Update on Baxter w/questions-12/30

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jenn & Baxter

Jenn & Baxter

Very Active Member
I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on Baxter. Many of you have read my threads & even taken your time to reply. Which I am so greatful for!

Baxter numbers have been high the last few days. Do to food issues. I have been struggling with foods & have been considering raw diet. I did have him off insulin, but when the numbers begin to rise I started to micro dose. I spoke with the vet today, he told me NOT to micro dose. Even if he was in the 200's. He only wanted me to admin .50 if Baxter begin to reach the 300's. He said he would like to see how Baxter does on his own. How damaging is this to the pancreas? I feel like the pancreas is in such a delicate state right now. Especially since I had Baxter so close.....3 weeks into OTJ trial. I feel like we came so far, but we are right back at the beginning. The food issues, the high numbers & all the testing again. Is it possible once I find the right food again I could get Baxter to another OTJ trial? He was on insulin for 3 weeks before the trial.

Thank you,
Jenn & Baxter
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

Let me be the first to admit, I know nothing about micro dosing! But, I have to disagree with your vet. If Baxter was my cat, I would micro dose and help support his pancreas while you are finding the "right" diet.

I know it is discouraging after having three weeks OTJ to go back to dosing and testing, but that also has to give you so much Hope. So many kitties never have an opportunity to go OTJ and the fact that you had three weeks with no insulin should be so encouraging. I would think with proper insulin support (micro dosing) that Baxter would have an opportunity to go OTJ again. It is obvious that his pancreas has some function recently, so I would be optimistic about the return to OTJ.

I read your post on health....prior to reading that, I was going to comment that you need to be sure there is no infection going on that could be driving the numbers up.

Good Luck!
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

Hi Jenn,

I replied on Health but will here too. No guarantees that he can get off the juice again, but I would think he has a great shot! At his present numbers, he is considered regulated which is no small thing in itself. It is possible that Baxter can bring himself down. It is also possible that his pancreas still needs a little help. Neither your vet or we can know which.

I would continue to work on getting the low carb in the lower ranges, I think you got some good suggestions on Health. And yes, I would mini dose. Have you practiced giving a drop of insulin - smaller than .1? I would pick a number like 150. When, and if, he reaches that and is sure headed up and not down, you can give a drop. It is a time consuming process. There is no set schedule nd you have to do quite a bit of testing. But it is also usually a short process. One of our most recent mini dosers is Cello'smom. I know she has replied to many of your posts and am sure she would give you moral support if you contact her by pm.

What are you thinking?
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

Jenn,
If I were you, I would be more encouraged than discouraged about Baxter's potential to go back OTJ! Hang in there. You are doing great!
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

I really don't think you have to worry about hypo with microdosing, especially considering his SS, he isn't even coming close to greens, and even that would be OK. I would get more aggressive and shoot at lower numbers like 150-160 to help him get down and stay down, and again, why not try the fancy feast? You can get it at 90% of grocery stores and it is pretty much the ideal food for diabetic cats, that's why we all use it :-D

His numbers are pretty regulated and stable still, so i'm sure he is feeling pretty normal, so I wouldn't worry too much. You're doing great.
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

First of all thank you so much for your help.
My thoughts....well...were do I start?
I completely disagree with my vet. I feel like what I have read on the MB about micro dosing & kind of learned how the pancreas works. Baxter needs the support of the insulin. I feel like with the higher then normal #'s the pancreas is straining to work. I don't want that to be happening. I feel like its a race against time here. I don't want his pancreas to strain to long without insulin or strain from being on high fat food.
I feel like I need to do something asap. The vet wasn't in today & told me he wants to see Baxter next week. I feel 12 days is to long on high numbers without support. Especially after being on insulin for 3 weeks. Then off for 3 weeks with normal #'s. Then high #'s with no inuslin. To me its to much yo yo-ing!! I know thats not good.
I decided I am shoting a micro tonight after dinner. I am getting ready to test & feed him.

Thank you for your support its does make things alot easier knowing I am not at this alone you guys are always here for me & Baxter.
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

The vet isn't holding the syringe and isn't checking in daily to see what you shoot. If you can show him at the next vet visit that Baxter has great numbers and did well, maybe he will learn something to help the next patient. The bottom line is Baxter is your kitty and you are more concerned and invested in his care than anyone else, including your vet.

I would imagine he is nervous that you will give too much insulin. But you hometest so you can stay on top of the numbers, and you know that you can manage any low numbers with food. My theory is that most vets do not have patients as well educated in the sugar dance as you are. They want to be cautious....
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

Sue is 100% right
BAxteris your baby and you should make the decision
Hang in there, fancy feast and friskies seem to be the popular ones
My babies wont eat anything else
 
Re: Update on Baxter w/questions

Just one thing to add Jenn.... now ECID, however Baxter seems to be responding very well to insulin, and quickly, as did Cello. Not sure if you don't want to have him on fancy feast? BUT, Cello went on fancy feast, helped huge, and when he was starting to go OTJ he was so sensitive to other foods. Everytime I had a BG spike it was because he got into his sisters dry food or something else. Now that his numbers are consistently in the greens, his diet is still mostly fancy feast, but he does get into dry food every few days (he is sneaky, sister won't eat dry, i'm doing a food dance at home) and I've started giving him some wet food that has a bit higher carb adn fat levels (science diet with gravy) etc. and his BG hasn't changed at all. So there is a good chance once his pancreas heals you can switch to some of the better quality, worse protein:carb ratio foods, essepcially if you are happy keeping him on wet food and intermittently checking his BG. I check about every 2-5 days now

If you do switch foods then make sure you give him 24 hours to see if his body responds on his own. Then if you like I can go over the microdosing protocol (similar to tight regulation protocol, just with much much smaller doses)
 
Thank you everyone for being my cheerleader :RAHCAT

Last night I did decide to give him insulin his # was just to high for me. I did give him under .25. This morning & this evening he has been in the 200's.

I did speak to the vet today....he wants me to start giving him .50, I really don't want to give him so much right now because of his food. I don't know what .50 could do. I would like to bring him down slow if possible?

Since wed. I have been feeding him Natures Variety. I started out with the lamb, but think its high in fat. For the last 24 hrs he has been eating rabbit (I can't think about it to much, poor bunny). He seems to like it. I am going to give it a couple of days.

@cellosmom everything you said makes since to me. I went to Target & looked at FF. If I can't get the rabbit to do a magic trick on Baxter then I am ready for FF. I would like to give the Natures Variety a couple more days. I will say FF is CHEAP compared to the $3 rabbit in a hat..oh I mean can (Natures Variety). I am going to want you to go over Microdosing proto. Do we need to wait until I get the food under control?
 
Jenn, you will only microdose (even .1 or .2 units can do the trick) when he gets up to the 180 range and is rising. So you can see if the food is bringing him down and then you won't give him insulin. In other words, I think you can do both at once.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top