pancreatitis and remission?

[smokeymay]

Just a question....

The vet mentioned that it's possible that my cat's (previously undiagnosed) pancreatitis may have, over time, destroyed the part of the pancreas that creates insulin, and that was what gave her diabetes. Sounds logical, but not 100% sure.... she had initially gone into remission for several months a week or so after starting insulin. But maybe that was before all of that part of the pancreas was destroyed? Anyway my vet says my cat will most likely be a lifelong diabetic. I was wondering if diabetic cats with pancreatitis generally don't go into remission (particularly if the pancreatitis wasn't diagnosed prior to the diabetes). My cat's been diabetic for quite some time now, so I know remission is not really likely for her. But I'm just curious. I also am considering switching to lantus, even though I know it's likely she won't achieve remission this way.

 

[nancy and payne]

I would change to Lantus, the insulin you use is not a good one for cats. Go up on the Lantus tight regulation and read their stickies because the protocol is very different. The group is the biggest on this website, introduce yourself and let them guide you.

We all want remission but what you really need is for her BGs to settle, the Ptitis to get better and for her quality of life to improve, Lantus could help you achieve that plus you would have a group who could guide you every step of the way.

It is quite possible to get past the Ptitis but remission? Payne worked through Ptitis but she is a big guzzler and I fear will never see remission BUT she is happy, regulated, fat and sassy, EXACTLY what I wanted!
Nancy and Payne

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Never say never! Some cells may be there and she may recover but moving to Lantus could be a good decision. Come over to the tight regulation forum!

 

[Sandman]

My sluggo probably had acute pancreatitis with his diabetes onset. His initial presentation was vomiting and anorexia after a series of two prednisolone shots for a rodent ulcer on his lip. Blood glucose was 500's. I say probable pancreatitis because that was the presumptive diagnosis the vet gave without ever getting the specific blood work. After his initial resuscitation (IV fluids, force feeding, mirtazapine), the anorexia continued & he had a feeding tube with ground up purina DM for 3 weeks until he threw up the feeding tube. After that, meated baby food, advanced to hill's a/d mixed 50/50 with the baby food, which he ate willingly. He put on 2# though his blood sugar numbers were very high despite insulin. At that point, moved him to a low carb diet & his blood glucoses promptly normalized off insulin!!! But on that regimen, he was losing weight, so I went back to partial low carb & partial hill's ad & baby food with stable weights, and consistently normal (60-130) blood sugars off insulin. I'm still frequently checking sugars since I'm suspicious his diabetes will return with the high carb hill's as part of his diet. But he's been in remission 2 weeks now and so far, so good. Would like to go to less frequent testing, but haven't been able to bring myself to do it...

I used prozinc, not lantus and really prefer that one since it allows you to fine-tune control better with 6 hour testing/redosing.

This is a long story, but the upshot of my experience is that your vet is totally full of crap. Particularly in an acute case, like my sluggo had, remission from the diabetes is quite possible even when it's happened in the context of acute pancreatitis. And whether remission is possible or not, you really want to get your cat to a state of tight regulation and keep him/her there, since it's a prerequisite for remission and for an optimal life even if remission is impossible.

My 2 cents.