Update on Rocky - OTJ trial August 2016

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Marlena

Marlena

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Today is sixth day of Rocky's OTJ trial.
We are having really good numbers most of the time, yesterday was a very good day but this morning Rocky's BG is slightly higher and he is not quite himself - very quiet so I'm worried that something is bothering him.
I delayed his breakfast by one hour in order to check his BG again and it was 6.6. He ate his breakfast, no problem here but he is still not himself. I don't know what happened at night as he loves this warm weather and spends a lot of time outside. He might have been stressed by other cats in the area.
I'm watching him, time will tell.
 
Wow Marlena, 6th day already! Sorry i've been MIA again... :( I will react to your post on my thread tomorrow okay? Then I can sit behind my desk and take the time for it!
I hope Rocky will feel like himself in no time, maybe he just has an off day you know? It can happen!
Lots of love from Baco and me :bighug::kiss:
 
Ruby&Baco said:
Wow Marlena, 6th day already! Sorry i've been MIA again... :( I will react to your post on my thread tomorrow okay? Then I can sit behind my desk and take the time for it!
I hope Rocky will feel like himself in no time, maybe he just has an off day you know? It can happen!
Lots of love from Baco and me :bighug::kiss:
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Oh, dear Ruby, I was a bit worried about you being quiet for a bit! Thanks a lot for getting in touch.
 
There is something I have to add to my post:

Rocky seems to be in a very good condition, his fur is beautifully soft, no moulting or dandruff at all and he is so well in himself (apart from a little wobble this morning).
I have tweaked his diet a little before we started OTJ trial. As I decided to try to eat differently myself for health reasons I, after doing a lot of research came to the conclusion that my new KETOGENIC DIET is going to be suitable for my furry children.
They both (Rocky the cat and Bailey the dog) already were on species appropriate diet (raw meat and bones) but I'm now including more healthy fats, less so for the dog. Cats are particularly suited to this diet as their requirements for fat is much higher and I think any commercial diet, even the one which is low in carbohydrate lacks good quality fats. It is apparent that Rocky's horrible dandruff went away since I started giving him less protein but much more fat like goose fat, coconut oil and butter. This sort of feeding should also be very beneficial for cat's digestion as it will help with passing of hair balls which are a big problem if the digestion is impaired.
I would appreciate opinions of other members who are familiar with this kind of diet and could share their experience.;)
 
Darn Marlena, I see Rocky is going up again..... Hopefully he will drop for you next pre shot in the morning......
I got my fingers crossed for you :bighug:
 
It is so frustrating!
Rocky's numbers were so good recently and yesterday all in 5 range and today ... 8 -9!
It doesn't look like one off, when they have low numbers and only one number gets higher for one reason or another it is normal I suppose but all day higher numbers does not make me feel good at all.:arghh:
Trying not to get too upset about it and still hoping that he will get better numbers tomorrow.
Not sure what to think if he is in 9th tomorrow.
 
That is frustrating. So close to OTJ. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the diet you mentioned. Maybe Rocky will go back into low numbers tomorrow.
 
@Ruby&Baco , @JeffJ
Good morning,
it is a good morning to me as Rocky decided to give me a nice BG of 5.4!
Do you believe that?
Two thoughts here:
1. maybe Rocky's numbers would go up and down for some time when on OTJ trial - I saw that pattern when I looked at other kitties going OTJ until numbers stabilised
2. he got stressed or his body reacted to a supplement of green lipped mussel extract for arthritis (it has glucosamine in it which is kind of sugar and some people say it can raise BG, others say no, it would not).
I have given him that supplement before and he had slightly raised BG and another time he did not so not too sure.
All I can do now is to wait and see and be hopeful.
Hope you and your kitties are well, we're having another beautiful summer day, wishing you a lot of sunshine.
Marlena:D
 
Those numbers are looking good. There will always be variations.

Yes, maybe that supplement was messing with Rocky's numbers. It sure is nice to see all those blues and greens. I'm glad you are using the full spreadsheet. I always have to go to the U.S. tab to review numbers. I'm more familiar with the (1-600) range.
 
Marlena said:
Good morning,
it is a good morning to me as Rocky decided to give me a nice BG of 5.4!
Do you believe that?
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OMG Marlena, although i've been MIA AGAIN............. I do watch yours (and others) SS every morning when I wake up just to check on how they are doing. I was sooooo happy for you this morning, but again couldn't react to it.
How are you doing Marlena?
Great that you found out about that special diet! I have to inform myself about it because i've never heard of it (will do that tomorrow when i'm at the office and it's not that busy). Sorry that I've been MIA, but I've started a class for learning how to work with acrylic and gel nails. I'm so busy doing that since last weekend that I couldn't find the time to log on to this forum and chat with you all.........
 
