Bob's first (nearly) hypo!

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Tilou, Mar 3, 2018.

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  1. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Apologies in advance for the long post...

    Just had a very stressful couple of hours trying to get Bob's BG back up from a potential hypo.

    After a good day yesterday - following a few days of illness, including vomiting - he seemed to be back on track to being his usual self. He was even very active this morning and for the first time in months was jumping up onto the furniture.

    However, he's also become very aware of what the blood tests are and goes into full feral fighting mode the moment he sees me with the meter, so it's been very difficult to test before his shots. I've basically been winging it, giving his shots (1u Lantus) by monitoring his food and water intake.

    Unfortunately today I've been caught out - as Bob hardly ate anything for breakfast and I realised he was very lethargic this afternoon, so much so that he actually didn't react at all when I took a blood test. When the result came out at 5.6 mmol (using Freestyle strips in an AT pet meter, so I understand that the reading might be slightly out) I gave him some of his old favourite food (non-diabetic) to boost his levels up, but he only licked the sauce and wouldn't eat the meat.

    As this is the lowest he's been and he was obviously feeling unwell, I also took the extra precaution of rubbing some honey on his gums. But half an hour later when I retested he'd dropped to 5.1.

    As he was resisting my attempts with the honey, I made up a solution with water and maple syrup in a feeding syringe and got some into his mouth. The next test showed a slight rise and he was a bit more reactive but didn't want to eat the food I'd given him.

    As our other cat has hardly any teeth, I keep a supply of liquid food sachets (although they are mostly protein based, with minimal sugars/carbs), so tempted Bob with some of that - only to have him throw the whole lot up again a few minutes later!

    I've now cooked up some chicken and he's eaten about a tablespoon of that. I retested again just over an hour ago and he'd risen to 6.5. He's now sleeping (and snoring!), so I'm going to use my last proper AT strip to get a precise reading of where he's at.

    Based on previous readings, he's past his peak time for the 1u he had this morning and I obviously won't be giving him a shot tonight.

    Any tips of how to get a poorly cat to eat much appreciated.
     
  2. Dyana

    Dyana Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad he ate the chicken. Have you tested for ketones?
     
  3. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    Not yet. He hasn't been out all afternoon and now its too dark for me to see when he does go out. I'll have to watch him in the morning and follow him to get a urine sample.

    His BG is back up to 11.1 and he's kept the chicken down. He's sleeping comfortably at the moment.

    I'm going to stay up late and monitor him.
     
  4. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    Hello Tilou and Bob, ca va?
    Just to put your mind at rest - today's numbers were not Hypo, lower, much lower than both of you used to handle, but safe. So, deep breath and relax - you are ok and might even want to reconsider withholding tonight's dose.
     
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  5. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    Any chance you can start nightly tests?
     
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  6. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    I understand that must have been scary, when I first saw a 4 for Quintus I freaked out! I just also wanted to add those numbers are not that worrisome on an AT. Not to say low numbers shouldn't be taken seriously, but when I chatted with my vet after that first "low" he told me that really dicey territory is around 2. Again: we take action before that. But knowing how much "wriggle room" there still was allowed me to stop panicking completely when I saw a 3 on the meter. (Look at Quintus's SS, I also use mmol/l and an AT.)
     
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  7. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Hello, we are fine - the numbers and Bob's demeanour was a bit frightening. I was also worried about the numbers being lower as I was using the cheaper Freestyle strips. Bob's now gone out after having some more chicken. Yes, I'll be withholding his dose tonight.
     
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  8. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    I'm going to try, if I can keep Bob calm.
     
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  9. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Are you following SLGS or TR or haven’t decided yet? Are you feeding any dry food? On an AT the number to be concerned is 68 (US). I don’t know what that is on the world chart. Any number than you are used to is unsettling though. Are you giving a treat adter each test? That can help when eating well. If his appetite picks up I might reconsider skipping tonight depending on the PMPS number.
     
  10. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    We did panic - which was strange because DH is diabetic and has hypos regularly, but of course he's more easily dealt with than a cat, lol.

    Thanks for the heads up re the numbers. Because I'm using the Freestyle strips I was concerned the readings weren't spot on and his BG was perhaps lower than the readings.

