Still learning PZI sugar dance, continued thread.

[HelloKrystie]

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-the-steps-of-this-dance.225905/#post-2543432
Hey @Deb & Wink !
I just saw the request for a new thread, so I figured why not start it now.

Im still working doubles, and double backs, probably for the foreseeable future. But, as long as the trucks are moving, we’ll be alright. It’s taking its toll, but it’s also nice knowing I’m doing my part to keep everyone fed and the country stable. (Well, as stable as it can be at this point)

Sirius is still doing very good on his OTJ trial! His numbers are pretty steady, with just his morning test being the higher one. But it always comes right back down. I’d like to see more greens, but the low blues are okay too, right?
I am worried about him mentally though, I’m spending so much time at the office now, and he’s all alone most of the day. It’s been impossible to sneak out midday to check on him. I leave his timed feeder and some toys for him, but I know he’s missing me. Most nights I fall asleep on the couch with him on top of me. My lap cat is missing his lap.

Thanks so much for checking in on us, Deb! That was really very sweet of you.

 

[Deb & Wink]

My lap cat is missing his lap.

I leave his timed feeder and some toys for him, but I know he’s missing me. Most nights I fall asleep on the couch with him on top of me.

I'm spending so much time on my computer, on the message board, my cat is feeling neglected. She let's me know when it's time to take a break and have a play session. Or her mid-day snacks. Like right now!

Im still working doubles, and double backs, probably for the foreseeable future. But, as long as the trucks are moving, we’ll be alright. It’s taking its toll, but it’s also nice knowing I’m doing my part to keep everyone fed and the country stable. (Well, as stable as it can be at this point)

You must be exhausted. No wonder you are falling asleep on the couch.

That 3/16 AMPS, where you said Sirius was "super combative". That could have raised his BG level up to the 131.

There is also a member of this message board, that is an administrator of a facebook group. She has made us aware that some of the folks in that facebook group are obtaining higher numbers, more like the pet specific meter numbers, with the Relion Premier meters. Not all the cats that use this meter, but some of the cats. It could be due to a batch of meters being a bit off the usual standards or a batch of test strips that are off from the usual standards. This evidence is all anecdotal at this point. But I would not worry about those blue numbers for Sirius.

Sounds like he needs a roomie, to keep him company. Shelters in my area are begging for fosters for the cats in their shelters. They don't know what they are going to do if they have to shut down. Can't take on another cat myself at this point, with my semi-feral skittish kitty. Don't think you could do that right now either with your work schedule. But it's a thought.

Or a birdfeeder outside a window, to provide "catertainment?"

Leave the radio on for him when you leave. Or put the tv on some sort of talk show, like CNN or the Weather Channel so Sirius hears voices.

p.s. Trying to keep tabs on all the folks in the Prozinc ISG. We get worried about people if we don't hear back from them.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Sirius still looks to be doing ok on no insulin.
Hope you are too Krystie. Doing ok that is.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Hey Deb!
We’re experiencing a little set back today. I’m not sure if my concern is warranted, or if he’s just having a moment....
He stopped eating last night around dinner. He left his dinner, and didn’t eat any of his late night snack. Very unlike him. I tried a different flavor of his ff for his late snack, but he left that, and didn’t eat any of it over night either. This morning he didn’t want breakfast, and his am test was 126. I left his breakfast for him, and came back to give him a +5. His numbers came back down, but only to 99. When I came home for his pm test all of his food was still left untouched, and his test was 131. (I got back about an hour later than the standard 12 hours from the morning test) I tried a different ff for dinner, but he barely even licked it. (I went to the store to get him a fish flavor to entice him to eat dinner)
At +4 from his pm test he was slightly higher at 154. I tried to give him some canned tuna just to get some food in him. He ate a small amount of that, and went back to lie down.
He always wants to sleep in my lap, but tonight he tried for a few minutes but seemed like he couldn’t get comfortable and went onto the couch. This happened twice. When I was giving him his +4 test a short while ago, he was just kind of letting me, looking defeated and just slumping there. That never happens, unless he’s asleep and I’m sneak testing him. He just seems, uncomfortable or something. He’s still out with me, and not hiding, so I guess that’s good. I just don’t know if I should be worried yet? (I DEFINITELY AM RIGHT NOW!) Should I consider giving him insulin, or wait it out?

 

[Deb & Wink]

Krystie, sounds like he has an upset tummy. Could be pancreatitis too.

Did he eat ok this morning? If not, I think you at least need to call the vet, and tell them you suspect your diabetic cat has pancreatitis.

Vet visit possible? He may need an anti-nausea medication, an appetite stimulant, something for the pain, fluids if he is dehydrated.

Do you know the dehydration test, where you pull up a tent of the skin, and if it does NOT go right back down, that indicates dehydration? Check Sirius's gums too. Press a finger on the gum, should pink right back up. If the gums feel tacky that is another sign of dehydration.

Pee normal amount? Normal size? Not small like the size of a 50 cent piece, a quarter or smaller?
Poo normal amount? Normal texture?

