Thursday, April 12, 2018

Tucker Up and Down

Tucker’s doctor has had me continue to test the roly poly’s blood each morning and evening. I was hoping to find a pattern, but have been frustrated in this. Instead of seeing a low reading each morning and a high one each evening, which would have probably led to a reduction of Tucker’s injections by half, the results are random. Sometimes his numbers are too low for a shot of insulin, while other times they demand one.

I will be in contact with the veterinary again early next week. If the instances of a high number aren’t many, she may have me reduce Tucker’s insulin dosage or, more likely, the number of times he receives it, anyway. The doctor has been in consultation with one of her colleagues, who is also familiar with Tucker’s condition, so there is some considerable thought being put into the situation.


Because I have had to sample Tucker’s blood so often recently, I started to draw it from his toes, but this has not been a success. Not only does it not bead enough for me to use on the test-strip (the blood must flow across the breadth of the strip), but Tucker feels the pin-prick much more than in his ear. He does not like it at all. At least I have become accustomed to doing it, if it needs to be done.

In any case, the roly poly continues to be in a cheerful mood, even taking his blood tests (as long as they involve ears and not toes) in good humour. It may be because I reward him with a tiny piece of meat from my dinner saved from the night before; this morning it was a little square of roast pork. I am grateful that I have such easy-going cats who take experimentation well. If it pays off with reduced medication, we will all be happy.

18 comments:

  1. Tucker, such adorable photos! Your papa loves you very much!

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  2. Tucker is SUCH a good cat. Seriously. I'm glad he has a great team (you, the vets) to care for him, as this seems a bit frustrating (i.e. the lack of stability). Purrs from N & D for him, and chin scritches from me.

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  3. If I were a cat, I would wish that you were my owner. There's none better.

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    1. Thank you, but there are many who are better; I think Katie Isabella is a very lucky cat to have you. I was lucky this time to catch Tucker's odd numbers.

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  4. dood.....we will bee buzzed happee for ya if ya haz ree dooced medz....N we agreez...we think on de toez wood kinda hurt....de ear iz rather like an ear tip durin TNR.... ??? hope de crew iz doin well N yur weatherz awesum or headed that way ! ☺☺♥♥

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    1. Yes, I've stopped poking Tucker's toes; the ears will have to do. As for weather, it may actually be warm enough to melt snow here - with wind, of course...

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  5. poor Tucker - hope they can get him all leveled out

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  6. What a good boy Tucker is tolerating all that. Miss pops is a nightmare even just trying to comb bits of matted fur.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear Tucker's blood sugars are not as good as we had hoped they would be. However, it sounds like you and your vet are doing everything possible to bring his diabetes under control. Unfortunately diabetes is such a difficult illness to deal with. We'll keep fingers and paws crossed that things will improve soon. Meanwhile, Tucker is so fortunate to have you caring for him. Please continue to keep us updated.

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    1. I think the vets may tire of me calling them, but that is after all what they are there for.

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  8. Yes, those ups and downs can sure be frustrating. Fortunately Sister Zoe never minded the daily ear prick. Purrs to Tucker from all of us.

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  9. Tucker is such a sweet boy. I hope you can reduce his meds soon.

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  10. I can't imagine any of my cats tolerating being poked on a daily or twice daily basis. Tucker is just a wonderful boy. I'm certain the treats help, but he's obviously a special cat.

    Hope the vets are able to come up with a working solution.

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  11. It must be so frustrating to get random readings. I hope Tucker can get a successful reduction in his insulin.
    I would imagine pricking his toes would be painful. Once when Ivor had to have blood taken, the nurse in the hospital dropped the vial and they couldn't get another vein. They decided to take blood from his foot and he said the pain was really bad.

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    1. Ouch! Why is it so difficult for some nurses to find blood vessels? I do it all the time at work.

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  12. Aww, the poor guy, being poked and prodded so much. Bless his heart for enduring all that!

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  13. What kind of insulin you're giving Tucker?
    My mom had a cat with diabetic problem, we tried cats insulin but it didn't work good. Our vet advised us to use insulin, which you can buy in pharmacy - dedicated for people. And it was working well!
    He had less sugar fluctuations, he got his injections once per day.

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    1. Tucker receives Lantus glargine, a human type of insulin. Usually, it serves him well, but he may be improving, and simply need less insulin. Paws crossed...

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