Care4Sparks
Member Since 2011
Hello,
And my name is Karen. Along with my husband Eric we are Sparks' primary caregivers.
Greetings to you and thanks for your interest in Sparks
Our cat Sparks is back 'on the juice' so I thought I'd share an update.
He was diagnosed in late October 2011, and went OTJ at the beginning of June 2012.
Lately we noticed him drinking water, not excessively, but he hadn't used any water since a long time ago (when first diagnosed). It was super hot outside and he just took a little sip, so I didn't think much of it. Then in the morning he was not his usual self and I recognized the symptoms (lethargy/coordination, confusion). His BG range has been really erratic but we've also had a host of personal issues around the same time. An intruder (suspected arsonist) started a fire on property, the fire didn't go out all the way the first time so there were multiple events, our grandfather (human) died and the grief had an impact on our family, human illness, etc... Lately, thank goodness, the human issues have cleared up but the BG is still erratic. Readings from Friday through this morning were: 390, 386, 396, 371, 403, 421, and 301. But sometimes he's at or below 150 and most times closer to 200-300. I thought it would stabilize in a few weeks but it did not.
We just got back from the vet today, got a brand new insulin container and at the Vet's recommendation will be doing 2u 2xday for the next week and try a home curve on Sunday.
Other than the BG his symptoms except lethargy (and he's always been super mellow) went away very soon once insulin was reintroduced. But I was wondering about his eyesight - and the vet confirmed very early stage cateracts. She said if we can get and keep him under 250 that is how to prevent further damage, but did not know of any nutritional support that would be effective. Oh, between all this OTJ and back on he also had 7 teeth removed due to dental resorption. He needs another cleaning but we need to get the BG stable before going that route. We'll probably try to brush his teeth again on the home front here but that seems to be the one thing he absolutely won't tolerate. We give him a CET dental chew every other day or so, I guess I'd better try to confirm that they are low carb. (Anyone already know?)
He's still on ProZinc. Still a big boy at 20 lbs 14 oz, but less than the 22 he was at max. Still on FF classic but down to 2.5 cans per day. I haven't been updating the online spreadsheet in a long time (I keep paper records) but I might get that going again. The neuropathy he had went completely away (thanks to the excellent tips on Methyl-B12, I think). Gone so much so that he can now jump onto counters and high tables and darn near anywhere so the food stealing is back in full effect. He will even lick cast iron skillets. Yesterday he stole some raw tofu that was draining... no morsel or scrap of food or dirty dish can be left out or the "food stealer" will get to it. It's worth the necessitated cleanliness and forced refridgeration of all things being marinated to see him jumping and chasing moths again, though!!!
A friendly reminder to us all, my experience echos what you read here: even when a cat seems long past needing insulin, it's a good idea to check the BG often. (and I'm glad I kept some limited supplies on hand just in case.)
Thank you to all the invaluable help from the amazing people here. We credit you with helping me get the information to work with my vet on his treatment and management.
Hello to all the newbies and hi again to the veterans!
And my name is Karen. Along with my husband Eric we are Sparks' primary caregivers.
Greetings to you and thanks for your interest in Sparks
Our cat Sparks is back 'on the juice' so I thought I'd share an update.
He was diagnosed in late October 2011, and went OTJ at the beginning of June 2012.
Lately we noticed him drinking water, not excessively, but he hadn't used any water since a long time ago (when first diagnosed). It was super hot outside and he just took a little sip, so I didn't think much of it. Then in the morning he was not his usual self and I recognized the symptoms (lethargy/coordination, confusion). His BG range has been really erratic but we've also had a host of personal issues around the same time. An intruder (suspected arsonist) started a fire on property, the fire didn't go out all the way the first time so there were multiple events, our grandfather (human) died and the grief had an impact on our family, human illness, etc... Lately, thank goodness, the human issues have cleared up but the BG is still erratic. Readings from Friday through this morning were: 390, 386, 396, 371, 403, 421, and 301. But sometimes he's at or below 150 and most times closer to 200-300. I thought it would stabilize in a few weeks but it did not.
We just got back from the vet today, got a brand new insulin container and at the Vet's recommendation will be doing 2u 2xday for the next week and try a home curve on Sunday.
Other than the BG his symptoms except lethargy (and he's always been super mellow) went away very soon once insulin was reintroduced. But I was wondering about his eyesight - and the vet confirmed very early stage cateracts. She said if we can get and keep him under 250 that is how to prevent further damage, but did not know of any nutritional support that would be effective. Oh, between all this OTJ and back on he also had 7 teeth removed due to dental resorption. He needs another cleaning but we need to get the BG stable before going that route. We'll probably try to brush his teeth again on the home front here but that seems to be the one thing he absolutely won't tolerate. We give him a CET dental chew every other day or so, I guess I'd better try to confirm that they are low carb. (Anyone already know?)
He's still on ProZinc. Still a big boy at 20 lbs 14 oz, but less than the 22 he was at max. Still on FF classic but down to 2.5 cans per day. I haven't been updating the online spreadsheet in a long time (I keep paper records) but I might get that going again. The neuropathy he had went completely away (thanks to the excellent tips on Methyl-B12, I think). Gone so much so that he can now jump onto counters and high tables and darn near anywhere so the food stealing is back in full effect. He will even lick cast iron skillets. Yesterday he stole some raw tofu that was draining... no morsel or scrap of food or dirty dish can be left out or the "food stealer" will get to it. It's worth the necessitated cleanliness and forced refridgeration of all things being marinated to see him jumping and chasing moths again, though!!!
A friendly reminder to us all, my experience echos what you read here: even when a cat seems long past needing insulin, it's a good idea to check the BG often. (and I'm glad I kept some limited supplies on hand just in case.)
Thank you to all the invaluable help from the amazing people here. We credit you with helping me get the information to work with my vet on his treatment and management.
Hello to all the newbies and hi again to the veterans!
