3/16, Pookey, AMPS 104, +4 87, PMPS 99, +4 98

[Tim & Pookey]

Hi all,

Yesterday’s post:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/3-15-pookey-amps-99-4-82-pmps-92.299159/#post-3253885

AMPS has proven to be the most pesky reading for us. Someone had the pants yesterday I might need to borrow them…

Also woke up to the biggest pile of fur I’ve seen yet, if I ball it up probably the size of a ping pong ball. I suspect that’s from over grooming his belly, too much fur to have been from the paws.

I’m going to ask for the Zyrtec but am nervous about how I will administer it (I’ve never pilled) and any side effects.

Have a great day! - Tim

 

[Brianna & Xander]

I wonder if Zyrtec is something that can be crushed into a powder and mixed into food! It seems like it'd be so much easier than getting him to swallow a pill.

 

[Tim & Pookey]

I wonder if Zyrtec is something that can be crushed into a powder and mixed into food! It seems like it'd be so much easier than getting him to swallow a pill.

I know… from what I’ve read this morning it sounds like antihistamines like Zyrtec have a bitter taste though so idk if that’s possible

 

[Brianna & Xander]

I know… from what I’ve read this morning it sounds like antihistamines like Zyrtec have a bitter taste though so idk if that’s possible

It's definitely possible! I know that the gabapentin Xander takes is also very bitter, but I mix it into 1.5 oz of pate and add quite a bit of water (so it's almost smoothie textured) and he doesn't seem to taste it that way. If Pookey won't end up taking the pill it might at least be worth trying.

 

[Nestle]

Purrrrrhaps Pookey is trying to build-a-cat for companionship from all this fur???

But all kidding aside, hopefully it's nothing serious and he's just shedding in preparation for spring.
Beautiful numbers as always.

Wishing you a calm Sunday

 

[Tim & Pookey]

It's definitely possible! I know that the gabapentin Xander takes is also very bitter, but I mix it into 1.5 oz of pate and add quite a bit of water (so it's almost smoothie textured) and he doesn't seem to taste it that way. If Pookey won't end up taking the pill it might at least be worth trying.

Oh that’s great he accepts it that way! That makes me feel a lot better if I could do it in the food. Thanks Brianna

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Purrrrrhaps Pookey is trying to build-a-cat for companionship from all this fur???

But all kidding aside, hopefully it's nothing serious and he's just shedding in preparation for spring.
Beautiful numbers as always.

Wishing you a calm Sunday

View attachment 73121

He’s gotta have a hot summer bod I suppose… haha thanks Karolina

 

[Marielle]

Hi Tim! That's a great AMPS! He's doing so good. In terms of pilling, are the pill pockets hc? If so, then you might first try a little meat that is LC (ground chicken, etc.) and wrap it around the pill. The key is making absolute certain that you don't get the smell of the pill on the outside of the pill pocket or meat. I've pilled cats (a lot) before, and I've used all sorts of techniques (including the pill shooters), but I've found the best technique is the old put your hand around the head to hold it, tip the chin down and poke the pill in--close mouth--breath (blow) in his face (will cause him to swallow)--stroke the throat. You can look that up on YouTube for better directions. What about having it compounded into a transdermal (I did this once with my other cat's thyroid meds).

 

[Briana + Binx]

Ah are you talking about these pants, Tim? Mary gave them to be yesterday, happy to hand them off to you today

Pookey's still doing great, but a blue is hard to see I'm sure. And who knows, a drop is so hard to get right PLUS with meter variance!

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Hi Tim! That's a great AMPS! He's doing so good. In terms of pilling, are the pill pockets hc? If so, then you might first try a little meat that is LC (ground chicken, etc.) and wrap it around the pill. The key is making absolute certain that you don't get the smell of the pill on the outside of the pill pocket or meat. I've pilled cats (a lot) before, and I've used all sorts of techniques (including the pill shooters), but I've found the best technique is the old put your hand around the head to hold it, tip the chin down and poke the pill in--close mouth--breath in his face (will cause him to swallow)--stroke the throat. You can look that up on YouTube for better directions. What about having it compounded into a transdermal (I did this once with my other cat's thyroid meds).

This is great! Thank you Mary I will definitely be saving this post. It’s like a lot of things on this journey, they’re scary at first but we push through it and it becomes routine. And your explanation helps. Transdermal or in the food would probably be easier for everyone, I’ll ask the vet if that’s possible.

 

[Marielle]

This is great! Thank you Mary I will definitely be saving this post. It’s like a lot of things on this journey, they’re scary at first but we push through it and it becomes routine. And your explanation helps. Transdermal or in the food would probably be easier for everyone, I’ll ask the vet if that’s possible.

I just looked, and it appears pill pockets are high carb. Another hack if you opt for wrapping the pill in food is to make sure the wrap is as small as possible--ideally, it's great if they can swallow the pill and wrap in one go--that way they don't run the risk of biting into the wrap and the pill--this is never good. And if you decide to pill him the old fashioned way, cover the pill with butter (a friend of mine used bacon fat)--it tastes good and makes swallowing easy.

