Pig 4/6 pmps 176 Hanging blue...

[LuvinThisPig]

Yesterday's

I think I am going to start trying to post at night. Well, anytime that I can, really. My days run from about 10:30 am to 5:00 am the next morning. Then I wake every 2 hours during that rare 5 I sleep because I need to check on Pig. I know, higher numbers you do not have to, but anxiety issues, you know..

Pig is doing pretty good. I have found that moderation is needed even more in regards to his food. I have not adjusted his intake since being in the lower numbers. He use to eat about a 1/3 cup of watery food with shots and a 1/4 at snack times. Always seemed to sit very well and in fact he was always very hungry by meal times. He never put on any weight and he never lost any weight. Well, now it seems that that amount is just far to much. I cut him back to about 2tbs for his 2x cycle snacks and about a 1/4 with shots (which 3tbs = 1/4 I find, so I am reducing that by 1tbs at snack). It seems to be working out well. I came home to an almost flat bellied kitty (no massive bladder) and a squishy tummy (not full of waste). He numbers are hanging blue and he was playing with his tennis balls and Tail, yet again. So, moderation is key here. I finally got his Cisapride dose upped, but am waiting on word for Lactulose.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Well, he is having a good run so far! Staying blue!

What are the chances of the MiraLax, Gaba, and EZ Eggs causing some irritation in the stomach? He is not vomiting, but maybe seems a little sensitive if I press on his stomach area. Of course, his breathing is absolutely fine and he does not fuss at me until I have poked him a few times, so it could just be a case of "Jeez, Mum... Would ya back off a bits??"

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Oh! I was able to get not only his Cisapride increased, but to obtain a script of both prazosin and bethanochol as well. The prazosin is an anti-spasmotic that works on the urethra and the bethanochol is a bladder contraction medication. They have to be used in conjunction with each other, but can be used only situationally. This would allow me to treat the issue and not flood him with unnecessary medications when they are not needed. As far as travel drugs, she suggested doubling his Gaba if he was getting anxious. She said that was what they typically prescribed for situational anxiety. She also mentioned that it if perfectly safe for the kidneys and elderly cats....??

 

[Wendy&Neko]

We have a few people here whose vets have prescribed gaba as an anti anxiety for travel. Which means they are likely older cats too. On the weekend I had Easter dinner with a relative who works in a care home. She was surprised gaba was used for pets cause it's used all the time at their care home. Must be safe for older bodies. I just used Rescue Remedy for pets and sprayed the inside of the carrier with Feliway.

As Pig is spending more time in blues (good job on just using R when you need), his body is better able to use the food he takes in. No surprise he doesn't need as much now.

I've never used the combo of the eggs, gaba and miralax so can't comment on what that might be doing.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

I just used Rescue Remedy for pets and sprayed the inside of the carrier with Feliway.

Okay. I have some Feliway spray already and can order the rescue remedy as well.

As Pig is spending more time in blues (good job on just using R when you need), his body is better able to use the food he takes in. No surprise he doesn't need as much now.

Yes, this was what I was thinking. And thank you! I want to experiment with a lower dose if he is under 175 to see if I can push him into greens. But, that needs to be when I can monitor, so maybe tomorrow's am cycle. I also need to look at increasing the L, but am waiting a I am running dangerously low in Insulin and Marks is dragging their feet.

I've never used the combo of the eggs, gaba and miralax so can't comment on what that might be doing.

I also think a lot of this has to do with me being a hovering monster...lol. I just need to trust he is doing well. All signs point to him feeling remarkably better!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Marks is dragging their feet.

It was a long weekend last weekend, no mail on either Friday or Monday. You could be running into that issue. Marks is about a 25 minute drive for me.

If you get Rescue Remedy, make sure it's the one for pets. The other has alcohol in it.

 

[JeffJ]

There are blues all over Pig's chart these days. I'll bet he is feeling a lot better. And if still has neuropathy, these blues will certainly help.

I was off the forum for 1.5 days...work stuff.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

It was a long weekend last weekend, no mail on either Friday or Monday. You could be running into that issue. Marks is about a 25 minute drive for me.

Man, that is so cool! I feel like they are some fantasy place we all talk of, but really does not exist. Its like the Disney World of Diabetic Cats.. lol

 

[LuvinThisPig]

There are blues all over Pig's chart these days. I'll bet he is feeling a lot better.

Yes. He seems to be, but he has also been a bit off lately. I do not know if something is upsetting his tummy or if the blues are just so new. He was a little more spunky in the yellows, but still a bit lethargic. I think a lot has to do with the fact that I skipped a week on the B12 and Adequan owing to their cumulative nature and, in theory, you should be able to give them bi-weekly if not monthly. Well, not for him. I think because he is not regulated he burns through it faster. I noticed a big difference after the injections for a few days and then it fell off. Meaning, I need to build up that effect again.. *Sigh*

I also wonder if he is not getting some irritation from all the meds in his BID meals with insulin. He gets Gaba, MiraLax, Cisapride, EZ Egg, and Fish Oils... I am thinking I will try to space them out. As in, give the egg and fish oils separately from the others. Also, I am waiting on a new case of Weruva as he can eat this and not be constipated (if it is blended). Which means, he has been on Sheba only for a few days and the Sheba always produces a startling amount of bone silt in the bottom of the blender. It is pretty gritty and I am feeling that it causes some upset as well. Of course, it does not help that I insist on poking and prodding him all the time. However, when his bladder is swollen, that is the only way to really get a good amount to release. But, I have that issue solved with the new medications!

