Totally confused-Please help-Increase or decrease?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wendy 17 and Merlin

Wendy 17 and Merlin

Member Since 2020
I do not understand what is happening. Am getting lots of pinks. Last night no nadir at the usual (+3 hr). Or no nadir at all?
What dose should I use?

Would it be better to use Lantus or other longer acting insulin?


Merlin is losing weight despite high food intake. Is his diabetes bad enough to cause that?

Or is it more likely due to EPI or food malabsorption? He has softly formed but very pale stool with undigested food visible. I am going to see the vet about it.
@Panic @tiffmaxee @Deb & Wink
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't worry about one day of flat numbers.
You certainly could try lantus.
I wonder if a probiotic would help with digestion.

Eating a lot but losing weight can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Might ask for a Thyroid test.
 
Last edited:
My first thought is that Merlin needs more insulin. It's also a bit hard to sort out given from what I can tell, you're not always home to get a spot check during the AM cycle. He also seems to like lower numbers at night.

Many diabetic cats will continue to lose weight until they are better regulated. You can always increase Merlin's calories.

Janet has a good point, as well. If you've had any routine labs run, it's possible that there's a thyroid test included. Check with your vet ands you noted, it could be a digestive issue. It does sound like a vet visit is in order.
 
  • Thank you. I increased the dose from 0.1 to 0.15 but was not sure if that was the right thing to do. Previously I got lower numbers even on 0.1 units, then they rose. Why?

  • Can you give me some info on the pros and cons of switching to a longer acting insulin before I go to the expense of buying it? Would I likely need just the same tiny amount of 0.1 units? Or even less (which I could not even measure). Would the nadirs be more shallow and not dip as easily into hypo?

  • His thyroid numbers have always been perfect. So, that is an unlikely reason. I am wondering whether S. boulardii would help. In the past, other probiotics never worked.

  • If the reason is that his pancreas is no longer producing enough enzymes, does anyone have experience with giving digestive enzymes?
 
The insulin needs for a cat, or human, for that matter, can vary. Insulin is a hormone an as such, it's not like an antibiotic or a pain medication. Depending on calories consumed, activity, stress, and whether or not Merlin's pancreas may be producing any of his own insulin, the amount your dosing can change. You may need to increase or decrease depending on what the numbers tell you.

Prozinc is a longer acting insulin. However, it is not a depot insulin -- that's one of the differences between Prozinc and Lantus or Levemir. The latter are depot types of insulin. The depot is formed by a small amount of insulin depositing in the tissues (where depends on which insulin you're using) and there is carry over between doses which is what gives these insulins their duration and a flat curve. There's a sticky note on the depot on the Lantus board.

If Merlin is losing weight, ruling out exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is essential. An unregulated diabetic cat also can lose weight so it's helpful to know what you're dealing with.
 
Helpful info. Thanks. Got blood drawn for tests. Will do fTLI next week due to need of fasting and scheduling. Besides EPI, another possibility is IBD for which Merlin was (in 2019) on Pred, later Budesonide, and entirely on hydrolyzed protein kibbles (Royal Canin Feline Hydrolyzed Protein). This calmed the IBD, but Merlin got diabetes as result. Unfortunately the kibbles are high in carbs. Will check out the EPI support group.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top