    My main concern now is Bob's vomiting and not eating. I suspect a fur ball, but I think it'll be a trip to the vet if he's not over it on Monday.
     
  11. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Bob was in perfectly safe numbers today. Thought lower numbers than he is used to, so might have felt "off" for that reason. The take action number on an AT is 68 (US) or 3.8 (World). I would NOT withold insulin tonight. Especially if there is any chance ketones are in the picture. Many cats look uncomfortable when they first see normal numbers again. Neko hid under the bed at her first greens.

    If you are worried about cost, how about using Freestyle strips in a Freestyle (human) meter. Our dosing methods use numbers from human meters.
     
  12. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    SLGS and, yes, Bob does have a modicum of dried diabetes biscuits, so I have to take that into consideration. He's never been a "treats" cat - just begs for a pea sized knob of butter when I'm in the kitchen but won't eat it at any other time But at the moment he's totally off his food, so I have withheld his dose.
     
  13. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    if he is off his food and not getting insulin you absolutely want to be testing for ketones -- not sure if this was covered higher up in the thread. how long since he last ate?

    ETA: a cat not eating, furthermore a diabetic cat, is really serious. they can get fatty liver after just 24h of fasting. ketones can show up too, if the cat is diabetic. both these conditions will make the cat even less likely to eat because he feels nauseous and crappy. pay attention!
     
  14. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    by the way: lower numbers = often decreased appetite. the cells aren't starving as much. you might just need to stimulate him a bit more to eat until he gets used to those lower numbers. could you update your spreadsheet so we can see where he's at now, even if you didn't give the shot? (write NS in the box when you didn't shoot)
     
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  15. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    He's just wolfed down a bowl of food! I'm just waiting for him to settle to do a test.

    Again, thanks for all the info - much appreciated x
     
  16. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Great!
     
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  17. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Guideline: if you manage to test 10-15 minutes after food you probably still just have a non-food-influenced number.
     
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  18. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    I'll have to wait a bit longer than that. He'll take half an hour or more to settle. I did manage to use use his ears last night, but don't know how receptive he'll be now that he's more lively!
     
  19. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Update: AMPS test shows Bob is up at 30.2 after eating some Animonda diabetic chicken pate, plus a small portion of Almo Nature shredded chicken with shrimps, for breakfast. No vomiting since he ate a tablespoon of some real cooked chicken last night. Very lively now - had to abandon trying to get a test from his ear and revert back to paw pad!

    Given him 1u shot and will retest in about five hours (as his peak is around six hours when eating normally) unless I see anything untoward.

    Missed his toilet visit to the garden this morning to collect a urine sample for ketones, so will put my stalking hat on when he heads out later today.

    He's currently sleeping soundly (& snoring loudly).

    Thanks to everyone for their support and advice :bighug:
     
  20. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Just for next time: try and get the PS test before feeding, so that it's not food-influenced. Also, if you're moving around the shot time (assuming you did so today) you will want to record that in your spreadsheet, as cycles shorter or longer than 12 hours will influence the potency of the insulin dose.

    Good luck for the ketone stalking trip!!
     
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  21. Kathy and TiTi

    Kathy and TiTi Well-Known Member

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    Fatty liver disease is much more likely in an over-weight cat, than a slender or normal weight cat. Also, 24 hours is not usually sufficient to cause it. However, you are right that it is a danger and one must be on the lookout for it.
     
  22. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Bob was so high this morning for a couple of reasons. First, his little body is not used to the normal (but safe) number he got yesterday, so he bounced. Second, you skipped insulin, though you didn't need to. I hope he comes down soon.

    I had asked about SLGS vs TR. because the point at which a dose is reduced is when you see a number below 90 (5.0). It's still a safe number.
     
  23. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    A week on since I started this thread and Bob had had a good week (even brought me in a mouse!)... until he started with his cold-like symptoms again yesterday and had been sick yesterday and again today. As a result of not keeping down his food today he's hit a new low this evening of 4.1 and as its not something he's used to is feeling the effects.