(I DEFINITELY AM RIGHT NOW!) Should I consider giving him insulin, or wait it out?

I'm worried too. I'd wait on the insulin, would not wait on the call/visit to the vet.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Krystie, sounds like he has an upset tummy. Could be pancreatitis too.

Did he eat ok this morning? If not, I think you at least need to call the vet, and tell them you suspect your diabetic cat has pancreatitis.

Vet visit possible? He may need an anti-nausea medication, an appetite stimulant, something for the pain, fluids if he is dehydrated.

Do you know the dehydration test, where you pull up a tent of the skin, and if it does NOT go right back down, that indicates dehydration? Check Sirius's gums too. Press a finger on the gum, should pink right back up. If the gums feel tacky that is another sign of dehydration.

Pee normal amount? Normal size? Not small like the size of a 50 cent piece, a quarter or smaller?
Poo normal amount? Normal texture?

I'm worried too. I'd wait on the insulin, would not wait on the call/visit to the vet.

He seems to be perking up; He played catch the string for a few minutes earlier, then cuddled up on my lap for a good hour or so. He ate some more of the tuna earlier, and he just went out to eat what would have been his breakfast. He ate all of what was left of his breakfast so I gave him some more, and he ate a good portion of that as well. He finished up and is currently sitting in my lap again (with the hiccups!)
He still hasn’t urinated, but now that he’s regulated, he doesn’t go all that much, or at least when I’m home. I pinched his neck scruff and a few places along his back and he definitely doesn’t seem dehydrated. His gums are black so that didn’t help, but they’re not tacky or otherwise odd. I cleaned his litter box early this morning, and everything seems to be normal in there, but I still haven’t noticed him go yet today. He’s been with me all day.
I can’t tell if he was just having tummy trouble like you suggested, or maybe he was protesting me being away so much...? When he didn’t eat last night, and was putting up higher number and being lethargic I called into work around 1am and told them I was taking the day off. It totally slipped my mind that he vomited up all of his breakfast Thursday right before I left for work. That’s when this all started. Perhaps he got a bad can of food? It’s so strange, he’s definitely almost back to normal. He had me so scared last night. I was up with him until about 3am, and woke back up with him at 6am. Now, he’s lying in my lap, preening and washing up from his snack.

 

[Deb & Wink]

VOMITED! You didn't mention that he had thrown up his meal on Thursday. Tummy trouble seems much more likely to me.

You need a sick day Krystie, even if it's only a "Mental health" type sick day. You have been running yourself ragged with double shifts and back to back shifts, keeping those trucks dispatched. Sleep, nap, enjoy the day, hug Sirius for me.

Reminder to put notes like his vomiting on his SS. Those notes can jog your memory as well as ours.

So glad to hear he is not dehydrated and is eating better.

 

[HelloKrystie]

VOMITED! You didn't mention that he had thrown up his meal on Thursday. Tummy trouble seems much more likely to me.

You need a sick day Krystie, even if it's only a "Mental health" type sick day. You have been running yourself ragged with double shifts and back to back shifts, keeping those trucks dispatched. Sleep, nap, enjoy the day, hug Sirius for me.

Reminder to put notes like his vomiting on his SS. Those notes can jog your memory as well as ours.

So glad to hear he is not dehydrated and is eating better.

I had completely forgotten about, I don’t think I even registered it as something concerning because he does it from time to time. Sometimes food, but most recently its been fur balls from his fur pulling over the last few weeks. Thankfully that’s just about over with. Also, he ate what I left him before I went to work, and are most of his lunch that day.

So I guess I should just keep an eye on his BGL’s then. At what point should that be a concern? When would I give insulin again? Is there a set amount of days or cycles that he would have to be consistently high to consider it a relapse?

 

[Deb & Wink]

So I guess I should just keep an eye on his BGL’s then. At what point should that be a concern? When would I give insulin again? Is there a set amount of days or cycles that he would have to be consistently high to consider it a relapse?

Yes, I'd keep an eye on Sirius's BG levels for a bit. I'd give it at least 4-5 days before you'd consider it a relapse, and start Sirius back on that tiny dose of insulin.

If there is any way, with your absolutely insane work schedule, to test Sirius 2 to 3 hours after food, and you see that the BG levels are lower, than you know his pancreas is putting out some insulin. Food raises blood glucose, so seeing the BG levels lower after food, provides you some good information. Even a BG test 1 hour after food may help. But a higher BG may simply be the food spike.

Wink had a bit higher BG's, a couple of times, where it was obvious he was not feeling well, and his BG levels spiked a bit. Kitty cold did it most every time. UTI would do it too, spike the BG levels. Cleared in 3-4 days usually.

My little civie girl Dancer, was a former feral colony cat. Because of that, she would eat her food too fast, and then vomit it up. I had to split her meals into 2 portions, AM and PM, and still do that. Could Sirius have eaten too fast and that is why he threw up?

