2/9 Buddha Kitteh update

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Beth 73

Beth 73

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Hello to all !! Just wanted to invite you to Elmo's OTJ party on the Lantus page. Elmo was on Vetsulin from late July 2016 to end of December when we had planned to start Lantus to help him reach remission. But Elmo and vetsulin had other plans. We waited for his numbers to go up , but without data as to how he would react to Lantus we waited....and waited...and waited til 14 days had passed and here we are. So it was a combo of 5 months of vetsulin and then just the whiff/ threat of Lantus that put Elmo over the top. It can be done but we would not be here celebrating if not for the wise counsel of the wonderful folks on the Lantus forum who helped me sort Elmo's unique journey out AND the daily, from morning into the night,hand/paw holding of Linda, Mogs, Kris, Chris and Janet while on vetsulin. We owe a debt we cannot repay to you all:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Ya Elmo!!

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Ahhhh, Linda :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:.....will,post an update tomorrow . Have had my hands full with other kitty issues that have consumed my brain , I'm afraid . Sure haven t been consumed with snow cos we have NONE !!!:(
 
Expecting a little sprinkle of snow here tomorrow morning and Kris is expected to get a fairly good load of it. It's the same horrible storm that has been raising havoc in the southern states. My heart aches for those folks down south and I keep thinking there was some member here who lived in Hattiesburg but I can't for the life of me remember their screen name to see if they are posting.:nailbiting:

Sorry to hear you are having other kitty issues. :( Hope it's nothing too serious! I will definitely keep an eye out for your update. Give Buddha Kitteh some scritches from me! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
:bighug:You are the very best, Linda , the very best:bighug:....and isn't it way past your bedtime ???? :bighug:;). Hope Ms Menace et al are not giving you any trouble :cat:
 
And yes, those tornados were brutal. Something we here in middle and south contend with mostly in spring. We have had them come close and helped with cleanups many times. Joplin Mo was the worst we ever saw or did aid work for. Makes me sick to my stomach to see this latest round . They r wicked and so dastardly, almost like they enjoy coming at night .
 
Thankfully I have only seen one tornado. It was off in the distance and still scared the daylights out of me. Wreaked havoc north of us but we don't get nearly the number or intensity that you folks get in the Midwest and Southern states. Met a girl from Kansas when I was nursing. She was telling me about all the warnings they get and how they just go to shelters or whatever and deal with it as if it was just everyday stuff. I guess it would get to be "everyday stuff" as long as the dang thing doesn't hit your home/neighbourhood. I can't even begin to imagine how devastating it must be for everyone and how difficult the cleanup must be. Heck I refuse to go to California because I am convinced it's gonna fall into the ocean. I experienced one earthquake (a measly 3.3 on the Richter scale) and don't want to do that again either! Just call me a big chicken!

And yes I should be going to bed but I am waiting to see how Smokey is in a few minutes just in case Dhana has any questions/concerns. I think she'll be fine but I want to be sure so I can actually get to sleep with a clear conscience! I guess I'll go test my little furball and fold my towels in the meantime. You should probably be heading to bed too! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
And yes I should be going to bed but I am waiting to see how Smokey is in a few minutes just in case Dhana has any questions/concerns. I think she'll be fine but I want to be sure so I can actually get to sleep with a clear conscience! I guess I'll go test my little furball and fold my towels in the meantime. You should probably be heading to bed too! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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You're awesome Thanks again @MrWorfMen's Mom !
Dhana
 
Dhana, I am not awesome. I am just paying it forward for everything I have gained from the amazing group of folks here! We have a unwritten "policy" of never leaving anyone feeling deserted and if I've given someone advice/suggestions, I like to follow through because sometimes our kitties don't always do what we expect them to do.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Hello All !!! This week has flown past . As I mentioned to Linda, have had a few misc kitty issues. Last Friday surrendered two of my long term rescue kitties to a no kill shelter near by......broke my heart . We have had them for over two years, would find them homes then have people back out. We put them on waiting list at this very kind no kill shelter and this was the second time they had called saying they had room for them. Still makes my stomach sick but believing they will be adopted together into a loving home.