    Amazingly we were alerted to something not being right by our other cat, Joey, who joined Bob in his bed and started kicking and nudging him (something he never does as they have a very fractious relationship!). As Joey always fusses around my DH when he's having a hypo, I immediately checked Bob's BG and got the low reading.

    My only concern is Bob's vomiting as I can't find a cause for it (ketones are fine).
     
  24. Dyana

    Dyana Well-Known Member

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    Good for Joey. Atta Boy:cat: What a keeper!
    I'm so glad Bob's ketones are negative.
    Has his T4 (thyroid) been tested recently? Maybe someone already asked that.
    Was the mouse gift around the time he started throwing up? I hope no one around you is using poison for mice.

    Sending feel much better soon vines, to Bob.
     
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  25. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Joey is a star!
    I don't think Bob has had a thyroid test - would that be part of a blood test? I'll check his one taken at the vet.
    He presented the mouse intact, although he does eat them occasionally but thankfully there's no-one near us who would be using poison.
    Thanks for the response and advice, always appreciated ;)
     
  26. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    What a great addition to your hypo kit: JOEY!!! That is amazing. I have heard about dogs that detect seizures in their human who has epilepsy.

    Glad Bob doesn't usually eat his prey. Worms are a consideration with them eating their kill.

    As Dyana said, it is the T4 thyroid test that has to be preformed separately from a senior panels. How old is Bob? The average age for hyper thyroid is around 12 years of age.
     
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  27. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Bob is about 14, so a hyper thyroid is possible. What other symptoms does it present?
     
  28. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    Besides eating like crazy, weight loss and they may act a bit nervous or on edge and vomiting, and severe dandruff. My civvie cat had all those symptoms.
     
  29. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Wow. Bob does eat like crazy (but always has done - hence his original weight gain that led to diabetes). His weight loss was attributed to the diabetes and he is now stabilised at 6kg. He has a little dandruff on his back end, although not evident all the time. As for acting crazy, he's always been like that, lol. He's not really a nervous cat - loves people - but has become very clingy recently.

    I'll monitor the situation.
     
  30. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    Oh, bingo! I forgot, becoming very needy and clingy is another one of the symptoms; I forgot that one!
     
  31. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Ah, that's not so good to hear - although it's difficult with Bob because he has displayed many of the symptoms, individually, during all the years we've had him.

    It's like the vomiting - he's consistently (two or three times every year) had these flu or cold like symptoms: sneezing, runny eyes and nose, that are accompanied by him vomiting and being off his his food. It normally subsides within a couple of days. Any longer than 48 hours and we've taken him to the vet, whose treated him with antibiotics - but never given an explanation as to what might cause it.

    That's how his diabetes diagnosis was missed last November (despite my telling the vet about his excessive drinking and loss of bladder control). As it was accompanied by his cold symptoms he was treated for that. I'm really no longer confident in our vet and he's the only one anywhere near us.

    I really feel like I'm letting Bob down and am upset that he's not improving with his insulin, new food regime etc, but instead seem to be hopelessly watching his health take a downward turn.

    Sorry to offload this on here. I'm at my wits end.
     
  32. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    No worries with venting: we've all been there and had to do that. ;)

    I see you skipped last night's shot. If you were able to monitor, I would have shot. He was 153 at +10 and had you gotten a PMPS he would have been higher. The sooner he gets used to being in normal numbers the better he will feel too. You will need to get comfortable shooting lower numbers. You have enough daytime data to be able to shoot 150 and over. I know it is scary the first time , but remember, he is likely to bounce up in numbers just from not being used to lower numbers .

    Someone here will be able to assist you when you shoot a number you are not comfortable with. :bighug:
     
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  33. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Thank you :)

    I'm not confident about shooting on low numbers. I've just done Bob's PMPS and he's down at 4.3 (77?) and he's only eaten a teaspoon of diabetic food (which he's kept down so far) so I'm worried he'll hypo in the night.

    He's curled up sleeping and I can't get him interested in eating.

    It's like a bad dream :(
     
  34. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    That would be quite a low number to shoot. I wouldn’t worry about him going hypo during the night if you don’t shoot.
    Are you shooting or skipping? Or waiting and restesting without feeding?
     
  35. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    FWIW I think some of the morning blacks you’ve been seeing recently might be bounces (combined with no insulin during PM cycle). He might be having a hard time getting used to those lower numbers!
     
