triple threat

[Delilah & Davis]

Hello. Complex issues. Could really use your help if you have this experience. Davis just turned 7 in May. He was rescued along with his sister at 3 mos of age. They are still very bonded. He was diagnosed today 6/11/18 with diabetes. Well, to be thorough, we did a urine test and it was very positive. He’s seeing his vet later this week. He was dx a year ago next week with mild asthma. We treated him with oral steroids and when tapering for inhaler he got worse so we had to leave him on oral pred and continued with inhaler and even had to increase inhaler bc it’s spring and he has allergies. Hence the asthma. 3 years prior he was dx with FLUTD. So we have a triple threat here.
Everything was pretty much under control. Asthma was ok. He’s on prescription food for Flutd since 2015. Then late last week, I noticed he’s been drinking a lot of water and urinating multiple times a day. So, test stick confirmed he’s spilling sugar. His pred dose was tapered in half and will continue to safely taper to inhaler only as originally planned. But as you know, asthma can also be life threatening so, he must be on appropriate doses of the steroids to keep him breathing well.
That said, I’m very upset. Extremely worried. And overwhelmed. I’m hopeful to learn a lot here. But I’m also hoping there’s other pet parents with the same triple threat of health issues my boy. If you happen to have even 2 of the 3 it could help me find my way. Ie: do I change his prescription food to a raw or other lc diet or just manage with insulin on the higher carbs but effective diet? How do I know when to give insulin and how much to give? My vet said she’s going to give him insulin and see how he does before the curve test. That makes me uncomfortable bc I’m alone here. No support. And I work full time outside of the home.
That’s a long intro. I’m sorry. I look forward to hearing from you soon. And thank you for being here

 

[Callie & Patches]

You found it. Just give people time to find your post. You will need to test Davis's blood glucose before giving him his insulin. Most people here use a meter for humans that they buy at Wal-Mart. Many vets recommend a meter for pets. Alphtrack is the one they push, you can buy a Pettest meter and strips from Amazon for much less money and it is just as good.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Delilah, I wanted to suggest you take a look at the Health Links/FAQs Forum, located just below the Main Forum in the forums list. The first yellow tagged info/sticky is the Index. If you scroll down, there are links to information about FD, insulin and home testing, with videos, pictures and instructions. When I first arrived I didn't think two old fossils could manage to learn to inject insulin, home test or become knowledgeable enough to care for Idjit. We did, with the help of the excellent people here. Trust the people here, trust yourself. You care enough and wanted to learn enough to find this board.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

You found it. Just give people time to find your post. You will need to test Davis's blood glucose before giving him his insulin. Most people here use a meter for humans that they buy at Wal-Mart. Many vets recommend a meter for pets. Alphtrack is the one they push, you can buy a Pettest meter and strips from Amazon for much less money and it is just as good.

Good suggestions. Thank you. Which do you prefer? I don’t know how to read the numbers or translate them yet but I see a lot of ppl using reliprime. Alpha track is easier? More expensive? I’ll get whatever is best for Davis.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

Delilah, I wanted to suggest you take a look at the Health Links/FAQs Forum, located just below the Main Forum in the forums list. The first yellow tagged info/sticky is the Index. If you scroll down, there are links to information about FD, insulin and home testing, with videos, pictures and instructions. When I first arrived I didn't think two old fossils could manage to learn to inject insulin, home test or become knowledgeable enough to care for Idjit. We did, with the help of the excellent people here. Trust the people here, trust yourself. You care enough and wanted to learn enough to find this board.

Thank you for the encouragement. I do care tremendously. I love my fur child most in the world. I hope I can keep him well and happy.
I’ll look for the health forum next. I was told to post in the main first. So much to learn!

 

[Idjit's mom]

You are doing just fine. Yes, post questions in the Main Forum, unfortunately there don't seem to be many people here right now, but your post will be seen and you will get responses. I just remember how distressed and unsure we were, and I found exactly what we needed here. I read lots of information, on this board and elsewhere, and little bits sank in, as time goes on, more is understood and retained. Just one step at a time is all you need to do right now, breathe and love that fur kid!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I see a lot of ppl using reliprime. Alpha track is easier? More expensive?

All of us here are used to dealing with the numbers we get using a human meter like the Relion Confirm or Micro (we like these better than the Prime because they take the tiniest sample size and are very reliable). The Prime's strips are cheaper, but a lot of folks have problems with error messages so end up using more strips (which defeats the purpose of the cheaper strips)

The problem with the AlphaTrak is the price of the strips....they routinely run about $1 each....and for those of us that test 6-10 times a day, that's a LOT of money! You also have to make sure to order new strips in time to get them.....too many times people end up with 1 strip at 2am on a Saturday morning and have no way to get more....and their cat's BG is dropping!! With the Relion's, you can always get them at your local WalMart

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

As for treatment....if he ends up needing the steroids to keep the asthma under control, then you just adjust the insulin around it.

