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[taylor_hubbard]

Hi Friends,

Tyrone has been in remission for over a month and now his numbers are creeping up. Took him to the vet today and they diagnosed a kitty cold as giving an exam. He has more snot and yellow eye discharge and is slightly lethargic. His appetite is good and I watched him urinate last night without strain or pain so I believe the same as my vet. I am wondering about his bg levels. If you pull his sheet, he was at 151 and less than 2 hours later he is in the 70's. Is his pancreas doing ok on it's own or is his liver freaking out and releasing insulin? I am a little nervous as he is sitting at the water bowl which is something he hasn't done in quite a while. Hoping he starts to feel better soon!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Only the pancreas produces insulin...not the liver.

The liver stores sugars and hormones that are released to bring the blood glucose up when it's too low. It's a leftover survival mechanism from back when our kitties were wild, and times were tough. Instead of possibly dying due to low blood sugar when they'd not been able to find food, the liver releases those stored sugars and hormones to bring it back up...hopefully it lasts until they can find food

 

[KPassa]

From the sound of things, it's quite possible his BGs are simply elevated due to his "kitty cold" and probably not feeling all to well. I wouldn't start to worry too much, unless his BGs start creeping over 200 and/or don't go back down, but from the sound of that 70s, it looks like his pancreas is still at work. :thumbup

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is Tyrone feeling any better Taylor?

Did you try putting him in the bathroom with some steam or using a humidifier to help with the gunk?

Hope he's doing better today!

 

[BJM]

Check with your vet on the following:

if it could be feline herpes virus, adding some powdered lysine, a protein building block, to his food may help support him. Usual dose is about 500 mg/day.

Momcat him with a warm wet, clean washcloth to gently wipe away eye goop and nose crusts.

It may help to use preservative-free eye drops to help flush the eye. Tears drain through the nose, so this may help loosen up gunkg there, too.