tigger not doing so well

[kate&tigger]

I hope some of you more experienced folks will look at my SS and see what is going on. Tigger's #s have gradually risen into the 300's and sometimes popping up into the 400's. I have increased his dose from 1.5 to 1.75 to 2 units over the past 2 weeks. Changes include giving him more food. He now gets 3/4 of a small can ( what is that? Maybe 7 to 8 oz) twice a day. I only use the foods listed as <10% calories from carbs on Binky's list. He seems well. Appetite is good. No diarrhea that I can see( he goes outside mostly). Fur looks good and he is enjoying being brushed and petted. Earlier this summer he had some sort of infection with a super-high white blood cell count and was treated with 2 rounds of antibiotics. We never knew if he had a urinary tract infection as the vet was unable to get a urine specimen on him at the time. He has bad teeth and we have delayed dental care until his diabetes was more controlled. However, right now he does not seem sick. Any suggestions? Oh, I recognize I have not been as diligent at getting his BGs done on time in the last week. I have been off work studying for exams and really off my regular schedule. The craziness started before that though...

 

[Maresydotes]

Kate,
I can't offer you any help regarding Tigger's numbers. My own cat's look much worse.I hope someone with more experience can help you soon. Good luck!

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

I think he is rebounding. He may need less than 1u. I am looking at that 44 PS on 2.25u after 3 days on 2u. You reduced to 1u, but that may still have been too much. Since you have climber the dosing ladder back to 2u he is now in the 300s and 400s.

Also, can you get more spot checks in? A test mid cycle would tell more about how he is responding to the dose. Even a +3 or 4 before bed check would be helpful. For a long time that was all I could do with beau, in addition to the PS tests.

Is his white blood cell count back to normal? No infection that the vet can see? Has he even had ketones?

If you reduce the dose to .5u or .75u, you want to be testing for ketones daily. Do you know whoe to do tht? With ketostiks? Make sure he is getting enough fluids, even adding a little water to his food (a few Tbl.)

As for the "hold the dental until the diabetes is under control", if the cat is in good health otherwise a dental will help to achieve diabetes control because (bad) bacteria and infections can raise their BG.

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

It is illogical to delay dental care when a cat with diabetes in uncontrolled, because part of the problem of uncontrolled diabetes can be the low grade dental infection which is probably occurring. If the vet refuses due to the diabetes, find a vet who will do it.

 

[kate&tigger]

Ok, I think I see what you are saying here...It's almost like his BGs have risen in response to increasing the insulin rather than decreased. Maybe I need to back down again... I also noted that he has been polishing off my other cat's food so he is getting close to 5-6 oz some meals. No, I don't check for ketones because he urinates outside. He lives in a cattery-type situation with an outside covered run and that is his chosen place to potty. I guess I could enclose him for a short period of time, but even so, how do I catch cat pee to check it if I am not there 24/7??? If anyone has any suggestions I am open. I can get some ketostix and start checking. Just not sure how to catch the pee! I will make appt with new vet for a dental check and clean. My last vet interaction was a bust so must now travel 30 miles to a feline specialist in Nashville. Have been busy studying for a professional exam and having home renovations done so life has been chaotic, but will get it done soon. Thanks for the help!

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Does he use a litter box? Will he use one? Can you "catch him in the act"?

Sometimes you can stick the ketostik under their butt after they begin to pee, or dip it into the puddle the exact second they are done and before it totally soaks in (shoo them out). Other tricks are to put down an empty pan, stick a ladle under their butt as they pee, cover the litter with saran wrap... you just need a drop. You could even wipe the ketstrip through a drip on the litter box wall if they pee on the wall part.

Hope that helps.