Ruby&Baco said:
OMG Marlena, although i've been MIA AGAIN............. I do watch yours (and others) SS every morning when I wake up just to check on how they are doing. I was sooooo happy for you this morning, but again couldn't react to it.
How are you doing Marlena?
Great that you found out about that special diet! I have to inform myself about it because i've never heard of it (will do that tomorrow when i'm at the office and it's not that busy). Sorry that I've been MIA, but I've started a class for learning how to work with acrylic and gel nails. I'm so busy doing that since last weekend that I couldn't find the time to log on to this forum and chat with you all.........
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Ruby, life is like that for most of us now - we're constantly busy!
I haven't worked for 3 months but I couldn't find a minute to sit down and do nothing.
I hope you're enjoying your new classes and you don't stress too much, you must be careful as you have sensitive soul.
I'm doing really well, thank you. Rocky is my main concern of course but it feels so good when he is healthy. And this morning he gave me a beautiful 5.3!!!!
The diet I mentioned requires eating large amount of fat instead carbohydrate. This forces body to burn fat instead of carbs for energy and produces ketones which are healthy, not to be confused with ketoacidosis in diabetes type 1. Apparently our bodies are designed to burn fat more efficiently than carbs and it is particularly good for brain and for insulin resistance where you produce a lot of insulin but your body can not use it like it is in prediabetic state or Syndrome X (insulin resistance). I suspect that our kitties got into Syndrome X and diabetes due to wrong diet. This is it in a nut shell but read about it yourself and really ignore some very unscientific and sensational titles like "dangers of ketogenic diet".
Take care my darling and let's talk when you have a minute to breath.
My best regards to you, kitties and dear BF.
 
We will talk indeed soon, this week I hope!
So is this diet something I can give Baco too loose the weight ?
 
Ruby&Baco said:
We will talk indeed soon, this week I hope!
So is this diet something I can give Baco too loose the weight ?
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In theory - yes!
But maybe wait for results I would be able to see in Rocky.
If you google "ketogenic diet for diabetic cat" or "ketogenic diet for cats and dogs" you should be able to find some interesting websites. Sorry I have no time now to give you those ones I found.
Just to warn you: it is difficult to grasp the fact that you or your cat should eat a lot of fat (animal, saturated type and coconut oil) instead of carbohydrate! But be open minded.
We need to talk.
Love
Marlena & Rocky:)
 
Today is 9th day of trial and I have to say I'm frustrated because Rocky jumps up and down.
His BG this AM is 7.8. It is not a particularly high number, specially on AlphaTrak meter but it worries me as it keeps happening.
I don't know much about this 2 weeks period when kitties are tried OTJ. I wonder if other members can shed some light on it.:arghh:
 
I saw his numbers this morning (Like I do every morning when I come out of bed I like to look at the sheets from kitties I follow and/or guide)
I was also a little frustrated about it, I can't understand why he's doing that... he likes living on the edge I guess....:rolleyes:

Marlena said:
I don't know much about this 2 weeks period when kitties are tried OTJ. I wonder if other members can shed some light on it.:arghh:
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What do you want to know? maybe I can give you a little info that you are not yet aware off?
 
Ruby, I don't know when you are supposed to start insulin on OTJ trial, what does that mean when his numbers are higher one day all day and normal another day. I though that they can have one off higher number once in a while, that seems to be normal but what about higher numbers all day?
I think I have just answered my own question. Rocky has higher numbers today because he is NOT well!
He was not quite himself this AM but had his breakfast as normal although he did not seem to eat it with his usual ferocious appetite. Had to leave him on his own for most of the day. On my return his BG was 8.1 without any food since late morning.
So I tested him (8.1) and gave him his dinner, again eating slightly reluctantly but ate all of it. Then went to the garden (I'm watching him), did a wee and then tried to poo, digging and squatting many times, nothing comes out, Rocky uncomfortable. Thinking he is constipated I gave him a bit of milk hoping it would eventually stir things up and he would be able to have a movement. He vomited. Phoned the vet, she said straining like that might mean 2 things: constipation or diarrhoea, difficult to say without an exam. She said bring him in the morning if the problem persist. Now Rocky went to bed, he is settled and sleeping. Poor kitty.
It is so difficult when they can not tell you or you can't observe what's wrong.
He can't be too bad as he is still eating. I'm glad he is not on insulin at the moment.
Oh dear!:arghh:
 
