Pita’s Plan 2019

Caitlin M

Caitlin M

Very Active Member
Hello wonderful people and fur babies! Hope this new year has been going well for everyone so far. I check in every day but haven’t posted in what feels like months so I wanted to write a little update. Pita has been doing very well aside from yelling at us when he wants to go outside! Matt and I consider him to be in remission (again!) but still test for both PS because he loves it and even begs to be tested. Plus I’d rather test when he doesn’t need it rather than stop testing and then he doesn’t like it if he needs it again. Either way he always gets excited when I walk towards the bathroom even if it has nothing to do with him! He has had some higher numbers than what we’d consider remission numbers but we have a plan! If Pita is above 140 ish for two full days (4 tests) we will shoot 0.1 units. An example would have been this morning! We were planning to shoot if he’d been higher again, but of course he heard us talking and changed his tune :rolleyes: We both think that as of right now this is our best plan and I think Pita agrees. Sending love to everyone!
 
I think it sounds like a good plan. And I agree with you and Matt that Pita is in Pita's version of remission. I would keep scattering occasional tests in the mid-cycle times just to make sure that the majority of the day he's under 120. I love that you're all getting a nice little break. I hope it stretches on and on and on this time!
 
Sounds like an excellent plan, Caitlin. It's great that Pita is doing so well! Always glad to hear from you!
 
Happy hump day everyone!
 

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Lol...ummm, Caitlin? You realize most of the country is buried in a polar vortex right now, right? They might be a little jealous of Pita showing off his belly in the warm LA sunshine over there. ;):p:D
 
PS I love seeing another kitty who can walk on a leash! Do both of yours? Or just Pita?
 
Djamila said:
PS I love seeing another kitty who can walk on a leash! Do both of yours? Or just Pita?
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Omg I know! When I saw your pic of Sam I was so happy. Soo they both enjoy going outside but Brat tends to hang out more on the stoop with the occasional energy spurt to explore. Pita literally gets mad if he can’t walk up and down the street! They’ve both started meowling at us every day to go outside.
Also- on slightly unrelated news- Matt started a full time job on Monday! So that’s been awesome :) And since that strange day, Pita has been happy and back to normal. We are still keeping a watchful eye but hopefully that was it.
 
Djamila said:
Lol...ummm, Caitlin? You realize most of the country is buried in a polar vortex right now, right? They might be a little jealous of Pita showing off his belly in the warm LA sunshine over there. ;):p:D
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I do hope that everyone living in those areas are staying warm and safe! It’s unreal to see.
 
I know well the meowing/yelling at the door to go out. Sam gets quite vocal and he will. not. stop. until I get up and take him out. I make Sam stay in the yard, but it's a big yard so he has plenty of space to explore and trees to scratch and bushes to rest under. It's too easy for him to escape when the door opens, so I want him trained to think that the edge of the property is as far as he can go. It's worked so far. Both times he snuck past me he stopped before running into the street and waited for me to come pick him up.

Atty does NOT walk on the leash. He's good about letting me put the harness on him, but then he flops over and plays dead. It's hilarious. He won't walk at all once it's on him. I can drag him around with the leash and he still won't stand up. So no outdoors for him. He's cool with that though because he's been indoors his whole life and doesn't want to go out anyway. When the door opens he runs and hides.

Congrats to Matt on the new job! That's so exciting!!! Does he like it so far?

It's been interesting watching Pita's journey. It looks like those little micro-doses nudged him back down again. Seems like a good system to just give him little boosts when he needs some help, and leave him alone when his pancreas can handle it. Could you ask him to talk to Sam? I wouldn't mind getting a little break from this myself!
 
Congrats to Matt on the new job!!!!! That's awesome! Let us know how he likes it.

Haha, yes we've even had too much cold in Alabama to go out for the last few days. My cats have been cuddling together on the couch and that's a miracle! It's supposed to warm up here soon though...
 
Hi everyone! Things are going well here just been pretty busy. Wanted to take a moment to update on meters for me. I bought the Relion Premier Compact meter the other day to have and because a box of $100 test strips is cheaper than the box of 50 strips I've been buying off ADW for the Confirm. Well, I know it's only going from a 0.3 to a 0.5 blood sample but holy crap! I just tried to do a midday test and maybe it just wasn't the best test but I couldn't get enough blood for the Premier size! It just worries me a bit because although I don't HAVE to switch meters, the cost savings can obviously go back to the boys' food or something. Anywho, just thought it was crazy and it freaked me out a little that I feel like I couldn't get enough blood for it. But maybe it was just a one-time thing-plus I know I've had trouble getting enough for the Confirm at times also...:rolleyes:
 
I've used a 0.5 blood sample since the beginning. I promise it's possible. Maybe go back to some of the earlier tricks and see if it helps while you get used to it - especially things like putting a little Vaseline or Neosporin on the ear first, so that the blood beads up better. And making sure it's warm -- although in LA that probably isn't a problem (unless you have the a/c up). Oh, and maybe go back to the larger lancets. I use 30's during the winter and 33's during the summer.

