9/30 Bronx update

Bronx's dad (GA)

Bronx's dad (GA)

Member Since 2016
Hi all. Been a while since last condo. Bronx is doing pretty good besides the arthritis which really hasn't gotten much better at all despite all the supplements/meds I am trying. Got him on a single-digit dose of Lev which is great (anti-jinx!!!) and he is cruising along pretty good most of the time. Had BW and urinalysis recently and all looks good, except for the high glucose in the urine. He is drinking way more than he usually does and vet tells me this is due to the glucose in the urine and insists I do a fructosamine test. I keep telling her I don't see the point. I know he will show glucose.

Vet: You ask why he is drinking and I keep telling you to do a fructosamine. Urinalysis shows glucose
Me: I know what his sugar is since I test all the time
Vet: But you are only doing spot tests, a fructosamine will give you an average
Me: But I know what the results will be, I know he goes up and down. My meter also shows average
Vet: But a fructosamine will show if you should increase insulin
Me: He has gotten as low as 25 overnight at times when I test, increasing insulin could send him hypo
Vet: Well maybe you need to change the pm from am dose amounts, you really need to do a fructosamine, you ask why he is drinking excessively and I am telling you it is because he has glucose in the urine.
Me: He was drinking excessively when he was super high, like in the 400s-500s, but stopped once I got that under control. Just trying to figure out if there is another reason he is drinking so much.
Vet: Do a fructosamine, it is due high blood sugar
Me: But I know a fructosamine will show sugar, what's the point?
Vet: Do the test
Me: Ok, i'll think about it

Uggh!

Hope everyone is well and vines to all kitties in need :bighug:
 
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Bronx's dad said:
Hi all. Been a while since last condo. Bronx is doing pretty good besides the arthritis which really hasn't gotten much better at all despite all the supplements/meds I am trying. Got him on a single-digit dose of Lev which is great (anti-jinx!!!) and he is mostly cruising along pretty good most of the time. Had BW and urinalysis recently and all looks good, except for the high glucose in the urine. He is drinking way more than he usually does and vet tells me this is due to the glucose in the urine and insists I do a fructosamine test. I keep telling her I don't see the point. I know he will show glucose.

Vet: You ask why he is drinking and I keep telling you to do a fructosamine
Me: I know what his sugar is since I test all the time
Vet: But you are only doing spot tests, a fructosamine will give you an average
Me: But I know what the results will be, I know he goes up and down. My meter also shows average
Vet: But a fructosamine will show if you should increase insulin
Me: He has gotten as low as 25 overnight at times when I test, increasing insulin could send him hypo
Vet: Well maybe you need to change the pm and am dose amounts, you really need to do a fructosamine, you ask why he is drinking excessively and I am telling you it is because he has high blood sugar.
Me: He was drinking excessively when he was super high, like in the 400s-500s, but stopped once I got that under control. Just trying to figure out if there is another reason he is drinking so much.
Vet: Do a fructosamine, it is due high blood sugar
Me: But I know a fructosamine will show sugar, what's the point?
Vet: Do the test
Me: Ok, i'll think about it

Uggh!

Hope everyone is well and vines to all kitties in need :bighug:
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DANG!?!
You too... gotta love Bronx :D:D:D
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
ruination
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I am not following you- Ruination?!?
She just had a thorough senior panel done a couple weeks ago which I have posted in labs. I do know her kidney values are very good I don’t know if she’s been checked for hyperthyroid and I wouldn’t know where to look on the labs either? Can you tell by looking?
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
Is there increased ruination as well?
Has he been checked for hyper thyroid?
Kidney function?
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Yes, increased urination volume like the days he was in the 400-500s, but not more frequent LB trips. Had full thyroid panel done in March and the numbers all looked good. Kidney numbers look good too and ultrasound done a few months ago showed no problems with the kidneys, just enlarged from the acro.
 