 

[cecile & bella]

Oh, your post reminds me of Bella so much! I found huge piles of gray fur when she was over-grooming her belly bald, it was so disturbing.
Zyrtec dissolves very easily in water. I gave her a half, I put it in her plate with some water, then tested / prepared her shot, and by the time I was done it was dissolved and I could just mix it with her food. She never seemed to notice it.
For the Plavix that was very bitter, I rolled it in cream cheese and she would gobble it up. She was very good at spitting pills away if she knew they were there, but cream cheese must be smooth enough that she just swallowed it (this was a tip from the ER vet we saw in September).
I hope your AMPS numbers go lower, I think it's always the last ones to go, from what I've read here! He is doing great

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Ah are you talking about these pants, Tim? Mary gave them to be yesterday, happy to hand them off to you today

Pookey's still doing great, but a blue is hard to see I'm sure. And who knows, a drop is so hard to get right PLUS with meter variance!

Haha, those are them! Thanks Briana. There is definitely some variability in my “drop” dose, so you might be right.

 

[Tim & Pookey]

I just looked, and it appears pill pockets are high carb. Another hack if you opt for wrapping the pill in food is to make sure the wrap is as small as possible--ideally, it's great if they can swallow the pill and wrap in one go--that way they don't run the risk of biting into the wrap and the pill--this is never good. And if you decide to pill him the old fashioned way, cover the pill with butter (a friend of mine used bacon fat)--it tastes good and makes swallowing easy.

Hmm, I’m sure it’s been discussed here before about different wraps so I can search. That doesn’t sound too bad though as long as the pill isn’t huge. Thanks again Mary, was overwhelmed this morning…

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Oh, your post reminds me of Bella so much! I found huge piles of gray fur when she was over-grooming her belly bald, it was so disturbing.
Zyrtec dissolves very easily in water. I gave her a half, I put it in her plate with some water, then tested / prepared her shot, and by the time I was done it was dissolved and I could just mix it with her food. She never seemed to notice it.
For the Plavix that was very bitter, I rolled it in cream cheese and she would gobble it up. She was very good at spitting pills away if she knew they were there, but cream cheese must be smooth enough that she just swallowed it (this was a tip from the ER vet we saw in September).
I hope your AMPS numbers go lower, I think it's always the last ones to go, from what I've read here! He is doing great

That’s great to read! I think I’ll give that a try first, that seems pretty straightforward. Thanks so much Cecile

 

[Ailish’s Brother]

Hi all,

Yesterday’s post:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/3-15-pookey-amps-99-4-82-pmps-92.299159/#post-3253885

AMPS has proven to be the most pesky reading for us. Someone had the pants yesterday I might need to borrow them…

Also woke up to the biggest pile of fur I’ve seen yet, if I ball it up probably the size of a ping pong ball. I suspect that’s from over grooming his belly, too much fur to have been from the paws.

I’m going to ask for the Zyrtec but am nervous about how I will administer it (I’ve never pilled) and any side effects.

Have a great day! - Tim

Hey Tim,

Pookey sure likes messing with you right when you wake! His number and still looking good overall, so hopefully the patient pants are back from the cleaners soon.

I used a piller for Ailish sometimes, this one worked well for us:
https://www.amazon.com/QIYADIN-Shoo...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2QTP9GSIYKBEA

Having said that if Pookey will take it in his food that is deff preferable.

Having Ailish send him chill vibes to help with the grooming!

eamon

 

[Fistuk & Shelly]

Hi Tim
Some pills have bitter taste so best to ask the doc before you decide to crush.
What I do is syringe feed. I fill up an assuring to half then put in the pill and cover it with food. It goes down easily.
There are also pill guns which I don't really like but you might want to look into it.
Depending on the size of the pills, with some I'd just shove it done his throat. lift his chin up and stroke him until he'd swallow. Problem is that Fistuk is trying to be more stobern than I am and he can hold a pill in his throat for a looooooong time. Which is why I favour the syringe

 

[Fistuk & Shelly]

Oh, your post reminds me of Bella so much! I found huge piles of gray fur when she was over-grooming her belly bald, it was so disturbing.
Zyrtec dissolves very easily in water. I gave her a half, I put it in her plate with some water, then tested / prepared her shot, and by the time I was done it was dissolved and I could just mix it with her food. She never seemed to notice it.
For the Plavix that was very bitter, I rolled it in cream cheese and she would gobble it up. She was very good at spitting pills away if she knew they were there, but cream cheese must be smooth enough that she just swallowed it (this was a tip from the ER vet we saw in September).
I hope your AMPS numbers go lower, I think it's always the last ones to go, from what I've read here! He is doing great

Oh I miss Bella and her Cheese stories

 

[Laurie&Petey]

Hi all,

Yesterday’s post:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/3-15-pookey-amps-99-4-82-pmps-92.299159/#post-3253885

AMPS has proven to be the most pesky reading for us. Someone had the pants yesterday I might need to borrow them…

Also woke up to the biggest pile of fur I’ve seen yet, if I ball it up probably the size of a ping pong ball. I suspect that’s from over grooming his belly, too much fur to have been from the paws.

