CAT Off Insulin two weeks

Discussion in 'Honeymooners / OTJ' started by Rascal1, Jan 14, 2016.

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  1. Rascal1

    Rascal1 New Member

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    Dec 23, 2015
    My cat went diabetic in December 2015 with high glucose numbers, vet put him on insulin for it. I then started feeding him wet food, low carb food ONLY and his numbers dropped back to normal range and he has been doing great until two days ago. Now he is not eating well and lame. I checked his glucose two days ago and the reading on the ReliOn meter was 107mg. I checked again today in the evening and the number was 207mg. Is it possible he's now going diabitic again? should I be panicked. He's not vomitting nor drinking excessive water but very lethargic and seems to be in some type of pain. I am bringing him back to the vet to check him out. The 207 was the only high reading I've seen in two weeks all others totally normal? Gosh I hope he is not getting sick again? Is it possible to occasionally get a higher reading? Thanks
     
  2. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    Remission, or getting off the insulin, can fail temporarily or permanently.
    Check for infection - respiratory & urinary tract infections can trigger elevated glucose.
    And the initiating cause of the diabetes could be progressing (autoimmune or pancreatitis are 2 candidates).
     
  3. Bobbie And Bubba

    Bobbie And Bubba Well-Known Member

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    Jun 15, 2015
    Hey There~ wondering how your kittie is doing and what the vet said. Keeping good thoughts for you and your kittie. Please keep us posted.
     
  4. Rascal1

    Rascal1 New Member

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    Dec 23, 2015
    Thanks BJM for the reply. I have checked his glucose numbers a couple more times since a spike of 207 and they were 179 and today 92.
    At 92 if I were to give him insulin he would likely go hypo so it's very frustrating. Trying to get a blood sample is very difficult with this cat, he just does not like it and fights me. It would be better if he either stayed high in the 200's and I could just give insulin or it stayed in the lower range so I didn't have to. Before I ran into the diabetic episode he had his blood work indicating higher than normal creatinine levels in his blood so there was a thought he had chronic kidney disease and I'm convinced this is his main underlying issue not diabetes. It was the super high carb renal diet food that totally screwed up his glucose numbers and since taking him off that food the sugar levels are mostly in the normal range where before they were over 500 mg.

    Thanks also to Bobbie and Bubba asking how he's doing. I ended up not taking him to the vet's because he was feeling better and no longer totally lethargic. The problem now is he will drink water, not excecessive amounts 4-8 oz/day however he does not want to eat much food.
    He's just nibbling at this food but not eating a normal amount of food. This reinforces my suspicion he has CKD which is progressing. He is up and about and mostly seems normal but clearly something is not right. I bet money if the vet does another blood draw on him his creatinin and BUN levels are elevated. I'm a very frustrated pet owner as putting on the renal food made him diabetic so I'm not going back to that food and only feed him low phosphorous, low carb wet food. I'm wondering if I need to just let nature take it's course and if he does not want to eat don't force him but leave plenty of water and when he get's really weak that is the time he goes? He's going on either 15 or 16 years of age. Just don't know what to do. I will probably just try to arrange for the Vet to call me and I'll describe his behavior and see what his thoughts are.... Don
     
  5. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    If you've not already done so, pop over to Feline CRF and see what options there are there.

    It could be he's nauseous and a bit of slippery elm bark solution, or a bit of Pepcid may help him feel like eating.

    You might use distilled water, too, as it has no minerals that need to be processed (there are plenty of minerals in the food).
     
    CindyR likes this.
  6. Callao

    Callao New Member

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    Jan 11, 2016
    @Rascal1, if your kitty has some kidney deficiencies as mine does, perhaps he's not feeling well due to elevated phosphorous levels. The renal food is typically 0.4 - 0.6 % phosphorous on a dry matter basis. Commercial low carb foods are more commonly in the 0.8% range, with some (certain Weruva cans) closer to 0.7%, and most over 1%. A blood panel at the vets should tell you if this is the case. If phosphorous is elevated, it will give your kitty a nasty tummy ache, but it can be countered simply by adding a phosphate binder to foods. If creatinine and BUN levels are raised, your kitty might benefit from occasional sub-Q fluids which can be administered at home and will help with hydration and flushing toxins out of the body to alleviate stress on the kidneys.

    Hopefully by now your kitty is feeling great and this info is no longer needed!
     
    CindyR likes this.
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