Sasha, male, need feedback

[seamist]

I haven't posted in a long time because my life has been too chaotic. My 2 year old son was diagnosed with severe allergies and now asthma, and I sadly have been trying to find new homes for our three cats.

In the meantime my husband decided that Sasha no longer has diabetes. He has no evidence of this, since he does not do blood testing. Nevertheless, I am hoping he is right. My husband stopped giving Sasha his Lantus shots two weeks ago. I told him it was dangerous and may result in the cat's death, but he would not listen.

The cat is still alive and seems fine, active, happy. Since we are looking for a new home for him and the other cats, I thought I better see how his diabetes is doing. This morning at 6 am before eating his blood glucose was 146. At 7 am, one hour after eating Friskies canned liver and chicken dinner, it was 99. What does this mean? (keep in mind he has had no insulin injections for 2 weeks)

Please give me your feedback, but don't judge me too harshly.

Sheryl

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

I'm guessing that in order for a cat to be in remission, his #s would need to be below 100, but above 50 on a consistent basis. I'm guessing that he's not 100% in remission, however, there are those on here that are much more knowledgeable than I am about this sort of thing.

Personally, your husband shouldn't have withdrawn the insulin from Sasha until you know for sure if Sasha IS truly in remission. You're right... It could be extremely dangerous for your cat, and perhaps deadly if Sasha doesn't get the insulin that he desperately needs.

I hope that someone on here can see your post immediately. I wish you luck in finding homes for your furbabies.

 

[Lori in Ohio]

Why don't you do a curve for a whole day to see how high or low his BG is for a whole day.
You will know more by viewing that information.

It could be that he is more borderline diabetic right now, depending on his diet.

You will need to make sure who ever takes Sasha, they know of the diabetes history and that they feed him the low carb canned food and check his BG.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Good to hear from you again.

Actually, normal BG is below 120. The only way to know whether Sasha no longer needs insulin is to be testing several times a day for several weeks to see where his numbers are. (If you recall, we run OTJ trials for a 2 week period.) You really can't gauge whether a cat does or doesn't need insulin solely by behavior. If, indeed, insulin is needed and you're not providing it, the risk for any number of diabetes-related medical complications increases dramatically (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis, metabolic imbalances, kidney failure). Most of our cats were diabetic for quite some time before we noticed symptoms. Further, cats are masters at hiding the fact that they are sick or uncomfortable or in pain.

Frankly, you're husband's logic is faulty. It's like saying you shouldn't treat leukemia because you look fine.

 

[Pat+Raja+Shadow (GA)]

I am sorry about your son's dx...allergies are a hard thing to live with. You are on the right track with taking control of this situation with your kitty. I am so sorry that you are going to have to give them up, but at least if you are fair to Sahsa by testing him frequently as has been suggest, you might prevent a catastrophe later on. If you see that his numbers are continuing in the diabetic range, then it is only fair to him that you provide insulin to him and advise whoever adopts him about his condition. I am so glad that you are taking control of this situation...and I am wishing you all the best...

 

[seamist]

Thank you. I have one more number to add. 6 am 146 7 am after eating Friskies canned liver and chicken dinner 99. 1:30 pm 89. Maybe the 146 was an erroneous reading?

 

[seamist]

By the way, I am fully aware that my husband completely lacks logic. He lives in the land of denial about a lot of things. He should have made sure to test the cat's blood glucose regularly while making his decision about whether he was cured or not. In spite of that, there is the possibility that the Sasha is recovered. The diabetes was diagnosed after our dog died. The dog, a male, was like Sasha's mother. He would even nurse on him. So I think that stress contributed to the onset of diabetes.