Comet - New Year, New Cat (*hopefully)

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Lauren & Comet, Jan 4, 2018.

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  1. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Hello all!

    Comet and I have been doing this song and dance for 2 years now. She is still not regulated. She was diagnosed while we lived in North Carolina and I was very diligent with her care. She was immediately switched to Wellness GF (after a 6 week stint on Purina DM wet...) hoping for the great success I had read on these boards with diet control. However, I didn't see that happen.

    In March 2016 we moved across the country to California. I tried to keep up with her spreadsheet as much as possible. However, as you can tell, I was only successful through June. My new job involved me working 12-14 hour days 6 days a week with on-call 24/7. I chose an apartment close to work to make it easier to go home on breaks and lunches (normal commutes here are 1hr+). She still received both does of insulin (2.0-2.5u depending on BG) and also switched to Fancy Feast ($$$) during this time. She has never seemed anything other than her loving self and we have only had a a couple of hypo scares (never any symptoms but BG below 50 and I NEVER shoot below 150).

    Enter in 2018. I have taken a promotion which will allow a better work-life balance. While some travel is involved, I am working on average 8:30-17:30. My sanity is coming back and, as such, want to make sure Comet gets back on track as well. Currently, her BG most commonly ranges from 300s-low 400s with 2 units of ProZinc 12 hours apart. She is still on Fancy Feast but I have ordered some YA Mature to free feed during the day and at night.

    Plan: First, let her reset on diet. She is currently eating two cans in the AM and another two cans in the PM. Young Again is scheduled to be here on Wednesday the 10th and I intend to replace 1 can at each feeding with a bowl of these yummies (she absolutely loves kibble). I intend to hold her insulin during this time (her AMPS and PMPS have not been noticeably different with or without). On Saturday January 6th I will perform a day curve to understand what exactly her BG looks like without insulin. I know what it should look like but I know every cat is different and 2 years can change things. Then would look to start insulin back on Sunday. I would look to start with 1u unless directed to begin with a different dose from an adviser here. I would like to curve again the following Saturday or Sunday to adjust the dose as necessary.

    I am so excited to get us both back on track (Mom is definitely a little heavier working those types of hours lol). While she may not have received perfect care over the past year, I do know that I tried my hardest and hope none of you judge me too much. I want what is best for my baby girl and hope you guys will help support us as we work through the coming weeks.
     
    Sharon14, srk4cats and Noah & me (GA) like this.
  2. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    I'll judge you. 10 for honesty, 10 for effort. :) Those Gold medals are heavy!
     
  3. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    We are here for you. :)
     
    Noah & me (GA) likes this.
  4. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Sounds like you have a good plan worked out! Let us know what we can do other than support you...we've definitely got that covered! Keep us posted on how she does and congrats on the promotion!
     
  5. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Congrats on the promotion, welcome back, and no judgement! We all just do the best we can with whatever schedules we need to keep. :bighug:

    The only adjustment I might suggest to your plan is I'm not quite sure why you want to curve with no insulin? The point of the curve in general is to see the impact of the insulin, and to make sure the dose is safe. So I guess my suggestion would be to just start the insulin when you're ready and go from there. Nothing wrong with doing an insulin-free curve if you want to you though! :)
     
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  6. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    That is all any of us can do, Lauren. You've obviously been doing a lot of things just fine because your kitty is here and ...

    Treatment is about the kitty, not the spreadsheet. :)

    Wishing you and Comet all good things for this new year. Adding my congrats on your promotion, too.

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
  7. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Quick question: I am coming up on my last few U-40 syringes. Would you all suggest switching to U-100 for more accurate doses?
     
  8. srk4cats

    srk4cats Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2017
    Order some more online and they come in a couple days. ADW is where I get mine. If you have to use the U-100, please use the conversion chart somewhere on this site. U-40's are what people use for animals. U-100's are for humans, which is why they're so easy to get in local drugstores.
     
  9. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    I prefer u-100s so that you can fine tune the dose. That way, you can do smaller amounts more accurately. You just MUST use the conversion chart...so if you'd rather stick with u-40s that's fine too. If you do that, though, I'd be sure to get the ones with the half unit markings to make life easier!
     
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  10. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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  11. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Hello all, Comet's spreadsheet has been updated. There's a lot of red. Should I go ahead and look to bump her up a .5 unit?
     
  12. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Aug 25, 2013
    Hi Lauren, I always wanted to bump up when I could monitor. When is the next cycle you can monitor?
     
