Thursday, September 3, 2015

Tucker Goes to War


Tucker’s campaign against diabetes began yesterday. He and I went to the veterinary hospital for his pre-mission briefing about his condition. He didn’t wet as much as on his previous visit, but he was still very frightened. He scurried back into the carrier at the end of the visit faster than I’ve ever seen him move. He is perhaps not the bravest of soldiers.

I had many questions to ask the doctor, and thought of several more afterward, so I called for an addendum to the visit. Those who read this blog had excellent suggestions and I used them in my inquiries. For instance the Trout Towne Tabbies were solicitous of Tucker’s heart, regarding his later dental surgery. The doctor told me that Tucker’s heart is sound. They also wanted to know about diet alone controlling his diabetes. The vet said that she wants this to be an aggressive approach to the condition, as she is hopeful that it may go into remission, as happens with some cats. Therefore, the roly poly one is on insulin from the start. Brian, of Brian’s Home, wrote of Lantus insulin, and that - under its alternate name of Glargine - is what Tucker will be receiving: one unit twice a day for now. Offence is the best defence.


Deb, from Just Cats, mentioned her daughter’s diabetic cat eating special food, including special hard food. I knew that some websites recommended avoiding hard food all together in these cases, but if other Blogosphere cats are eating it, I should ask about it. The vet told me hard food for diabetic cats is a good addition to their diet. Unfortunately, Tucker, after eating well of the new food initially - due to everyone having emptied their bowl during the day and their consequent hunger - decided later it was not as tasty as he first thought. I will be mixing the diabetic nutrition with other food, for now. If anyone has experience of healthy, low-carbohydrate food, hard and soft, I would be grateful for opinions, with specific brand names. There is no guarantee that I will be able to find the suggested varieties here, but the doctor informed me that the principal characteristic of diabetic food is the low carbohydrate ingredients. Some vitamins are added, but I am sure that a flavourful alternative from commercial sources would be just as good. My cats have never liked anything from veterinaries and, to make sure that it isn’t eaten, the kind I fed Tucker features chunks in gravy. If there is a cat who actually eats the chunks rather than licking the gravy and letting the bits dry out into tastelessness, I’d like to meet him. And none of my cats has ever eaten anything bought at a doctor’s office. I think the food there exists more for people to buy than for cats to eat.


Fortunately, Tucker can still have cat-treats, such as Temptations, but he will not be allowed bits of Pop-tart or warm, buttered toast, both of which he enjoys. I will compensate with little things he likes and can have.

Kari commented that she was worried Tucker’s urinary problems may be occasioned by stones. This is indeed a legitimate concern, given the sausage’s history, but his latest urinary analysis, conducted last week, shows him clear. I was cautioned regarding infections, however.

Others made very helpful remarks, including Kim, from Fuzzy Tales, who directed me to a website devoted to feline diabetes. I would also like to thank members of the rescue-group with whom I work, the Lethbridge PAW Society, who have been of tremendous assistance in many ways.

The briefing on our mission ended with the paying of another bill. It’s ironic that finding out how much feline diabetes will cost is expensive in itself. The one thing I forgot to ask is the price of the insulin. I don’t suppose it matters because I will be buying it no matter the cost. But knowing in advance will keep me from going into my own kind of diabetic shock.

Another member of the PAW Society has offered me the glucometer that was used on her own diabetic cat, just recently passed away. Such generosity is another facet of the helpfulness extended by friends.

The actual injection of the insulin (twice now) went smoothly. The veterinary wanted Tucker started on it immediately because the roly poly’s numbers were even higher this time than last (27, as opposed to 23.5; this may be another motive for employing insulin right away, instead of waiting for diet to work.) The process was so easy that I was certain both times I had done it wrong. I was used to the thicker, bigger needle used in providing sub-cutaneous fluids. Tucker didn’t notice the injection (another cause of my anxiety over doing it well.) However, his fur was not damp afterward, so the insulin must have gone somewhere inside him. The doctor suggested the back of the neck or between the shoulder blades as the proper place to shoot the medicine, but due to advice received afterward, I switched the location to the side of Tucker’s stomach. There is less skin to pinch (his girth starts to widen there in particular) but again, I reasoned that I hit the target.


Tucker’s condition will mean changes for the whole household. We go into battle-conditions. Because I need to give him his insulin at twelve-hour intervals, I will be waking at 5.30 or six on my days off - and hopefully going back to bed afterward. If the beasts (except perhaps Tucker) think they will be getting a second breakfast when I wake once more later, they will be mistaken. As well, I cannot leave the hard food bowl out all day and all night for nibbling. But once the cats realise this, they will, if smart, eat everything they are given in the mornings. I can leave food out for grazing when I am home, and keeping an eye on things, but this may be a good opportunity to regulate everyone’s diet for the better.