Yes, it's been hairball season here since January. Even brushing my Dancer, doesn't stop the hairballs, and I've never had luck with egg yolk. She won't eat fresh eggs at all, and the egg yolk lecithin capsules did not help, years ago. I may try the egg yolk lecithin again. Open the capsule, and sprinkle on her food.

You might try that with Sirius, either fresh egg yolk, raw or cooked, or the egg yolk lecithin capsules.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Well, the little bugger is basically back to normal. Eating, cuddling, and waking me up for food at ungodly hours. Lol. His BGL is also falling back into the normal range for him. His morning reading was 107, and about 3 hours later he was down to 90, after eating.
Thanks so much, Deb!

 

[Deb & Wink]

Yeah! A passing higher blip in the BG levels. Waiting it out paid off.

Give Sirius a hug from me, please.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Yeah! A passing higher blip in the BG levels. Waiting it out paid off.

Give Sirius a hug from me, please.

 

[Deb & Wink]

Krystie, starting to feel sick, running a slight fever. Not sure how long I'll be able to help here.

Please post in the Feline Health forum if you don't get a response here.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Krystie, starting to feel sick, running a slight fever. Not sure how long I'll be able to help here.

Please post in the Feline Health forum if you don't get a response here.

Oh no! Is there anything I can do? I can send you supplies: Aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, DayQuil, NyQuil, any type of cold or flu medicine you might need...
You can send me a private message with anything you might need!
Do you have family or friends that can check on you?

 

[Deb & Wink]

Thank you Krystie. You're sweet to offer.

Mainly I wanted you to know, so you weren't waiting for an answer and no answer came.

I have 2 close friends, and we are doing daily emails to each other, for the past 2 weeks. Just in case one of us gets sick, the other 2 can go shopping for supplies and drop them off at the door. Plus, they are only a phone call away.

I think it's just a cold. Got plenty of food supplies, and medications. Picked up some more cough syrup, in case the post nasal drip gets worse, and I start to cough. Time for some more nasal decongestant.

Really tired and feeling a bit wiped out. Nap time! After another cup of hot herbal tea I think. And a 2nd mid-day snack for my kitty Dancer, who is bugging me. Then it's time to "hibernate" for a bit.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Thank you Krystie. You're sweet to offer.

Mainly I wanted you to know, so you weren't waiting for an answer and no answer came.

I have 2 close friends, and we are doing daily emails to each other, for the past 2 weeks. Just in case one of us gets sick, the other 2 can go shopping for supplies and drop them off at the door. Plus, they are only a phone call away.

I think it's just a cold. Got plenty of food supplies, and medications. Picked up some more cough syrup, in case the post nasal drip gets worse, and I start to cough. Time for some more nasal decongestant.

Really tired and feeling a bit wiped out. Nap time! After another cup of hot herbal tea I think. And a 2nd mid-day snack for my kitty Dancer, who is bugging me. Then it's time to "hibernate" for a bit.

I’m relieved that you’re taking care of yourself, and that you have a network of friends to check on each other. That’s very important. My boss just came down with a head cold, and I had to remind him that now his immune system is weakened and he’s more susceptible to other sicknesses too.

Take care Deb! And remember, I have trucks all over the eastern seaboard...if you need anything!

 

[Deb & Wink]

Could I get a truckload of toilet paper, bleach, disinfecting wipes, N95 masks, disposable gloves, and any other personal protective gear sent to any Boston MA area hospital? Toss in a few ventilators if you have them.

They need the supplies more than I do.

 

[HelloKrystie]

Could I get a truckload of toilet paper, bleach, disinfecting wipes, N95 masks, disposable gloves, and any other personal protective gear sent to any Boston MA area hospital? Toss in a few ventilators if you have them.

They need the supplies more than I do.

No PPE, but we do haul Clorox and P&G paper products. Because the non-essential businesses have been closed, the majority of our loads are now going direct, instead of having multiple drivers under one load. So where we might have gotten refusals before, they are few and far between right now. A lot of that stuff is going back to the companies, instead of them letting us “dispose” of it. Only the food suppliers have relaxed their policies on refusals. I facilitate donations to local food banks and shelters whenever I can; I’m proud to say I’ve more than doubled our food donations over the past 5 years. But, the items you, and everyone else, are looking for, are hard to come by, even for us hauling them. Our CEO’s wife made us all handmade masks to wear, and sent myself and the others who work with the drivers gloves. Unfortunately she only had one box for us to share, so when those run out...
Random fact: I actually have a degree in the medical field. I have many friends throughout healthcare, I know all to well the greed of privately owned hospitals and clinics, and why our frontline workers are so poorly protected right now. I feel terrible when my friends ask me for any PPE that I might have. I miss medicine and helping people, it’s times like these that I feel guilty that I left, but a small part of me is also relieved that I’m not there. I think I would be one of those that suffer a breakdown. My biggest pitfall was my inability to separate my work from my heart. I took every sick or terminally ill person home with me, I never learned how to leave work at work. My college professors all told me they knew it would be a problem for me. They were right.