With Elmo doing better I turned more attention to civvies and realized my sweet Chris has further tooth deterioration due to auto immune situation that attacks his tooth enamel. Had him to vet in September where he had several pulled and several more had already dissolved ..:(. Ahhhhhhhh:woot::woot::woot::woot:.

Buddha Kitteh is chugging along. It is SO hard to break the testing habit...I love control and knowing what is going on so must admit it has been a test of my will power to only test once a day. He is generally running mid normal range, low 90s to 80s. Wish it were lower. His appetite is great, energy somewhat low with lots of napping. (???? Thoughts on that ???? )

Have a few things I'd love ya'lls input on. First ,it is my plan to keep up the 4AM snack feed thru this first month. Is that a good idea ? Is it easier on him/MrP to not go 8 hours without food ?? Then I am debating taking him for a dental. When vet checked him in late December he quickly checked mouth and said it just looked like they needed cleaned. Elmo was so uncooperative and upset I don't know how vet could tell much. Elmo's upset is my other consideration ....he really dislikes the vet process in total. Growls, hisses, scratches , gets very upset and pretty much stays that way til back in car going home. I'm weighing the benefit of the dental cleaning against the upset and potential to drive his BG back up.....have read several accounts on message board of it throwing kitties out of remission. Just not sure what to do and long to hear any/all of your wisdom on this.. Is there any wisdom/ insight about remission pointers u know ? As wonderful as it is, remission (initially ,anyway, for me) is a bit like stepping out into the dark. Not totally comfortable with it yet.

Hope and pray you all and yours are warm and well. Elmo and I miss the daily back and forth with the marvelous, the wonderful, the captivating Kitty Cavalry !!!! Will keep in touch and update here on vetsulin forum so as to not clog up Main with my ramblings .....love and blessings to you all!!!!!
 
Oh Beth, how wonderful that you fostered those rescue kitties for over 2 years. That had to be so hard to let them go even if it does give them a better chance to find a loving furever home together. I don't know how you do it. I'd be a basket case or I'd just end up keeping them.

Poor Chris! Tooth reabsorption in cats is so sad but we know he is getting the best of care under your watch!

So glad to hear Buddah Kitteh is holding his numbers well and that you are finding the willpower to put the meter down. It's tough breaking a habit even if it's something you are happy you don't HAVE to do.:p

Do you think Elmo is sleeping more now than when he was on insulin? I wonder if having his thyroid meds up to full dose and seemingly working well has anything to do with this. Or maybe he's just not on alert all the time wondering when his Mama is gonna come and poke him! :woot: If his appetite is Ok and there are no other issues, I don't think I'd worry too much but then I have an 18yr old who basically sleeps the day away so maybe my take on this is off base in Elmo's case.

Your question about teeth cleaning is a bit of a conundrum and one I am currently wrestling with for my 18yr old. I understand not wanting to stress Elmo out with a vet visit all too well. My guy turns into a Tazmanian Devil at the vet and has to be sedated just to be looked at. I think though if Elmo is healthy enough to have his teeth cleaned, it might be worth it just to avoid an infection which is harder on an older cat and could knock him out of remission.

As for feeding or not feeding overnight, you could do a trial run of not feeding him one night and see what his number looks like the next day. I think this boils down to whether Elmo's pancreas is pumping out insulin throughout the day/night or more pulsative around mealtimes. If you are getting up to feed him at 4AM, you could freeze some food in an ice cube tray and leave it out for Elmo to eat when it thaws so he can eat if and when he gets hungry and then Mama can get her beauty sleep.

This new path called Remission is going to take some adjustment. I remember the first time Menace gave me a blue number and I was happy but a bit scared. Then came that first green number and yikes did I panic! Now even lower than I'd like green numbers are second nature and there is no panic....just action because I know my cat and am confident I can keep her safe. Remission is much the same....not as much work but it still takes some time to get used to it. You and Elmo will adjust soon.