Once the amount of insulin is normalised, and his dental operation cleans his teeth and gums, Tucker will feel like a new cat, I’m sure. That will be our victory. Until then, I’m afraid that the house in the country and the trip across Europe on the Orient Express will have to be postponed. Extraneous costs will have to be trimmed and waste reduced. Tucker has gone to war, and I intend to help him win.

33 comments:

  1. dood...{ R "trout speech" buddy } ..furst off...we iz buzzed happee yur heartz good ta go shuld ewe knead a dental....

    we iz sorree tho ya hafta go down thiz trail with de hole diabettez stuff :(

    but we noe yur dad will go two any & all lengthz ta help ewe thru this... az will all yur palz... with help full add vize.....

    ask yur dad ta look in two Royal Canin both wet and dry; we think we copeed thiz linx rite

    http://www.royalcanin.ca/index.php/Veterinary-Products/Feline-Nutrition/Veterinary-Therapeutic-Formulas/Diabetic

    this mite offer sum mor help ore add vize....

    ~~~~~~~~~ waves two de crew ♥♥♥

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    1. He's on Royal Canin now; it was supplied by the vet. I didn't know that what I bought is chunks-in-gravy. In this house, pate is much preferred. So I am going to get that instead. Still, with a little garnish of his favourite flavours, he is eating more of the good food than I expected. Thank you for all your help and support.

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  2. Sounds like you are well-prepared for the battle. Glad Tucker is taking the injections without protest. We are hopeful of good results!

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    1. I was surprised at how he is taking the injections. It makes me think I'm doing it wrong!

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  3. There are a range of low-carb canned foods, for various budgets. The most expensive brand I give Nicki is Weruva -- he likes a couple of the pouches. The bad thing about Weruva is the cost, $1.69 per pouch at PetValu. Also that MOST of their flavours have way too much tuna. I lean heavily toward the Pumpkin Lickin' Chicken, which has shredded chicken in lots of pumpkin/chicken water. Nick likes that flavour and it's my way of getting more water into him, plus disguising some of the supplements I give him. Derry doesn't like it though. The boys also get a couple of classic flavours of Fancy Feast pate (grain free but not the greatest food) and ProPlan too, though they're not too into the ProPlan lately (chicken and liver). When you start to read labels, really read them it gets scary. Performatrin has its own brand of various dry and canned, both with grain and without. I wish my boys liked their food. Nicki will nibble at the chicken and lamb pate, but it's not his favourite. I'm giving them a grain-free turkey/other kibble (Performatrin), but right now my criteria is to limit the four well-known acidifiers in most dry and canned foods, because of Nicki's calcium levels.

    Check this vet's site, she has a lot to say about cat nutrition, after she almost lost one of her cats to a blockage.

    http://catinfo.org/

    Here's another link: http://www.felinediabetes.com/cat_food_nutrition_canned.htm

    I can't remember if that's the same link I gave you before.

    I'm sure that with your care and research, Tucker will do fine. We're all sending purrs and purrayers to him and crossing fingers and paws for remission. That would be fantastic.

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    1. Right now, I am mixing the Royal Canin, from the vet, with other varieties, including a bit of Fancy Feast. I find that I don't have to put in too much for Tucker to eat much of the vet-food. Next week, I hope to buy some of it in pate form, which will be easier to mix and not have gravy that he'll eat instead of the actual food. I have been reading about Weruva, now that you've written of it, and will see if it's available here. Thank you!

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  4. Tucker is in good hands.
    I have no doubt he will be a totally new cat in no time.

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    1. I hope you are right. I'm certainly glad of all the advice and support coming in. Thank you.

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  5. Sounds like you are being very thorough in getting armed for battle.mmHe is in good paws! Thanks for the update, we were wondering.

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    1. I'll keep everyone apprised of any development. Thanks for following Tucker's fight.

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  6. We sure hope Tucker's diabetes gets under control. We know of kitties that have been on insulin and low carb diet, and eventually can stop the insulin. A good low carb food is Weruva. Fuzzy Tales has given you some good info, too.

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    1. I'm checking into Weruva now. Even something good and tasty that will make him eat the good and not-so-tasty food would be an advantage.

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  7. Here in the States, Lantus cost around $357.00 per bottle. Heartbreakingly expensive.

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    1. I'm not sure how much comes in a bottle, but a 'pen' that lasts a month, at two injections a day, costs $55. That's the starting rate for Tucker. His amount may increase or decrease, of course, depending on this amount's affect.

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    2. That's actually very reasonable, IMO. I hope that will be the maximum amount you have to spend on his insulin per month. I wish to heaven Nicki's Flovent cost only that much/little per month! Good luck, we'll be hoping for an update down the road.

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  8. You have everything well planned and lots of good information. I am glad the insulin injections are going smoothly, and I am sure with your help and caring that Tucker will win his war.

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    1. I shouldn't be surprised at all the support the roly poly is receiving from the Blogosphere. It's proving a great help. Thank you.

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  9. Well done John, Tucker is lucky to have you providing such good care. We totally agree about the vet food. My vet is quite smug about miss post losing weight at the cattery eating their food. She hates it, and leaves her food untouched and is quite depressed there. Once home, she eats as usual and gets chunky again.

