Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

[eileen]

It's been awhile since I've posted, so many special needs pets that I've been overwhelmed with attempting to further my knowledge on their needs.

This past Friday, Allie Cat, my 11 yo that is in serious kidney failure was dx with diabetes...uggg....started with the testing and insulin injections last night.

Vet put her on Lantus as it seems most cats are now.

Wishing a Wonderful New Year to All, special prayers for those in need and heartfelt sorrow for those who have recently lost their beloved pets.

[peggy0]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

So sorry about Allie cat Eileen. Happy new year to you. Hoping better health for all!

[Judi]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

I'm sorry to see this Eileen. Hope you are taking care of yourself too

[CarolW]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

I've never known Eileen to take care of herself.

So sorry, Eileen, that now Allie has diabetes. You surely don't lack experience! You know what to do.

Indeed, Lantus seems to be the insulin of choice for cats, so I'm glad it's around. (Talk about expensive - but of course, you may not need much. I can't remember how long it lasts, though - in the vial, once opened.)

You have SOOOOOOOOOOO much on your plate. I've been missing seeing your posts.

Please try to

1) get some rest;
2) take care of yourself (putting that off can have some - uhhh - poor results).

I do hope you can post here occasionally, either here or on Diabetes Discussion - of course, that's for dogs, so I hope to find you here!

Miss you! I'll be following you around when I can

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:41:32 (PST)

[jesse girl]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

oh boy hope kitty will go smooth through the regulation process

interesting on using lantus

[Patty]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Oh Eileen, I'm so sorry to hear this. Guessing her immune system is pretty battered with the renal failure. Sending her lots of love,
Patty

[jenny]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Hoping Allie Cat does well with her new diabetes diagnosis. She certainly lives at the correct address for care, managment and love.

My Basil cat has just completed 4 years as a diabetic and is doing fine with probably not very tight control. We have found low carb wet foods the best for him and switched him to this earlier this year, how I wish I had found out about these earlier in feline diabetes. Of course Allie has renal problems too so that must complicate things further for you.

Hoping all goes well for her.

[Patty]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Eileen,
How's Allie doing? and how are your fur kids?
Patty

[eileen]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Thanks All.....

Life with a newly dx cat is actually going well, she accepts the blood testing (not much she can do with me grasping her by an ear) and is fine with the insulin injections.
Her vet is happy with how quickly I've been able to bring her sugar levels down, still not ideal but only under 2 weeks into this and she is holding in the lower to mid 200's so am actually making a slight increase tomorrow morning.
My goal is not seeking remission or tight control but to keep her as well as can be for now.

Jenny, as you say, having both severe renal issues as well as the diabetes her diet is that of canned food...vet says, as well as some online reading I've been doing, that Friskies patte foods are ok, mostly sticking with a turkey variety.
Needing low carbs as well as low phosphorus she seems to love the choice, which is great.

Her skin is extremely thin and tears very easily, I've had to have holes in her skin stapled several times altho vet says once diabetes is better controlled this may help her skin issues.

Before her diabetes dx she had horrible bladder issues so would pee where she laid (I have a bedroom converted to a 'catroom' with vinyl floors), normally every night before I put her in her kennel I would rinse her off.
On a particular night several months ago she had been laying out in her cat enclosure in the sun, I was tired and not feeling well so brought her in, fed her, put her to bed and went to bed early myself.
The next morning I woke her see her chewing on her rear leg...as I took her out of her cage to feed her I saw that maggots had been laid, hatched and had begun eating thru her thin skin into her leg.
I rushed her into the kitchen and began pulling clusters of maggots from inside the gapping holes in her leg.
Threw clothes on and being a Sunday rushed her to emergency...I felt absolutely horrible and very neglectful for allowing this to happen to her.
The vet assured me that this can happen within 12 hours and not my fault...not much comfort as if I had rinsed her off the night before this wouldn't have happened.
The next day I took her to my vet for a recheck....he assured me of the same and said it happens fast and he had recently seen several other cases envolving maggots and the damage they can do to a pet.