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  36. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    I agree with that in lieu of 2 skipped PM shots and being 623 at AMPS then bringing himself back down to 77 for a PMPS.

    It's ideal to be able to get two shots 12 hours apart in each day but without any data shooting lower number and not a lot of data in the PM cycles it's hard to know if 1u is too much .
     
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  37. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    I've got Bob to eat some Kattovit Sensitive (not diabetic, so has carbs!) and he's kept it down. Also just been out with him (in the dark!) to collect urine sample and no ketones - phew! Am going to get another BG before bed to see about whether to shoot.

    Once again many thanks for all your support :kiss:
     
  38. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Now down at 3.7 :banghead:

    And thrown up the little food he's eaten!
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2018
    Reason for edit: Addition
  39. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    @Tilou
    How is Bob doing now?
    Had he eaten after throwing up and are there any BG test after that 67 (3.7) @+1?
    I hope he had and doing fine.

    Please let us know how you guys are doing.
     
  40. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    Hi - Bob seems to be fine now. He went out and wouldn't come back in the house. When he did he ate a little but wouldn't let me test him (ran back outside!). He's now cosied up in his bed (as are we at last). I'll get a test in the morning. I presume his BG must have risen as the effects of his morning shot has finally worn off as he's showing no signs of being low now.
     
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  41. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Just my gut feeling so you might want to get another pair of eyes (and a brain) on the idea but I’d try lowering the dose, given he was still falling at +13. 0.75? You might get higher numbers during the day but with a bit of luck you might get a shootable PMPS.

    Also, in this kind of situation, if there is any way you can get a « before sleep » test in, it could give precious information, even when you don’t shoot. That +13 is super interesting, already.

    Will check in later to see how things are this morning!
     
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  42. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018

    Good morning

    Well its been an interesting night. Bob slept from 1am to 4am then woke me up for food - but barely took anything before heading out for his morning patrol.

    He then woke me again at 6am. Same routine. Then at 7am. Wouldn't touch any food or kibbles. Just sat looking at the bowl. Then went out again before coming up on the bed about 20 mins ago.

    I've taken the opportunity of getting a blood test (very little resistance, unlike at 1am this morning!) and he's at 13.

    He's well hydrated as he's been drinking fairly consistently, but something's stopping him from eating.

    He's fast asleep (and snoring loudly!) but normally when I start rattling the pots in the kitchen he'll make an appearance. He loves to get some poitrine (bacon) from our breakfast plates on a Sunday, so this will be the test as to whether he'll eat anything.

    Also, as he regularly goes off his food when he gets his sneezy cold symptoms, am wondering if he can't smell the food. So I'm going to try him with a tin of Cosma mackerel. If that fails he'll be at the vet tomorrow (nothing available today unfortunately).

    DH (himself a very unstable diabetic) is not keen to give him a shot at 13 with no food intake, so think we'll see if he eats anything and if so, test again, and give a small amount if BG rises.

    I agree that smaller doses may be the way forward. DH has been saying that since we had this problem last weekend but the black numbers have given me a moral dilemma each time as to what to do :(
     
  43. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    I agree with not giving a full dose at 13 with no food. For perspective, when I started out with Quintus, 10-15 was what I was aiming for! I wouldn’t give nothing, however, but 0.25 maybe (unless he eats). I’m with you u for the vet tomorrow, being off one’s food (particularly when diabetic and a cat) is not to be taken lightly.

    Fingers crossed!
     
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  44. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    We're totally on the same wavelength. Our aim since diagnosis has been to keep Bob in that range, rather than try to hit the low end of the scale - mainly due to his inconsistent eating habits.

    It should also be noted that Bob has never been able to bring up fur balls and this can be the cause of his not eating too. It's so complicated! He also doesn't meow - never has done. He can growl and do the cat fight yowl, but that's it.

    As an outdoors cat - and one that was feral when he arrived here - it's very difficult to keep him to a routine and tbh we don't want to restrict him.

    When he first came here he spent the first few years confined to a large cage-like pen that we built into the side of the house (with access to our living area) as we had to keep him separate from our other 7 totally domesticated cats, as Bob was so ferocious that he went for the kill if he got hold of any of them. We had a couple of close shaves!

