Hard to regulate kitty, please help

Hi everyone! I just found this group however have been really struggling with my 8 year old cat Graycie. She was diagnosed 2 years ago and has been really tough to regulate. I even see an internal medicine specialist and her glucose is still unpredictable. She has had several hospitalizations over the past 2 years including one for DKA (I almost lost her) and one for pancreatitis.
Currently she is on 1.25 units Lantus BID and VERY recently switched from merrick chicken pate to canned Purina DM (with some dry mixed) due to a suspected allergy (loss of fur on her abdomen). She also has Cerebellar Hypoplasia (since birth) which affects her mobility.
I test with the Alphtrak 2 twice daily (more when I am not working). Her numbers are typically high (300s) at test time. I have tried so many times to increase her dose (raising it .25). It usually goes okay for awhile, and I see lower numbers... , and then BOOM..out of nowhere, literally, I will get something like "40"! So naturally (after I'm late for work trying to raise it) think it's Symogi rebound and bring the dose back down again, only to hold her steady in the 300s once again. Its so so frustrating! I feel so terrible that I cannot do this! People think that I'm crazy because I'm always late for work and worrying about this cat...I just think I need some guidance!

 

Hi JennE,
Welcome to the forum! I'm new to this so I won't be able to give you any specific advice, but there are many others who are very knowledgeable, especially if you check out the Lantus forum.
When are you testing? Most people here test before every shot and then try to test around nadir. It's important to know how low she's going in between shots. If you're at work normally, see if you can at least sometimes get that on the weekend.

Most people here keep a spreadsheet with a record of their home tests. If you have kept a record of your tests over the past, you could put those numbers into the spreadsheet so people here can get an idea what's going on. Information on how to set up the spreadsheet is here http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
The more data you can fill in, the easier it is for others to help figure out what's going on - but even if you haven't kept a record for a while, start now and it can really help going forward.
The spreadsheet uses common terminology around this forum. You have the AM Pre-shot (AMPS) and PM Pre-shot (PMPS), then the times in between are all referenced through + numbers, were +1 is one hour after shot, +2 is 2 hours after shot, etc. This helps since we cross many timezones around the world.

Browse around, ask questions - there are people here with many years of experience who can probably get you on the right track. And everyone is very friendly and looking out for each other

 

I always, always test before each shot. I try to test when I can on weekends. I have a very busy job as a supervisor of a physical therapy department in a rehabilitation hospital..it is very difficult to get time off to test her nadir (wish i could). I can only get this value on weekends :-(. That's part of the reason that I am so afraid to increase the dose..she's so unpredictable and I don't want to risk her going too low when I'm at work. I have many, many curves saved from over a year ago when she was first diagnoses..not sure how relevant those would be now..but I can definitely start a spreadsheet.
Thank you for the warm welcome!

 

Hi Jenn and Graycie. Here is some information on how to create a spreadsheet.

Spreadsheets: Our spreadsheet instructions are here. If you look at the signatures of the members here, you will see a link to their kitty’s spreadsheets. We keep track of all our tests. This is basically a place to collect data and help you to determine patterns, doses, etc. It also aids those that may be helping you to better understand your kitty. To further my knowledge on diabetes, I would make it a habit to read other kitty’s postings and spreadsheets. Even though they are all different and will be different than your kitty, it was still invaluable information.

 

Hi Jenn, and welcome to you and Graycie.

Even if you can't get tests right in the middle of the cycle it could be really helpful if you were able to get some tests in during the week about 2 or 3 hours after Gracyie's evening dose ('before bed' tests as they are commonly called here).

I'm glad you found FDMB. I've learned so much here since I joined. Fingers and paws crossed that you'll be able to get tips here to help you better regulate your dear girl. I'm sorry to hear about the DKA and pancreatitis episodes (my little one, Saoirse, has chronic pancreatitis).


Mogs
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Hi Jenn and welcome to you and Graycie! Our kitty Zener had CH too, was diagnosed with FD when he was quite a bit older than your Graycie. We had a lot of struggles in the beginning, like getting him on canned food, and he was bouncy and hard to regulate throughout. Once he was on Lantus though he felt so much better! In the end, he had kidney disease and inflammatory bowel disease and we managed that and the FD for another year or more. It was the IBD complications and not FD in the end. He had a good quality of life for 3 years despite the difficulty regulating. We miss him each and everyday and would do it all over again despite how hard it can be at times. He was such a special guy. I am sure your Graycie is a sweetheart too.

We ended up on the Lantus/lemivir forum and had great support, we still lurk around there. Jill sent me a message there was another CH kitty. I think Zener may have been the first. We are happy to help if we can. Zener's spreadsheet is still posted.

I am a PT too, worked in rehab for years, then taught SCI and neuro rehab in PT program until I retire al little over a year ago.

Anne

 

It's so nice to meet you Anne..another PT! We share similar stories..I have had several CH kitties over the years but my Graycie has been the only one with other issues. Thank goodness she is so so sweet (I think it's a CH cat's nature though), and lets me poke and prod her with no problems! Thank goodness her labs are now normal..no other issues and she is still playful..I worry a lot though about her readings being so high, then so low again. I'm so sorry to hear about Zener...it sounds like he had a wonderful life with you. I will be posting the meager start to my speadsheet soon.