Percy has diabetes

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Deborah Fitch Christner

Member Since 2016
Hi, I'm new as of last night, and was advised by a kind welcoming member to post to this forum because Percy has a skin issue. Will post pix soon. Percy is 10 years old and weighs 22 lbs. He is a big cat even w/o the extra weight and looks trim at 14-15 lbs.

Percy was dx'd last month when we took him to the vet for a Brown Recluse spider bite on his back paw--a horrible, horrible-looking wound. Percy ended up having to lose three of the four toes on that foot, and our vet said the diabetes probably affected how quickly his tissues became necrotic. He is on 8 units of Vetsulin 2x/day; he started on 6 units 2x/day, but his glucose levels were still anywhere from 450 to over 600. So our vet upped his dose and now his thirst has moderated as has his urine output. Vet said he will put him on a diet in a couple weeks after we make sure he is good at this dose. Percy is a strong, loving, purring, calm cat. He does seem better--livelier, more interested in what's going on, calmer, less grumpy. I am really worried about one thing right now: his skin. He loses hair in large patches that expand from the center out. It appears the top layer of his skin peels back from the center of a lesion, taking the hair w/it. Newly exposed skin looks inflamed. At the center of a widening lesion, the skin becomes very dark and sort of rough. Vet said apply Neosporin if I feel I have to do something (he wasn't at all obnoxious about saying that.), and that's how I do feel. Can't find an image that looks like Percy's lesions. God, they're awful (the images). So hello. I'm very glad I found Feline Diabetes online. The spot on his back is approximately six inches by probably three inches. Other smaller spots that he had earlier (like six weeks ago) are healing, it appears: hair is regrowing at the center in the dark skin area.
 
Is this a new thing or something he's had for a while now? Does he have any food allergies that you know of? I can't believe your vet is not concerned about it. That is a huge lesion.
 
StephG said:
Is this a new thing or something he's had for a while now? Does he have any food allergies that you know of? I can't believe your vet is not concerned about it. That is a huge lesion.
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It's new; couple weeks since it started as a much smaller spt. Up until the last few months, Percy has been very healthy and strong w/no skin problems. When I first saw the smaller lesions (now healing well), I thought they were ringworm because I had fosters from the shelter, it's the hot humid South, and I expect to have ringworm. But the vet said they were not ringworm and instead an indication of diabetes, besides his huge thirst and huge pees. If you pull gently on the hair at the edge of the lesion where the top layer of skin appears to be separated from the layer underneath, the hair you have hold of AND the patch of skin it's growing in both come away in your hand. I am going to call the vet, and I thought I'd ask for input here because I just joined and from what I've read so far, many of you all sound experienced, knowledgeable, and confident. Percy doesn't seem bothered by this huge bald spot on his back. Certainly doesn't affect how much he wants to eat (a lot). He is eating free-choice ProPlan which is 40 percent protein, plus a heaping tablespoon of wet food like Purina Beyond or 4Health grain-free (Tractor Supply). Usually I add a little water to the wet food.
 
StephG said:
Does it look like mange? Does he scratch it? (sorry for all the questions)
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He doesn't scratch it and it isn't swollen-looking. It's like the top layer of skin has come away from the layer beneath and is peeling back from the center of the lesion. The hair growing on it comes away w/a patch of skin by itself or if you gently tug (or are rubbing something onto the lesion). It's awful. Where the hair and top skin layer already have gone, the skin has become very dark and sort of dry; eventually new hair grows on it. At least that's what happened w/the several smaller of these lesions he had before that are healing.
 
He doesn't scratch it and it isn't swollen-looking. It's like the top layer of skin has come away from the layer beneath and is peeling back from the center of the lesion. The hair growing on it comes away w/a patch of skin by itself or if you gently tug (or are rubbing something onto the lesion). It's awful. Where the hair and top skin layer already have gone, the skin has become very dark and sort of dry; eventually new hair grows on it. At least that's what happened w/the several smaller of these lesions he had before that are healing.
 
