Remission unlikely ?

[smiley747]

The vet i saw today said not to think about remission because very very few cats achieve remission. That's Not What I thought.

 

[SpecklesandMe]

Here's some info on what factors influence remission: http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/cvc-highlight-what-influences-diabetic-remission-cats
" From 17% to 67% of cats with diabetes mellitus have been reported to go into spontaneous clinical remission after insulin treatment is initiated."

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

It really depends on a lot of things. Some cats just aren't going to reach remission, their pancreas is too damaged. But newly diagnosed kitties have a pretty good odds of remission with a good diet, some time on a good insulin (Lantus, Levimir, Prozinc, PZI) and someone who is willing to put in the time to hometest and work on it.

We've been very lucky and our Smokey and all 3 fosters up to now have reached remission. Smokey lost remission about 1.5yrs after with a lg mass on her pancreas, Cecil, ChrisFarley, and Sly are all still in remission 16mo, 10mo, and 3mo. We switched to a low carb wet food, used Lantus insulin following the Tight Regulation protocol, and home tested a lot.

 

[Mogmom and Goofus]

It took about 5 months, but it finally happened for Goof, don't let your hopes be dashed.

 

[granadilla]

My cat went into remission after 2 weeks and 5 days on insulin. The vet I saw said it was very rare. She had steroid-induced diabetes so I don't know if that makes it more likely that they'll go into remission once the steroids are out of their system. The vet tech acted like she didn't believe me when I called to tell them she went into remission.

I think most vets aren't used to people like us who test, switch food, and keep track of what's going on so closely. Because of that, I think most vets prescribe a slightly lower dose so the cat doesn't go hypo, and they call it a day.

Is your kitty on insulin? Not all cats go OTJ, but I joined this board in June and since then I've seen several other cats go OTJ too.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Search 'OTJ Celebration' (titles only filter) and look at all the kitties that have gone into remission just here at fdmb. We've even got at least 3 getting close to a trial right now.

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

Lyresa, I posted this on her other post. Hopefully the vet will consider that. And that is just Lantus and Levemir kitties!
328 LL KITTIES OTJ SINCE FEBRUARY 2008
Pelusa Raja* Bruce Scruffy Noisy Cyrano Chuck Cosmo Tobias Flamie Thomas Brutus Abby Alex Lexie Tom Smokie Friday Chloe Calliope Natasha Gracie Alex Shadow Grover Fluffy Mary Rocket Petie Harley Karre* Venice Butcher BigMac* Ti-Mi Zoe Devo Tuxedo Pumpkin Oscar Morrie Olivia Fuzzy Riggs Cobra Chip Rosco Emo Jake Peepee Nosey Lucy Kato Tom Rascal Cream Chico Casper Maui Crash Blackjack Joey Arlene Tom Kahuna Big Boy Mika Buster Grey Boy Smokie Spooky Cruiser Sparky* Miss Kitty Raistlin Boo Seamus Marco Tizon Scar Alex* Black Kitty Guinness Beethoven Jesse Moon Barry Beeker Raja Nefeli Rocky Tummy Callie Milo Grace Matty Porky Scruffy Luna MEL Tommy Indy Jasper Velcro Max Maximus Mally Dillan Webber Sami Basil Quincy Tasha Spot Donovan Smokey Max Hank Jasmine Boomer Kitty Max Baby Scrabble Tugger Jake Pedro Supermax Jezebel Nay Vesta Tuffy Magnolia Ducky Maggie Six Heart Trey Milo Lily Bandit Yoda Johnny Weeble Achilles Muffin Trouble Savannah Sue Esmeralda Skipper Bid Gimli Mowgli Shadow Frip Tinkerbell Cinnamon Austin Morpheus Haley Khan Leonard Mocha Jo Latte Julius Gracie D Simba Binks Choco Daniel Noxin Tasha Kushi Java Yemala Billy D'Artagnan Cedric Titus Checkers Garfunkel Curry Angel Simon Cow Junior CheekyFace Gobnait Mr. Howell S'mores Jynx Star Cinco Ahmin Lug Max Apollo Mr. Tinkles Smokey Milo Shanga Atticus Sam Siam Mikey Elie Tiki Kitty Vyktor Kiwi Ruby Lucy Mooch Boo Simon Mr. Kink Buca Wonton Salem Daphne Scooter Tucker Orange Jasper Max Kismet Katmandu Fur Ball Jasmine Shadow Red Hoot BJ Bast Molly Honey Ruben Jackson Molly Rocky Wink Angie Chyna Soldier Mego Star Leo Gobbles Zoey Timber Cain Cleo Purrcee Scamper Willie Kitty Hardey Lucky Nikki Sammy Oliver Twist Beast Jupiter Harley Farine Charlie Bucky Onyx Elian Pixie Miou Tootoo Monet Clyde Shadow MrCat Twice Errol Sassy Jerry Scooter Samantha Freddie Boots Jersey Davidson Dimitri Juno Pixie Boomer Trixie Oliver Peyton Zack Mona Mottyl Rocky Tyler Cairo Skunky Bobby Shadow Charlie Juju Chris Farley Dasher Obie Remi Henry Lolly Blackie Tonka Rooh Rosa Panther Elizabeth Jubalee Eddie Zeke Jack Spaz Sly Fred Chi Chi Michael Frodo SHILOH

 

[Jeanne]

My Max went into remission after 3month on prozinc. We are almost on 8 month now. And loving it.

