Please . . . What To Expect?

[CatCouple]

Buddy has been on Prozinc U-40 2 units twice a day for 12 days now. When he was diagnosed his GB was 514 and his fructosamine at 780. He goes to the Vet this coming Monday. We are very discouraged and disheartened because he is very emaciated, very weak with very weak hind legs and struggles to walk. But he does walk then rests. He is still eating but it is a struggle each meal.

Right now we are feeling hopeless and scared, but do not know if his condition is "normal" for a recently diagnosed cat 12 days into treatment. Should we be seeing any positive changes at this time? If not, when? What is the normal recovery period? Is it normal to get worse before getting better?

I know that each cat responds in his or her own unique way, but we are hoping you will share your thoughts with us on what you experienced and on where Buddy should be now as well as what to expect.

 

[BJM]

It can take some time to put back on the weight and identify the optimal dosing.

The weak hind legs may be either diabetic neuropathy or low potassium. Getting control of the glucose will help. If low potassium, the vet will need to determine that with a blood test, so ask for it. If neuropathy, methylcobalamin, a specific form of Vitamin b12 will help the recovery, too.

Are you home testing the glucose? That will help you better monitor his diabetes.
While you work on home testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additional ways to monitor his health. Those observations also will help the vet evaluate him.

 

[mirnta]

I am still trying to regulate my kitty, I think it took about month before he starting gaining his weight back, a couple months before he was no longer peeing and drinking excessively..

 

[phlika29]

You aren't alone in your experiences. The first month or so can be very disheartening but it does get better.

I would definitely pursue the test for postassium. My cat actually got weaker when he started on the insulin and he had low potassium levels. I supplement now and within a day or two his appetite had improved and so had his energy levels.

 

[Voula]

It can feel very overwhelming at first when your cat is diagnosed with diabetes. As others have said check the potassium levels as low potassium can cause weak back legs and our vet said sometimes starting insulin can further deplete potassium. All the best and please know it does get easier with time. It can take a while to see improvement as others have said.