Patty, all my others are holding their own, many meds and special diets.

My Cushings dog, Daisy, has an upcoming ACTH Stim test, she's lost 20 pounds and was doing alright altho recently getting dog aggressive to my others....refusing to take anything from me so will not take her tramadol or antibiotics for her skin issues.
Fortunately her Vetoryl is liquid so can force that into her mouth.

Sorry for being so long winded, I miss the forum, I try reading here and there but am so out of the loop that I just don't feel it's fair to jump in when I know little of what is going on with the members.

The 5th of January was the year Anniversary of Mildred's passing.....a very sad time, can hardly believe it's been so long....I still miss her something awful.

[Judi]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

I'm glad Allie's diabetes is going ok. Poor girl and poor you with her other issues. I hope Daisy gets over her aggressiveness; I wonder what is causing it? My boy Ranger gets jealous of all the attention Jenny gets and will growl at her sometimes if he is on my lap.

It is good to hear an update from you Eileen. Hugs to you down here and your Mildred up in heaven. Judi

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Eileen,

We sure miss you on the forum. I thank you for all the advice you have given... especially the tip on the Humalog which is working well for us.

I knew you would have no problems in bringing Allie's diabetes in line. Lucky she is to have you in her life, as well as all the other furry ones you have.

We always do the best can, so don't be beating yourself up... Didn't realize maggots could grow so quickly though.... ugh. What an ordeal.

Take care of yourself... so glad to see you here.

Barb

[jenny]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Hi Eileen, Just wondered how Alli Cat is doing with her diabetes? I wonder if her bladder issues have improved since being on insulin? Sure do hope so.

Thinking of you this morning.

[eileen]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Thank you, Judi, Barb, Jenny, so thoughtful of you ......I miss the forum so much.

Took Allie in for a check up yesterday, her kidney issues have taken a turn for the worse so am back to giving subq's everyday instead of every other day. Am hoping that will help to improve her.
Her diabetes is pretty well controlled, hard when I can't really control her diet as I should but need to let her eat when she wants. Numbers usually staying between 130-250...not horrible.
Vet says she is so much stronger.

Sadly my sweet Daisy (Cushings dog) was dx with liver cancer 2 weeks ago, vet has taken her off Vetoryl and am letting her enjoy what time she has left, vet said it may just be a matter of weeks.

I lost a kitty, Bandit who had been having bowel issues a week ago, took a horrible turn on a Sunday night so had to rush him to ER where I let him go.

Kitty Erinie underwent a biopsy last week, can not recall the technical term but was surgerically opened so to take samples for pathology.
He has Chronic Colengeal Hepatitis so with a 50/50 chance of survival. Has temporary feeding tube so I can be sure he gets his 8 meds and food to give him the best chance.
As of recheck yesterday is doing, 'ok'.

That's my latest update...still with 3 others on meds for this and that.

Barb, so glad the Humalog is working well for you, it certainly was a lifesaver for the hard times with Mil.
Not sure if you are getting the free pen cartridges with the coupon offer on the Humalog website...sorry, sometimes can't remember if I'm coming or going.

[nibbles-mommy]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

You're such an inspiration with all the help and care you give to your babies. I know you wouldn't have it any other way. I will keep you and your clan in my thoughts.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Allie, My Newly Dx Cat

Barb, so glad the Humalog is working well for you, it certainly was a lifesaver for the hard times with Mil.
Not sure if you are getting the free pen cartridges with the coupon offer on the Humalog website...sorry, sometimes can't remember if I'm coming or going.

Eileen, yes I was able to get the free offer (from your advice) for 5 pens. I am still using the first pen. I do not use much of it, but it has helped tremendously. I do believe that it was needed to get her to settle down, from her swings.

You have such a kind heart to taken in all of furry friends, and someone up above is watching out for all them, if he is sending them your way.

Barb