 

[smiley747]

Thank you all for the encouragement. Its been a very very difficult week to say the least so i will try to stay positive about remission

 

[Asrael]

I believe in it! Trouble isn't in remission yet- and he was undiagnosed for a long time (maybe a year that he was showing symptoms) and he has done so wonderfully with tight regulation, hometesting and diet.. he is already on .5 u (compared to the 2 he was started on). I 100% believe it is possible for him to reach remission. And interestingly enough our vet- who is just a normal vet- (didn't think we needed to home test etc.. although she supports us doing so) Was very positive about him going into remission and said that it 100% could happen- she has seen it alot

I love your profile picture

 

[AZJenks]

Don't get discouraged. Anything is possible! Recently there was a kitty named Blackie who went off the juice after five years.

 

[Cat Ma]

Check out the OTJ/Honeymooner's Club where many cats are in remission: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/honeymooners-otj.13/

CJ's vet said CJ would be "diabetic for life" because she has been on steroids a long time. But CJ went into remission in less than 3 weeks with a change in diet and some insulin and is still in remission after over 3 months. Some cats become diabetic because of steroids, some don't. Each Cat is Different. At FDMB. there is always hope and help.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I have had 15 diabetic cats and only one has went into remission.

 

[milosmommy]

My baby MILO (RIP) was in remission for years. He was diabetic the first time for about 1.5 years when I found these boards. Got him in remission for several years, then in December we aren't sure what happened but he became diabetic again. We could not get him regulating. In the end he had some sort of reaction to the meds during a teeth cleaning and passed away (found out he had a tumor at the base of his brain too).

It takes work but it can happen. I know even if he had stayed on insulin and hadn't been in remission for those years he still could have had a good quality life. The people here are great support and sometimes following their advice (even if different from vet who might not know much about diabetes) helps.

Good luck...
Meredith now Alliesmommy just in for a visit with some old friend

 

[manxcat419]

There are no guarantees - some cats, as already mentioned, can achieve remission and others can't. But don't let your vet put you off trying. When I told my vet Rosa was diet controlled and hadn't had insulin in 2 weeks, they said they'd 'heard of that, but not seen it for themselves'. But they wanted me to keep her numbers between 180 and 300 - that's fairly common advice from vets from what I can understand. I mostly followed the Lantus Tight Regulation protocol with her (with some adjustments here and there for things I simply couldn't do some days) and, after 3 months on insulin and now 5 months off it again, she even tests in the normal range at the vet on their lab machine. They're surprised every time - and I'm delighted that what I learned here got her further than they thought was possible. We're now doing battle with CRF with her and that may change things depending on how she responds to treatment and what we have to do with her diet, but remission IS possible...and if you look at Rosa's spreadsheet in my signature, you can see how far she came from readings over 600 all the way down to normal range and off insulin in just 3 months.

 

[pevsfreedom]

The vet i saw today said not to think about remission because very very few cats achieve remission. That's Not What I thought.

Luna's been in remission twice.

 

[Rusty/Jen & Ernie]

Keep fighting the good fight, loving on that kitty, & everything will fall in the place that it should. Here is our remission success! http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/approaching-the-1-month-otj-mark.144241/#post-1495718

 

[BJM]

Good control is the place to start, with a happy, healthy cat as a result.
If you also get diet-control, that's great.
Of 3 diabetics I've worked with, just 1 became diet-controlled (Dusty, who belonged to someone who couldn't home-test due to arthritis and vision issues).

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

If you want to watch one of these 'rare' events, visit Coral's condo today and help cheer her on:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...tj-trial-day-1-pic-added.144742/#post-1501723

If you want to see one that's working toward it very quickly, down to .1 unit - yes, that's a needleful - visit Harry's condo:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/9-22-harry-pmbg-93.144732/#post-1501921

.

 

[smiley747]

My baby MILO (RIP) was in remission for years. He was diabetic the first time for about 1.5 years when I found these boards. Got him in remission for several years, then in December we aren't sure what happened but he became diabetic again. We could not get him regulating. In the end he had some sort of reaction to the meds during a teeth cleaning and passed away (found out he had a tumor at the base of his brain too).

It takes work but it can happen. I know even if he had stayed on insulin and hadn't been in remission for those years he still could have had a good quality life. The people here are great support and sometimes following their advice (even if different from vet who might not know much about diabetes) helps.

Good luck...
Meredith now Alliesmommy just in for a visit with some old friend

Soooo very sorry for your loss. I just lost Molly on Friday - she wasn't even sick that I knew of. I can relate. Thanks for being so thoughtful to stop by with some encouragement. xx

 

[Harley and Duke]

Never say never! My Harley was diagnosed 2.5 years ago, we changed his diet to wet food and purine DM dry and did a 2 week round of insulin (1 unit of Lantus 2x day) and then he went into remission for 2.5 years! We just started insulin again and hoping for similar results.

 

[ebuckley]

Stick as best you can to the protocol...its your best chance. Napa is on day 6 without insulin...on pace for second honeymoon (/anti-jinx). She'd be long gone without this community supporting us.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

The vet i saw today said not to think about remission because very very few cats achieve remission. That's Not What I thought

Hi,
As you've seen from the above posts, remission is a fairly common occurrence around here. So don't lose hope!

However, the reality is that remission isn't possible for all kitties.
Please be reassured though that kitties can live good lives even if they are insulin-dependent. My cat has been on insulin for nearly 9 years, and he's had a great life.

Eliz