Afraid of losing my cat

My cat is 13 yrs old and has always had diabetes. It has always been controlled by glipizide pills 10mg 2X daily. About 10 days ago, he showed weakness in his hind legs, lethargy and diminished appetite. I took him to the vet who took a blood test and said he had a urinary tract infection. He gave him a shot of antibiotics that would last 2 weeks. He said I would see improvement within 24 hours.
Then my cat started hobbling. He could barely walk. I took him back to the vet but his adrenaline was so high he walked around the vet's office nervously with no limp. Luckily I showed the dr. a film on my iphone of him hobbling the night before. The vet said he didn't see anything to diagnose from the cat's behavior in the office. So nothing was done.
Then my cat did not have a bowel movement for 5 days. He also was still lethargic, had decreased appetite and had weakness in his back legs. I took him back to the vet (yesterday) and he was given an enema. The vet said there had been impaction of hard, dried stool.
Now that he is not constipated anymore I had hoped he would be ok but he is back to the original problem that I brought to the vet on the first visit: his weakness in his back legs seems worse - he actually appears to be atrophying in his hind area. He can still walk but getting up from a sitting position is difficult for him. He keeps his butt curled under when he walks. He cannot jump onto the bed or the couch. His tail will not raise higher than being parallel with the floor. His tail does not respond to my voice anymore. Sometimes when he's standing, his tail droops striaght down and lays limp on the floor. He has lost 1.5 pounds.
He has always had spasms where some part of his body will spasm slightly. He's had this his whole life and anytime he was not feeling well, the spasms become more pronounced.
I had mentioned methyl-B12 to the vet but he said there really is no evidence that it works. My vet has sent my records to a specialist and I am waiting to hear back. I think my vet thought it was nothing serious but now is reconsidering. I am scared to death I am going to lose my cat. My heart is breaking. I live alone and he is the only pet I have. Any advice would be appreciated. I recently learned how to take his blood glucose level at home and his level was 185, 152, 179 taken over a period of 10 hours.

 

what kind of insulin your cat on and have you heard of neuropathy?

 

Check out this thread here on the board regarding neuropathy and B12...If your vet isn't supportive of utilizing B12, I know many people on the board use it, if it were my cat I would get a second opinion. Perhaps post here in health or in community for suggestions of local vets in your area that members of this board use and love I switched my vet when I wasn't getting the support I needed...

 

1) Miralax available inexpensively (for humans) at the grocery store is awesome for kitties with constipation. I add 1/4 tsp to each can of food with about 1/4cup of water mixed all together. It is tasteless. I have tried many many other things and this works the best. If he is impacted he may need 1-2 enemas first to get things moving so the miralax can keep things moving.

2) dont know if this is related, but I had a cat who suddenly couldn't lift his tail, and if you picked it up it would drop limply. I researched it on the internet and found that if a cats tail is pulled sharply, it can cause nerve damage and a limp tail. The good news, is that in my cats case, it seemed to resolve in a couple weeks I think, and hasn't reoccurred.

3) I would certainly wonder about peripheral neuropathy from poorly controlled diabetes causing the constipation, and weakness. Others will chime in about other potential treatment options, like insulin, B12, sub Q fluids? Do you home test his blood glucose?

 

Glipizide is usually not effective about controlling feline diabetes. There is a good chance that your cat needs to be switched to insulin. Lantus, PZI and ProZinc are good choices for insulin and are very effective for managing FD.

Please ask your vet about changing to insulin. Also, changing diet helps with managing FD. Can you tell us what you feed him?

The neuropathy is usually caused by unregulated diabetes. If you switch to insulin, feed a high protein/low carb diet, hometest and give him methyl B12, there is a very good chance you will see significant improvement in the neuropathy. When I adopted my cat Spot, she was in a very similar condition as your cat. By making the changes that I suggested, I was able to see significant improvement very quickly.

We can help you with learning about the diet and hometesting. Let us know which insulin your vet changes you to. When you do swich, you want to make sure you start with a low dose - only 1 unit twice a day. It does not take a lot of insulin to make a significant change in glucose levels and you do not want to risk giving too much. Again, this is something we can also help you with.

 

I am not necessarily seeing unregulated diabetes given the BG levels you posted. Neuropathy doesn't usually involve hobbling and limping, but rather walking on hocks and splayed laegs.

I have seen a small spate lately here of cats with vertebrae damage/injuries having trouble walking and passing stool. I would suggest an X-Ray to see whether there is any problem in that regard.

