? Please help. Feline acromegaly diagnosis.

[ChuChu & Friends]

Chui is such a dear friend. I've googled all the forums and tried to learn but we are lost. Took him in for a routine checkup. His Glucose Index was over 500. We started with one vet, one insulin. No change and rapidly worsening health. We have now spent just 3 months going from vet to vet to feline internal specialist at a clinic, and gone from Vetsulin to Lantus (third week on.) My Chui has been on nothing but good hi protein foods (and chicken) always. He was always so healthy. A wonderful friend. In 2 months he has gone from a healthy seeming cat to a sad, frightened looking person who is ravenous at all times and drags his back legs. I try to follow him around when I'm home to help him in and out of the litter box and onto the couch beside me, the only time he seems almost content. We've gone from reassuring weekly responses from our vets that he would very likely get better ("and we often see complete remissions") to yesterday's prognosis of "we're probably looking at 4 to 6 weeks." I work full time and am so sad to leave him every morning I can hardly think. Does anyone have any advice? thoughts? anything? We just did a Glucose curve. His first number was 462. His end of the day number was the same and no more than 10 pts different all day. The insulin isn't having any effect. Hasn't ever seemed to have any effect. The DM food he's been on for 3 months has had no effect. Please, I know this is probably not what I'm supposed to write for an intro, but I am desperate. I don't know what to do.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Welcome to the board. I am so sorry that you have gone through so much with Chui. I think it would be a good idea for you to create a signature so that Chui's pertinent information is all in one place and available with each of your posts. You can see my signature below my post in the gray text. Just click on the blue text here for a link to the instructions: SIGNATURE
Are you home testing Chui's BG to see how the insulin is affecting him? We have a spreadsheet to record that data and members will ask you for that information in order to offer suggestions, advice and help. Here is a link to the SPREADSHEET
There is a treatment for the neuropathy (weak back legs), it takes time but is effective. You may need to take some time to educate yourself a little more about Lantus, and here is a link to the Lantus forum. Read the stickies at the top and you can ask questions there. LANTUS
There is also a forum dedicated to Acromegaly cats..but first perhaps get some information from the more experienced and knowledgeable members in the Lantus forum.
We wish you well and want to help you cope with Chui's treatment and hopefully help you to a better prognosis. Members here have dealt with all the aspects of Feline Diabetes, 24/7 and some for many years.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello and welcome. Has Chui had any tests to confirm he has acromegaly? By the way, one in four diabetic cats has it, as did my Neko. She lived 5 years on insulin. Yes, always on insulin, but I eventually got her regulated and she was fairly content.

Home testing and good low carb wet or raw food (don't need the DM) will help.