    We hope things go well.

    Julie and poppy
    xxx

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    1. There isn't much strategy to serving a cat food she won't eat in order to have her lose weight. I think Poppy is probably meant to be a little on the weighty side. I think she looks good.

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  10. sounds like you have a good plan. this isn't something we deal with here but our angel cat Butterscotch had been diagnosed and managed to beat it back with insulin after a few months....

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    1. Here's hoping Tucker will have a similar victory.

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  11. All of Tucker's friends are foot soldiers in his battle. We'll do whatever we can to help.

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  12. Have you checked the Lantus site about registering for coupons? Info from another site concerning diabetic cats said that you register yourself as guardian. Don't know if this offer is available in Canada or not.

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    1. I haven't checked but will. With all the help coming in for Tucker, he has quite the allies. Thank you.

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  13. Tucker is in excellent, and I think well trained hands, with you in charge. I do hope all the best for Tucker. From Eileen and Jessica

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    1. I don't know about well-trained but I am learning.

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  14. I understand what you are going through. I had a cat with diabetes in the past. I'm glad Tucker can still have his Temptation treats.


    Debby
    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

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    1. I give him the treats after his insulin shots, but really, he is so easy with them that he doesn't need the treats!

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  15. It would seem you've got this well in hand. Tucker is fortunate to have a "bean" Dad who is so willing to sacrifice for him. Best of luck!

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  16. my own cat was diagnosed with diabetes many years ago, before the high protein low carb information really got out there. I used human insulins on her and fed her high carb junk food because that is what she would eat and overdosed on her insulin because of it (seven units twice a day)

    When I learned of the food body connection in cats and got her off dry food, her insulin need dropped to about 1-2 units a day. Switching foods on a cat that is ON insulin should not be done unless you are able to monitor the glucose levels with a glucometer. Many people use the human brand ones. It is also recommended to buy one with low priced strips, because you will be buying a lot of them. while it is an initial expense that can be hard to overcome, it will save you a LOT of money in the long run not having to run to the vet to find out what the glucose level in your cat is, and it will help you get a better understanding how the insulin is working within your cat so you can better control the curve.

    There isn't a dry food out there that doesn't raise glucose levels in cats. So many people have tried, and they all come to the same conclusion in the end. Even the 'prescription' diabetic dry foods have carb counts that are simply too high for diabetic cats.

    You want to go with a canned food in a "loaf" or "Pate" style and that has as few plant based ingredients as possible, so no 'with rice' or 'with veg' the lower the carb count the better. Some people claim under 10% is fine, and in some cats it is. In my cat it wasn't. It wasn't until she started eating a raw diet with no plant based ingredients did she go into remission.

    remission is possible... but the problem with that goal is if you aren't testing and you still inject your kitty you can easily send it into hypoglycemic shock. (yes, I am a HUGE proponent of home testing. http://www.kittyblog.net/2015/03/why-you-would-want-to-learn-to-home.html )

    Since my own kitty passed away (from cancer seven years after her diagnosis) I have fostered over half a dozen diabetic cats from my local shelter, helping them to get regulated, even getting a few of them adopted out to people who had prior experience with diabetic cats. Helping people treat their diabetic cat is one of my favorite things to talk about (along with kittens and raw food) so feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

    I do want to second the recommendation to the felinediabetes.com website, and especially the message boards. I haven't been by in a while, but there are usually people on at any point in the day who can help you rather quickly with questions or concerns. Most of those people have been dealing with diabetes for years and are very knowledgeable.

    I always tell people two things.. 1) the learning curve with FD is very steep, but it is pretty short.. you will be old hat at this in no time and 2) if ever there is doubt, do not inject. It is far more dangerous to overdose insulin then to under dose it. Yes, running too high is damaging, but that takes a long time, too low for even a second can kill.

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    1. What a lot of information. Thank you for taking the time for this. I will be getting my own glucometer - today, in fact - along with plenty of strips, so I can keep Tucker's numbers under observation. I have started Tucker on low-carbohydrate foods (we like pate best here, too) and am analyzing the foods (as much as a layman can) with a view to keeping him under ten per cent. If this approach is inadequate, I will amend it.

      Eating only soft-food is not practicable here. Though all my lot like it, they have never eaten enough of it, even when it was the only choice available. I am going to be strict about the type of hard-food I serve, and will be getting all of mine on low carbohydrates, not just Tucker.

      Thank you again for your advice, and I will be asking questions in the future. I want Tucker to be with me for a long time.

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  17. I have found the bottles of insulin (especially at Walmart) are much less expensive, even though you have to use syringes.
    My diabetic cat got her shots in her scruff in a "pinch" of skin.. That's how I give my own shots.

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    1. I didn't try Walmart but Costco is relatively cheap and I am able to buy 'pens', which will help me. This is the start of something big for both Tucker and me.

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