Peeka 9/27 Could use some encouragement

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

So as the title says, I’m just feeling a little bit down today about everything. We had a drive thru baby shower for my wife, and some of our close friends stayed afterwards and noticed Peeka and her neuropathy and inability to walk all the way to her food and use the litter by herself, comments were made about how miserable she must be and we are just keep her alive. The thing is, she is still her normal active self, just with unregulated diabetes. She still eats like a fiend, will perk up when she hears her treats being opened, and will play with our fingers and hands when we “taunt” her.

Every time someone would make a comment like that I would respond by letting them know we are on track to getting her neuropathy resolved and diabetes under control. The numbers recently are indicating we are on the right track, and now I believe it is just a matter of time.

Sorry to come here and vent. You all are infinitely more experienced than our friends and have seen what is possible for recovery in our sugar babies. Her numbers recently have looked promising. PS in the 300s still and Nadirs at or close to 150. This morning her +2 was 146 and was given a snack as well.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Awwww (((Peter))) It is hard to hear comments from FRIENDS like that . But that just proves how little people know about FD.
1. Peeka isnt in pain. A little uncomfortable but not pain. If she were she wouldnt be trying.
2. Humans heap THEIR emotions on our pets. These comments like shes's making me feel guilty or shes doing that to spite me. Cats dont recognize OUR emotions beyond anger or sadness. Those are tangible in acts.
3. This CAN be righted. It happens daily. Some are harder to regulate so take longer.
4. You ARE doing the best you can with what you have.
5. You can listen to how others talk at you but try not to "hear" the negative. It does nothing for the situation except make you question your own intentions. Your intention is to get Peeka back to being her complete self. It will happen.

I know its hard to watch Peeka walk. I remember feeling like that when Trouble had neuropathy. He came out of it when his numbers came down took a couple of months. You'll get there. WITH Peeka.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

A question first... Are you giving Peeks Zobaline (methyl-B12) for the neuropathy? It takes a while to work but it can be very helpful. Getting your kitty in overall lower numbers will help with the neuropathy.

Another factor is that Vetsulin has a relatively shorter duration than the longer acting insulins. As a result, you see better numbers (all those blues) during the earlier part of the cycle and as the insulin wears off, Peeka is back in higher numbers. If it's affordable, you may want to consider a switch. (Lantus, if purchased through Canada, will cost about the same as Vetsulin.) That's not to say that Vetsulin won't work, you're just fighting with how long the insulin is active. A cat's metabolism is faster that how the insulin was designed to work.

The other factor is your cat. Is your cat happy? It sounds like she is. There are cats that have all sorts of disabilities (e.g, blind, missing a limb) and that do just fine. If your cat is playing, preening, peeing, pooping, (and I forget what the 5th "p" is), then what's the question? If Peeka was not herself, you would know. It sounds like she has a good quality of life with the exception of the neuropathy which takes time to resolve.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Peter,

I am really sorry that your friends were so insensitive in their comments to you. As you correctly observe, your friends don't have experience of feline diabetes. Their comments were completely uncalled for, and I don't blame you one iota for feeling so upset.

I am posting the link to Tootsie's video again. Perhaps it might be an idea to bookmark it so that if any of your friends ever make ill-informed comments again you could show it to them so that they might learn that cats can and do recover from neuropathy problems:

The thing is, she is still her normal active self, just with unregulated diabetes. She still eats like a fiend, will perk up when she hears her treats being opened, and will play with our fingers and hands when we “taunt” her.

That sounds to me like a kitty who's happy and has plenty of living to do!

All going well, with a little time and patience (the hard bit!), Peeka will be walking much better.

You're doing a terrific job with the testing, Peter! There's a much clearer picture building up of how the dose adjustments are improving Peeka's nadirs. You're accumulating really good data for making your dosing decisions now.

Hang in there, Peter, you're doing just fine. I'm very glad that Peeka has you and Mrs. Peter in her corner, loving and caring for her, and helping her to get better.




Mogs
.

 

[Critter Mom]

playing, preening, peeing, pooping, (and I forget what the 5th "p" is),

Purring!


Mogs
.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

How could I forget purring!! Thanks, Mogs.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

If your cat is playing, preening, peeing, pooping, (and I forget what the 5th "p" is)

Oh my gosh! I thought I was the only one here, *giggling* Thats why I never site the 5P's

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

... we need an embarrassed emoji
thanks Mogs

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Peter just ignore what those comments were said, obviously either they don't have pets and if they did who knows what they would do, put their pet to sleep
They don't know about diabetic pets.
If it ever happens again I would politely say you don't want to discuss it.
I am very blunt when it comes to people who know nothing about diabetes
Maybe they aren't animal lovers like we are and will do anything for them

You are doing a great job Peter,
As Sienne mentioned you might want to think about switch

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Many members buy it from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada.
This will save you a lot of money. Try to get the U-100 syringes with half unit markings, we increase and decrease by 0.25 units.
These 5 solorstar pens will last you a year or longer depending on the dose you will give
The expiration date is on them , keep in the fridge and they will be good until you start to use them probably has an expiration date of 2022 or 2023



Lantus Solostar CARTRIDGE 5x3ml per box (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100iu/ml 15 ml $159.99 USD

Lantus Solostar PEN CAN (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) *single pen open box* Brand 100iu/ml one pen 3 ml $49.99 USD

Lantus Solostar PENS 5x3ml per box (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100u/ml 15 ml $164.99 USD

Lantus VIAL Insulin (10ml per vial) (temp. gauge. ice pack, express-air mail) Brand 100u/ml 10 ml $110.99 USD

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

https://rxcanada4less.com
Here is the link for Marks Marine

How is Boo doing?

