update on The Velvet Elvis and his emergency

[Rainey]

This is REbecca although I am logged in as Rainey since she is still having trouble posting. She can however, read your replies. She emails me her posts and I post them for her. Whew! All for the kitties!

From Rainey:

title: update on The Velvet Elvis and his emergency

Our big black kitteh is doing much MUCH better since our emergency run last night! His blood glucose has dropped from 440 to 270 in less than 10 hours! The vet says he's resting a lot (very weak from weight loss) but up and alert at other times. We're bringing him home this afternoon. My day looks like a lot of diabetes education; I'll be turning to this board for explanations and ideas.

If it wasn't for you wonderful cat-enslaved people and the internet, my boy would be dead.

I'm meeting with Elvis' current vet at noon, to find out why she let him go for three months with blood glucose in the 400 range! I understand that it's a judgement call, but I think this shows poor judgement that my kitteh had to pay for. I'm trying to keep my emotions under control so I can have a reasonable discussion with her. She's a friend, too, which makes it more difficult.

Her clinic is only open four days a week, and of course our kittehs always get sick or injured on weekends. I think it might be time to find a new vet, but we live out in the country with nothing but small towns nearby, and there aren't many vets within a 20-mile radius. As if that isn't enough, a couple of them have not-so-good reputations, and one I know for sure dislikes cats and ferrets, and is very quick with the needle. (deep sigh)

The emergency hospital in Madison (Wisconsin) has cost us almost $1,000 since we took him in last night, but it's worth it to hear that he's getting better. This wouldn't have been necessary had our vet been a little more aggressive in treating those blood glucose levels instead of relying on food to solve the problem.

THICKENED INTESTINAL WALL?

The Velvet Elvis also has "thickened intestinal wall" -- has anyone heard of that? What does it mean for his recovery? The emergency vet thought it might take care of itself as he recovered and his blood sugar stabilized, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has had experience with it.

I'll share what I've learned, and deeply appreciate you sharing your experiences. Why do we love these little furbuckets so much? I've never been so happy about spending $1,000!!

-- Rainey, Stormin (my husband) & the Four Furpersons

 

[Pam and Layla]

I'm so glad Elvis is doing better. I hope all goes well when you bring him home.

I sounds like your current vet may be the best option since you have limited choices in a smaller community,as long as she is open-minded and willing to partner with you in caring for Elvis. It may be a steep learning curve for both of you, but maybe you can find some common ground going forward.

Best,
Pam & Layla

 

[Robert and Echo]

Got this email from Rainey late last night in reply to one of mine. My email comments are in blue:

OK, so you are able to log in now. Can you read the post I put up for you and read the answers?

yes, thank you! and the answers saved my cat's life!! thanks to you fellow humans owned by diabetic felines, I realized I should blow off the vet's advice about "borderline diabetes" and called the emergency animal hospital (only one open at night around here). They said "bring him in NOW", so at 10:30 pm my husband was driving Velvet Elvis and me at upwards of 90 mph down the interstate into Madison, Wisconsin. The vet hooked him (Velvet Elvis, not my husband) up to an iv for fluids, took blood samples for tests, and has started him on a very low dose of insulin. We should see a noticable improvement by morning.
Earlier in the evening I was holding him in my arms, he was floppy and 'out of it' and I didn't think he'd live until morning. Now there may be a chance! It's gone on for at least 3 months, probably closer to 4 months, and the poor little love has just gradually gone downhill, gaining speed as he went along.
But now we may have an alternative in sight!! I'll be on your website daily, learning about testing and giving insulin. I know it's a hog for time and worse for spare cash, but I'm partially disabled and don't have a life anyway.
I see by my magick crystal ball that the next few months are going to be busy. A 'learning experience', I guess it's called.
I can DO this!
Another potential problem: we normally keep our cookie data dump empty, refusing to allow other people's cookies to set up housekeeping in our computer. I guess that could change, WILL CHANGE!!!!!

That forum also has a feature so you cannot post if someone is in the process of posting at the same time. Please make sure you read everything that appears on the screen when you try to post. It may be asking you to review another post first.
Will do. Also, does whether or not we have our cookies on affected how the site works? My cookies are usually "off" but that can be adjusted. Just say the word.
I'll report more info on the Velvet Elvis when I talk to the ER in the morning. And the vet who misdiagnosed the severity of the 440 blood glucose and the treatment for it will be asked a few calm, rational quesstions. Um-hmmm.
So, please let the wonderful cat people at FDMB know that I am impressed by their skills, tactful caring, and compassion (for the idiotic human as well as the suffering little furperson).
Once I learn the posting system a little better,my questions and comments should improve.
Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to write and insist I get my animal companion checked out and evaluated by someone experienced in feline diabetes.
-- Rainey

 

[hollyall]

So glad to hear Velvet Elvis is doing better. Sounds like you've already figured out that you've come to best place for help with your diabetic cat. When my cat Max was diagnosed, I knew next to nothing at first and was overwhelmed. This forum and following the great advice/protocol really helped me turn Max's health around. I'm learning that there are a lot of vets that don't know much about feline diabetes. If you're willing to learn on your own and find a vet willing to listen and work with you, well you can make that work. Good luck!

 

[Deb415andNikki]

Dear Rainey, and, of course, you too, sweet recuperating Velvet Elvis,

Thank you so much for this update! It sounds like he's making good solid progress. Color me gratefully relieved for you all...

I can only begin to imagine his homecoming... I know you're going to want to hover and love him up; but, please keep in mind, Rainey, Elvis is going to need his rest -- just like you and your husband after last night's worries and angst. Perhaps a group nap for now. The party can always be scheduled for later...

Please keep us posted when you can. Speaking of which, thank you, dearest Rebecca, for passing on Rainey's updates to us all. You, of all people, know how we tend to worry...

And, Rainey, please know your family continues to be in my healing thoughts and prayers.

Much love and countless hopeful, healing hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...

 

[Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA]

Hi and welcome to FDMB,

Glad Elvis is starting to feel better. Learn to test blood sugar at home using a human glucometer - and this is a wonderful resource here. Come post any questions and we'll help you get the answers.