 

I would be more worried about this right now. she had the 2 week ab shot. just a thought and I would have liver values checked from being on glip for so long
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2107

 

I too am concerned about the AB shot - my guess is the vet gave Covenia, which Dian provided you a link to our on board vet expert DR. Lisa and her concerns about Covenia. My understanding Covenia's use is approved for skin issues, not dental or leg weakness. Another reason to be concerned, that this drug was used incorrectly.

You do need to watch her carefully as an adverse reaction to Covenia can show up 7-14 days after the shot. Also, if your cat is allergic to pencillin, amoxicillin, etc - Covenia has these properties in it and clavamox does too. I bring it up, because Maui is allergic and it's a huge concern for us, when drugs are needed.

The weakness in back legs sounds like it could be diabetic neuropathy and Methylcobalamin B12 is what you need to help reverse that. This is the one I used and highly recommend: http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Vitamin-B-1 ... lcobalamin

Empty one capsule and mix into wet food daily.

And please read up on the Covenia issue, so you can tell your vet to NEVER do that again.

 

Possibly low potassium (I know; I'm a broken record about potassium.)? If an uncontrolled diabetic urinating a lot there could be a loss of potassium enough to cause back leg weakness. Blood test needed though before any supplementation on your own as giving potassium when it's not needed can cause heart problems since potassium affects muscles.

 

I didn't know that Dale - thanks for the lesson!

Just FYI - giving the MB12 won't hurt him at all, so it is ok to use.

 

Thank you to everyone

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. Unfortunately, Cream Puff had to be euthanized today. My house feels very empty. It turned out not to be a neuropathy problem. I took him on 4 vet visits, paid $3,000. and they all said they do not know what was wrong with him. The neurological expert said it was not neuropathy.

Again, thank you....
Jann

 

oh jann, I am so sorry . fly free sweet creampuff

 

I am so sorry for your loss.
wings_cat wings_cat

 

Jann, my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beloved CreamPuff. You did all that you could to help him and hard enough to deal with the loss but it makes it even harder because you never got an answer as to why. I am so very, very sorry and my heart goes out to you.

 

Oh, Jann, I am so sorry for your loss.
I know the emptiness of the house that you feel...it's hard, I've been through that myself.
I didn't want to go home, I would drive right by and drive around crying. There didn't seem to be a reason to go home anymore. Cry all you need to, it takes time for your heart to heal. And when you're ready, think about another little sweetheart to give your love to. It's obvious you cared very deeply and did what you had to because you loved Creampuff so much.
He's jumping and running free now...until you meet again.

Fly Freeee Creampuff!

 

Oh no!! I am so very sorry for your loss. Wrapping you in cyber hugs. CreamPuff is flying free now, whole and healthy over the Rainbow Bridge. rb_icon

wings_cat

 

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope you know that you did everything you could for your beloved companion. Other people may or may not have done all they could have - I won't pass judgement on them. But you DID. I know its no real comfort knowing that, the grief is simply too great. But please don't feel like you didn't give your best effort to saving them.

 

Re: Thank you to everyone

I am so very sorry for your loss

~M

 

I am so sorry Jann for your loss. Fly free Creampuff and keep watch over your family. wings_cat

 

I am so sorry for your loss.

May all your wonderful memories of CreamPuff bring you comfort...

...'til you met again.

 

Doodles and I are new to the board and we are soo soo sorry for your loss. We send you lots of hugs and many happy memories.
What a great mommy you were!!! He was so loved!
With lots of love from Doodles and me >"<
Fly free and be happy!

 

(((Jann))) I'm so very sorry for your loss. Sometimes they just have too many things going on at once, and tests aren't enough to find out, or save them. Sometimes I just think it's their time.. no matter what we try to do for them.

(((HUGS))) & tears,
-Steph

 

I'm so sorry...So very sad.

 

My brother sent me this poem today. I'm passing it along because I thought others would like it too...

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free
I've followed the path God set for me
I ran to Him when I heard His call
I swished my tail and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To meow, to love, to romp or play
Games left unplayed must stay that way
I found such peace; it made my day.

My parting has left you with a void
Please feel it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too shall miss

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, you've given so much
Your time, your love and gentle touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your head and share with me
God wanted me; He set me free!!

 

(((((Jann))))) I am so very sorry for your loss. You gave CreamPuff nothing but the best, and he knows that, and loves you for it. May, in time, your memories of CreamPff bring you smiles. Fly free, CreamPuff. You have earned your Angel Wings. wings_cat