Well dear Marlena, you indeed just answered your own question ;) cats can also have an off day, just like we do. Even healthy non diabetic cats are sometimes higher in numbers that can be caused by anything.
I think it's hard to say 'now you can start insulin again' for 2 reasons:
1. Sometimes they do have an off day, so I don't think there is any need to give insulin right away, just take a deep breath and relax. Give it 2 or 3 days and if the numbers are building up each day and not coming down I would suggest using insulin again.
2. You use a pet meter right? The numbers are different from the human meter, but I don't have to tell you that right ;)
So for Baco on the human meter I applied the rule everything below 6.6mmol is great, everything that would be above that, not so great:eek: BUT she did show me some higher numbers, just take a look at my spreadsheet. Her OTJ trial begin 5/31 with a 9.6mmol (I wasn't planning on giving her a change on going onto the trial but it was too low for me to shoot that morning so I went with a NS) then in the evening she got scared by the mailmen and she was up in the sky with 20.6mmol so I gave her some insulin.
The morning after that she had again a non shootable number, so I decided okay well this is it.. Lets try this trial, but as you can see, those numbers weren't under 6.6mmol.
After she was officially OTJ, she gave me a couple off weeks later a 7.1mmol (6/25) not really OTJ material right? So don't get frustrated Marlena, and I think you only should give insulin when the number are building up each day.. If Rocky is steady around these numbers like he is now, I don't find it anything to worry. My vet told me that some cats do have a higher BG level than the average cat, it can happen and maybe that's the case with Rocky..

The story about him being constipated can well be the reason he's a little higher than you would like him to be. But in my oppinion,, nothing to worry about for now. Let him stay on the trial for now.

:bighug::kiss:
 
btw, 8/16 Rocky did rise that day, even the pmps wasn't nice BUT see what he did there at 8/17? He brought himself down. It seems to me he did the same thing on 8/18 morning looking at that PMPS from 8/17. So he can bring himself down as you can see. So I really wouldn't consider insulin right now. Just let him do his thing.
 
I see Rocky gave you a nice 6.8 this morning!!! Woehoehhhh:cool:

Oh my Baco was such a bad kitty! I woke up and I saw that there was a little bit of 'water' on her own pillow (i thought it was vomit) where she sleeps on, and on the floor, guess what? It was freaking pee!!!!! She peed on her own pillow, she is soooo bad! No alarm bells btw her # weren't high I just didn't clean the litterbox, I was supposed to do it yesterday (I do it every other day) but I forgot so the litterbox wasn't too her liking I guess and she decided to pee on her own pillow wtf! So I was really mad at her this morning:mad:.
 
I had to chuckle at this, Ruby, even though it was very frustrating for you. Cats sure know how to make their displeasure known!

BTW, thank you again for the feedback you gave me earlier this week.
 
Oehhhh I could have done something to her this morning, I was do angry with her! :mad: I know that cats are really clean animals but come on! I always clean the litterbox every other day, scoop everything out but well miss diva didn't like the fact that it wasn't clean a 100%. Mennnnnn she could have just looked the other way!
Well no pillow for her now, she ruined her own pillow:rolleyes:
Try to wash it but the smell will still be there I think (cats can smell that even though we can't anymore) .

Of course @krisu your welcome! :bighug:
 
Oh Ruby, it is really funny, sorry!
Baco knows how to play on you, your services were not first class for Baco's high standards and she needed to let you know you need to do better to satisfy her (ha ha ha)!
Please forgive me.
Ok, Rocky is doing well, BG 6.7 this afternoon and he seems to be feeling well. There is one thing though: he is cleaning himself all the time (his bits under the tail, lower part of his tummy and inside his thighs). That's been going for a long time now.
As you know I took him to the vet's for his dental and full exam including a scan of his internal organs and a blood test. Nothing showed up as abnormal.
The vet hasn't got a clue what's wrong.
I suspect urinary problems.
Go figure!
Let's just watch him. Next week I'm going to speak with the vet and will take him for more tests if she thinks this is what we need to do.
Please don't be angry with Baco, she is so sweet!
 
Ruby&Baco said:
Oehhhh I could have done something to her this morning, I was do angry with her! :mad: I know that cats are really clean animals but come on! I always clean the litterbox every other day, scoop everything out but well miss diva didn't like the fact that it wasn't clean a 100%. Mennnnnn she could have just looked the other way!
Well no pillow for her now, she ruined her own pillow:rolleyes:
Try to wash it but the smell will still be there I think (cats can smell that even though we can't anymore) .

Of course @krisu your welcome! :bighug:
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Try to soak it in water with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Good luck!
 