    To go out into the garden properly (we have a couple of acres here, all fenced in) we taught him to walk on a lead. Then, as our other cats started to head OTRB, we began to introduce a couple of our old matriarch cats to him and eventually we were able to integrate him with our remaining 4 cats, of which Joey is the last surviving one. Even now, though, it is a fractious relationship!

    It's been a long road and we'd like Bob to have that freedom for whatever time he has left.

    But, yes, it'll be vets tomorrow :woot:
     
  45. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    With that 3.7 (67) last night, Bob has said the 1.0 unit dose is too high. He has earned a dose reduction down to 0.75 units. Hopefully with a lower dose, you won't find yourself skipping as many shots.

    Typically cats undergoing anesthesia, so not able to eat, get 1/2 dose. Not all insulin injected goes to combat the carbs in his food.
     
  46. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Update: Bob has eaten a small portion of cooked chicken at lunchtime and a morsel of pork from our dinner this evening... and managed to keep the food down. He's showing an interest in the food we sit down with but isn't bothering with his own food bowl.

    He's still got the remnants of a runny nose (but no sneezing). He's keeping hydrated by fairly regular visits to the water bowl and has been sitting outside in the sunshine a lot.

    I haven't hassled him for blood tests but will be taking one shortly to see how he's doing and get an idea of what we can give him in the way of insulin tonight.

    We will be taking him to the vet tomorrow - unless he shows a miracle recovery and starts eating normally tonight (which I doubt he will).

    Hopefully the vet can find out what the problem is. One noticeable thing - Bob hasn't headed out to eat grass today like he did yesterday, so suggests whatever was causing him to do that yesterday is not bothering him today (I suspect a fur ball).
     
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  47. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    Hi,
    thank you for the update!
    Are we talking crappy commercial canned food v. homemade French cuisine? I wouldn't bother either...;)
    No food + no insulin+ undiagnosed(yet) cold like symptoms isn't good. the 236 after no shot is not too high but still it is reason enough to start testing for ketones in his urine. Do yo u have testing strips? Ketones can develop very quickly and the earlier are caught the better the chances for recovery. I'd also take in some mid day tests whenever possible - even WO shot.
     
  48. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    On this occasion it was homemade food, although he has now just eaten a tiny bit of his diabetic commercial wet food.

    Yes, I have ketone testing strips and have tested him - all ok.

    I'm going to give him a shot at 9pm (French time) - probably about 0.75 of a unit just in case he doesn't eat through the night again. I shall know with a test in the morning where we stand.

    He's become very lively since he's eaten - so obviously feeling better for it.
     
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  49. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    Jun 15, 2015
    Just a thought on the below:
    My civvie came to me with a runny eye. We tried all kinds of AB to no avail. It will come and it will go and he will also have sneezing fits when it first comes back. Finally, one vet said it could be reoccurring herpes infection that comes and goes. Stress can bring them on. But, he doesn't go off his feed with his episodes and or vomit ( well not for that reason, more like scarf and barf) But ECID.

    While he's at the vets it would be worth a T4 thyroid test. Vomiting can be a sign of that.


    ETA: Herpes virus, not infection.
     
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  50. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    That's spooky. I've been suspicious of it being a recurring herpes virus for some time, as when I checked the symptoms on a couple of sites they both suggested it as the cause.

    It would fit with Bob's profile. We got him as an adult stray (feral) cat so he'd had no kitten immunisations. Our Joey, when he was an 8 week old kitten, came from a rather disreputable pet shop (our daughter rescued him) and was very poorly with a virus.

    Over the years and despite all our cats being immunised annually, from time to time they would develop the sneezy cold-like runny eyes symptoms, which could last several days - except Joey, who would have a 24 hour period of sneezing and that was that.

    Joey had the sneezes about a fortnight ago - just for one day. Since then Bob has developed the full blown "infection". I suspect Joey is a carrier of the virus.

    Interestingly, Bob's symptoms have disappeared over the course of today and he's now looking to eat and is happily catnapping instead of sitting moping, which is a good sign.

    I shall keep you updated.