Yes, steroids will raise the BG, but if the cat can't breathe, controlling their blood glucose is a moot point.

At best, if you can wean him off the Predisolone and onto the inhaler only, that will help with controlling his diabetes, but again, it's more important that he can breathe easily.

do I change his prescription food to a raw or other lc diet or just manage with insulin on the higher carbs but effective diet?

We actually have had quite a few cats with FLUTD that did great on a canned, low carb diet (or raw if you can transition him to it!)…..the extra water in a canned or raw diet helps to keep the urinary tract flushed out. There's really nothing special in the "prescription" foods and their quality is horrible. If you look at the ingredient list, they're full of junk....and there's absolutely nothing in them that requires a "prescription". …..the "prescription" food industry is a scam....there's nothing in any of them that requires a script.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

All of us here are used to dealing with the numbers we get using a human meter like the Relion Confirm or Micro (we like these better than the Prime because they take the tiniest sample size and are very reliable). The Prime's strips are cheaper, but a lot of folks have problems with error messages so end up using more strips (which defeats the purpose of the cheaper strips)

The problem with the AlphaTrak is the price of the strips....they routinely run about $1 each....and for those of us that test 6-10 times a day, that's a LOT of money! You also have to make sure to order new strips in time to get them.....too many times people end up with 1 strip at 2am on a Saturday morning and have no way to get more....and their cat's BG is dropping!! With the Relion's, you can always get them at your local WalMart

Thank you for all of this info. I’ll look into a Walmart tester for the reason you mentioned and learn to convert the numbers. With your help in here I’m sure.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

As for treatment....if he ends up needing the steroids to keep the asthma under control, then you just adjust the insulin around it.

Yes, steroids will raise the BG, but if the cat can't breathe, controlling their blood glucose is a moot point.

At best, if you can wean him off the Predisolone and onto the inhaler only, that will help with controlling his diabetes, but again, it's more important that he can breathe easily.



We actually have had quite a few cats with FLUTD that did great on a canned, low carb diet (or raw if you can transition him to it!)…..the extra water in a canned or raw diet helps to keep the urinary tract flushed out. There's really nothing special in the "prescription" foods and their quality is horrible. If you look at the ingredient list, they're full of junk....and there's absolutely nothing in them that requires a "prescription". …..the "prescription" food industry is a scam....there's nothing in any of them that requires a script.

I e

Thank you for all of this info. I’ll look into a Walmart tester for the reason you mentioned and learn to convert the numbers. With your help in here I’m sure.

I’ve hesrd this about flutd cats too. But I was told to keep him on it bc if it ain’t broke... but I’d been thinking about changing it anyway bc asthma can be caused by food allergies as well as environmental. He has environmental ut why not get rid of chicken and see if it helps I thought. I’m just afraid with our luck it’ll end up with a blockage and we’ll thats also life threatening low magnesium, low phosphorus are key so it can’t be just any food.
He’ll be off the pred soon. He’s on half a pill am only now. As long as his breathing is ok I can wean more sooner than later.
I’m terrified of hypoglycemia and how the insulin will affect him. And going to work after giving it. How will I manage this?

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Hi, just wanted to say that Jones gets his pred every day for his IBD and we do dose around it and currently he fluctuates between .25 to .75 units of insulin.

So if if Davis needs it to breathe....we can work our way around that.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I’m terrified of hypoglycemia and how the insulin will affect him. And going to work after giving it. How will I manage this?

There are some good ideas in this thread about "Can I do Tight Regulation with a full time job"

Even if you don't do TR or use a different insulin, the ideas are still good!

 

[Bellasmom]

There are some good ideas in this thread about "Can I do Tight Regulation with a full time job"

Even if you don't do TR or use a different insulin, the ideas are still good!

I switched to TR and I work full time and it has worked out really well, I was nervous at first and now I am not, the more you know and the numbers of your cat the better you will feel.
Good luck and welcome
When in doubt ask

 

[Delilah & Davis]

There are some good ideas in this thread about "Can I do Tight Regulation with a full time job"

Even if you don't do TR or use a different insulin, the ideas are still good!

Thank you. I’ll look into it!!

 

[Delilah & Davis]

Hi, just wanted to say that Jones gets his pred every day for his IBD and we do dose around it and currently he fluctuates between .25 to .75 units of insulin.

So if if Davis needs it to breathe....we can work our way around that.