I also wonder if the strips just "sip" a little differently and it might take a little getting used to that? I did use the AT2 briefly and honestly didn't feel like the blood amount was that much different. Of course that was back when Sam was still a wild child and I had to move so fast I didn't really have time to think anyway....so it might be more of a difference than I remember. ;)
 
Hi Caitlin!!! Sorry to pop this thread again but I was wondering where you guys were :smuggrin:. Late congrats but CONGRATS TO PITA:otj:!!! ***anitjinxing***
Hope you are well on the West coast! Also, Hi Brat (I think) and Matt, don't want you feeling left out :bighug:
 
Yong said:
Hi Caitlin!!! Sorry to pop this thread again but I was wondering where you guys were :smuggrin:. Late congrats but CONGRATS TO PITA:otj:!!! ***anitjinxing***
Hope you are well on the West coast! Also, Hi Brat (I think) and Matt, don't want you feeling left out :bighug:
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Hi Yong (and everyone!). We are all alive, is really the extent of how things are going right now. Had a devastating family event happen that is still continuing, Matt lost his job, so now we're both unemployed and mentally I'm not doing well. Cats, however, are good (thank god)! Pita still has lovely numbers when we test- dear Christ, anti-jinx- because I selfishly can not handle it if he goes back on insulin right now. He and Brat have actually both lost 2 lbs- don't freak out! They go outside every day for at least 30 minutes, usually longer and they both WALK the entire time. I had Matt weigh them each and Pita is 14lbs, Brat is 17. At first I was freaked out because oh no! And I was worried that they both had something going on, but I was reminded of their new LA lifestyle. They both eat/graze all day long and we don't hold back food if they're asking for it. So yeah, cats are good. Life not so much, which is also probably why i haven't really posted here in a while- nothing (positive) to say. I do hope everyone else is doing well! I appreciate the check in :)
 
Awww I'm sorry to hear you guys aren't doing so well :bighug::bighug::bighug:. Glad to hear the boys are doing well and enjoying their LA lifestyle. Maybe they can give some of their good vibes to their parents ;). Let us know if we can do anything to help you two:bighug:.
 
Hello everyone! It has obviously been a very long time (again) since I’ve posted and it’s unfortunately not a whole lot better than it had been in May, just different reasons. I’m doing better mentally- on medication, in recovery/therapy for some lifelong stuff and loving the family I work part time for. So that’s all amazing and I’m really happy about that. However, we are most likely (98%) having to move out of our apartment by September first because we literally don’t have rent. I pay every single other thing, I just can’t cover that. I have already started looking for other jobs, but we also pay way too much for only a Studio. No biggie. I’ll figure it out. The reason however for this long rant (you knew I’d get there eventually) is teeth. The boys had their yearly check ups on Monday and aside from their usual car sickness, did great jobs! They each have good weights, ears look good, etc etc. We had wanted to do bloodwork since they are older now but we couldn’t swing it even with our CareCredit card (not a high enough amount, no they won’t approve for more, I’ve tried a couple times), so it’s fine for now. However, of course- one of Pitas teeth is officially resorbed and a couple still don’t look great. A couple of Brats are starting to also not look so hot either. I straight up told her about what was happening housing wise and I felt horrible because I just couldn’t do it, so we talked about trying to gently brush their teeth and just go from there. I know cats hide their pain. A lot. Pita eats- a lot. All day and all night now too- I have to set two feeders for 12 and 2 am! Anywho, I know they hide pain and it absolutely kills me to know that one tooth is already ‘gone’ and it’s a horrible thing. Is there ANYTHING I can do to slow the process down or help ease the pain that he may (probably) be having?! I’m honestly trying to just keep my head up and remind myself that I love them and I know I am a damn good mother. When I adopted them I was in a completely different place in my life and had way more money and knew I could do whatever needed to be done. As we all know, things change and don’t always go our way so I’m trying not to beat myself up over not being able to do this. Thank you all for reading :bighug:
 
Hi Caitlin! I'm so sorry to hear you're going through a rough patch right now! I imagine the stress from that is a lot, so sending lots of love to you and your fur babies that you'll find a job quickly and be able to get back on your feet.

Meanwhile, I would suggest posting your question about dental health out on the Main Forum. i know there have been threads where people have talked about different products, water additives, etc. to help with teeth, but I don't know what they are off the top of my head. I think @FurBabiesMama might have some ideas as well.

You might also try contacting DCIN (Diabetic Cats in Need). I'm not sure if they can help with things like this or not, but it never hurts to ask. They may be able to help with the vet expense for Pita. You could also try a gofundme to see if you could get any donations that way. Every little bit helps.

I'm not on here much these days, but got a notification about your post so I wanted to stop in and say hi!
 
I'm so sorry about the situation you are in. I am not saying this to make you feel any worse than you already do, but dental issues are not only painful but become very serious if left untreated. My Willow (17) has a long history of issues with resorption. When the first ones were discovered years ago, and she had her first extractions, the difference in her afterwards was amazing and made me feel bad for not having known the issues were there sooner. I had never seen obvious signs of pain or even discomfort. Last year, she ended up having a very bad infection that had even gotten into the bone. The dental specialist was shocked at how bad it was once he got in there, and with the way it looked, he even sent it off for a biopsy (thankfully, it was negative). It had barely been a year since her last exam/x-rays, and there had been no indication of the issue with that tooth. So, it had come on the scene and gotten to the point of being really bad within that time. Anyway... again, I am not trying to make you feel worse. I share this because I want to recommend, as Djamila did, that you see if you can find help in paying for the dental work that is needed. There could be an organization in your area that will help with it.

As far as dental care, our dental specialist recommends the supplement 1-TDC as well as PetSmile toothpaste. These will not replace the need for dental treatment but can help maintain dental health.

Hugs and best wishes for you and your babies. :bighug:
 
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