** FOR CONVENIENCE ** REPOSTING LULU'S HISTORY FROM THE PDF ABOVE (might be a bit more accessible as a forum post for members reading this thread

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LULU diabetes thread
Trying to condense this and hoping for help from your forum Iʼve just registered to as hit crisis point since Christmas! I have been a pet owner of Persian pet
cats for years and give them top quality care.
My 11yr8month Persian cat was diagnosed with diabetes at half year vet check in June 2017 - via full blood diagnostics done. Had no symptoms prior to
diagnosis other than slight weight loss (ie i was unaware she had a problem). Lulu been on ProZinc since - (vet advised the best insulin for cats) starting at 1
unit twice a day, then 2, then 2.5. (Had lesson on how to inject and am confident administering it).
Went to vets twice since for in-house glucose curve test and vet dropped dose again to 2units twice per day. Vet happy with Luluʼs progress and my dealing
with her.
Gradually appetite increased rapidly to begging for anything I was eating and going off her own food. Own vet away for 3 weeks over December - so saw a
colleague at the practice as typically Luluʼs symptoms had got worse quickly and I was concerned with rapid weight loss since since she wasnʼt eating,
refusing all cat foods, canned tinned tuna, salmon, and fresh chicken I tried to tempt her with. Vet duly concerned and advised she had no fat or muscle left
to loose and gave her 2 months. Also found an uppper tooth infection whereby her bite had caused an ulcer in the lower bite below. Vet took bloods, gave 2
week antibiotic injection for the tooth (which should come out but Lulu would be too weak for anaesthetic etc). Bought myself an ALphaTrak2 cat/dog
diabetes glucose monitor (same as vet practise had used) But had struggled to take tests so had a lesson from vet nurse and mastered it! I asked if she
could have a Vitamin B12 injection to stimulate appetite but vet not keen to give so didnt. Asked for a food I could give to get her eating (diabetic diet has
disagreed with her tummy so prior to this been on her normal wet senior pate food and Royal Canin Persian 30 dry fro grazing) but vet said important not to
change her diet at this stage. Went away thinking what diet, since sheʼs not eating!
Took glucose readings over 2 days and back to same vet for recheck few days later with the readings but got feeling not deemed as helpful as readings up
and down like a roller coaster. Inbetween Lulu had not eaten much - even taking to pinching a piece of chocolate cake off worktop - so something very wrong.
Vet at a loss what to suggest, recommending referral to Royal Vetinerary Collage Hosp - which I was insterested in (pet insured on continuing claim albeit
contribution costs involved) until when questioned what they would do the main focus was for a new glucoseʼs monitoring gadget fixed under the skin by
anaesthetic - in order to obtain accurate glucose readings any time and to highlight the highs and lows. Seeing as anesthetic deemed dangerous for tooth -
now surprised ok for this - Asked if they would remove tooth too whilst under anaesthetic but told unlikely. Asked for quote.
Meantime Lulu had vomited with slight blood that I showed to own vet back off holiday. Things got worse since she was loosing more weight and eating
absolutely nothing, and stopped begging for my food (last Thursday). Referral quote between £3-6000, a long way away and I do not want to put my elderly
pet through days of stress and invasive testing pulse anesthetic and probably not her back. If she was to die I wanted her to be at home, but she would
surely die without food. Researched all to do with ProZinc, Diets and everything in my quest to help Lulu. Obtained Hills a/d restoration palatable diet which is
high protein and low carbs (ideal for diabetes) from another vets (mine donʼt stock the brand!) as have used this lifeline product before - just been
apprehensive since it could increase glucose levels. A miracle as Lulu took to it. Have been feeding little and often since (4/5 times a day) building her up and
her weight is gradually increasing. Donʼt know how long i can continue to feed her this product, but she is happier, ready to eat and looking brighter.
Found warning on ProZinc website to ‘stop giving ProZinc if cat vomits or does not eatʼ - no vet warned me of this and I wonder if this caused the blood in
vomit.
Also been researching sDiabetic Ketoacidosis and Luluʼs symptoms of rapid weight loss, loss of appetite and vomiting were amongst the symptoms flagged
up. Appears this is only diagnosed via Urine diagnostic test and doesnʼt necessarily show up in blood tests - sheʼs not had a urine test for months as always
has a small bladder when at the surgery. I have done urine dip tests with the strips and taken a photo or the strip immediately after the test, but vets donʼt
seem to find it helpful!
Am at point now, where Lulu is better than she was, still eating the Hills a/d plus a little Royal Canin Gastric wet food given by my vet and she has gained a
little weight. I have requested a simple ultrasound at my vet surgery to flag up if there is anything else going on with her organs so i at least know if there is
another underlying condition going on (especially as ‘investigation of the liver may be consideredʼ was a comment by the lab technician on the last blood test
reports - when the first vet had said her bloods didnʼt highlight anything else was wrong)! In readiness for ultrasound I hoped would happen on Monday I took
glucose readings the day before and they are more balanced and between the high-low guidelines. But the first vet is apparently the only vet best qualified to
do the ultrasound and she was away last week and training this week until Friday - or else I could be referred - guess where - the RVCH again - miles away. I
have asked for another quote since it seems they are suggesting ultrasound of chest, kidneys, liver, etc, and possible X-rays and under sedation... not been
forthcoming yet. I can feel the £s they want me to spend racking up. Meantime the week is progressing and I want to know where I am am with this. A good
friend has suggested going to her good vet practise for the ultrasound and I have managed to obtain my pets records, but then I either probably have to
switch vets long term.
Does anyone have any info they can offer to help with the ups and downs of the glucose readings, symptoms of loss of appetite and severe weight loss,
occasional vomited (symptoms I am now dealing with temporarily) and is it worth the ultrasound/s and at which vets!? All my pets are cared for into their old
age but I cannot see the merit in stressful testing and days away from home for an elderly animal as they can never give her many more years. I just want to
be able to manage Luluʼs illness as best as possible so she can remain comfortable and happy in her own home for as long as she has left. Thank you for
reading this epic missive!
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