Heck I'm still dealing with Beth/Elmo withdrawal so we all got some adjusting to do. :D:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Well, as seen on Lantus board question, Elmo has a rise in AMBGs last two days :(...he is constipated and we are working on that...have started entering his data on SS again. Thoughts from Godmommas et al appreciated:bighug::cat:
@MrWorfMen's Mom @Kris & Teasel
 
If memory serves (I haven't looked back yet) didn't Elmo have a little blip in his numbers before that seemed to resolve after he made a litter box deposit? Constipation can put BG up, so I doubt it's anything to worry about especially when he was back down to the 70's a bit later. Did you by any chance check his BG right before or just after he'd visited the loo? I see you are trying some Miralax and pumpkin which should help. I'm sure he will be just fine but I'm sending some poopy vines to help out! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Short of pumpkin and adding extra water to every wet meal I don't know what to suggest, Beth. I have no experience with this problem, thank heavens. I get why you're finding OTJ stressful and why you feel like a newbie again. Always on tenterhooks worrying about how to keep him there ... :confused:
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
If memory serves (I haven't looked back yet) didn't Elmo have a little blip in his numbers before that seemed to resolve after he made a litter box deposit? Constipation can put BG up, so I doubt it's anything to worry about especially when he was back down to the 70's a bit later. Did you by any chance check his BG right before or just after he'd visited the loo? I see you are trying some Miralax and pumpkin which should help. I'm sure he will be just fine but I'm sending some poopy vines to help out! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank u, sweet Linda :bighug:. Elmo's godmommas are my best :bighug:. Just seeing Miss Menace's pic makes me warm and smile :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Short of pumpkin and adding extra water to every wet meal I don't know what to suggest, Beth. I have no experience with this problem, thank heavens. I get why you're finding OTJ stressful and why you feel like a newbie again. Always on tenterhooks worrying about how to keep him there ... :confused:
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I am so glad, Kris, that u haven't had to deal with the Big C ( constipation:woot::woot::woot::woot:) . I feel badly for ,y kitties whenever it occurs. Am currently moving my civvie boys off cd Science Diet by adding h2o as u suggested . They love Wellness Core beef and venison so am transitioning to that now. As I said to Linda, my heart leaps when I see Menace or Teasel's little faces. They and you all are family :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:. Keeping Mogs in thought and prayer as well. Pray she is gaining strength and resting:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Short of pumpkin and adding extra water to every wet meal I don't know what to suggest, Beth. I have no experience with this problem, thank heavens. I get why you're finding OTJ stressful and why you feel like a newbie again. Always on tenterhooks worrying about how to keep him there ... :confused:
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And yes, Kris, for me at this point , remission is FD Dance 2.0o_O:woot:.....
 
I think the anticipation of waiting for that number to show up on the meter will always elicit a little trepidation no matter what stage of this game you are in. I am no where near remission with Menace and with her IAA, even keeping her in reasonable numbers can be a bit challenging so every reading causes a little anxiety. Teasel is a bouncy guy so I'm sure Kris feels the same way. I guess it's just our lot in life but our furkids are worth it!:D
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I think the anticipation of waiting for that number to show up on the meter will always elicit a little trepidation no matter what stage of this game you are in. I am no where near remission with Menace and with her IAA, even keeping her in reasonable numbers can be a bit challenging so every reading causes a little anxiety. Teasel is a bouncy guy so I'm sure Kris feels the same way. I guess it's just our lot in life but our furkids are worth it!:D
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Linda, your words are so spot on and profound . It explains so much to me the kinship we all share ...it really binds us together in this " fur hood " of caregivers:bighug: to which I am honored to be a member with you all :):bighug::cat:
 
Needing more poopy cheers and vines ...Elmo has thus far had ZERO poo today :mad::(:woot: but the night is somewhat young .....maybe :nailbiting:
 
Poopy report update :).....Elmo is "going" :rolleyes: great now...he seems to need the once daily dose of miralax in addition to pumpkin and SEB and added water. Amazing what it does for his BGs. Kris, thanks so so much for adding water to food direction....so simple but so helpful. My civvies are doing wonderful since doing it for them too. I would rather do natural things first and most and am glad it only takes 1/8 t miralax to keep things moving :cat:. Hope all is well up in the Cold White North...our winter so far is boring and bit above temps....I am bummed:(
 
