nkuzmick
Member Since 2017
First thanks to all of you for helping us with Cleo's diabetes - she has been well regulated and was doing OK until a few weeks ago but we don't expect her to be here much longer. Want to share our experience with all of you and maybe help you. After Cleo (age 12) was diagnosed as diabetic with some type of infection last August (renal profile slightly above normal) , the vet administered antibiotic plus IV fluids and kept her overnight - we did not realize that there was no nighttime care and after being hooked up to the drip all night she was severely overhydrated - the vet said she would not make it and that we should put her down. After signing "against medical advice" we took her home and started insulin. She recovered from the crisis in a few days, but was still not breathing right. (lesson # 1 we will never leave a sick cat overnight at a place with no night shift). Took her back to the vet - kidneys improved, BG OK too - did an x-ray and said fluid build up around heart/lungs so off to the cardio vet. Ultrasound confirms hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - they put her on Benazipril (ace inhibitor), blood thinner and 20 mg Lasix daily. We had also been giving her one Zobaline daily. Checked blood work in 2 weeks all OK except kidney readings getting worse but still not real bad. They cut the Lasix to 15mg and her breathing gradually improved to normal of under 30 BPM in 2 or 3 weeks. She seemed to be doing well, eating, using litter, walking normally again.
She started acting funny in early December and took her in for blood work.& check up - kidneys values way too high but heart, lungs and BG all good. Gave her some sub Q fluid and rechecked bloodwork in 10 days kidneys worse - vet said she was done for. (lesson #2 should have cut back on the Lasix and ace inhibitor when her breathing improved - heavy Lasix dose probably wiped out her kidneys - should have had bloodwork checked every week). Stopped all cardio meds and as suggested by cardio vet the Zobaline too (she is still asymptomatic for that issue). Have been giving 100 ml SQ fluids every few days - she perks up and would eat some but it took encouragement. Still had some good days until recently.
A few days ago she got lethargic and started eating very little. As of last night she stopped eating - we have to test BG as with little of no food as she is staying near 100 pre-shot and so we are down to very little insulin - about 0ne unit daily - skipping some shots. She has a hard time walking, can't get to the litter -we are keeping her clean - thank goodness for pet training pads. She is now mostly laying in her bed sleeping and is getting less responsive. Seems to be comfortable but we can see her slipping away.
Don't know of anything else we can do for her so we are saying our goodbyes - any suggestions on keeping her comfortable - don't want a one way trip to the vet as long as she is not in pain/distress.
Thanks again and Best Regards, Bob & Nancy
She started acting funny in early December and took her in for blood work.& check up - kidneys values way too high but heart, lungs and BG all good. Gave her some sub Q fluid and rechecked bloodwork in 10 days kidneys worse - vet said she was done for. (lesson #2 should have cut back on the Lasix and ace inhibitor when her breathing improved - heavy Lasix dose probably wiped out her kidneys - should have had bloodwork checked every week). Stopped all cardio meds and as suggested by cardio vet the Zobaline too (she is still asymptomatic for that issue). Have been giving 100 ml SQ fluids every few days - she perks up and would eat some but it took encouragement. Still had some good days until recently.
A few days ago she got lethargic and started eating very little. As of last night she stopped eating - we have to test BG as with little of no food as she is staying near 100 pre-shot and so we are down to very little insulin - about 0ne unit daily - skipping some shots. She has a hard time walking, can't get to the litter -we are keeping her clean - thank goodness for pet training pads. She is now mostly laying in her bed sleeping and is getting less responsive. Seems to be comfortable but we can see her slipping away.
Don't know of anything else we can do for her so we are saying our goodbyes - any suggestions on keeping her comfortable - don't want a one way trip to the vet as long as she is not in pain/distress.
Thanks again and Best Regards, Bob & Nancy