And, oh my am I rambling.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

Okay. So this heavy, heavy sleeping is really bothering me. It seems to only happen sporadically, but it is so scary when it does. He is not overly difficult to wake up when he does this, just more than a cat should be. I have to actually begin to lift him up before he awakes and when he does he is so startled that he will bite and attack my hand. I was doing a spot of research and it turns out that a lot of older (or younger) cats will do this. The likelihood is that he is either amidst a REM or deep sleep cycle and I am disturbing that, thus startling him something awful. I was reading the ways to wake them from this slumber. If it were neurological or sleeping seizures, I would not be able to wake him at all for something like 5-10 minutes. So, it comes down to I exhaust him with my incessant hovering and checking. I had backed off when I first got on the forums, but the recent bout with constipation and swollen bladder made me crazy again. Its the nature of my issues.. I can't not check. I am physically compelled to assuage that urge. Its so hard to describe and I feel crazy even saying that, but I refuse the medications. Thus, Pig.

So, now I will consciously talk myself out of disturbing him and instead, be satisfied with a flash light and watching his even breathing. Of course, I tried clipping those massive dog nails while he was out, but nooooo.. He woke up for that one.

 

[JeffJ]

I never had kittehs sleep that hard. Usually they are the ones to wake me up! Just like 99% of the other beans on the forum.

...and yeah, if you put all that stuff in my food, I would probably be a little off too. But I know that Pig needs it.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

I never had kittehs sleep that hard.

Neither have I! Ever!! It is just the weirdest thing. @Stacy & Asia said that Asia does this occasionally and it is because of her that I do not panic as I use to. But, I can say that it is disturbing to say the least. He is just, ironically, catatonic. Its like when you move a child from the couch to the bed. They are all limp muscle until they awake and then they are scared.

I would probably be a little off too. But I know that Pig needs it.

I agree. The Eggs themselves have helped more in the Megacolon and production of actual, solid chunks that anything else. However, I also think spacing them out will help with the offness.

 

[JeffJ]

...yeah, I'll bet he woke up for the nail clipping. The only one who tolerates it here is Chinus. I can get 3 nails before she starts squirming.

 

[LuvinThisPig]

...yeah, I'll bet he woke up for the nail clipping. The only one who tolerates it here is Chinus. I can get 3 nails before she starts squirming.

One old man dog claw at a time. Ugh! They are growing so fast now that by the time I make my rounds, the others are getting big and curled under again...
But, I will say this. No matter the struggle, I get so much pleasure out of caring for him that the numerous alarms at night to test, the medicines, the costs, the worry, and the oh so dangerous nail trimmings become therapeutic for me. It just makes me happy to know I am doing what is needed for him. In all things, these two boys bring me the joy of life in ways that no one else can. So many people think I am crazy, but there is something about the cat. I just align with them so very much.

 

[Kathy and TiTi]

Yes. He seems to be, but he has also been a bit off lately. I do not know if something is upsetting his tummy or if the blues are just so new. He was a little more spunky in the yellows, but still a bit lethargic. I think a lot has to do with the fact that I skipped a week on the B12 and Adequan owing to their cumulative nature and, in theory, you should be able to give them bi-weekly if not monthly. Well, not for him. I think because he is not regulated he burns through it faster. I noticed a big difference after the injections for a few days and then it fell off. Meaning, I need to build up that effect again.. *Sigh*

I also wonder if he is not getting some irritation from all the meds in his BID meals with insulin. He gets Gaba, MiraLax, Cisapride, EZ Egg, and Fish Oils... I am thinking I will try to space them out. As in, give the egg and fish oils separately from the others. Also, I am waiting on a new case of Weruva as he can eat this and not be constipated (if it is blended). Which means, he has been on Sheba only for a few days and the Sheba always produces a startling amount of bone silt in the bottom of the blender. It is pretty gritty and I am feeling that it causes some upset as well. Of course, it does not help that I insist on poking and prodding him all the time. However, when his bladder is swollen, that is the only way to really get a good amount to release. But, I have that issue solved with the new medications!

And, oh my am I rambling.

There's a movie starring Shirley McClaine and Debra Winger. Shirley is a helicopter mom par excellence. and Debra is her daughter. There's a scene takes place when her daughter is only a few months old. Debra's sleeping in her crib, and Shirley is afraid it's sids or a coma,, so she bends over the crib and snaps her fingers and yells. Debra wakes up and starts wailing. Her Mom says, "oh, well that's all right then," and leaves the room.

I know that you wouldn't leave Pig's side, but the rest of it might fit?

Must be quite exciting being so close to D'Day!

 

[JeffJ]

We are lucky that Leo's claws have become somewhat normal. And they don't seem to grow very fast either.

Just like you, I like taking care of Leo. About 4 times a day he says "Dad I'm starving". Sometimes only 30 minutes after the last meal. I think he likes the attention or making me get out of the study. Doesn't matter, I like checking up on him, and he gets a rubdown each time.