Rocky - update after hypo

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Marlena

Marlena

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I'm not sure what to think about Rocky.
As expected his BG was higher for 2 days after hypo episode but I kept him on a very small dose.
This morning his BG was 5.5 so I decided not to give any insulin. Lunch time BG 5.1 - very good again.
This evening Rocky is unsettled so tested him and gave him a very small meal at +11. When I tried to test him again at PMPS he was clearly nauseous and his BG went up to 9.9. I gave him some ranitidine (Zantac).
Now, is he nauseous because he has got upset GI tract and it would cause BG to go up or is his BG higher because he did not have any insulin in the morning? I don't know what to think.
Does anyone have any idea? Would appreciate some advice here.
 
And another thing:
I have noticed that Rocky sort of burps or it looks like food comes up to his throat about 10- 20 minutes after eating.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Well, nausea can definitely raise levels, Marlena. That'd be my vote. It would have been dicey to give insulin in the 5s, right?
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Yes, I did not want to give him insulin as he just had hypo and I want to see how he is doing without insulin.
But I think with an upset tummy it is risky to give insulin as he might be vomiting.
That's my thinking.
 
Maybe just give him awhile and see if his tummy settles down, and if his numbers lower. Definitely not good to give insulin on an empty, upset tummy. No ideas about the burping - ask the vet?
 
Marlena said:
I have noticed that Rocky sort of burps or it looks like food comes up to his throat about 10- 20 minutes after eating.
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Acid reflux? Gastroparesis?

Does Rocky do OK with slippery elm bark, Marlena? That might help. Also has he ever had problems with chronic pancreatitis (eating can trigger GI upset) or neuropathy (can be at the root of gut motility problems).

For information, with Saoirse as soon as I stopped her insulin treatment she started showing signs of nausea even though her BG levels were in the normal range - the tiny drop of Lantus she was getting once a day just before going OTJ seemed to help her pancreas in some way (she had impaired fasting BG levels even after technically achieving remission and it was only through feeding every 3-4 hours that I kept her BG levels in the normal range when the specialist refused to allow her to go back on Lantus). I've also read about a few other pancreatitis kitties here whose symptoms got worse after their insulin treatment was finished. Maybe ask your vet whether skipping a dose might potentially cause a GI upset? (Just brainstorming here.)

NB: I know nothing about Rocky's insulin type and nothing I've written above should be taken in any way, shape or form as a dosing suggestion.


Mogs
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Mogs, thank you so much! Your advice is, as always invaluable!
I suspect acid reflux, GERD or whatever we want to call it. Gastroparesis - maybe not as Rocky is always hungry and would always eat, no matter what. With gastroparesis one has a swollen tummy and eating is a problem as food is sitting in the stomach undigested and it feels very uncomfortable. He is settling down on Zantac at the moment but I will include slippery elm in some meals - no problem.
Today I started probiotics (Bioglan) as after long course of antibiotics for his urinary infection he really needs that. At the moment everything is good.
As far as I know Rocky never had pancreatitis unless he has a lower grade problem and does not display usual symptoms which is a possibility. The only symptom which would match pancreatitis is vomiting but it never happens more then once a day, usually happens when he is hungry and eats too fast and vomits straight away and is ready to eat again without any problems or sometimes there is something in the food which upsets him like larger pieces of meat which he swallows and than brings it all up undigested (sorry about being so graphic). His tests at the vet's are usually slightly raised (fPL) so she said to repeat that in 3 months time and do another one at the laboratory. Blood enzymes are normal.
 
Marlena said:
sorry about being so graphic
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When it comes to kitty health I'm cool with graphic, Marlena. ;)

Marlena said:
He is settling down on Zantac at the moment
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I've read on Tanya's Site that Zantac can help with gut motility as well as excess acid.

Marlena said:
Today I started probiotics (Bioglan) as after long course of antibiotics for his urinary infection he really needs that.
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Gut dysbiosis might be another reason for the symptoms of GI upset. I hope the probiotics do Rocky a power of good.

I'm really glad that Rocky's doing better (anti-jinx). I hope that you, too, are feeling better than you were last month, Marlena.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
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Thank you so much my dear Mogs!
Rocky is doing so well (anti-jinx) - either no insulin or a tiny dose on BG above 7 as he went hypo again on Friday! This time I gave him some high carb food and a bit of honey straight away. I could not believe it!
I have also concluded that he has a problem with fish (allergy or some kind of intolerance) as he always vomits if I give him fish oil capsule or some freshly cooked fish! I don't know how many times I have repeated the same mistake (giving him fish) and getting him sick before I laid in my head (cotton wool instead of brain these days I'm afraid) that he can't tolerate fish (oh, fish is so healthy and we need Omega3 ha ha ha!).
And I'm feeling a lot better, still struggling when I have too much to do and long day at work is particularly difficult but I'm so full of hope that my health is going to improve.

Mogs, how are you coping and how is Lunasa doing?
I always think of you and it gives me such good feeling about you when I see you taking part in other members posts and giving your support to those who need it.
If you rather not discuss your situation like that we can always talk more privately, it would be great to hear from you.
Thanks again for your input, very helpful but I might have more questions! How about that?
 
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