AMPS 293 1U +1 289 +3 150 +6
PMPS 350 1U +2 340 +6 200
6/2 AMPS 400 1U +6 203
PMPS 189 0U +3 289 +6 458 +9 590

Would you be willing to do that so we can see what is going on?
 
Hi
I do have an Excel spread sheet with times, insulin given and BG levels

Need to learn the lingo for sure.

I'll be on vacation (home) and not available until July 8th.

Have a good 4th of July.
 
If she is unable to clean herself due to obesity, Cat Info has info on safe weight reduction.

Check with your vet if something like unscented baby wipes might be used to help her keep clean. The oil in them may help protect the sensitive tissue.

Also, Feline Constipation has a great deal of information on how the GI tract works and options for home management of the problem when it occurs.
 
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