Hi All,
I have not posted in a while, because my Big Kitty was in remission (or as it now seems on a honeymoon rather) for 8 months. He was first diagnosed in January 2010 and after only 2 insulin shots and a complete switch to low carb diet he went back to being in non-diabetic range and did very well until now. Unfortunately, about a week ago I noticed him drinking and peeing more and he lost his appetite. I tested him and sure enough- he is back in diabetic numbers. He ranged from 280 to 390 for the last few days and I don't have another ace up my sleeve such as lowering the carbs in diet, because he is on Janet's & Binky approved wet food already. We took him to the vet yesterday to be sure there is no concurrent infection or other issues going on, but other than the high blood glucose he was fine. So, it seems we should start him on insuline (the vet agreed to prescribe Lantus, even though she said she has no experience with it).
Here is my big dilemma: In 11 days I am leaving on a 6 day trip abroad, that I can't cancel. Is it better to start my cat on insuline now, and then have a 6day break, or wait until I get back, which is going to be almost 3 weeks from now??? I considered all intermediete options of having someone administer insuline while I am gone, but knowing my cat that is just not going to happen. There is no way on Earth he will let a stranger poke his ear, and I'm not going to let someone shoot him blindly, especially when my cat will be alone at home a lot. I thought about putting him in a kennel for the time I am gone, but I KNOW he will be so stressed there he won't eat anything and they will have to force-feed him, etc. He is just one of these cats who don't do well outside the home and with stragers.
So- I don't know which is better- start the treatment now and in 11 days stop for 5 days, or wait for almost 3 weeks? Is there any danger to his organs with the numbers in upper 300s? Would I be decreasing a chance of another remission by waiting this long? Is starting and stopping injections dangerous?
Please share your thoughts,
Thank you,
Eva
I have not posted in a while, because my Big Kitty was in remission (or as it now seems on a honeymoon rather) for 8 months. He was first diagnosed in January 2010 and after only 2 insulin shots and a complete switch to low carb diet he went back to being in non-diabetic range and did very well until now. Unfortunately, about a week ago I noticed him drinking and peeing more and he lost his appetite. I tested him and sure enough- he is back in diabetic numbers. He ranged from 280 to 390 for the last few days and I don't have another ace up my sleeve such as lowering the carbs in diet, because he is on Janet's & Binky approved wet food already. We took him to the vet yesterday to be sure there is no concurrent infection or other issues going on, but other than the high blood glucose he was fine. So, it seems we should start him on insuline (the vet agreed to prescribe Lantus, even though she said she has no experience with it).
Here is my big dilemma: In 11 days I am leaving on a 6 day trip abroad, that I can't cancel. Is it better to start my cat on insuline now, and then have a 6day break, or wait until I get back, which is going to be almost 3 weeks from now??? I considered all intermediete options of having someone administer insuline while I am gone, but knowing my cat that is just not going to happen. There is no way on Earth he will let a stranger poke his ear, and I'm not going to let someone shoot him blindly, especially when my cat will be alone at home a lot. I thought about putting him in a kennel for the time I am gone, but I KNOW he will be so stressed there he won't eat anything and they will have to force-feed him, etc. He is just one of these cats who don't do well outside the home and with stragers.
So- I don't know which is better- start the treatment now and in 11 days stop for 5 days, or wait for almost 3 weeks? Is there any danger to his organs with the numbers in upper 300s? Would I be decreasing a chance of another remission by waiting this long? Is starting and stopping injections dangerous?
Please share your thoughts,
Thank you,
Eva
