A double whammy, but fighting with all we got!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by LuvinThisPig, Jan 5, 2018.

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  1. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Hello all,
    My name is Sarah. I have been very blessed to be a part of this guy's, Pig's, life. He is my very best of friends and absolutely the love of my life. We met almost 11 years ago and Pig dedicated his life to mine as my certified ESA. I promised to do all that I could to take care of and love him with all my heart. Well, now more than ever I am fighting to keep that promise!

    I am not entirely new to the forums, but new to posting. Pig received his diagnosis at the end of August this year. I was overwhelmed, but we did our best to handle the diabetes monster. Pig was started on a regimen of low carb, wet food initially and a round of antibiotics to clear a bladder infection. It was my hope that diet and treatment would regulate his numbers alone. I was wrong, so we started on 1u of Lantus 2x a day. I bought a home testing kit (Relion Micro), switched to a lower carb less phosphorus option of food (Sheba Pate & Tiki Cat), fed as needed, and tested, tested, tested. He did good the first week, or so I thought. His numbers were creeping down. However, towards the end of the week they began to cycle back up. We moved to 2u. It was exactly the same thing. Good numbers at first (never <200) and then he went back up (>300). We moved to 3u. Same thing. We have moved up and up and up. At this moment, he will soon be receiving dose #3 of 12u. Additionally, he receives 25u of methylcobalamin and 30u Adequan once a week along with .5tbs of Mira Lax to aid with megacolonic symptoms.

    We recently went in for a full diagnostic visit. A complete body function panel was ran on his blood, which showed most everything to be perfectly in order with the exception of glucose levels (of course), slightly elevated kidney levels (but well within range, just higher than what they were), and an electrolyte imbalance. All of which are being attributed to the unregulated diabetes. We ran typical urinalysis and a culture specific analysis, both of which were perfectly clear. However, I also insisted that we send off for an Acromegaly / IAA panel at MSU. I did not receive the results that I had hoped for. Pig's IGF-1 was at >500! My vet will be consulting an endocrinologist and formulating a treatment plan. However, as it is out of her expertise (my vet is wonderful and entirely versed on feline matters), she is seeking help. I hope to do my own research and find options as well so that we can choose the very best one. The cost of treatment scares me. I will drive myself into bankruptcy to treat him and, indeed, I have been working more hours and eating almost nothing to get him thus far. I have taken out loans as well, but funds run very tight. Insulin is getting expensive, even with ordering from Canada. I am at a loss at what do to and seek any help or advice I can get.

    I thank everyone in advance as this is not only saving Pig, it is saving me as well. That cannot be more blunt and honest.

    -Sarah
     
    Vader723 and Critter Mom like this.
  2. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

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    Dec 8, 2017
  3. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    Hi Sarah, welcome to you and sweet Pig! Sorry about the acro diagnosis. My cat also has acro. There are a few treatment options available @Wendy&Neko is our go too for info. Since you’re using Lantus, I suggest you post on the Lantus Forum where there are several other acro parents to give you pointers.
     
  4. Squeaky and KT (GA)

    Squeaky and KT (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2011
    Welcome Sarah and extra sweet Pig! We look forward to your posting over in our main Health Forum or our Lantus forum. We do have people with plenty of experience with 'big gulp' cats.

    HUGS!
     
  5. Sandi&Maxine&Whispy(GA)

    Sandi&Maxine&Whispy(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    I don't have experience with a high dose kitty, but plenty of experience with giving all of my love to a feline friend just like you do :)

    Welcome, Pig and Sarah!
     
