Our Disappointment

After more than a week of giving Neville the new insulin, I must admit that the experiment has not been a success. Nev had been on ProZinc before. The reason I switched him to Lantus glargine a year ago was that ProZinc’s results were erratic. I realised that this had been the case when I brought him back to this substance, but I thought that the length of time on glargine would accustom his body to that insulin, thus allowing ProZinc to be viewed as a novelty, with beneficial, even if short-term, results. As well, I was paying strict attention to Neville’s diet, and thought I had found a good combination of food that would aid the insulin.

Alas, ProZinc’s has been, by and large, a failure. On a few days, it gives him exactly the sort of response I want. The rest of the days, however, are divided between the insulin having no effect and having a negligible result. This is, unfortunately, what happened the last time he was on ProZinc. While not strictly insulin-resistant, Neville’s body is clearly not using it, or even welcoming its presence, as it should.

I feel very bad for the Nevsky. He has gone through a great deal, just to have his patience and fortitude disappointed. I will be speaking to the veterinary about what next to do. I had mentioned in an earlier blog-entry about other kinds of insulin, but I hesitate to change Nev’s prescription any time soon, as I feel too much alteration over such a short period would be bad for him. On the other hand, very high blood-glucose numbers cannot be anything but detrimental to his well-being. He must feel poorly much of the time.

Yet he still finds enjoyment in life. He usually greets his meals with delighted rumblings and gravelly mutterings, and he likes his chin rubs, with which he repays my efforts with purrs. But if I could find a way of managing his diabetes, I would be making his life pleasant, rather than just tolerable.