Pumpkin- Acro DX and Lantus/Cabergoline

KAC

KAC

Member Since 2020
I'm also going to post in Acro forum.......

Pumpkin has been diagnosed with Acro. Had test from MSU. His neuropathy has gotten pretty bad because he is staying in the 400/500 range with 13 units Am/Pm of Lantus. I really need to find some relief for his wonky up and down numbers so neuropathy can improve............he is such a sweetheart.

Looking for info on cabergoline or other medicines that can help counteract the hormone storm from the tumor. Would love info on dosing for cabergoline, etc.Also, I read somewhere on a message (can't find it now) that B12 shots help with neuropathy and the muscles.

Any help anyone can give me on any of these topics is very much appreciated. :cat:
 
Hi Katrina, I am tagging @Wendy&Neko who is our expert with Acros and cabergoline.

For diabetic neuropathy, you need to give Pumpkin methlycobalamin/methyl B-12 which is given orally. The B-12 shots are cyanocobalamin and it doesn't help neuropathy. Here's a sticky on neuropathy that has a lot of useful info in it.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/feline-diabetic-neuropathy-weak-back-legs.178252/

Just linking your post in the Acro forum here - https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/pumpkin-acro-dx-and-lantus-cabergoline.239323/
 
Forgot to add - I see from your SS that there are no mid-cycle tests for the last month. Without more tests, one cannot tell how low a dose is taking the cat. Lantus dosing is based on nadirs and not pre-shots. Would it be possible for you to get another test in addition to the PS for each cycle?

Have you considered switching to Levemir?
 
I agree with above. You are raising the dose in whole units but without mod cycle tests you have no way of knowing his low your cat is going.
Sorry about the diagnosis. My cat is acro too.
 
You really need to start getting some mid cycle tests. I cannot emphasize this enough. You saw greens on 11 and 12 units, but we don't know if that was as low as Pumpkin was going. And then you increased some more. Your spreadsheet looks like you are following SLGS for dosing. In which case those greens earned Pumpkin a reduction, not an increase.

It's possible he's overdosed and bouncing. Or not. I really can't tell without mid cycle data. This may sound a bit harsh, but you should not start cabergoline until you have a better testing routine. Every cat differs, but for some cats, cabergoline makes a huge difference in dose that is needed. There is a very real danger Pumpkin will go hypo if you continue testing primarily at preshots. It's not unusual for a cat to start a cycle above 400, dive down and earn a reduction mid cycle, they soar up again by the next preshot. Neko earned many reduction starting the cycle in the 400's.

There is a way forward. Is it possible for you to get a test each and every night before you go to bed? Even a +2 or +3 will provide useful data. And get at least one test mid day for every day that you are home. Again, a +2 if you are heading out the door to work, or a +10 if coming back from work, will also help us figure out what 13 units is doing for Pumpkin.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
You really need to start getting some mid cycle tests. I cannot emphasize this enough. You saw greens on 11 and 12 units, but we don't know if that was as low as Pumpkin was going. And then you increased some more. Your spreadsheet looks like you are following SLGS for dosing. In which case those greens earned Pumpkin a reduction, not an increase.

It's possible he's overdosed and bouncing. Or not. I really can't tell without mid cycle data. This may sound a bit harsh, but you should not start cabergoline until you have a better testing routine. Every cat differs, but for some cats, cabergoline makes a huge difference in dose that is needed. There is a very real danger Pumpkin will go hypo if you continue testing primarily at preshots. It's not unusual for a cat to start a cycle above 400, dive down and earn a reduction mid cycle, they soar up again by the next preshot. Neko earned many reduction starting the cycle in the 400's.

There is a way forward. Is it possible for you to get a test each and every night before you go to bed? Even a +2 or +3 will provide useful data. And get at least one test mid day for every day that you are home. Again, a +2 if you are heading out the door to work, or a +10 if coming back from work, will also help us figure out what 13 units is doing for Pumpkin.
Click to expand...

I haven't been doing the mid cycle numbers because I was burning through strips so fast I can't afford them. I tried using the Relion brand but the numbers were way off from the Alpha Trak. I'm a teacher and testing during the day is impossible. I also work a second job at night because otherwise I couldn't afford any treatment for him. I'm doing the best I can with what I have........
 
Yes the Relion read lower, all human meters do. However, when it comes to low numbers, the AT and human meters are much closer. Our dosing methods are written for human meter numbers. It wasn't that long ago that no one used the AT - until Abbott started marketing them heavily. If strip cost is limiting you from testing, it's time to switch to a human meter and strips to keep Pumpkin safe. That's probably the number 1 reason most of us use the human meters.
 
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