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  13. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

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    Dec 29, 2015
    I won't be able to monitor during the cycle until next weekend (surprise bday trip this weekend). I just know she is so high and the 1u will not cut it.
     
  14. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    I suggest going up only 0.25 u to 1.25 u (eyeball it as well as you can). Get a +2 test after the dose increase because these can be quite revealing of kitty's intentions. If the +2 BG is the same as pre shot or higher, it'll likely be an uneventful cycle. If it's significantly lower you might need to monitor more frequently.
     
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  15. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Hello all. Quick update. It is looking like Comet is experiencing a bout of pancreatitis. She is on anti-nausea and pain meds along with an antibiotic. She is so pitiful and I am doing anything I can to get my kitty back. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers...
     
  16. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    I'm sorry to read this. Pancreatitis is awful. There are people here who are dealing with it and they might be able to help.
    @Djamila
    @Teresa & Buddy
     
  17. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Oh Lauren, I am so so so sorry to read this. P-titis is the absolute worst. :( So first of all, here is a hug for you and Comet: :bighug:

    Here is a link with some general info about pancreatitis: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/a-primer-on-pancreatitis.79693/

    @Critter Mom has written up a bunch of really great information from her experience and research with it that I'm sure she'll share with you soon, or you can find it, and a lot of other helpful info on my recent thread since we've been discussing it a fair bit over there:

    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/sam-month-12.189256/

    There are also facebook groups and yahoo groups that deal with pancreatitis if you want to find groups that specialize in that. Do be careful though as much of the general info about it doesn't take into consideration managing diabetes at the same time.

    The biggest thing to know is that it gets better. My heart is absolutely shredded when my little guy isn't feeling well, but he bounces back. I'm also learning that monitoring his blood glucose levels is incredibly helpful in catching a flare up before I can even see the symptoms. Sam runs high whenever he's getting sick. And his numbers get better when it settles back down. So the numbers are helping me know when to start treatment, and when I can stop it, since sometimes it's hard to tell just from looking at him what he needs.
     
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  18. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    @Djamila -

    Can't really improve on the brain dumps in the recent thread for which you've posted the link, Djamila.

    @Lauren & Comet -

    I'm really sorry to hear that Comet's going through pancreatitis. It really is the pits. :( Cats can look absolutely pasted during the apex of a flare but with the right supportive treatments and feeding of small, frequent meals things do get better. Frankly I am in awe of just how resilient cats can be.

    Couple of thoughts:

    - maintaining proper hydration is especially important during a flare. Adding a little water to each small meal can help with that (or vet/home sub-qs may be needed).

    - a course of vitamin B12 injections can help with nutrient absorption and appetite, plus it can exert an anti-inflammatory effect.

    - try to identify any recent changes to routine/food that might have triggered the flare (including whether a new batch of regular food may have been offered) and keep a record of these.

    Sending prayers and healing vibes that the flare will subside really quickly and that Comet will be feeling better really soon.

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
  19. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Aug 17, 2016
    Thanks, Mog. I should have tagged you too but forgot. o_O
     
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  20. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    See me after class.

    :p


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
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  21. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    I think Mogs & Djamila, just about covered everything. Everyone here will be happy to help you and your Kitty anyway we can. Hope things turn around fast and do not come back. We hate it so bad when our Kitty's are sick, any advise we know, we will share with you.
     
  22. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Hello all. Comet is coming out of a bad spell. She is coming home today after 3 days in the hospital. Pancreatitis, ketones, low electrolytes, and possible IBD or small cell lymphoma (so much for making her better in 2018...). She is back to eating again and hope we don't have to go back there any time soon. With that being said, the doctor has switched her to Lantus (something I probably should have done a while ago) so will be leaving this thread (along with $5000 in vet bills). Thank you for all of your advice and support. Should you wish to read more of her battle from the past couple of weeks, click the link below. Thanks again!

    (Deleted link by request of admin)
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  23. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Hi Lauren,

    I'm so sorry to hear about the rough time Comet has been having! :( (((Comet)))

    Before you bring her home I strongly recommend that you ask the vets to prescribe some anti-nausea medication (Cerenia or generic ondansetron) to give at home if Comet needs it. It can make the world of difference to help a cat recovering from pancreatitis to keep eating steadily. Another simple thing that can help is raising food and water bowls a few inches from the ground so that she doesn't have to bend down to eat and drink.

    Sending healing vibes and fusses for Comet.

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
  24. Lauren & Comet

    Lauren & Comet Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Thanks!! We still have a couple of tabs of Cerenia at home I can give her. ☺️
     
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  25. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Be sure to keep us updated on Comet's progress.

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
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