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Krystina & Nelli said:
I am not following you- Ruination?!?
She just had a thorough senior panel done a couple weeks ago which I have posted in labs. I do know her kidney values are very good I don’t know if she’s been checked for hyperthyroid and I wouldn’t know where to look on the labs either? Can you tell by looking?
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She meant urination
 
Great to see a Bronx update, and to see him on single digits. :cool: 7 units is looking good now, but might not last long. Remember, consistent dosing, based on nadir not preshot, and reductions are now by 0.5 units.;) Yes, I looked at the spreadsheet. How was he acting at the 29? :eek:

Do you have any acupuncture vet's near you? I found that really helped Neko's mobility after treatments. My acupuncture vetty mostly did the acupuncture laser with just a few needle sticks. Neko got to really like it. At the clinic I would let her out of the kennel to wander around the treatment room, and she would go right up to the "couch" and ask to get up and get on with it. She leaned into the vet during treatment, she knew it helped her arthritis. Some acupuncture vet's do home treatments.

After a while I reduced the arthritis supplements to just a smaller subset, as some like Cosequin, didn't seem to be doing anything anymore. Duralactin seemed to help for a bit. I also tried hyaluronic acid.

Have you ever had an SDMA done on Bronx? It's just Idexx who provides it though. It can be an early indicator of kidney issues. I also see a number of "out of the box" incidents. Just wondering what it means. My vet kept suggesting a fructosamine in the beginning, then I asked how many other of her clients home tested. At that point, it was just me, 'nuff said.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Great to see a Bronx update, and to see him on single digits. :cool: 7 units is looking good now, but might not last long. Remember, consistent dosing, based on nadir not preshot, and reductions are now by 0.5 units.;) Yes, I looked at the spreadsheet. How was he acting at the 29? :eek:

Do you have any acupuncture vet's near you? I found that really helped Neko's mobility after treatments. My acupuncture vetty mostly did the acupuncture laser with just a few needle sticks. Neko got to really like it. At the clinic I would let her out of the kennel to wander around the treatment room, and she would go right up to the "couch" and ask to get up and get on with it. She leaned into the vet during treatment, she knew it helped her arthritis. Some acupuncture vet's do home treatments.

After a while I reduced the arthritis supplements to just a smaller subset, as some like Cosequin, didn't seem to be doing anything anymore. Duralactin seemed to help for a bit. I also tried hyaluronic acid.

Have you ever had an SDMA done on Bronx? It's just Idexx who provides it though. It can be an early indicator of kidney issues. I also see a number of "out of the box" incidents. Just wondering what it means. My vet kept suggesting a fructosamine in the beginning, then I asked how many other of her clients home tested. At that point, it was just me, 'nuff said.
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He was acting fine at 29, just more hungry and scoffing up the food. Never seen him present hypo symptoms.
How often did Neko have acupuncture? How expensive is that? Bronx travels well, so should not be a problem taking him there.
SDMA was just done on 8/29 and # was 12 on a normal scale of 0-14
Delayed shot by 2hrs one day since he was pretty low at AMPS (44) and also knew I would not be home till late to do the PM shot so that worked out thanks to him being low that day.
Also had a CardioPet proBNP on 8/29 and was 24 on a normal scale of 0-100. Never heard of this test before but vet says it supposed to show heart issues. Was wondering why I never heard of any kitties here getting that test?
 
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Bronx's dad said:
Was wondering why I never heard of any kitties here getting that test?
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Vet and I tossed around doing the test on Gizmo but opted to put the $$ towards the U/S with the IM. I believe there is also a snap BNP which is just an indicator of issues and not which, specific heart problem(s). The snap is way less expensive.
 
LizzieInTexas said:
Vet and I tossed around doing the test on Gizmo but opted to put the $$ towards the U/S with the IM. I believe there is also a snap BNP which is just an indicator of issues and not which, specific heart problem(s). The snap is way less expensive.
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I think it was only an extra $40 for the CardioPet proBNP
 
We have had the odd cat here have the CardioPet proBNP, just can't remember who. It's cheaper than an echo so a good first step, especially for kitties that are more prone to heart issues, such as acros and some large breeds like Maine Coons. It wasn't or just newly available when Neko had her first echo. It's more like a screening test, and doesn't tell you what might be an issue.

Acupuncture was less than $100, done in the clinic, around 80?. Neko had it every couple weeks to start, then as needed, which was around a month. Vetty also taught me how to do acupressure, which I did daily and is supposed to help the acupuncture " last longer". Neko purred through it.
 
