Bear Update/Vet Visit & Recommendations

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Bear & Lora, Mar 13, 2019.

  1. Bear & Lora

    Bear & Lora Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Previous Post

    There is so much to catch up on.
    I guess today's Vet visit is a good start. Finally Bear's Vet was back from her vacation and this is how it went.

    First she showed me the results of his Spec Fpl and Bear was one point above normal range #27.
    She was confident Bear has Pancreatitis and would have had quite a bit higher number if we could have gotten his test done at the beginning of the flare up, the test was done 6 days later.

    I showed her Bear's SS with all the green and some lime green #'s. She was amazed at the data showing that even after giving Bear honey plus HC food his BG barely moved at times and the quick need for reducing his insulin.

    We talked over the situation of Bear not being able to keep little to no food on board due to his vomiting.
    In fact yesterday was the first day and night that Bear has made it through without vomiting, which equals 10 days of vomiting with little to no nutrients daily. I was finally able to get ahead of the nausea fully with Pepcid and Ondansetron, all the Cerenia had been used up and a lot lost through vomiting. Thank goodness Bear has been getting Sub-Q fluids to help support him through this awful crisis.

    When I told her about Bear having excess acid for a few years now and I thought that along with the pancreatitis that it has practically doubled his nausea she nodded in agreement. I also told her that with just one dose of probiotics he went from diarrhea paste to hard feces in one day and she said his GI Tract is totally in a turmoil. She suspicions that Bear has a GI Triad problem and possibly IBD.

    We also talked about the juggling act I have been trying to do in order to keep DKA and or Hypo at bay and the anxiety I have had knowing that I couldn't steer Bear's BG up with food since he couldn't keep it on board and when he did keep food on board it wasn't or barely was affecting his BG. She told me she uses dextrose to raise the BG.

    She also pointed out two thin spots of hair on Bear's back where he has recently been licking and said that she thinks Bear is suffering pain from his neuropathy along his spine.

    So the end results were she recommended Omeprazole for his GI instead of Pepcid. She gave me more Cerenia to have on hand plus she told me Cerenia helps with inflammation. She wrote out a script for Gabapentin 50mg/1 ML for his neuropathy pain. She also sent me a 50% solution of Dextrose to try when Bear has low BG.
    Now we will have to see what may come of the different meds and recommendations.

    I had reduced Bear's insulin for his safety during his weakened state but now that he is getting more nutrients and is becoming stronger I know he will need more insulin for better regulation.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2019
  2. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Sounds like a really good vet visit. I have heard Omeprazole is a better choice for tummy acid. Sounds like your regular vet is on top of things. IBD could also contribute to his inappetance. For some reading, check out: http://www.ibdkitties.net/ You may have to move to some novel proteins, or figure out what he's allergic too. I keep a "vomit log", where I track the proteins being fed and when I see vomits as a result. Or you could try just one protein for a couple weeks and see how he does, then slowly add a second one to see if that works too. Good to hear the probiotics are helping, just might need to tweak the dose.

    I agree the insulin dose will have to go up. Once the 2.0 unit depot petered out, the numbers were too high. Did you shoot last night? The dose cell is empty.
     
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  3. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Glad you have a plan in place. I hope the new meds work.
     
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  4. Bear & Lora

    Bear & Lora Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    Yes 1 unit. Last earned reduction decreased Bear to 1.75.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2019
  5. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    So relieved to see this update. Your vet sounds like a good partner willing to work with you to get Bear feeling better. Hope the new meds help get Bear on the mend very soon.
     
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  6. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Also for the neuropathy try zobaline which is b12 methylcobalamin supplements. You can get it on amazon.
     
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  7. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Just an FYI --

    Most of the anti-nausea/vomiting meds are available in an injectable form. Ondansetron (Zofran) is definitely available as an injection and if you have a prescription, you can get it at any pharmacy. Unfortunately, it stings but if your cat is vomiting and is throwing up pills, an injection is a better option. I'm pretty sure Cerenia is also available in this form. You may need different needles than what you use for insulin or you'll need to have a vet or pharmacist help you with the conversion.

    If you're giving fluids, you can also add an injectable medication into the line if there's a port in the line you're using.
     
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  8. Giomax

    Giomax Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2018
    Yes, an anti-nausea injection is a great way to quickly get on top of a bad vomiting episode.
     
  9. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Sounds like a great vet. :)
     
  10. LizzieInTexas

    LizzieInTexas Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    I agree! Wonderful to find one that will work with you.
     
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  11. Carol & Murphy (GA)

    Carol & Murphy (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    I'm curious how she told you to give the 50% dextrose solution... is that by mouth or is a bag of fluid?
     
  12. Jill & Scooter

    Jill & Scooter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2018
    Hope all Bears new meds get him feeling better soon!
     
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  13. Bear & Lora

    Bear & Lora Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
    She gave me a vial and said I will have to pull the dextrose out with a needle then remove the needle from the syringe and use the syringe to put it in his mouth.
     

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  14. Carol & Murphy (GA)

    Carol & Murphy (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    that makes sense - thanks - I was curious
     

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