I am not a vet. I did a quick google search describing the lesion. Have you looked up panniculitis in cats?
I know feline diabetes can cause skin and coat issues. My cat only got dull somewhat grimey looking fur.
Maybe some of the seasoned experts can help you better than I can. I would look into getting a second opinion because diabetic cats are more prone to infection.
 
Hey again and thanks. Yes, I worry about infection. And no, haven't seen panniculitis tho' I spent a lot of time yesterday looking at very unpleasant pictures and reading lots of stuff about the skin problems of diabetic cats. I think Percy was getting sick for a while before I put two and two together, because the "dull and grimy" fur you mention rings a bell for how his looked in the summer. I thought he was so fat he wasn't grooming cuz he couldn't reach all his parts. He also was exhibiting bad manners in the litter box department, which he never had done before. Now I know it was all a part of the same thing. Poor Percy. I do trust this vet -- I am very picky -- and will ask him to look at this big lesion. If I'm not satisfied, I can easily get another opinion. Plus I hope others on this forum have something to say about it. Meanwhile, I'll look up panniculitis. Thanks again. I appreciate the input and ideas.
 
I didn't put two and two together with my boy quickly either. I think he was diabetic for at least 2 1/2 months before I realized it was something that needed to be checked. I thought it was his heart because I lost a cat, Bubba, 3 years ago to congestive heart failure and he had the weight lost and muscle wasting going on too. I was happy to find out it wasn't his heart.
I hope you can find out what is causing it. Not knowing and tricky diagnosis can be hard on you and the kitty. I hope others have more insight.
 
Chris & China said:
Has he ever been tested for Cushing's Disease?

It's really quite rare in cats but one of it's hallmark signs is skin that tears easily

Here's some links about Cushing's

http://www.cat-health-guide.org/felinecushingsdisease.html

http://www.cat-lovers-only.com/cushings-disease-in-cats.html
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Update on Percy: I called my vet yesterday and updated him on what Percy's lesions look like. He said that he hadn't been as concerned because the first lesions began to heal immediately when Percy started insulin. But from what I described on the phone, he said it didn't sound as if Percy's system was effectively fighting the infection causing the lesions, so he put him on a course of antibiotics, which we started last night. The infection is bacterial and is called "Bacterial Folliculitis." That makes sense, given what I said about how the top skin layer separates, and if you pull gently on hair in the separated section, the whole thing comes off, and the skin underneath is inflamed. Follicles aren't holding the hair shafts in place due to the infection. Will keep you all posted. Thanks for input and support.
 
StephG said:
I didn't put two and two together with my boy quickly either. I think he was diabetic for at least 2 1/2 months before I realized it was something that needed to be checked. I thought it was his heart because I lost a cat, Bubba, 3 years ago to congestive heart failure and he had the weight lost and muscle wasting going on too. I was happy to find out it wasn't his heart.
I hope you can find out what is causing it. Not knowing and tricky diagnosis can be hard on you and the kitty. I hope others have more insight.
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Hi, I've posted an update re: the skin thing, "Bacterial Follliculitis." That was another thing I felt badly about--not paying enough attention to what was going on w/Percy, or misreading his clinical signs. Also, I was fooled by Percy's appetite!
 
Deborah Fitch Christner said:
That was another thing I felt badly about--not paying enough attention to what was going on w/Percy, or misreading his clinical signs.
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So many of us understand this feeling oh, so well ...

(((Deborah)))

But, as Kris wisely observes above:

We all have 20/20 hindsight, don't we? When we know better, we do better ...
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It's good that you've got a diagnosis and that Percy's now getting the treatment he needs. Sending a little prayer that he'll be feeling much better very soon.

:bighug:


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
So many of us understand this feeling oh, so well ...

(((Deborah)))

But, as Kris wisely observes above:



It's good that you've got a diagnosis and that Percy's now getting the treatment he needs. Sending a little prayer that he'll be feeling much better very soon.

:bighug:


Mogs
.
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Thanks so much! I agree. I don't dwell on what happened or didn't happen; at the same time, it felt good to express how I felt to a community of people who understand. It's a relief. Now, of course, I watch him like a hawk!
 
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