Shadow update

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DianeM &Shadow

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Shadow will have been on a 1 unit dose of PZI for a week tomorrow, when I will run a full curve. There isn't much change in his numbers overall. However, he is peeing less and his coat is looking better. After his curve tomorrow, the decision will be whether to continue with a .5 increase and see how that goes or change insulin to Lantus. I am wondering if we will hit the 'magic' dose that finally begins to lower his observable numbers if we continue to increase slowly. I worry because I think Shadow is a little weak in the rear end and I am hoping that neuropathy is not rearing its ugly head. His ketones have been negative so far. His appetite is still huge but he seems a bit calmer around that issue. Wait, I take that back. I was slicing a small pork roast when he leapt up on the counter and wrapped his mouth around it. We had a tug of war with him growling and me trying to pry his mouth open. He gave it up in the end and was satisfied with a few pieces. I have had to lock the cabinets, close all the storage doors, feed the rest of the cats in the bedroom - those that are nibblers. And Shadow and I are still getting to know each other - that helps with seeing behavioral changes. At any rate, tomorrow will tell the current tale. I know he is not on much insulin and that he rebounds with dose increases; I am wondering if he is a high dose kitty. And I am also concerned about the duration. Ah well....as Magic 8 Ball says, all will be revealed in time. ;) Hope everyone is doing ok and any thoughts on Shadow are much appreciated.
 
I am glad you are doing a curve. It will tell you whether there is a lower number at nadir she is bouncing from or whether the dose needs to be increased.

It is up to you but I would give the ProZinc a little longer. He is still on a tiny dose. You might look at quicker increases. Holding a dose for 6 days and longer may be too long. The minimum we suggest is 3 cycles; the general rule might be closer to 3 days. Have you seen the protocol we put together for ProZinc? It is in my signature in blue.

It sounds like he has improved in some ways. Though fighting with you over a pork roast is extreme! What have you tried with the food issues? Sometimes dividing what you are feeding him into several small meals throughout the day will make him feel like he is getting more. My cat likes having warm water added to his food to make a gravy, and that can make them feel more satisfied. They are literally starving when unregulated because their body doesn't process the food well. How much are you feeding him? I gave my diabetic cat 3 cans of Fancy Feast a day when he was unregulated and then cut it back to two when he was regulated.

If you see signs of neuropathy, Methyl B12 can help. Here is an article:

http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Neuropathy
 
Hi, Sue. Thanks for your response. His last curve on 3/16 on .5 units was in the 300's, mostly upper. I increased to 1.0 units and let it sit for this week per request of the vet. He seemed to bounce with the very early increases so that is one of the reasons for letting the dose settle for this long. I am inclined to agree with you about another increase to 1.5 after tomorrow's curve. He is getting divided meals in that he gets a small meal when he is tested but without testing gets 4 meals a day. He gets a mixture of about 1/2 cup of green beans mixed with tuna fish, and that is mixed with 1.5 cans of FF with his shots. His in between meals are a mix of green beans/tuna and a small amount of FF, all mixed with warm water. He likes to drink cold water from the faucet and will ask for me to turn it on. I think he is getting enough food; he is probably hungry from the continuing high bg's. Funny you should mention the methylcobalamin, I have a bottle sitting right next to me. We are both on it, as were Asia and Velvet. Asia never did develop neuropathy and Velly had a severe case that resolved with the methyl and good control. It was like a miracle, actually. I will go and look at the protocol; my sense is that he needs at least three days between increases but we will know more in this next week!!!!!!!
 
I agree with Sue that you might want to give the Prozinc a little longer to work before switching. I'm not saying that Lantus isn't a great insulin, but you could try to regulate on what you already have...if it doesn't work, there is time to switch later.
 
I am going to increase his dose to 1.5 units bid starting this evening. I am impatient because in my mind the longer he runs at higher numbers the more strain on his systems, especially renal. I would like to do everything I can to avoid that for as long as possible. Thanks for the encouragement, Rachel and Sue** Shadow would thank you but he is busy trying to pry open the kitchen cabinets. ;)
 
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