Beth 73 said:
Poopy report update :).....Elmo is "going" :rolleyes: great now...he seems to need the once daily dose of miralax in addition to pumpkin and SEB and added water. Amazing what it does for his BGs. Kris, thanks so so much for adding water to food direction....so simple but so helpful. My civvies are doing wonderful since doing it for them too. I would rather do natural things first and most and am glad it only takes 1/8 t miralax to keep things moving :cat:. Hope all is well up in the Cold White North...our winter so far is boring and bit above temps....I am bummed:(
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Yes, the water in wet food thing is helpful in so many ways - pooping, peeing enough if they're prone to cystitis, etc. Our winter this year has been a bit milder and less snowy over all than they'd predicted. It's still winter though ...
 
OMG, Beth!!! I needed that good guffaw today! I had a look at Elmo's SS after reading Linda's comment and found your Poop Tracker. Very useful but absolutely hilarious! :woot::D:joyful::)
 
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Well,ladies, I am a simple gal and it just made sense to me so at a glance I could see poo vs no poo .... ,:bighug::);). I did have a little chuckle as I did it , must admit ;)....doesn't take much to entertain me :confused:o_O:woot:
 
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Was just checking in to see how Elmo was doing:D...after the week I've had, losing my civvie Frisky. She was 18 :( I needed a good laugh...:joyful:...all this poo talk. lol My oldest civvie cat is almost 20 and he has occasional poo problems. Pumpkin really helps him and I add extra water too. So glad to see Elmo is doing well and pooing..lol Great idea to keep track. Caesar has been :otj:114 days today and I still say a prayer before I take his BG. :bighug::bighug::bighug:and prayers that Elmo continues to do well.:kiss:
 
Oh Jerida, I am so sorry to hear about Frisky. Obviously a well loved and cared for kitty. RIP Frisky! And congrats on Caesar being OTJ and holding. You are obviously a great kitty Mom!
 
Jerida and Caesar said:
View attachment 26200 Was just checking in to see how Elmo was doing:D...after the week I've had, losing my civvie Frisky. She was 18 :( I needed a good laugh...:joyful:...all this poo talk. lol My oldest civvie cat is almost 20 and he has occasional poo problems. Pumpkin really helps him and I add extra water too. So glad to see Elmo is doing well and pooing..lol Great idea to keep track. Caesar has been :otj:114 days today and I still say a prayer before I take his BG. :bighug::bighug::bighug:and prayers that Elmo continues to do well.:kiss:
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I'm sorry loved lost your beloved kitty. cat_wings>o
 
Jerida and Caesar said:
View attachment 26200 Was just checking in to see how Elmo was doing:D...after the week I've had, losing my civvie Frisky. She was 18 :( I needed a good laugh...:joyful:...all this poo talk. lol My oldest civvie cat is almost 20 and he has occasional poo problems. Pumpkin really helps him and I add extra water too. So glad to see Elmo is doing well and pooing..lol Great idea to keep track. Caesar has been :otj:114 days today and I still say a prayer before I take his BG. :bighug::bighug::bighug:and prayers that Elmo continues to do well.:kiss:
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Oh Jerida, I am so sorry to hear about Frisky. It's a blessing when we get to have them for so long but hard as well when they go ahead ( love that phrase/sentiment ). Glad my Poo Tracker gave u some laughter :):bighug:. A joyful heart really is good medicine :bighug:. Linda and Kris are use to my sometimes slightly twisted sense of humor after dealing with it for some months now. We do tend to entertain each other for sure :bighug:. And yes, like you, I pray before each BG:cat:. Prayers to Caesar and you as well for continued strong remission :bighug::):cat:.....those Pre BG prayers do work :)
 
Hey All !!! Hope all is well up north !!! Elmo continues to straddle the mid range of normal but I am hopeful and expecting for consistent 70s and below ...that's my plan o_O:rolleyes::)
 
Remission Road would be much easier if we only knew what our feline's normal BG was day to day before they got diabetes. Elmo may have always run in the mid range so all you can do is go along for the ride! :cat::rolleyes:

Yeah for the little brown box on his SS! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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