Hi. I wondered if I might pick your brain a bit.
Are you on the TR regimen? If not, how are you managing the changes in insulin?
What is Nadir? I see it in other posts.
I’ve also seen other words that I don’t know their meaning. I’m sure they’re short for something helpful. Is there a directory of terms in here somewhere?

Thanks so much for your initial reply. I appreciate it.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is there a directory of terms in here somewhere?

Slang Dictionary

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Is there a directory of terms in here somewhere?

• FDMB Glossary- common abbreviations & definitions used throughout the Feline Diabetes Message Board

• The Official Lantus & Levemir Land Slang Dictionary

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Hi. I wondered if I might pick your brain a bit.
Are you on the TR regimen? If not, how are you managing the changes in insulin?
What is Nadir? I see it in other posts.
I’ve also seen other words that I don’t know their meaning. I’m sure they’re short for something helpful. Is there a directory of terms in here somewhere?

Thanks so much for your initial reply. I appreciate it.

Of course. I started out using the SLGS method not TR protocol. I knew that remission wasn't really my goal with the prednisolone in the picture as well I work full time so wasn't sure if I could get those mid-cycle tests and be around if he went low. I followed SLGS and then over time modified it a bit for Jones' particular situation (after some input from the board). Reductions are taken when he hits his reduction point and after a week of numbers that are higher than I am aiming for I will do a curve on a Saturday and adjust accordingly.

You just follow the guidelines for the approach you will be using (SLGS or TR). The one thing I have noticed with the prednisolone if you can keep the dose consistent and give it the same time every day, things seem to work out better BG wise. So if Davis needs his meds daily that is great. If he only needs them when needed....it is something to watch for and keep in mind that his numbers might rise and fall and take that into account when adjusting dose. If you need help....send out a post with the question. Feedback is always free!

I did solve the feeding issue with getting feeders for all 4 of my cats. Each has their own and I know he has food available if needed. Other circumstances changed as well and I was able to get those mid-cycle tests in with help from DH and DS.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

Of course. I started out using the SLGS method not TR protocol. I knew that remission wasn't really my goal with the prednisolone in the picture as well I work full time so wasn't sure if I could get those mid-cycle tests and be around if he went low. I followed SLGS and then over time modified it a bit for Jones' particular situation (after some input from the board). Reductions are taken when he hits his reduction point and after a week of numbers that are higher than I am aiming for I will do a curve on a Saturday and adjust accordingly.

You just follow the guidelines for the approach you will be using (SLGS or TR). The one thing I have noticed with the prednisolone if you can keep the dose consistent and give it the same time every day, things seem to work out better BG wise. So if Davis needs his meds daily that is great. If he only needs them when needed....it is something to watch for and keep in mind that his numbers might rise and fall and take that into account when adjusting dose. If you need help....send out a post with the question. Feedback is always free!

I did solve the feeding issue with getting feeders for all 4 of my cats. Each has their own and I know he has food available if needed. Other circumstances changed as well and I was able to get those mid-cycle tests in with help from DH and DS.

Thank you for responding and sharing. I’m sorry to bother you again but I’m not familiar with all the terms. Reductions?
Also my vet just wants me to shoot him 2x day same amount. I raised the concern about giving insulin when low or not needed. She agrees but said this can be as easy or as complicated as I want to make it. I’m planning to lower his carbs but due to flutd I have to watch phosphorus. I’m limited. Meat bases are higher in phosphorus in general.
I want to go low and slow but she doesn’t. She’s going to check his bgls tomorrow and pick a dose from that. I asked her to provide me with guidelines for when to skip a dose. How much to lower and what numbers to look for. I hope she’ll do that much. I’m sure she will.
So am I doing TR? Are those the only options? I’m confused.

He takes half a pred tab in the am only right now. He has inhaled steroids 2x a day. Trying to taper off pred altogether but expect spring GE may need it. . I don’t know how that will impact his bgls. Any thoughts?

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Reductions are when you reduce the dose based upon the lower BG being at the required level based on the method you are using.

Nor sure on the impact of the inhaler...with the pred youn may find the morning cycle will have higher numbers then the afternoon. Every cat is different ECID.

Is Davis on Lantus? That is best given the same dose twice a day as long as the numbers and circumstances allow.

 

[Delilah & Davis]

Reductions are when you reduce the dose based upon the lower BG being at the required level based on the method you are using.

Nor sure on the impact of the inhaler...with the pred youn may find the morning cycle will have higher numbers then the afternoon. Every cat is different ECID.

Is Davis on Lantus? That is best given the same dose twice a day as long as the numbers and circumstances allow.

Starting Lantus tomorrow. Wish us luck. I’ll be giving him his first dose alone Saturday morning. Thank you for the good explanation. I appreciate it. I’ll have to learn the cut offs for all things bgl.