Saturday, April 7, 2018

Danger: Curve Ahead



Tucker is undergoing an experiment. Previously, I have randomly checked the sugar in the roly poly’s blood and, because of one day’s findings, I measured that sugar every day last week. I discovered that his blood-glucose numbers were very low in the mornings, so low as to render his regular insulin injection unnecessary, dangerous, in fact. On two mornings, his numbers were below four, in one case 3.1. At two, he is at a grave risk of entering a diabetic coma. That’s when one applies some corn syrup directly to his gums, so that it is absorbed quickly by his body and boosts the blood-sugar. At 3.1 and 3.6 (the other very low reading), I didn’t think that we were quite there, but I did give him small pieces of Pop-tart, to raise his sugar numbers.


On Friday, I consulted Tucker’s doctor about this, and she agreed that such numbers were worrisome. She endorsed my application of sweets on the two mornings. As this pattern of low numbers at the beginning of each day, with Tucker’s more usual numbers at the end, seems to have come from nowhere, the veterinary advised me to refrain from giving my cat any insulin at all for several days. Sunday, I will perform a ‘curve’ on him. This is rather hard, since he underwent one just a fortnight ago, but it will determine what his numbers are without any medicine.

The doctor suggested that Tucker’s diabetes may be going into remission, though this represents long odds. More likely is an adjustment of the insulin dosage, perhaps just to one injection per day.


I hope to have some new arrangements come of this. If I had not checked Tucker’s glucose levels those mornings, the consequences of giving him insulin would have been dire. On the other hand, I don’t feel that I can test his blood every morning and evening for the rest of his life. Though I have now successfully drawn blood from his foot-pads, rather than his ears, even these will become a bit sore after several weeks of such treatment.


But a plan to decide on a new schedule is in place. I will perform the ‘curve’ tomorrow and see what happens as a result. Ever trusting, Tucker continues to be a cheerful furry sausage, even purring while I poke him with a needle to draw his blood. I hope to vindicate his trust, and keep him purring a long time yet.

21 comments:

  1. Oh, poor Tucker. But he's so lucky to have you taking care of him. You're doing a great job of keeping on top of his blood sugars. I've had two diabetic cats, and both of them went into remission, so hopefully Tucker will go into remission too. Meanwhile, please keep us posted on how he's coming along.

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    1. A new report will be coming up today or tomorrow.

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  2. Like I said before,"you are such a good cat daddy! Let's hope he's going into remission, tho, even having one shot a day would be nice too. Please give the handsome Tucker a good scratch behind the ears from me and my troop!

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    1. It turns out that we are still in the experimental stage, so things may yet change.

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  3. Tucker is such a good and trusting boy. He is lucky that you are so diligent. that would be wonderful if he has gone into remission.

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  4. Poor love, he's such a good boy to endure this...and yes, so lucky to have you. Fingers crossed all goes well with the curve and it would be fantastic if Tucker did go into remission.

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  5. Good thinking on your part and we're all sending purrs and prayers to dear Tucker.

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    1. Thank you. Support from our friends is always appreciated.

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  6. Several years ago I was diagnosed with Type II and I hated the finger pricks, so I can understand your feelings about testing Tucker. (I have since beat the disease through diet alone) Hoping things are improving for Tucker.

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    1. That's excellent that you were able to beat diabetes with diet. I wish I could explain things to Tucker the way I could to a person. He might be more co-operative regarding his diet. Maybe.

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  7. This is a tough row to hoe for Tucker and for you. I am so grateful, truly, that he is amenable to your testing. Thank goodness you did check that precious boy. He is your little one and trusts you completely...as well he should.

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  8. Good luck with the curve today. I certainly hope that Tucker's diabetes is going into remission. Either way I know you'll do what is best for him.

    Eileen

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  9. Gosh you have a great understanding of his diabetic needs. We hope that there is a remission for Tucker.

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  10. Tucker is a sweet boy. I hope you can get this figured out soon. It is good that you checked instead of just giving insulin.

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  11. Cheerful furry sausage enjoying pop tarts.Tucker really is so fortunate to have you as his human companion and nurse. I do hope a way to manage his health needs is sorted soon. Such a sweet boy.

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    1. There seems to be a pattern developing with his blood tests which may point to a single injection per day rather than two, but I don't want to count chickens while they are still egg-bound.

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  12. dood.......we hope ta cod that stooooooooooopid dia beetez DOEZ go inta ree mission.....faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....who doez it think itz messin with......we hope ya can control it with diet a lone; shame on uz for knot rememburrin what foodz a catster pal eated that kept hiz inta remission.....we will try soooper hard ta think oh it N let ya noe strait a way if we can ~ ♥♥♥♥♥

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    1. Tabbies, I was using Purina DM when both of my diabetic cats went into remission. Is that the diet your friend was using?

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  13. Your instincts were on point! Here's hoping Tucker's easy-going nature keeps on rollin'...

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  14. Good work John. You’ve really missed your calling, a feline endocrinologist.
    Wouldn’t remission be wonderful! We’ll keep your boy in our prayers. Have you changed any of the many variables that can affect his blood levels ie. meal times , quantity, variety, activity, stress level etc?

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    1. There has been no change in anything in the roly poly's life. Everything continues the same for him. It may be that he will be switched to just one injection a day, but I dislike being premature about anything so important; we will wait. Thank you as always for your support.

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