nkuzmick
Member
We have been reading your site for the last month or so - VERY helpful - thanks. Have reached the point where we think it best to post and ask for advice.
Cleo is our 12 year old long hair and was diagnosed as diabetic September 19 2017. Our vet kept her for 2 days and started insulin and also put her on and IV drip overnight. Her BG came down to the low 100s but then she got much worse (rapid mouth breathing) and we were told she would not make it through the night due to fluid build up around her heart/lungs. The vet gave her a Lasix shot and we took her home - she gets very stressed when we are not with her and we thought that her only chance was TLC in her safe space (she does not see well if at all) . She gradually improved and several days later x-rays then cardio sonogram confirmed that she had left side congestive heart failure and an enlarged left Atrial chamber. Cardio specialist said with proper treatment she would have 1 -2 years survivability with reasonable quality of life. Her diabetes is not what will do her in. She is on 10 MG of Lasix, and an ace inhibitor daily and 20 MG of aspirin twice a week plus her Vetsulin twice daily.
Cloe has improved quite a bit in the last 2 months. She is using her litter (not going outside the box anymore) , eating well and grooming - her coat looks a lot better too. The vet started her on 2 units of Vetsulin twice a day - after a few weeks, we got an Alpha track meter and started home testing - only ran one full profile, but have checked AMPS and mid day every few days. The insulin seems to make her sleepy and somewhat lethargic for a few hours following the injection. First profile stated at 347 AMPS, 280 @ +2, 264 @ +4 then back up to 331 @+6 and 326 at +8. Her BG gradually has been improving and for the last 6 weeks has never exceeded 289 (typically mid 200s AMPS and low 200s mid day. About 10 days ago she started to show as low as 198 AMPS so we cut her back to 1 unit of Vetusulin and she was more alert and more active after her injection. Cut her back to 3/4 units but her AMPS numbers went back up to the 280 range, so back to 1 unit starting yesterday. She is 18 pounds and is eating 1/2 can of FF classic and 1/4 cup of Hills MD prescription dry twice a day but usually does not eat all the dry. Have ordered Young again mature zero carb (her kidneys are working a little hard from the Lasix) and hopefully that food will help bring her numbers down.
We thought that if we can keep her general below 250 BG and close to 200 for the majority of the day that would be good enough given all her other issues. Do you think she might have a better quality of life with more aggressive treatment to lower her BG?
Our main objective is provide her with as good a life quality as we can, but have to confess that it is very rewarding to see her again walking over to greet us with her tail held high. She is eating and grooming - wants up on the bed for close contact a night - Considering closer monitoring and small increase in inulin - what do you think??
Thanks and Best Regards, Nancy & Bob
Cleo is our 12 year old long hair and was diagnosed as diabetic September 19 2017. Our vet kept her for 2 days and started insulin and also put her on and IV drip overnight. Her BG came down to the low 100s but then she got much worse (rapid mouth breathing) and we were told she would not make it through the night due to fluid build up around her heart/lungs. The vet gave her a Lasix shot and we took her home - she gets very stressed when we are not with her and we thought that her only chance was TLC in her safe space (she does not see well if at all) . She gradually improved and several days later x-rays then cardio sonogram confirmed that she had left side congestive heart failure and an enlarged left Atrial chamber. Cardio specialist said with proper treatment she would have 1 -2 years survivability with reasonable quality of life. Her diabetes is not what will do her in. She is on 10 MG of Lasix, and an ace inhibitor daily and 20 MG of aspirin twice a week plus her Vetsulin twice daily.
Cloe has improved quite a bit in the last 2 months. She is using her litter (not going outside the box anymore) , eating well and grooming - her coat looks a lot better too. The vet started her on 2 units of Vetsulin twice a day - after a few weeks, we got an Alpha track meter and started home testing - only ran one full profile, but have checked AMPS and mid day every few days. The insulin seems to make her sleepy and somewhat lethargic for a few hours following the injection. First profile stated at 347 AMPS, 280 @ +2, 264 @ +4 then back up to 331 @+6 and 326 at +8. Her BG gradually has been improving and for the last 6 weeks has never exceeded 289 (typically mid 200s AMPS and low 200s mid day. About 10 days ago she started to show as low as 198 AMPS so we cut her back to 1 unit of Vetusulin and she was more alert and more active after her injection. Cut her back to 3/4 units but her AMPS numbers went back up to the 280 range, so back to 1 unit starting yesterday. She is 18 pounds and is eating 1/2 can of FF classic and 1/4 cup of Hills MD prescription dry twice a day but usually does not eat all the dry. Have ordered Young again mature zero carb (her kidneys are working a little hard from the Lasix) and hopefully that food will help bring her numbers down.
We thought that if we can keep her general below 250 BG and close to 200 for the majority of the day that would be good enough given all her other issues. Do you think she might have a better quality of life with more aggressive treatment to lower her BG?
Our main objective is provide her with as good a life quality as we can, but have to confess that it is very rewarding to see her again walking over to greet us with her tail held high. She is eating and grooming - wants up on the bed for close contact a night - Considering closer monitoring and small increase in inulin - what do you think??
Thanks and Best Regards, Nancy & Bob
