nancy & chico
Member Since 2009
Hi,
I think my cat may be trending towards a diabetic return but I need advice for next steps. This post is on the long side but I want to give you all the relevant info.
Chico was Dx with diabetes in 2008 and with the (truly invaluable) help of this board, he went OTJ in April 2009. Since then the main health issue has been recurring constipation, but all recent tests at the vet indicate that he is a healthy cat. He eats only canned Wellness, mostly chicken and sometimes turkey or chicken & herring. I mix his food with water, miralax and fiber. He is on Cisapride (provided my vet can still get it). No other medication.
Sometime in early June I noticed that the litter box, um, "aroma" was much less ammonia-y and tending toward a sweetish smell. But, water consumption was normal (which for us is practically ZERO) and urine output was normal too so I did not take any action.
I had to take him in for constipation in mid-June, and did not mention the litter box b/c it felt too minor esp in the absence of other symptoms and I wanted to contain costs. Chico is a holy terror at the vet's so she automatically ignores BG readings but I probably should have asked about fructosamine.
Anyway, right after the mid-June vet visit Chico started drinking more water, which caused me some concern as he RARELY goes near it. But it's been a hot summer in NYC and maybe he's just thirsty, I told myself. Litter box was normal until last week, when it was over-saturated - and still no strong ammonia odor. He is all about the water bowl a few days a week, not every day. Evenings seem to be his thirsty time. I've been keeping a close eye on this, as much as I am able.
I tested his BG this morning, before feeding him, and got a 95. Normal, right? But the water/urine raises a flag for me. I will continue to test his BG.
At what point do I take him to the vet? Do I need like a full week of BG over 150?
What else can I do, or monitor, in the meantime?
Thank you for any advice or direction.
I think my cat may be trending towards a diabetic return but I need advice for next steps. This post is on the long side but I want to give you all the relevant info.
Chico was Dx with diabetes in 2008 and with the (truly invaluable) help of this board, he went OTJ in April 2009. Since then the main health issue has been recurring constipation, but all recent tests at the vet indicate that he is a healthy cat. He eats only canned Wellness, mostly chicken and sometimes turkey or chicken & herring. I mix his food with water, miralax and fiber. He is on Cisapride (provided my vet can still get it). No other medication.
Sometime in early June I noticed that the litter box, um, "aroma" was much less ammonia-y and tending toward a sweetish smell. But, water consumption was normal (which for us is practically ZERO) and urine output was normal too so I did not take any action.
I had to take him in for constipation in mid-June, and did not mention the litter box b/c it felt too minor esp in the absence of other symptoms and I wanted to contain costs. Chico is a holy terror at the vet's so she automatically ignores BG readings but I probably should have asked about fructosamine.
Anyway, right after the mid-June vet visit Chico started drinking more water, which caused me some concern as he RARELY goes near it. But it's been a hot summer in NYC and maybe he's just thirsty, I told myself. Litter box was normal until last week, when it was over-saturated - and still no strong ammonia odor. He is all about the water bowl a few days a week, not every day. Evenings seem to be his thirsty time. I've been keeping a close eye on this, as much as I am able.
I tested his BG this morning, before feeding him, and got a 95. Normal, right? But the water/urine raises a flag for me. I will continue to test his BG.
At what point do I take him to the vet? Do I need like a full week of BG over 150?
What else can I do, or monitor, in the meantime?
Thank you for any advice or direction.
