Orlando's neuropahy - positive update

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Maymay, Dec 11, 2019.

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  1. Maymay

    Maymay Member

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    Dec 9, 2018
    Hi,

    I haven't been very active in here, but I thought I'd give an update on Orlando's neuropathy, since his recovery has been nothing short of a small miracle. Also, I wanted to share, because this forum and the wonderful people in here really saved both of us back when I first joined with your encouragement, positive attitude, and help. :)

    When we went to see the specialist in January this year, Orlando's neuropathy was the worst she had ever seen, and she warned me that she did not think he would be able to bounce back. He had lost almost all muscle mass in his hind legs, all four legs were affected, he was unable to sit up, and he was "walking" on his hocks and elbows. And I write "walking", because he could only take two wobbly steps at a time.

    But then those two steps turned into five steps, then sixteen, and he began to sit, just five seconds at a time at first, but they quickly turned into fifteen, then twenty-five until I stopped counting. His walk improved and he began rebuilding muscle mass, until today where he's back to normal. He sits, walks, runs and jumps, and the only signs of him ever having had diabetic neuropathy is a barely noticeable lowering of his left front paw and an almost imperceptible limp - something I hope will also disappear with time.
     
  2. Ann & Scatcats

    Ann & Scatcats Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    I'm so glad for Orlando and you. Hope he is a happy kitty too. And plays.

    Hugs :bighug:
     
  3. KarrieK

    KarrieK Member

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    Dec 11, 2019
    That is great to hear! My kitty just started showing signs of neuropathy and I am beside myself. To what do you attribute his improvement?
     
  4. Maymay

    Maymay Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Ann & Scarcats: Thank you. :bighug: He is a happy, playful kitty. His playfulness was a great help during his early exercise sessions, because it was the only way I could get him to move voluntarily. :)

    KarrieK: I'm sorry to hear about your kitty, it's an awful thing to watch. I hope your kitty doesn't get as bad as Orlando was, and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

    I am not quite sure what made the difference for Orlando, because when he started taking the first baby-steps towards recovery, his blood sugar was still sky-high and out of control, and we hadn't started any supplements yet.

    I will say, though, that his recovery started speeding up when he began hitting lower BG numbers (his blood sugar is still wonky, though). Where we previously had gone from seeing tiny improvements from month to month, he suddenly seemed to get better from day to day.

    What I did was that we had three, short exercise sessions every day, where I tried to make him move as much as possible, I also started giving him Zobaline mid January (he still gets it), and of course we were trying to get his BG levels down.
     
  5. Maymay

    Maymay Member

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    Dec 9, 2018
    Yes, Zobaline is horribly expensive, even more for me as I live in Denmark and buy it from the U.S., so 15 USD shipping, 25% VAT, and 24 USD customs handling fee per shipment for me on top of the 34 USD sales price. I usually buy 3 bottles at a time to keep the cost down as much as possible.

    I have problems finding methylcobalamin without all sorts of artificial sweeterners and flavours here, though, and I do just pop the pill in his mouth, so the Zobaline is easy for me, especially because he's very particular about his food. But it's good advice. I hope others will be able to save a some money on it. Thanks for sharing. :)
     
  6. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    Wow that is expensive for you, you very welcome
     
  7. KarrieK

    KarrieK Member

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    Dec 11, 2019
    I just ordered some of that VItacost brand B12, should be here tomorrow. After I ordered it, I read on Tanya's CKD web site that it isn't good for kitties with kidney disease (a lengthy explanation followed). So now I don't know what to do!
     
  8. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    @KarrieK Hi I just went on Tanya's site and I don't see where its not good for cats with kidney disease This is what I copied off her site
    Vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin may be particularly helpful

    Many members of Tanya's CKD Support Group have successfully used orally administered methylcobalamin for their CKD cats.
    Since methylcobalamin is more bioavailable, and therefore more effective because it is absorbed more readily by the body, I would recommend giving it to your cat in the first place if possible

    From reading this it seems like she suggests giving it to cats
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2019
  9. KarrieK

    KarrieK Member

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    Dec 11, 2019
    Oh that is good to hear! I don't know where I read something to the contrary......been reading so much lately. Probably too much (if that's possible) but something that sticks with me about B12 is that it is water-soluble so excess gets eliminated. As our vet likes to say, this may be one of those "can't hurt, might help" things so I am definitely going to start giving it to Simon. Up until a few weeks ago he was such an active playful boy and that has all changed. Hurts my heart to see.

    Thank you so much for the follow-up!!
     
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