JL and Chip
Very Active Member
Hi all -- it's been awhile!
I just took in an acro cat and am trying to get up to speed on the current knowledge and treatment options.
Is the catacromegaly.com website still online? I get an error when I try to access it.
"Tubby" belonged to an elderly woman who has mobility issues; despite her best efforts, she just wasn't capable of testing, shooting, or even picking up a 26 lb cat. As a result, he's been boarded at a vet clinic for the last 9 months --basically since he started on insulin.
He's an estimated 8-9 years old, 26 lbs, with an aggressive appetite and large features. I suspected acro pretty early on when I first met him a year ago, although he was diet controlled at the time. His IGF-1 back then was around 218. Recent abdominal ultrasound confirmed that his organs are all notably enlarged.
He currently on 8U Prozinc BID. That was apparently his starting dose, which I believe was based on weight (I know, I know). It hasn't been tweaked.
To the best of my knowledge, the clinic where he boarded didn't exert much effort to regulate him--they did occasional spot checks and maybe one or two curves, but never changed the dose. They reported he was doing well until recently, when he began having PU/PD.
He's also prone to constipation--significant enough that he's had at least one, if not two, abdominal surgeries to remove blockages. One fecal mass was nearly 1/2 pound, per the vet record.
When I took him in a week ago, he had skin issues and ear infection. He's on antibiotics and an ear treatment (which has a steroid component).
He was on a high-carb diet (Royal Canin selected protein canned and dry) due to his constipation issues, per the vet where he was boarded.
Since taking him in, his BG has been running steadily on the 350-450 range. I've seen an occasional number in the high 200's, but rarely. I'm switching over to a lower carb food and waiting to see whether clearing up the infections helps his BG readings. I'm working with the university vet school now to assess his medical issues and presumed acro, and to take the necessary steps toward doing SRT in the future.
I realize 8u BID isn't crazy for an acro cat, but I'm uneasy that it wasn't reached via methodically working up the dosage scale. It looks like an increase is on order, but is it possible (or likely?) that the optimum dose was missed? Should I experiment with a lower dose before going higher? I'm good with regular diabetes, having navigated that path several times before, but this acro thing is new territory for me!
Also, have any of you had good success with Prozinc in acro cats? I've been mulling over switching to Lev but don't want to change too many things too quickly.
I've been reading the acro files, but am also curious if there are any recent updates to that info.
Also, it's been far too long -- can anyone point me to the instructions for setting up a spreadsheet? Thanks!
I just took in an acro cat and am trying to get up to speed on the current knowledge and treatment options.
Is the catacromegaly.com website still online? I get an error when I try to access it.
"Tubby" belonged to an elderly woman who has mobility issues; despite her best efforts, she just wasn't capable of testing, shooting, or even picking up a 26 lb cat. As a result, he's been boarded at a vet clinic for the last 9 months --basically since he started on insulin.
He's an estimated 8-9 years old, 26 lbs, with an aggressive appetite and large features. I suspected acro pretty early on when I first met him a year ago, although he was diet controlled at the time. His IGF-1 back then was around 218. Recent abdominal ultrasound confirmed that his organs are all notably enlarged.
He currently on 8U Prozinc BID. That was apparently his starting dose, which I believe was based on weight (I know, I know). It hasn't been tweaked.
To the best of my knowledge, the clinic where he boarded didn't exert much effort to regulate him--they did occasional spot checks and maybe one or two curves, but never changed the dose. They reported he was doing well until recently, when he began having PU/PD.
He's also prone to constipation--significant enough that he's had at least one, if not two, abdominal surgeries to remove blockages. One fecal mass was nearly 1/2 pound, per the vet record.
When I took him in a week ago, he had skin issues and ear infection. He's on antibiotics and an ear treatment (which has a steroid component).
He was on a high-carb diet (Royal Canin selected protein canned and dry) due to his constipation issues, per the vet where he was boarded.
Since taking him in, his BG has been running steadily on the 350-450 range. I've seen an occasional number in the high 200's, but rarely. I'm switching over to a lower carb food and waiting to see whether clearing up the infections helps his BG readings. I'm working with the university vet school now to assess his medical issues and presumed acro, and to take the necessary steps toward doing SRT in the future.
I realize 8u BID isn't crazy for an acro cat, but I'm uneasy that it wasn't reached via methodically working up the dosage scale. It looks like an increase is on order, but is it possible (or likely?) that the optimum dose was missed? Should I experiment with a lower dose before going higher? I'm good with regular diabetes, having navigated that path several times before, but this acro thing is new territory for me!
Also, have any of you had good success with Prozinc in acro cats? I've been mulling over switching to Lev but don't want to change too many things too quickly.
I've been reading the acro files, but am also curious if there are any recent updates to that info.
Also, it's been far too long -- can anyone point me to the instructions for setting up a spreadsheet? Thanks!
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