10/11 Jack ambg 45 +1 86 +4 150

[saltycat]

Last condo

Fun wakeup call this morning to a 45. I sure thought a rising yellow at +4 last night would be good but Mr. Unpredictable had other plans. Had the first big mess last night, looks like someone isn't feeling too good and left me a very soft present outside the LB area. I can't complain since it was his first one in a while and he looks like he isn't feeling 100%.

I've officially given up on my vet. She wanted to see Jack in 14 days, then decided to take a long vacation. In my line of work, that is unacceptable. I know when I have a vacation I plan my appointments around it and am counting the days until I get to leave.

I have an appt with a new vet on Friday to review bloodwork, get a urinalysis to make sure the UTI is cleared up discuss getting a GI panel and possibly starting some steroids. We will see how up to speed he is on FD and acro kitties.

Hope all are doing good today in L&L land.

 

[Doodles & Karen]

Sorry about your vet and I would tend to agree Hopefully the new vet will make Jack more of a priority. Sorry about the mess this morning. Wonder if the AB has anything to do with it. I wouldn't start steroids without some further diagnostics but that's me (miss anti-drug). Although not ideal, has Jack ever been on metronidazole? It's also used to treat IBD. Most important is that the vet helps Jack feel better...all medications come with some side effects

for you and extra scritches for Capt. Jack.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

I hope you the new vet is a good one. They are worth their weight in gold. So frustrating.

Have you used slippery elm bark or marshmallow root?

Poor Jack - feel better buddy.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope Jack feels better today. I hope the new vet works out. How sad the other vet acted that way.

 

[saltycat]

Wonder if the AB has anything to do with it.

Between the AB and starting probiotics, I'm not too worried by a one-off occurrence. It could be the probiotics are starting to work, especially now that he is done with the AB.

I generally try to be somewhat conservative in meds. They rarely are the miracle cure the pharm industry would lead you to believe. He has not had metronidazole, just 2 different ones for UTI's, Zenequin and Orbax. I don't want to throw AB at him if he does not need them, it wipes out too many good bacteria unless there is a good cause to put him on it.

In this case, a small course of steroids does not bother me too much. If the GI panel is a quick turnaround then I can wait. If it is going to take a bit to get the results I might see about a 7-10 day course. The steroid can help with IBD and SCL which are both concerns right now with him getting 600 cals a day and trouble maintaining weight.

Have you used slippery elm bark or marshmallow root?

I have not used either. I tried some miralax, but even 1/4tsp made for some pretty soft ones. His are generally pretty hard but no straining. I'll see how things go with the vet, but it might be something to try if he goes back to the hard poo's he has sometimes had in the past.

I can't believe it, but with the 45 at AMPS he will be down to 4u... Not sure whether to celebrate or be concerned with the large drop in insulin needs.

Thanks Carla, there were a few things that bugged me and this one was the final straw. I stuck with her because she was open to new ideas, not her being super knowledgeable about FD. Hopefully the new vet is a little more versed in FD.

 

[LizzieInTexas]

but it might be something to try if he goes back to the hard poo's he has sometimes had in the past.

It helps with soft poo too. They are kinda like pepto for kitties, but you do have to be caution on when you give them because they inhibit absorption of other meds. I switched from SEB to MMR and am much happier with how Gizmo reacts to it (better LB behavior and seems to like the taste better). He hasn't gone outside the LB in a couple of months (anti-jinx) but most use SEB.

I can't believe it, but with the 45 at AMPS he will be down to 4u... Not sure whether to celebrate or be concerned with the large drop in insulin needs.

Celebrate it for now - try and not borrow trouble (I know, easier said than done). That is wonderful.

Did you see this post?
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...hea-and-what-is-going-on.185229/#post-2056748

Not sure if it fits Jack, but it is similar info. Was the T4 tested at the last bloodwork? Did Marje ever review Jack's BW and get back with you? I may have missed the post. I have been crazy busy at work and home the past couple of weeks and haven't been able to keep up with everyone here like I would like.

 

[saltycat]

T4 is actually on the low side of normal, he is closer to hypo-T then hyper-T. I wasn't aware that SEB/MMW can also help with loose stools. If it gets more frequent I might get some. He occasionally has a bad day and by the next it is back to business as usual. Keeping an eye on it, but not too concerned for now with the soft #2's.

I didn't hear back from Marge, I think she had some non-board stuff that was keeping her busy. If I am doing the GI panel, I'll wait to get those results to fill in the blanks a little bit more and also only bug her once to take a look at the overall results. The senior panel didn't show anything major, a little elevated liver enzymes mostly, but still much lower then when he was uncontrolled.