? Did any ones Acrocat have side effects from Cabergoline??

Side effects from Cabergoline and yes when did they start?? Thanks

 

Malachai didn't have any visae side effects. Unfortunately, after 5 months of being on it with no results (8 units up to 18), I weened him off.

 

Hi Thanks! How are you and Malachai?

 

All is well, thanks for asking. He had a full blood panel done last month and all his organs look great. He's on Gabapentin these days as he seems pretty stiff but I'm thinking about looking into Adequan now as I sometimes see him limping.
Still wishing I could get him into lower numbers but I know I don't test enough to be very aggressive with dose increases.

 

Hi Deena - you might reconsider SRT. One of the FMDB members is taking her cat to WSU (Pullman, WA) for SRT there. It is less expensive than CSU. Just something to think about.

Leo went for his SRT in Sept 2016 to CSU (Ft Collins, CO). He was at 18 units/dose at the time. The SRT was successful. Now Leo gets
AM dose - 4.0-4.5 units
PM dose - 2.0 - 2.5 units

Leo may still have some Acro, or he may have pancreatic diabetes. I never retested him for IGH-1 levels after the SRT. One thing is for certain - even though the picture is blurry, we know that Leo loves his little brother Little Dude.
.

 

Hi Thanks I wish I had the money. I have a GOFUNDME set up hoping to raise what I need for my little girl

 

Hi jeff,
I didn't know WA did SRT? I just thought they did the surgery...has that pricing been updated on the SRT list? Cost was a big factor.
My only concern is I waited too long. Malachai has pretty bad arthritis from the Acro so even if SRT is succesful, I feel like he would still have a poor QOF he's gone up 5lbs in the past 5 months. Just lays all day...
I recently started him on Gabapentin (and I still use a little CBD on days he is limping )..but if I give him more than .5mg he starts to drool so I'm assuming that's too much...anyways, he still seems in pain so I an now considering Adequan which I have spoke to my vet about.
Poor little guy still doesn't play, and hates his brother he attacks him if he walks by or even tries to smell him!
I switched to Levemir about a week ago hoping that would improve his numbers and his mood but no improvements thus far...
So yeah, I would like to consider SRT if its within budget or if maybe it's NOT to late? It's been almost 6mo since his Acro diagnosed but I'm positive he would have tested positive for it probably 6months prior....
He tested postive for diabetes 16monts ago...

 

On a positive note though, his blood work came back clean... he does have a heart murmur now though!

 

Hi Deena and Pamela

It is true that SRT is one of the more expensive cat treatments. I think my costs were around $7k for CSU. It seems to me that both Amethyst and Malachai are both young enough still, that they could benefit from SRT.

Tagging @LuvinThisPig - who is taking Pig from Oklahoma to WSU. She has the recent quote from WSU and is going in a couple of weeks.

 

Hi Jeff YES My little would benefit from it I do not have the funds I am trying to raise them for her

 

Ah yes! @Deena Traina , I had thought about you the other day. I know where you are the cost of SRT is just outrageous, but there is no reason why you could not take the trip to Washington. I am literally traveling across country and still paying less than the cost of SRT where you are at. It is also less than the cost of SRT at CSU. I do not know what funds look like for you, but this maybe an option.

@Pamela & Amethyst the same for you guys. I did not have the funds to start either, but I started a gofundme and shared it like crazy. I also wrote a few blog posts and articles for a few websites detailing my experience which helped a lot. However, Pig and I were blessed with the love of an army behind us and I hope that the same can be true for you guys!

Now, WSU charges about 1,500 for both the CT Scan and SRT. However, you must be aware that it is not a 'true' SRT as you might find at NYU with their Cyber Knife procedure. In all actuality, in my research I find it to be the better option and the idea behind it actually makes a tremendous amount of sense. I also find that the success rate, both of kitties in the group I belong and from WSU themselves, to be very heartening. WSU does not do what is considered a 'targeted' straight beam of radiation, instead their SRT procedure utilizes a new train of thought in that they use what is called an 'arc' radiation. What this does is the gamma rays are programmed to arc and wrap around the tumor and since the majority of kitties with these types of lesions have circular or ovoid shaped tumors, it allows the radiation to envelope the tumor, thus covering a larger percentage of surface area with a minimalized risk of damage to the surrounding tissues. The downfall is that if the tumor is not in the correct shape, I do not know how effective this type of radiation would be, but according to who I spoke with at WSU very seldom are kitties found to be at point where they are not good candidates for this procedure.

Now, I am no expert in technicalities, but this is as I understand it. I am sure the someone like @Wendy&Neko would be far more versed in the processes of such procedures.

 

Deena, on the Gaba you might want to start off on a lower dose at first. That is what I did with Pig. He is scripted for 50 mg BID, but I began him with a 25mg dose. It can cause drowsiness and, indeed, it did for him. However, I slowly worked him up to it and he is dealing just wonderfully with it. Now, we have already spoke and I feel Adequan to be a very good choice. Pig has some arthritis and did before the Acro dx. However, I will say that the single biggest factor in him feeling better is getting his numbers into an acceptable level. Quite literally, the difference is astounding and I have learned that a lot of what I assumed was pain has turned out to be the side effects of glucose toxicity. However, I do feel you need to treat the arthritis for sure, but I am also convinced you will see some pounds shed once he has a few weeks of bluer numbers. Have you considered utilizing the Novo R to help bring him down some?

 

I know the original question was about Cabergoline. But I echo the advice to Deena. It is important for all kittehs, including acro cats to get regulated into blue numbers. Otherwise the glucose toxicity really takes its toll.

 

Thank you both I was wondering what web sites you wrote articles on? My GOFUNDME is not moving and it was started right after Amethyst was diagnosed Sept 2017

 

I just really posted to every single cat website I could think of. I pm'ed every single cat page on FaceBook that i could find. Eventually, I shared his story in the right places and people started asking questions. I few people have shared this blog spot and some have reposted to their personal sites. Persistence is key. I also need to stress the amount of support I have gotten from friends and family. A few select in particular. Just do not give up and do not be afraid to ask for help in the most of unlikely places. You will be surprised the angels that await outside your door if you are not afraid to open it!

Pig's Story

 

Thanks