I’m going to ask for the Zyrtec but am nervous about how I will administer it (I’ve never pilled) and any side effects.

Have a great day! - Tim

Ugh! Sorry for the added stress. Pilling is no fun, especially a cat! I'd try hiding it in a liver pate ball, just has to be small enough that they don't want to chew it.

Have you tried milk thistle? It strengthens the liver and reduces the overproduction of histamine cells. Gets to the root of the problem instead of masking symptoms.

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Hey Tim,

Pookey sure likes messing with you right when you wake! His number and still looking good overall, so hopefully the patient pants are back from the cleaners soon.

I used a piller for Ailish sometimes, this one worked well for us:
https://www.amazon.com/QIYADIN-Shoo...pcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2QTP9GSIYKBEA

Having said that if Pookey will take it in his food that is deff preferable.

Having Ailish send him chill vibes to help with the grooming!

eamon

Yea you should have seen it, there was fur everywhere… poor guy. Thanks for the link and the well wishes, we’ll come up with a plan and hopefully avoid the pill. But whatever it takes

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Hi Tim
Some pills have bitter taste so best to ask the doc before you decide to crush.
What I do is syringe feed. I fill up an assuring to half then put in the pill and cover it with food. It goes down easily.
There are also pill guns which I don't really like but you might want to look into it.
Depending on the size of the pills, with some I'd just shove it done his throat. lift his chin up and stroke him until he'd swallow. Problem is that Fistuk is trying to be more stobern than I am and he can hold a pill in his throat for a looooooong time. Which is why I favour the syringe

Oh that’s not a bad idea either. I’ve never syringe fed but I do have the stuff for it. Or maybe one of those liquid treats and same concept. Fistuk is a smart one that’s for sure Thanks Shelly!

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Ugh! Sorry for the added stress. Pilling is no fun, especially a cat! I'd try hiding it in a liver pate ball, just has to be small enough that they don't want to chew it.

Have you tried milk thistle? It strengthens the liver and reduces the overproduction of histamine cells. Gets to the root of the problem instead of masking symptoms.

Never heard of it! I would love to get to the root cause because you’re right the Zyrtec is a mask. I’ll do some reading thanks Laurie

 

[Laurie&Petey]

Never heard of it! I would love to get to the root cause because you’re right the Zyrtec is a mask. I’ll do some reading thanks Laurie

You'll want one that has no less than 70% silymarin

 

[squeem3]

There used to be a Pill Pocket variety that was ok for diabetics but it has been discontinued. Green Pea something or another. A lot of other brands of pill doughs and maskers contain sugar The tiny amount of dough needed to mask a pill may or may not affects bgs. Leroy gets his pills smushed into NV Raw Bites.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Hi Tim, sorry you woke up to lots of fur. Hoping you solve the problem and it doesn’t continue for Pookey. He’s doing so great.

Hope you both have a great night

 

[Tim & Pookey]

There used to be a Pill Pocket variety that was ok for diabetics but it has been discontinued. Green Pea something or another. A lot of other brands of pill doughs and maskers contain sugar The tiny amount of dough needed to mask a pill may or may not affects bgs. Leroy gets his pills smushed into NV Raw Bites.

Thanks for sharing the bites, it seems like there are a variety of ways to get the pill in, so that’s encouraging

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Hi Tim, sorry you woke up to lots of fur. Hoping you solve the problem and it doesn’t continue for Pookey. He’s doing so great.

Hope you both have a great night

Thanks Staci, same to you we’ll get it sorted we got a ton of good information today.

 

[squeem3]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/pilling-your-cat.286477/

 

[Brianna & Xander]

Oh that’s great he accepts it that way! That makes me feel a lot better if I could do it in the food. Thanks Brianna

I hope it works out! I'm not positive if they do it for Zyrtec but the refill we just got of Gabapentin is also chicken flavored (it was compounded for us) so if they can do that with the Zyrtec maybe that would help even more!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Hi Tim, you're probably sleeping already try not to stress to much about those 2 blues pre shots , sending positive vibes from now on they will be green. Pookey still is looking amazing. I feel so bad for Pookey licking all that fur . I hope when you talk to the vet he will give you the go ahead to try the Zyrtec.

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Hi Tim, you're probably sleeping already try not to stress to much about those 2 blues pre shots , sending positive vibes from now on they will be green. Pookey still is looking amazing. I feel so bad for Pookey licking all that fur . I hope when you talk to the vet he will give you the go ahead to try the Zyrtec.

Thank you Diane!! I hope so too, I hate seeing him itchy like this. No pile this morning so that’s good at least. Appreciate your support