Bronx's dad said:
I think it was only an extra $40 for the CardioPet proBNP
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I don't remember exactly. I posted here about it. My current vet doesn't have an IDEXX account. I think it was like $140 and had to find a way to get it to IDEXX (through another vet) and pay for it. It was a mess.

I still miss Gizmo's old vet, Dr. Pratt :oops:
 
LizzieInTexas said:
I don't remember exactly. I posted here about it. My current vet doesn't have an IDEXX account. I think it was like $140 and had to find a way to get it to IDEXX (through another vet) and pay for it. It was a mess.

I still miss Gizmo's old vet, Dr. Pratt :oops:
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Yeah,the only reason I got an SDMA & proBNP was that my vet was on vacation and went to a new vet that day for a much needed enema. Figured I get some bloodwork while I was there, and was nice to see this vet did these tests that my reg vet doesn't do normally and never suggested it.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Duralactin seemed to help for a bit. I also tried hyaluronic acid.
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Hi Wendy - was there a specific brand of hyaluronic acid that you used? I'm wondering what dose you'd give. Girlie's just left with Meloxicam at the moment, unfortunately, although the vet is considering Tramadol. She wasn't keen on Bupe. Girlie's arthritis is quite advanced. I'm assuming Bronx's is as well, poor boy!
 
Bronx looks good in those videos. Was he enjoying the game?
I'm sorry your vet is so stubborn. Maybe do the test just to keep her from droning on.

Vines for Bronx. I hope his arthritis will improve when heating season begins.
 
Well..I can't not comment on how fabulous Bronx is...loved the videos :), oh...and nice to see you too, Paul :p. I love the fructosemine convo...sounds familiar...anytime something isn't quite right....Well, let's run a fructosamine! you have heaps of patience, that's for sure.

I came across this on petplace...I don't know if the water intake value is correct, 2 1/2 cups per day for a 10 lb cat seems high, but that includes water in food...maybe worth a read anyway https://www.petplace.com/article/ca...ria-excessive-drinking-and-urinating-in-cats/

Can you give Bronx a little belly rub for me? Only if he won't chew on your hand that is :joyful:
 
Girlie's mom said:
Wendy - was there a specific brand of hyaluronic acid that you used? I'm wondering what dose you'd give. Girlie's just left with Meloxicam at the moment, unfortunately,
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Hyaflex is what my vet recommended. Too bad your vet doesn't like bupe,seems to be a common attitude with Australian vet's. Sorry for the hijack Paul.
 
We are doing alright. The other critters keep us very busy. Mia, our puppy, is still a terror. Snowflake, our bunny, is such a sweetheart. He has such a great personality and is so silly. Bella, our older dog, is an angel. And then there is Daisy, our civvie ... I swear Gizmo has taken over her body. She went from a cat who never played and just slept all day to doing everything that Gizmo used to do ...including sleeping/playing in his favorite cube. They never really got along ... tolerated each other, that was about it, but she must really miss him. She even plays all the time now!
Bronx's dad said:
I miss Gizmo, Bronx's twin brother :)
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. It was strange watching the video. They do look so much alike ... even down to the bald spots between his eyes and ears. Wonder if that is an acro symptom?
 
Hi Paul! Good to get an update on you and Bronx. Your vet dialogue was too funny. Glad you held your ground and saved yourself about 45 bucks.

I hope that you will find something that helps the arthritis. Do you give any Omega 3? That is also helpful for the joints. I give Bubba and Forrest 500 mg. a day .

So, was Bronx watching football while busy preening?
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Hi Paul! Good to get an update on you and Bronx. Your vet dialogue was too funny. Glad you held your ground and saved yourself about 45 bucks.

I hope that you will find something that helps the arthritis. Do you give any Omega 3? That is also helpful for the joints. I give Bubba and Forrest 500 mg. a day .

So, was Bronx watching football while busy preening?
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Hi Bobbie!
Yes, he gets fish oil twice a day along with MSM, green lipped mussel powder, golden paste, cosequin, adequan and CBD oil. Still walks pretty bad on his front legs. I will try to get a video of it, but it's hard to capture since he never walks too far at all before sitting or laying down :(

He knows Sunday football and watching the Mets on those lazy summer eves :)
 
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