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

I LOVE those waving flags

 

[Panic]

I'll go the other way and say I think it's commendable your friends are willing to come out and say something. There's a lot of suffering animals out there that friends/family won't speak up about because they don't want to rock the boat. I think it's nice they cared enough to bring it up.

My dad asked me several times if the kinder thing wasn't to put Panic down when she was first diagnosed, she looked that bad. I simply had to remind him she is being treated and she's on the road to recovery, but it won't happen overnight.

 

[Critter Mom]

I think it's commendable your friends are willing to come out and say something.

I can understand that perspective.

I think a lot depends not just on what was said, but how it was said.


Mogs
.

 

[Panic]

I think a lot depends on not just what was said, but how it was said.

Yes, definitely.

 

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

So a couple of items to address. Thank you all for your kind words.

A question first... Are you giving Peeks Zobaline (methyl-B12) for the neuropathy?

Yes, Peeka was on Vitacost brand Methyl B12 until Tuesday, when we got in Zobaline, and we have been on that twice a day. I just crush it up and put it in her food, she eats it no problems.

Another factor is that Vetsulin has a relatively shorter duration than the longer acting insulins.

A switch in insulin is something we are strongly considering. Our vet, who has been extremely helpful during this process, even looking through her spreadsheet and offering feedback, has Prozinc in stock. I know Lantus is the gold standard, but in a pinch, I like the peace of mind knowing a new order of insulin is just a call and a 10 minute trip away.

The other factor is your cat. Is your cat happy? It sounds like she is.

Peeka is a very independent cat, so there has definitely been an adjustment for her. That said, she still plays around with us when we play with her, she still greets me in the hallway when we get home for some food. I will wake up and find her sleeping on the floor next to me near my bed. Normally, she would wake me up and not stop rubbing against me until I fold over the comforter so she can lay on a little pouch, I think her laying on the floor next to my bed is her way of doing that because she can’t jump on the bed. So while I think we are all adjusting, I do think she is as happy as her body and diabetes is currently allowing.

For me, I would feel worse giving up on her, knowing there was something that could be done, rather than seeing her struggle for a few months. If in the end she is able to get regulated and look and feel better like her brother, Boo. It would all be worth it for me.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

It would all be worth it for me.

Us too Peter

 

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

Hang in there, Peter, you're doing just fine. I'm very glad that Peeka has you and Mrs. Peter in her corner, loving and caring for her, and helping her to get better.

Thanks Mogs, this is the encouragement I needed today. I don’t think anything was said maliciously. My friends are truly good and caring people, they just see a small portion of a much larger picture and make an assessment based on that. I did tell them that this is a long term battle but we have made good behind the scenes progress.

Her numbers have looked good recently, in my humble opinion. I think we have found a good dose for Vetsulin and now is just a matter of time to start seeing results.

 

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

Maybe they aren't animal lovers like we are and will do anything for them

They have dogs and they take them everywhere and do everything they are able to with them. I do think diabetes of any type is just a different ball game and requires a different type of attention. Again, I don’t think anything was said to hurt anyone, they just don’t understand what all entails with getting a cat better regulated with their diabetes. When I explained the forum and the success stories shared here, the tone was considerably different. I just believe it is a lack of knowledge on the matter. But I do preface to anyone who may see her. She doesn’t currently look great, but we are making good progress with her diabetes.

 

[Peter (Boo) (Peeka GA)]

ow is Boo doing

Boo is still doing extremely well. The other day, we took away the chair that helped him get to his food because we were cleaning the house, and he kept crying for his food because he is a big vocal baby. Such as Maine coons are apparently lol. After some encouragement from me, he was able to jump onto his counter with just a slight bit of help from one of the drawers. Something he has not done since we moved into the house almost 3 years ago!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

I just believe it is a lack of knowledge on the matter.

Exactly

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Boo is still doing extremely well. The other day, we took away the chair that helped him get to his food because we were cleaning the house, and he kept crying for his food because he is a big vocal baby. Such as Maine coons are apparently lol. After some encouragement from me, he was able to jump onto his counter with just a slight bit of help from one of the drawers. Something he has not done since we moved into the house almost 3 years ago!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

They have dogs and they take them everywhere and do everything they are able to with them. I do think diabetes of any type is just a different ball game and requires a different type of attention. Again, I don’t think anything was said to hurt anyone, they just don’t understand what all entails with getting a cat better regulated with their diabetes. When I explained the forum and the success stories shared here, the tone was considerably different. I just believe it is a lack of knowledge on the matter. But I do preface to anyone who may see her. She doesn’t currently look great, but we are making good progress with her diabetes.

Understood, didn't mean to suggest that they didn't care

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Boo is still doing extremely well. The other day, we took away the chair that helped him get to his food because we were cleaning the house, and he kept crying for his food because he is a big vocal baby. Such as Maine coons are apparently lol. After some encouragement from me, he was able to jump onto his counter with just a slight bit of help from one of the drawers. Something he has not done since we moved into the house almost 3 years ago!

That's great news

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Peter --

Lantus AND Prozinc are the insulins that are recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn. Peeka would do well on either. We have plenty of Prozinc users here.

The only difference may be in price. Many vets sell Prozinc. It's also available through Chewy's. Lantus, if you purchase via Marks Marine Pharmacy may end up being a bit less or pretty comparable in price per unit. (Most people buy a box of Solostar pens -- 5 pens/box.) I would not buy Lantus from your neighborhood pharmacy. You'll pay about 4 or 5 times more if you buy in the US.