Marlena said:
Baco knows how to play on you, your services were not first class for Baco's high standards and she needed to let you know you need to do better to satisfy her (ha ha ha)!
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Yes well that's the way she thinks indeed, spoiled little furry diva!
I'm not angry anymore, but in the morning seeing that the sec I woke up, you can imagine that I was angry, knowing I had to clean it up fast because otherwise my house would smell like a farm so I really just woke up and didn't feel like being all active the second I woke up..... :blackeye:

I'm glad you are seeing that Rocky is also doing better, by the way he is acting.
Yes you told me about the washing part, but that is still going on? Mmmm, are you going to take him to the vet again for this issue?
 
Marlena, i'm just thinking about it right now and Baco also does that sometimes for a long time but that's when she's nervous off something... She will lick her entire body especially below the tail and her legs and tummy.

Maybe there is something that makes Rocky feel nervous or uncomfortable, and that is the reason he's doing it?
 
Marlena said:
Oh Ruby, it is really funny, sorry!
Baco knows how to play on you, your services were not first class for Baco's high standards and she needed to let you know you need to do better to satisfy her (ha ha ha)!
Please forgive me.
Ok, Rocky is doing well, BG 6.7 this afternoon and he seems to be feeling well. There is one thing though: he is cleaning himself all the time (his bits under the tail, lower part of his tummy and inside his thighs). That's been going for a long time now.
As you know I took him to the vet's for his dental and full exam including a scan of his internal organs and a blood test. Nothing showed up as abnormal.
The vet hasn't got a clue what's wrong.
I suspect urinary problems.
Go figure!
Let's just watch him. Next week I'm going to speak with the vet and will take him for more tests if she thinks this is what we need to do.
Please don't be angry with Baco, she is so sweet!
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About the intensive cleaning of his nether regions: I've seen Teasel do this occasionally, especially when his urine volume when peeing was larger. I wondered whether he was having splash back from the wet patch on the surface of his clumping litter onto his lower abdomen, inner thighs, etc. Just a thought ...
 
krisu said:
About the intensive cleaning of his nether regions: I've seen Teasel do this occasionally, especially when his urine volume when peeing was larger. I wondered whether he was having splash back from the wet patch on the surface of his clumping litter onto his lower abdomen, inner thighs, etc. Just a thought ...
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Krisu,
thanks for your suggestions.
I have no idea about Rocky's urine output as he refuses to use litter tray and has been doing his business in the garden for a very long time. I try to watch him and sometimes I can't notice he does anything for days but I can clearly see him cleaning himself without being to the toilet. So his squatting and his grooming of under the tail regions might or might be not connected. But he clearly wasn't well yesterday and we had a similar issue few weeks ago but the vet wasn't sure what was wrong, we assumed that he had urinary problem but nothing was clear upon exam. He was given antibiotics and he was fine after that. He has been overcleaning himself on his tummy for a long time.
He might be upset about a big black cat hanging around in the neighbour's garden, often his big brother Bailey (Rottweiler cross) would chase the invaders away. So I still am not sure what to think.
 
not so great amps today, but just check how he's doing during the day, I'm confident he will bring himself down again!
 
Not good I'm afraid as Rocky's BG is 8.9 this morning.
I suspect urinary problems.
He went for a wee, then kept trying to do something after that walking around garden looking for a spot and digging, squatting without anything coming out, eventually went to neighbours' garden where I couldn't see (maybe he was fed up with me following and watching him) and came back after 15 minutes. I have no idea if he's done anything. Poor kitty, going to the vets tomorrow.
I hope that Baco behaves herself and continues to loose weigh.
Have a nice Sunday.
Frustrated Marlena:arghh:
 
Mmm sounds like a urinary problem indeed, and that can be the reason his numbers are a little bit off.
Please give an update tomorrow on how the vet visit went, hopefully Rocky will feel better soon.. Jeeez Marlena, everytime you try an OTJ trial there is something that will block it from happening!! Do you ever get a break?
I do understand that you are frustrated :(

Baco is doing ok, but just vomit.... so I was scared of course and I tested her, but she gave me a beautiful 3.7mmol so there is nothing going on, I just think she is having an off day..
She is also not really cuddeling with me so I let her be for now...
 
How are you both tonight?
Rocky's BG PM is better.
See what happens tomorrow.
Tara and Tempest are doing so well, I can't quite believe it! So happy for them.:):cat::)
 
I'm doing great, well Baco is not losing the weight, did you see my new thread? hahaha you can see some funny pictures I made today of Baco.
She is such a fatty!
I can't believe either, and it's been so quick. Mr.P is really showing himself off!
I see Rocky brought himself down a bit, that's positive!
 
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