Sick kit, better ... when does pizzazz come back?

[nancy and payne]

For those of you who have followed Payne's story and those of you that haven't, Payne is a four year old calico who is almost 6 months since Dx. In that time she has had DKA FOUR times and DK once. Looking back I believe all except the first one, could have been avoided ..... it is such a steep learning curve! but I have a vet now who says you know what your doing, keep doing it!! once again, thanks Hope!

Payne is such a trooper and so complicated! I would not have expected anything else! my question now is about her demeanor ..... I know she has been through a lot in a short time but when does her personality come back? She used to rule the house, big dogs and all! occasionally she will chase the 100 pound puppy but the cat that watched every door, per chance to escape :lol: and greeted everyone who came through the door, is gone. Thankfully, she still listens to cupboards opening and especially the refrigerator being used

She is a very, very good cat. We dance the sugar dance pretty good but I miss the Payne ..... anyone have this happen? I love her regardless and we have become so close but her personality has changed.
Thanks
Nancy and Payne

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

She has been through so much, Nancy, and has felt so crummy for so long with lots of scary hospital time. I would think it will take a while for her to feel safe and then happy again, not to mention feeling well.

Is your worry that something else is going on to make her feel bad? I know you are religious about keeping up with her ketones. Is she generally acting well - just not as bouncy?

 

[nancy and payne]

Not bouncy ..... she has only been back on pzi t.i.d. for 10 days and just a few weeks from the week of DKA's. I know I am over speculating and yes, she has been through so much plus the Dx. of pancreatitis, she has had a lot to deal with. But she is leveling off and the ketones are gone! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT and her numbers are getting better PLUS I feel confident now in keeping her level ..... the vet did what he thought was best and when she crashed he really starting listening to how I take care of her, I think I will keep him. But everything I do I've learned here. Mostly listen to the cat, check the numbers and take chances if you think it is right.
Nancy and Payne
(I am finally coming to terms with the ketone meter and I am using it and the strips, with a ketone prone cat you need it all! I may even start checking her PH ......

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

It's different for every cat I think, but it took a few months of regulation before Bandit started acting like his old self.

Are there any complicating dental problems? After my Gabby had a bunch of teeth pulled, she all of a sudden started playing and running around the house. I thought she had stopped playing that year because she was just getting too old, but it turned out her teeth had been bothering her for a while and just making her feel crummy.

 

[nancy and payne]

No her teeth are good .... the new vet has a dentist and everything was checked out. One of the things I do for their teeth is the gizzard/liver/hearts raw as treats. All my cats work on the gizzards/hearts like crazy and it really cleans the teeth. I throw in the liver because I am trying to buff the Payne up. I got this tip a few months ago on this list and all my babies except one, LOVE IT!

Not sure if Payne will ever really regulate, (like Hope's Mishka I just need her to quit trying to die .... the new vet tried to have "the talk" with me during the DKA and I said stop, you don't know this kitty, how well she bounces back! just do your stuff and I'll do mine and she'll be fine.
Nancy and Payne (who is tough)

 

[Christie & Willie (GA)]

Nancy, I had the same thoughts about Willie... between the diabetes and a raging skin condition, he was so miserable for a couple months that a small part of me began to question whether it was fair to him to allow him to continue to suffer. And within a day, I was startled by this commotion behind me in the dining room... it was Willie, playing spontaneously for the first time in at least a year or two. Needless to say, there were tears of joy that day.

One thing you could try would be a feliway diffuser. If stress is a factor for Payne at all, it may help relieve that. Willie lost his life partner of 12 years within a week and a half of his diagnosis (and within a week and a half of Christmas). I know that the feliway was a tremendous asset in helping him deal with the grieving process. I still have it going as I do believe it affects his mood.

It will happen, just be patient and give Payne lots of love.