    Update: Bob has just polished off a whole bowl of pork (with rind/fat). If he keeps it down that'll be a substantial feed after the small morsels from earlier.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2018
    Reason for edit: Additional info
  51. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    Update after visit to vet:

    Sod's law that just after I booked the visit this morning Bob tucked into a plate of food!

    However just returned from our appointment where the vet, after a good examination, diagnosed a throat infection linked to gingervitis. His teeth are quite bad now (used to be lovely and white) and the evidence of the infection was clear when the vet opened Bob's mouth!

    So he's had a double injection of antibiotics (one with immediate effect, the other longer lasting), plus an injection of painkiller - and I've got Metacam to give him for the next six days.

    He's also got some paste to eat to clear any possibility of a fur ball.

    When we got home Bob went straight to his bowl and ate half a tin of Almo Nature chicken. He's now tucked up sleeping in his bed.

    70€ lighter in the bank balance but a good start to the week :D
     
  52. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Yay, hope this all helps!
     
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  53. Tilou

    Tilou Member

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    Jan 20, 2018
    Moi aussi! He's a happy chappy now he's got the pain relief. Munching his food, albeit not so much as usual so have struck to slightly reduced shots.

    Onwards and upwards!
     
  54. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    Hi,

    I don't want to get you too alarmed - simply want to ask that you gather more info on this subject
    Reason: Metacam has very bad reputation in the USA - something to do with renal damage.

    Before administering I honestly believe it 's goo d idea to post a question (to create separate thread) about Metacam use and talk to ppl who had used it.

    Perhaps it is a different Metacam in EU but since I am aware of dangers under the same name in the US I thought I'd better let you know.
    Again - not to scare you ... we say here "better safe than sorry".

    Maybe @Stephanie & Quintus knows anything about its use in Europe?

    Wishing Bob speedy recovery!
     
  55. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2017
    Antibiotics will definitely help too, if there was something infectious going on.

    Keep a close eye on his numbers as they may drop with the pain relief and antibiotics acting.
     
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  56. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2017
    Metacam is fine. Long LONG story but the US used it at a higher dose than we do, it got "black boxed", people got scared, and now anytime you mention metacam on a US-centric community people get up in arms ;-)

    Long discussion here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/metacam-is-it-safe.190795/ but the tl;dr (too long; didn't read) version is that there isn't much to say on the topic. Perfectly safe given in cat-adequate doses. As with all meds, side-effects are always possible, so if he seems to become suddenly ill or "upset stomach", call the vet.
     
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  57. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    :)yep, I am one of them, lol.
    I am glad it was false alarm - thank you @Stephanie & Quintus !
    As I said earlier - better safe than sorry.
     
  58. Tilou

    Tilou Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    I must admit the Metacam/renal failure is news to me. Nearly all my cats have been prescribed it at one time or another, with no adverse effects. Bob was given it last November to relieve some arthritic pain and I've had a couple of cats with severe gingervitis who were administered it regularly.

    The vet injected Bob with with Metacam yesterday. We have the drops to use, either in his food or by pipette into his mouth, for 6 days.

    I'm quite happy to use it.
     
  59. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2017
    I found a great write-up which explains the "history" of the metacam situation between the US and the rest of the world -- digging it up and will share.
     
  60. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2017
    There, had to stick it in a google doc because it wasn't publicly available (it's from the files of a FB group I'm in): https://docs.google.com/document/d/14T1teQctMQh8-UILRKAjctCsW76rAKAimF_ZprCtA6A/edit?usp=sharing
    The historical perspective IMHO is super precious in understanding why there is such a disconnect between how the US views metacam vs. the rest of the world.

    Speaking of which, I recently learned that at some point vetsulin=caninsulin had been recalled in the US -- I wonder if that is not an explanation to why Lantus is so much more popular in the US than it is here in Europe, where caninsulin was never recalled, and where most vets (and sometimes compulsory protocols they must follow) stick to caninsulin.
     
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  61. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    Thank you for posting it - and especially for reviving that old condo on the Think Tank - very interesting. I never heard that M was not recalled/ flagged in EU - it certainly casts a different light on things.
    Think Tank full discussion here.
     
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