  6. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you so much! Support is so important right now! I cannot say how much I appreciate it! I will take all of the suggestions! :cat:
     
  7. lovemycat444

    lovemycat444 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2017
    Hi Sarah, your message about Pig is so moving. and I so know how overwhelming this can be. You and Pig have been through so much! and I do know what you wrote about Pig being a best friend. It's how I feel about my beloved Taco. One thing came to mind, as I know how expensive this gets! Is it ok? here to suggest ? doing a "go fund me" page. Ive never done it before but I've seen people I know re post the info on their social media pages. I really don't know how it works, as I haven't done it before but I think the idea is when people can't afford crucial things like healthcare, (from an unforseeable accident, very dire health issues, and for pets owners not able to afford surgery bills etc). here's the website and wishing you and Pig the absolute best. You are such an excellent mom to Pig! Hugs to both of you!
    https://www.gofundme.com/?pc=thrive...DUds8_JYVAdmhS-OzIMiuikwZGzRFOlcaAn04EALw_wcB
     
  8. PussCatPrince - GA

    PussCatPrince - GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2017
    You get these :bighug::bighug:

    Me and my pusscatprince Tyler know where you are coming from.
     
  9. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    Welcome! You will get a lot of advice and support here.
     
  10. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    My MurrFee had Acromegaly. He was up to 50 units twice daily. To reduce cost (and with approval of his internist) I used about half Levemir and half N insulin. Levemir is supposed to sting less than Lantus
     
  11. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes! Thank you! This is a wonderful suggestion. I had honestly considered it as well, but was waiting on what the internist said about treatment. While I am being able to manage, very carefully, the insulin costs.. It is the other treatment I am concerned about. This would help a ton!
     
  12. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you... It is a sort of scary time, but I am trying to be positive for him and just learn all that I can!
     
    PussCatPrince - GA likes this.
  13. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes. That is what I am learning. Only, R was suggested to me. We are at 12u and I am seeing some movement in his numbers, but not a whole lot. I am a little worried about dosing the R and want to find out all I can on that before I begin. Too much insulin is far worse than not enough... Thank you for your suggestions! These are great!
     
  14. nmveasey

    nmveasey Member

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    Nov 15, 2017
    Welcome Sarah and Pig. I absolutely love his name!!
     
  15. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Aug 17, 2016
    Welcome to you and your handsome kitty! :)
     
  16. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you!! He lives up to it for sure!
     
  17. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Thank you!
     
  18. Myagi (GA) and Heidi

    Myagi (GA) and Heidi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2017
    Welcome! :bighug::bighug::bighug: you and Pig can have as many of these as you need!:bighug::bighug:
     
    Noah & me (GA) and LuvinThisPig like this.
  19. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I know of another caretaker that also used R with Levemir. N was working for MurrFee and I was to scared to try R. Just slowly add/increase R to avoid overdosing.
     
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  20. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes.. I have decided. I purchased a 10ml vial. I am very respectful of R and want to make sure to take it very slowly until I know how he will react. I have new syringes on order, the ones with the .5 unit marks on them. I will be starting out with .25u and a test every hour. Thank you!
     
    Myagi (GA) and Heidi likes this.
  21. Dyana

    Dyana Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Sarah,
    I think it would be best if you post in the Lantus Levemir forum and have someone with experience with R insulin guide you.
     
  22. Sandy and Black Kitty

    Sandy and Black Kitty Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    I second that.
     
  23. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Dec 3, 2016
    Don't worry about the self-pity/it's just a cat aspect of GoFundMe. Have a look at their page, there is a link to pets and you don't need a Ghost writer to get your point across. I haven't digested every post but I did see a high-dose insulin. Has anyone brought up bouncing? Disclosure, I am not a Lantus user.
    Good luck my little Pig Man! :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
     
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  24. Gill & George

    Gill & George Well-Known Member

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    Oct 27, 2015
    LuvinThisPig and Noah & me (GA) like this.
  25. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Dec 3, 2016
    LuvinThisPig likes this.
  26. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Absolutely! I agree with you implicitly. I have a very healthy respect for medications and especially this R beast. It all scares me a bit and I have no experience. I trust nothing when it comes to Pig, I can promise you that! This is very good advice, indeed!
     
  27. LuvinThisPig

    LuvinThisPig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Yes!! Thank you everyone for your kind words and welcome! We are at the right place I am sure. I will and have been posting in the Lantus / Levemir forums and continue to study TR. I make no move until I am certain!
    -Sarah
     
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